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Think long-weekend getaways are strictly the stuff of warm, sunny days? Think again.
Grab the kids, load up the car and head to Hamilton County, Indiana, for an extended weekend this winter. Indoor, outdoor, city and rural — you’ll find a range of activities for the whole family — and plenty of kid-friendly eateries along the way.
Check out these Hamilton County attractions sure to fill your long weekend and cure your cabin fever.
Day 1
What better place to start than the museum whose website encourages you to “make it a historic day”? Conner Prairie, in Fishers, is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate with outdoor, historically themed offerings that are open during warmer months. But visit Conner Prairie in the winter to experience the museum’s indoor spaces. Your kids can dig into hands-on activities that combine history and art with science, technology, engineering and math.
Then check out these family-friendly dining options. Pure Eatery, just up the road in Fishers, offers kids items like a Nutella and strawberry sandwich.
Next, you’re right by some great options to blow off steam with your kids, all in Fishers. Try your hand at wintertime golf, in the climate-controlled conditions at Topgolf. Kids can jump to their hearts’ content at SkyZone. Or, if your children are 10 or older, head to The Escape Room, where you’ll work together to find your way out of a themed room.
If you need a snack, the newly developed Fishers District is set to offer all kinds of eateries in addition to shopping. Or, look at these other suggestions, including family restaurants in Fishers and other eating spots in Hamilton County. Want other ideas for fun? See what else we recommend around Fishers.
Ready to call it a day? Check out our list of Hamilton County hotel options for your weekend.
Day 2
How about breakfast at another of our favorite kid-friendly restaurants, Rosie's Place Carmel or Noblesville? Then bundle up — because our next adventure is outdoors. Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes in Noblesville is a sledding hill tubing experience. Located at Strawtown Koteewi Park, the facility will give you a lift to the top, followed by a 700-foot slide on snow tubes down groomed lanes.
Warm up from your snow tubing by heading inside, to the Taylor Center of Natural History, also at Strawtown Koteewi Park. There, you and your kids can channel your inner archeologists while you learn about the Strawtown Enclosure, an American Indian village from 700 years ago.
Since you’re in the area, you could grab a bite to eat and shop at Mercantile 37. Also nearby: Lisa’s Pie Shop, home to the famous Pie-in-a-Jar.
Want more choices? Here are some other nearby things to do and places to eat. You have plenty more options for dining with the family in Carmel and Westfield as well. Or you could take in a show at Carmel’s Center for the Performing Arts.
Day 3
There’s still a lot to do to round out your Hamilton County winter getaway — including ice skating at The Ice at Center Green in the heart of Carmel. Want to head indoors? From late January on, take shelter from the elements at the Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections. In this shrine to small, you’ll find more than 80 dollhouses and miniature scenes and a treasure hunt game for the kids.
Head to The Cake Bake Shop, where you’ll savor sweets included on Oprah’s lists of favorite things. Choose from cakes, pies, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, cream pies, bread puddings and more.
Not ready to head home just yet? Take a look at our list of other things to do in Carmel. And our suggestions for kid-friendly restaurants include Carmel spots like Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream or Sun King Spirits.
Now’s the Time
So, don’t wait for spring for that long-weekend family getaway. Head to Hamilton County to find all kinds of attractions and activities perfect for cold weather. Whether you choose the stops we list here or you’re interested in other adventures, you can rely on our planning tools to help you prepare.
And when you visit, don’t forget to post your stories and pictures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, tagging us @VisitHamiltonCo and using #VisitHC.
