Indianapolis, Indiana

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05-12-2005, 09:46 AM
lhuff

Indianapolis, Indiana

I'm going to be in Indianapolis from June 16-20 for the US Grand Prix race. I know that I won't spend all of my time at the track, though. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to do? I've tried using Google, but Indianapolis doesn't appear to have a good tourism website (please correct me if I'm wrong).

By the way, I'm heading north-east from there to Niagara Falls (New York side), Maine, and New Hampshire, so if anyone has any cool suggestions for those destinations I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Laura
05-12-2005, 11:35 AM
Robert Schaller

Brown County

One option is to spend a day cruising around Brown County. See world famous towns like Nashville, Bean Blossom, and Gnaw Bone (Gnaw Bone University is my Alma Mater). In the summer season, you'll be able to find Bluegrass music shows in the area. The area is forested, hilly terrain with farms and creeks, decidely rustic and there are lots of crafts and "country" things to see and do. It's a beautiful area. Be sure to see Brown County State Park.

To get there, drive south from Indianapolis on SR135 or SR37, to Nashville, IN. Bob
05-12-2005, 12:00 PM
Mark Sedenquist

Do you like Pizza?

Quote:

I'm going to be in Indianapolis from June 16-20 for the US Grand Prix race. I know that I won't spend all of my time at the track, though. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to do?

We like the yummy pizza at Sinclairs in nearby Nobelsville.

Mark
05-12-2005, 08:39 PM
AZBuck

Maine and NH

As a former resident of both states I'd be happy to make some suggestions for your visit. Where in particular are you headed? Mountains?, seacoast?, lakes? You're going to have to narrow it down a bit! I'll be in the White Mountains myself over the 4th of July for a little small town parade and family gathering.

AZBuck
05-13-2005, 05:50 AM
Chuck C

Hey, I grew up in Indianapolis, and now live in Fishers (a suburb just northeast of Indianapolis). I'd offer to meet up with you sometime when you're here, except I'll be on vacation when you're here!

If you have kids--or even if you're just kids at heart--our Children's Museum is excellent, the largest Children's Museum in the world.

White River State Park has several worthwhile attractions, including the Indianapolis Zoo, the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and the NCAA Hall of Champions.

If these don't sound like your thing, let me know what kind of thing you are interested in, and I can probably make some suggestions. I hope you enjoy your visit to our city!
05-13-2005, 07:35 AM
Mark Sedenquist

River Promenade?

Chuck,

I really like Indianapolis and hoped that someone local would "post-in" on this topic. The next time you have a moment or two, would you mind taking a couple of photographs of the River Promenade in White State Park and sending them to me?

Another bit of roadtrip intel that I would love to know -- is the latest on the Hook's American Drugstore Museum . I haven't heard from Jim Rogers, the founder in a long time -- do you know any news?

Have you ever attended a Formula Lightning event at the raceway? If you ever get the chance -- it is very cool and we would love to get a current field report...

Thanks,

Mark
05-16-2005, 08:24 AM
Chuck C

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editor

I really like Indianapolis and hoped that someone local would "post-in" on this topic. The next time you have a moment or two, would you mind taking a couple of photographs of the River Promenade in White State Park and sending them to me?

Sure, although I don't know when I'll have a chance to get down there next, so it may be a while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editor

Another bit of roadtrip intel that I would love to know -- is the latest on the Hook's American Drugstore Museum . I haven't heard from Jim Rogers, the founder in a long time -- do you know any news?

I haven't heard anything about that. It was a shame when the one on the state fairgrounds closed. A bit of Googling turned up this website, but it's strangely silent about any actual physical museum.

According to your article, the new museum was supposed to have been downtown on south Meridian St. Coincidentally, I spent quite a bit of time walking around south Meridian St. a few weekends ago--I wasn't specifically looking for the drugstore museum, but I don't recall seeing anything of that sort. :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editor

Have you ever attended a Formula Lightning event at the raceway? If you ever get the chance -- it is very cool and we would love to get a current field report...

Nope, I've never even been to Indianapolis Raceway Park. (For those not familiar with Indianapolis, I should explain: Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the big track, where only a few races take place each year, among them the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, and the U.S. Grand Prix. Indianapolis Raceway Park is a smaller track, which has lesser-known races much more frequently throughout the year.)

Oh, and in addition to the recommendations I made in my first reply in this thread, I should have mentioned the Conner Prairie living history museum. Don't know how I forgot that!
05-18-2005, 09:30 AM
lhuff

Thanks Everyone!

Thanks for all of the suggestions! Sorry I didn't have a chance to respond quicker. I will definitely have to check have to check out the Pizza place and the museums. The Conner Prairie looks very interesting.

The trip is starting to take shape (at least the first few days are). We're going to leave Shreveport on Tuesday afternoon and try to make it to Little Rock or Memphis before stopping. I usually leave early in the morning, but I refuse to do the drive from Shreveport to Texarkana in the dark. On Wednesday we're going to go to Mammoth Cave National Park on the way to Indianapolis. Thursday through Sunday will be the race and exploring Indianapolis.

After that it's still fuzzy. I was doing some research and so far I only know of three things that are definite.

1) Niagra Falls (New York Side)
2) Acadia National Park in Maine
3) A visit to the Mecca of all Knitting Stores - Patternworks in Center
Harbor, New Hampshire

Other than this it's an open book for the next week. We would like to see lighthouses and a covered bridge while in Maine and have a desire to get our pictures taken in front of a sign for Bangor (Dark Shadows Fans). Also I would like to see the White Mountains again.

I guess I should mention that the only person crazy enough to do this trip with me is my sister.
05-18-2005, 09:48 AM
Quebec Gen

Lighthouse, covered bridges and more

Quote:

We would like to see lighthouses and a covered bridge while in Maine and have a desire to get our pictures taken in front of a sign for Bangor (Dark Shadows Fans). Also I would like to see the White Mountains again.

The nicest lighthouse I saw in southern ME was at Cape Neddick. While you're there drive route 9 on the seacoast and see the Cape Porpoise lighthouse. Have lunch at Wormwood's in Camp Ellis (shrimp scampi +++). I don't know if you plan on camping or staying in motels (??) if you're in the Saco/Old Orchard area, try the Bay View Villa for very unexpensive rooms on the waterfront and in the White Mountains region, go to Country Bumpkins Campground (19$). If you go through VT, you'll find lots of covered bridges near the Canadian border (ex. : on highway 118 between Richford and Newport) and nice places to swim. For a cool off the beaten path swimming spot (only locals know about it, shhh:o), park at the Fire Station in Montgomery (about 500 feet off route 118). You will see a walking path on the side of the building. Walk for about 500 feet and you will see the river and the waterfalls.

Have a great trip!

Gen
05-18-2005, 09:54 AM
Mark Sedenquist

A new one for us

Quote:

Originally Posted by lhuff

...A visit to the Mecca of all Knitting Stores - Patternworks in Center Harbor, New Hampshire...

This is the first time I have heard of this place. The photos and descriptions do make it sound like an amazing store. -- We will want a field report...

Mark
05-18-2005, 09:59 AM
Mark Sedenquist

On the pursuit again

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck C

I haven't heard anything about that. It was a shame when the one on the state fairgrounds closed. A bit of Googling turned up this website, but it's strangely silent about any actual physical museum.

I thought that they still open the shop on the Fairgrounds during each state fair. Actually, your googling was helpful -- I found a reference to Jim Rogers with this incarnation of the Hooks Organization and have flashed a message off to them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck C

According to your article, the new museum was supposed to have been downtown on south Meridian St. Coincidentally, I spent quite a bit of time walking around south Meridian St. a few weekends ago--I wasn't specifically looking for the drugstore museum, but I don't recall seeing anything of that sort.

I think it is likely that the project foundered, but I will still see what I can find out.

Mark
05-18-2005, 10:51 AM
AZBuck

NH Woods

OK, if you're going to be in Center Harbor anyway, then definitely continue north a bit on NH-25 and NH-109 to Center Sandwich and either look carefully for the directional signs or inquire locally for the Sandwich Notch Road. This is a dirt road that heads up through the southern portions of the White Mountains eventually rejoining paved highway (NH-49) near Waterville Valley. The road is easily handled by a typical sedan, no 4WD required, but gets you back into a section of the wooded mountains that the tourists never see. Too bad you're not doing this over Columbus Day Weekend!

For roadside kitsch at its best (no, that's not an oxymoron) stop at Clark's Trading Post outside Lincoln, and then a little farther north in Franconia Notch hike up into the Flume (well worth the admission and hike) and then shed a tear at the former site of the Old Man of the Mountain.

There are, amazingly, only 8 covered bridges left in the entire state of Maine and most of these are well off your general route. But there are still many left in northern New Hampshire and Vermont. The greatest concentration of them is in the area just south of Barre/Montpelier and they are marked on the official state highway map - be sure to get a copy.

I could go on and on. I've spent many summers (and winters) in this area and will, in fact be back there myself over the 4th of July. If you want more suggestions, just let me know what interests you the most. In fact, I just put together an approximately 100 page package for my brother (who has a summer home in the White Mountains) on things to do. It includes a listing of every covered bridge within 2 hours of Littleton, for example.

In return, I'd appreciate some suggestions on what to do in Shreveport, since I'll be spending one evening/night there on my way east, and am looking to take a 30-45 minute walk to get the flavor of the city before turning in.

AZBuck
05-18-2005, 04:40 PM
Chuck C

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editor

I thought that they still open the shop on the Fairgrounds during each state fair.

You may be right about that--I haven't been to the state fair in ages.
05-19-2005, 10:01 AM
lhuff

Shreveport - For AZBuck

Quote:

In return, I'd appreciate some suggestions on what to do in Shreveport, since I'll be spending one evening/night there on my way east, and am looking to take a 30-45 minute walk to get the flavor of the city before turning in.

I hate to say it, but Shreveport isn't a city best enjoyed at night. I can think of tons of things to do during the day. My best suggestion would be to either stay at one of the casinos or in a hotel in Bossier City. Shreveport has very few hotels/motels and those tend to be pricey .

I would take a walk along the Riverfront on both the Shreveport and Bossier sides of the Red River. The Shreveport Riverfront is nice along Clyde Fant Parkway. There are three or four casinos along this street and a nice waterfront park. I scoped out the Bossier Boardwalk side last night (it just opened last Friday). It's very nice. Lots of shops including a Bass Pro Shop (don't know if you're into that or not) and a very nice walkway along the river.

If it's still light when you arrive I would suggest walking in downtown Shreveport (about two blocks from Clyde Fant). I've seen people walking around with booklets so I think the Tourist Bureau must have printed up a walking tour of the area. Just get off at the Spring Street Exit from I-20 and the building is gaudily painted with LA stuff (you can't miss it). It's at the corner of Spring and Milam(?).

I do not, however, suggest walking in the downtown area after dark. Shreveport is slowly recovering from having been the most violent city in the US with lots of trouble from LA Gangs, etc. That coupled with the Oil bust almost made this a ghost town. It's safe during the day, but there are still parts of town that I won't go to after dark (downtown being one of them).

Are you coming in on I-20? A beautiful route is to get off I-20 around Longview, Texas or before and drive Highway 80 with runs parallel to the Interstate. There are several places after Marshall, Texas and again in Shreveport where you can catch the Interstate again (They're well marked). Highway 80 takes you through lots of small East Texas Towns and gives you a good feel for the region.
05-19-2005, 10:02 AM
lhuff

Field Report

Mark - Will do on the field report from Patternworks.
05-19-2005, 12:15 PM
AZBuck

Re: Shreveport

Thanks for the warnings and the suggestions. Looks like I'll be enjoying the riverfront parks in either city - they seem to suit my desires. And although I need to stick pretty much to the Interstates for the western portions of the trip, if time permits, I'll certainly check out the parallel portions of US-80 that you suggest.

Thanks again

AZBuck
05-19-2005, 05:03 PM
vermilye

If you are looking for Lighthouses, check out Lighthouse Stickers

Also, I'd take the time to hop over to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls...