Are you looking for a great place for family fun? While Indiana is full of museums and zoos, there are less expensive options available at discovery parks. If you're looking for a day full of learning and excitement, check out this discovery park in Carmel, Indiana.
Cool Creek Park and Nature Center is a 90-acre park that's full of activities for family fun.
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This gorgeous park includes sports fields, walking trails, an indoor nature center, and this incredible playground that your kids will love.
Of course, that's not all that's in store. Step inside the nature center to visit this amazing children's library, complete with toys like puppets and puzzles.
You'll also want to check out the bird watching room inside of the nature center for an absolutely magical experience. Inside you can view different species of birds, while the window grants opportunities to see live birds in action.
Of course, no nature center would be complete without a few critters running around. Your family will love getting up close to this fun loving tortoise named Chumley.
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Explore the other critters and learn more about their homes, what they like to eat, and much more.
Be sure to visit this incredible park for a great experience interacting with animals, learning about nature, exploring trails, and much more. There are always events going on so follow their Facebook page for the latest news. You'll find Cool Creek Park at 2100 E 151st St,
Carmel, Indiana.
Have you ever been to this incredible discovery park? For more great parks to visit, check out this list.
Fall in Indiana brings a lot of outdoor activities and festivals to the Hoosier state. We're here to help if you've found yourself wondering "Where are the best fall getaways near me?" From apple picking to haunted houses, here are 10 of the most perfect fall day trips in Indiana.
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1. Wild Zoo Halloween - Fort Wayne
Enjoy a day of Halloween fun in costume, surrounded by hundreds of animals. Enjoy treat trails, meet Broomhilda the Witch, pick pumpkins, and enjoy more family-friendly activities at this incredible event. The zoo is a great place for those looking for family-friendly "fall getaways near me." Get dates and information on the Fort Wayne's Children's Zoo website.
2. U-Pick at Anderson Orchard - Mooresville
This awesome orchard lets you pick apples, berries, pumpkins, and more. There's also a ton of fresh produce already picked for you, and lots of sweet treats like apple butter to try. There are hayrides and other events all through October, making it a perfect day trip for exploring the orchard and having some quality family fun. Learn more about Anderson Orchard.
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3. Headless Horseman Festival at Conner Prairie - Fishers
This incredible event features hayrides, a 7-acre corn maze, and of course, the main event - a headless horseman ride! This year will also feature other family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained all day long. Check out more about Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie. It's one of the coolest things to do in fall in Indiana!
4. Grandpa Jeff's Trail Rides - Morgantown
This epic horse-riding tour is great for beginners or even those who have been riding their whole lives. You'll ride through pastures, hills, past creeks, and experience a plethora of scenery, which is perfect for a crisp fall day. Plan your excursion to Grandpa Jeff's Trail Rides this fall in Indiana.
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5. Joe Huber's Family Farm & Restaurant - Starlight
This incredible farm offers a plethora of fall fun. Enjoy picking apples and berries, finding the best pumpkins, pony rides, a corn maze, and so much more. Don't forget to swing by their store for a variety of goodies and treats or head over to their restaurant for a farm-fresh meal. Find out more about Joe Huber's Family Farm & Restaurant.
6. Spring Mill State Park - Mitchell
This incredible park has a ton of fall fun in store. Enjoy Scarecrow Weekend in Pioneer Village as well as the Haunted Village in October. Come in costume and ready for tons of fun! Check out more about Spring Mill State Park.
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7. Goebel Farms - Evansville
This awesome farm has a unique corn maze for Hoosiers to enjoy - in the shape of Princess Leia. Come check out this awesome maze and enjoy a barn slide, a petting zoo, and fresh pumpkins and gourds. See more about Goebel Farms.
8. Brown County State Park - Nashville
This stunning park is always beautiful in the fall. Check out the changing colors of the leaves during a hike or horseback ride or enjoy a night camping amongst nature. Read all about Brown County State Park in Nashville.
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9. Miller's Cider Mill - Middlebury
If you love apple cider, you have to check out this incredible family-owned cider mill. Enjoy up-close tours of the mill and indulge in cider, apple butter, and maple syrup. Find out more about Miller's Cider Mill.
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10. Apple Works - Trafalgar
Rounding out our list of fall trips in Indiana is Apple Works in Trafalgar. This incredible orchard is rumored to have the best pie in Indiana. Their delicious apple pie is well worth the trip, but their fall activities will keep you hanging around. Enjoy apple picking, pumpkin patches, petting zoos, and much more at Apple Works!
Which of these fall day trips in Indiana looks like the most fun to you? For more beautiful sights during fall, check out this fall foliage road trip. But before you hit the road, check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for all the things you'll need for the car!
There are plenty of hidden, natural spots worth uncovering in Indiana. Some of the prettiest sights are often gardens. While we're sure you've viewed some of the more noteworthy gardens in the state, there's one secret garden in Indiana that you've likely never heard of...and it's sure to put a smile on your face as one of the prettiest gardens to visit in Indiana. Welcome to DeFries Gardens, one of the best gardens in Indiana.
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DeFries Gardens in New Paris, Indiana is an incredible hidden gem. This stunning natural oasis is also known to many as the Calendar Garden.
If you're not familiar with a calendar garden, the above diagram helps explain the concept. Different areas of this unique garden will bloom during different times of the year, paying tribute to Mother Nature, herself.
The general premise is to offer you a different experience any time you visit. Plus, the flowers, plants, and gorgeous pond are breathtaking any time of year.
This garden is spread across acres of land and was started almost 15 years ago. Visitors have been reveling in the unique sites and special beauty of this spot ever since.
No matter how many Indiana gardens you've visited before, you've never seen one quite like this.
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This garden is a great place to bring kids, friends, and fellow nature lovers for a few hours of relaxation and scoping out some of the most beautiful parts of nature.
To find this special Indiana garden, drive to 17477 County Road 46, New Paris, Indiana.
Have you ever been to this secret garden in Indiana? What was your experience like? Let us know all about it in the comments. For current events at this extraordinary garden, check out the DeFries Gardens Facebook page. If you like exploring hidden places, take a road trip to these wonderful secret places in Indiana: