INDIANA
Please be sure to call and verify times and rates as they are subject to change

ACTIVITIES:

CLARKSVILLE-  FALLS OF THE OHIO STATE PARK
201 West Riverside Dr., Clarksville  47129  812.280.9970
COST:  Park admission is free;  $2 parking fee;  Interpretive Center admission:  $5 adult / $2 youth (age 18 & under) / Under 2 Free  -- parking fee is included in Interpretive Center admission
HOURS:  Park hours:  7 am - 11 pm / Interpretive Center hours:  Monday - Saturday 9 am - 5 pm / Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm
Explore 390 million years of history as you walk out near the river and see an amazing number of fossils embedded in the riverbed.  The adjoining Interpretive Center has a variety of displays and a wildlife viewing area. 
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   The kids loved walking down on the fossil beds to see the fossils up close.  It was amazing to see the sheer number of fossils.  Though you can not pick up any of the fossils, there is a small gift shop with a variety of inexpensive fossils for sale.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-  The fossil bed area is not stroller friendly, as there is a lot of driftwood to climb around.  Wear sturdy shoes if you plan to climb around; some of the rocks are sharp.

COLUMBUS-  KIDS COMMONS MUSEUM
309 Washington St, Columbus    812.378.3046
www.kidscommons.org
COST:  $6 per person, under 1 is Free
HOURS:  Tues - Sat 10a - 5p, Sun 1p - 5p
A wonderland for kids!    The kids will want to spend hours exploring through the career center, art studio, bubble center, and house that is divided into different cultures.  There is also a climbing wall and giant chess game.      
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Everything is kid friendly!  Educational mixed with fun!
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-   Geared more toward elementary school aged children so it doesn't keep the older children entertained for long.

FISHERS-  CONNER PRAIRIE INTERACTIVE PARK
13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers 46038  317.776.6000
COST:  March 31 - October 31:  $14 adults/ $13 seniors 65+ / $9 youth (age 2 - 12)  //  November - March 30:  $6 adults / $6 youth (age 2 - 12)
HOURS:  May - October:  Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 5 pm // November - March: Thursday - Sunday 10 am - 3 pm // April:  Thursday - Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
Conner Prairie Interactive Park represents one of the best ways to teach young people about history....through a hands-on experience.  The park is divided into five primary areas...each with its own theme.  In the Lenape Camp, learn about fur trading and gardening;  at the William Conner Homestead, tour a historical home and visit the animals in the barn; learn all about life in the 1800s from costumed interpreters at 1836 Prairietown.  If the weather is right, you can take a ride 350 feet into the air in a tethered hot air balloon at the 1859 Balloon Voyage.  Perhaps the favorite area for the review family was the 1863 Civil War Journey.  Costumed interpreters lead visitors through a Civil War raid of Indiana.  There are two interactive 'theaters' as part of the experience.  The welcome center also has a variety of hands-on activity areas.  Also, available is a themed play area.  Snack shop and gift shop on-site. 
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Hands-on historical learning.  Enjoyable for a wide variety of age-ranges.  Fun to visit each individual areas and experience the time-frame featured.  The facility was clean and well-kept.  Restrooms scattered throughout the property.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-  The interactive 'theater' elements of the 1836 Civil War Journey might be overwhelming for young children.  They were fairly intense. 

INDIANAPOLIS-  INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY HALL OF FAME MUSEUM
4790 W. 16th St., Indianapolis   317.492.6784
COST:  $5 adult / $3 children (age 6 - 15) / FREE age 5 & under
HOURS:  November - February:  Daily 10 am - 4 pm  /  March - October: Daily 9 am = 5 pm
Learn all you ever wanted to know about Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the great drivers who have raced there.  The entrance fee provides entry into the museum, featuring an extensive collection of race-winning cars.  An additional $5 adds a bus tour.  This tour takes one lap around the track while a pre-recorded narration plays.  If you are looking for a more complete IMS experience, take the grounds tour.  This tour is considerably more expensive than the bus tour but is a narrated 1 1/2 hour tour which covers the track, media area, garage area, Gasoline Alley suite, and a stop at the famous "Yard of Bricks" for a perfect photo op!  You might want to call in advance to schedule the grounds tour since they book up quickly.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Very informative; even though the museum is hands-off, the kids enjoyed seeing how the racecars had changed through the years.  I would suggest at least adding the bus tour since that gives you the opportunity to drive around the track. Museum has conveniently located restrooms.  There is a small diner located next to the museum.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-  Due to the fact that the museum is hands-off, the museum might not be entertaining for younger children.

LINCOLN CITY-  LINCOLN BOYHOOD NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Hwy 162, Lincoln City 47552     812.937.4541
COST:  $3 per person / $5 per family
HOURS:  VISITOR CENTER:  Early April - Late October: Daily 8 am - 5 pm / Late October - Early April: Daily 8 am - 4:30 pm / GROUNDS:  dawn to dusk
The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is a part of the National Park Service (so if you have a NPS passport book, make sure to take it with to get your visit stamped!).  There is plenty to do and see.  Start out at the Visitor Center which has a 15 minute long orientation film and small museum area.  Then walk a short distance to the tallest flagpole in Indiana and visit the grave of President Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln.  You can walk or drive to the Lincoln Spring; the source of fresh water for the Lincoln family.  There is also a living historical farm open during the summer months.  Costumed interpreters explain how life would have been for the Lincoln family.  Near the living historical farm is the spot where the original Lincoln cabin would have been.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   The memorial has a beautiful setting and allows for a peaceful day out.  The living history farm is small but very interesting.  One almost feels as if they have stepped back to the 1820s and can expect to see a young Abe Lincoln cutting logs or planting a field. 
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-  Remember to check for ticks after walking through the forest trails; one of our children ended up with a tagalong tick.  Make sure children use the restrooms while at the visitor center since there are not any in the other areas. 

STARLIGHT-  JOE HUBER'S FAMILY FARM AND RESTAURANT
2421 Scottsville Rd, Starlight    877.563.4823
www.joehubers.com
COST:  $2 admission;  some activities require extra ticket purchase and there is an additional fee for any fruit or vegetables picked.
HOURS:  Call for hours
There is really so much to do on this family farm!  Take a wagon ride through the fields and stop to feed the animals, pick your own fruit and vegetables, or climb to the top of the 35' silo and see the whole farm.  Many other activities too!  If you're hungry, stop over at the family restaurant next door for some homestyle cooking.   
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Great variety of activities to keep different age children happy.  Reasonably priced.  The kids loved to feed and pet the animals.

ZIONSVILLE-  TRADER'S POINT CREAMERY
9101 Moore Rd., Zionsville  46077   317.733.1700
COST:  $2 per person
HOURS:  Daily- 9 am - 3 pm
Stop by to see the cows and chickens.  Walk the 1.3 mile trail along the creek and enjoy the quiet countryside.  Call in advance to find out what time milking is if you would like to watch.  Don't forget to stop in the Dairy Bar for some homemade ice cream (yummy!).  There is a restaurant and farm store on site as well. 
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-   Nice walk around the property.  Fun to see the baby calves.  The ice cream was delicious.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS-  Not very stroller-friendly.