Wednesday January 12, 2011
The National Park Service is offering free admission to more than 100 parks and monuments around the United States again in 2011. The fee free dates are January 15-17, April 16-24, June 21, September 24, and November 11-13.
In Indiana, admission is free to the
Lincoln Boyhood Home National Memorial, near Evansville (pictured above), and the
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, near Vincennes. If you'll be traveling this year, check out the other
sites around the country that you can see for free.
by Sandy Mitchell
(photo credit: Sid Webb/Flickr.com)
Monday January 3, 2011
Indiana is home to a great collection of outlet shopping centers with stores ranging from Brooks Brothers and Jones of New York to Mikasa and Yankee Candle. Most of the outlet centers feature food courts and sit-down restaurants as well as acres of free parking.
For your next bargain-hunting adventure, try
- Edinburgh Premium Outlets - Located 35 miles southeast of Indianapolis, Edinburgh Premium Outlets offers 85 stores, including Adidas, Eddie Bauer, Coach, Gap, and Polo Ralph Lauren.
- Lighthouse Place - This Michigan City outlet mall, located just off of I-80 about 3 hours from Indianapolis, features 120 stores. Among them are Brooks Brothers, Nike, Burberry, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger.
by Sandy Mitchell
Sunday January 2, 2011
Indiana isn't typically thought of as a skiing state, but that doesn't mean Hoosiers have to travel to Colorado or Vermont in order to spend a little time on the slopes. Indiana offers a handful of enjoyable ski areas. Among them are
Paoli Peaks in south central Indiana, about 90 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. This resort offers 15 ski trails as well as snowboarding, tubing and snowblading and is set to open on December 17 (2010). Facilities include a huge day lodge, concessions, ski rental and a pro shop.
Also opening this weekend (December 16) is
Perfect North Slopes, located just west of Cincinnati, in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. This small ski area has 22 runs as well as two terrain parks. Facilities include a restaurant, ski school, pro shop and equipment rental.
by Sandy Mitchell
(photo courtesy of Paoli Peaks)
Saturday January 1, 2011
Harrison County, in southern Indiana along the Ohio River, has added another winery to this burgeoning wine-growing community.
Grateful Goat Vineyard and Winery in Palmyra opened last month just in time for the holidays. The family-run winery is located on West Palmyra Lake Road and open Saturdays from noon to 8pm and Sundays from 1230pm to 530pm. The winery specializes in premium wines at affordable prices and wine tasting is complimentary. They also have a small gift and gourmet food shop.
Grateful Goat is the fifth winery in Harrison County. The area is highlighting its wine growers with a Winter Wine Walk on Saturday, December 11. The wineries will offer gifts, tastings and wine for sale. In addition, Harrison County is home to a Civil War battlefield; the world's largest riverboat casino; and Corydon, Indiana's first capitol.
For more about Harrison County, visit the
county's Web site.
by Sandy Mitchell