Hello all ARLIS/NA Indianapolis Conference Attendees (and anyone else who just wants to learn more about central Indiana),
Today, we're going to make suggestions about things to do and see in the vicinity of Indianapolis. We realize that many of you won't have the opportunity to get out beyond the edges of the city unless you're in a tour bus, but in the spirit of "you never know when you might be able to do this," we'll provide you with a few ideas. And who knows, maybe you'll be on Jeopardy one day and when the category "Vicinity of Indy" comes up, you can confidently bet it all, because you read the blog post on "What's the Scene near Indianapolis?" (As always, go to the blog for this post and lots of links! http://arlisnaindy.wordpress.com)
The old state slogan of Indiana was "Wander Indiana." Here are ideas to direct your wandering shoes.
A couple suggestions regarding the vintage / antique scene in and near Indianapolis:
Midland Arts & Antique Market [http://midlandathome.com/]
You don't have to go far to visit the Midland Arts & Antique Market. There are two locations: downtown Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana. The downtown location, housed in an historic 40,000 square-foot warehouse, hosts over 150 antique and vintage art dealers. From downtown, take Meridian north 2 blocks from Monument Circle, head 10 blocks east on New York Street, go under the interstate and turn left on Pine St and Midland is one block ahead on the right. The Carmel store includes galleries for many of the area's premier designers and art dealers. Directions are provided on the website.
Is vintage clothing more your thing? Want to support the local art scene? Be sure to include a visit to Dada [http://www.dada1024.com], Indianapolis' premier vintage clothing boutique. Dada is in Fountain Square and it is only open on weekends (1024 Virginia Ave. -- SE edge of the downtown area). Proceeds from sales provide scholarships to local art students. Get more information and cool pictures from their website.
Points North:
Head directly north up Keystone Avenue and you'll run right into Carmel, Indiana, the home of The Museum of Miniature Houses and other Collections, Inc. [http://www.museumofminiatures.org/] You'll be impressed with the miniature houses and villages, not to mention diminutive dragons and miniscule circus wagons, and even miniature artwork.
After your fill of things miniature, head directly east 7.5 miles to Fishers, Indiana where you'll find life-size history lessons at Connor Prairie. [http://www.connerprairie.org/] Step into America's past with the guidance of this hands-on history museum with interactive exhibits about Native American and pioneer life. During the month of April, there is a special exhibit called "Follow the North Star," in which you can learn about the perils of the northbound journey of fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad.
This is admittedly a little far afield (and I'm not just referring to miles!), but to get our traveling appetites whetted, did you know that the world's largest ball of paint [http://ballofpaint.freehosting.net/] is a mere one hour and fifteen minute drive from Indianapolis? Yes, it's true. In Alexandria, Indiana (from Indianapolis, head north to Fishers, take a right and then take a left in Anderson and keep going for about 15 miles). Michael Carmichael and his wife, Glenda, have painted a baseball with over 21,700 coats of paint and it weighs over 3,000 pounds and is 11 feet in diameter! You can visit and add your own layer of paint! It's paint -- but is it art?
If you're still in the wandering mood, keep going north for about an hour passing near Kokomo, the "City of Firsts," and you'll arrive in Huntington, Indiana, home of the Vice Presidential Museum at the Dan Quayle Center. [http://www.quaylemuseum.org/] The museum features information not only about Dan Qualye but touches on the lives of all U.S. Vice Presidents, five of whom have come from Indiana (that's second only to New York state!).
Points South:
There are several worthy and interesting destinations south of Indianapolis, a few of which we'll highlight here.
The closest of these is Columbus, [http://www.columbus.in.gov/] an architectural wonder with buildings by I.M. Pei, Kevin Roche, Richard Meier, Robert A.M. Stern, to name just a few. Columbus lies about 45 miles southeast of Indianapolis. In its Nov/Dec 2008 issue, National Geographic Traveler ranked Columbus #11 out of 109 historic destinations worldwide by its Center for Sustainable Destinations. This was the highest ranking of any U.S. city! This is what they said: "Although it is surprising to see a Midwestern burg in the company of Dijon and Stockholm, this 'jewel in the region' boasts 'world-class mid-century modern architecture.'" Columbus has been featured in many other publications too. For more information about Columbus, visit the city's website or the Wikipedia entry. It's not too late to sign up for the tour!
For a classic midwest college town, visit Bloomington, 53 miles south of Indianapolis. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomington,_Indiana] Bloomington is home to Indiana University with cultural showcases such as the Lilly Special Collections Library, the University Art Museum, the Thomas Hart Benton Murals, the Archives of African American Culture and Music, and the Archives of Traditional Music. February of each year brings a weeklong chocolate festival to town! And then there's the IU Early Music Festival in May, the Summer Music Festival all summer long, the Bubblefest in July, and the Beer Festival in October (those are just the highlights!).
If you keep heading south, almost to the Kentucky border and at the edge of the Hoosier National Forest, you'll arrive at French Lick/West Baden. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Lick,_Indiana] You're no longer in central Indiana, but it's worth the drive. French Lick was known as "the Lick" in the early 19th century because the animals came to lick the mineral salts off the wet rocks and waters of the valley. The mineral-rich waters were sought out during the 19th century for their curative powers. Throughout the late 19th century and to this day, a resort hotel has offered a place to 'take the cure' though now (recently restored and rejuvenated) it also boasts golf courses and casinos in addition to deluxe spa treatments. The French Lick and West Baden hotels are both on the National Register of Historic Places and tours are offered.
Best regards,
Rebecca Price and Annette Haines
Conference Publicity
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Check out the blog for more conference information!
http://arlisnaindy.wordpress.com/
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