1886 Liberty Corner at Conner Prairie

With temperatures warming up and spring break just around the corner – I thought it would be a perfect time to have an Hamilton County, Indiana family getaway giveaway contest on our blog!  The winner will begin their weekend at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, where visitors travel back in time to 19th-century Indiana. Here, you will spend the day negotiating with a fur trader in the Lenape Indian Camp, lending a hand with farm chores in 1886 Liberty Corner, learning how to dip your own candle in 1836 Prairietown and more.  After a fun filled day, stop by Mellow Mushroom in Carmel for a great pizza dinner (don’t forget their giant pretzels, yum!).  Then, tuck in for the night at the DoubleTree Hotel. Have some spare time before heading home the next day?  Weather permitting, take a leisurely walk on the Monon Trail in Carmel, stroll through Forest Park in Noblesville – or simply take a dip in the pool at the DoubleTree.

How to win? Simply leave a comment on this post!  Tell me about your family (or if you want to use this for a friends getaway, that is works), or why you want to visit, or when you would use your package.  There is no right or wrong comment to leave, but please keep comments kind.  I will randomly select a winner from the comments at NOON on FRIDAY, MARCH 12.  Please enter only once, and see our Blog Policy page for any other questions on our online contests.

The Hamilton County, Indiana family getaway includes:

1 Overnight Stay at the DoubleTree Hotel in Carmel*

1 Gift card for delicious pizza from Mellow Mushroom

4 admission tickets for a day of fun Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

*The Overnight stay & Mellow Mushroom gift card expire on December 31, 2010.  Conner Prairie tickets are good through October 2010.

Restaurant of the Week – Week 10

Sahm’s – This family-owned restaurant offers great food & service at an affordable price.  With recipes that have been passed down through the generations, the menu has a wide variety of tasty homemade food – sure to please anyone’s palette.  I asked around the office for favorite dishes and came back with quite a few; the mouth-watering burger, the perfectly cooked pork tenderloin sandwich, the new buffalo bites.  Also, this past summer we posted about the Hamilton County dishes that the 8 Great Towns staffers crave – and Sahm’s made the list.  Check out this great quote from that post:

Our intern, Emma, craves a fried delight from Sahm’s, “Although they are not technically a dish, Sahm’s carrot curls surpass any other crunchy, fried snack I have ever encountered.  They are light, crispy, and are dusted with just the right amount of salt.  Plus carrots are vegetables, so they are still good for you… Right?”

Beginning March 1^st, select businesses in the Carmel Arts & Design District will offer special prizes for customers to show their support of the Indianapolis Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. A percentage of sales throughout the month of March will be donated to the foundation.

The owner of PillowTalk, Rachel Davidson, is leading this charge by celebrating “Bras for the Cause” throughout the month of March. The goal of this event is to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research, so 10% of March PillowTalk profits will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation Indianapolis Affiliate.

To thank those individuals choosing to shop at PillowTalk and contribute their dollars to the cure, giveaways and promotions are offered each day including; one free eye exam from Lauck & McLean Optometry, gift cards to Joe’s Butcher Shop and Fish Market, one-of-a-kind pendants from local jewelry artist, and more.

PillowTalk shoppers can also feel good about other purchases made at select businesses in the Arts & Design District- when a PillowTalk receipt is presented OR Bras for the Cause is mentioned at time of purchase, Mary & Martha’s Exceedingly Chic Boutique, Holy Cow Cupcakes and the Blue Egg Art Gallery will donate 10% of profits, and Circle City Tuxedo will donate $5 for every purchase!

The Simply Sweet Shoppe is offering 15% off your entire purchase and Artisan Masterpiece is offering 20% off regularly priced items or 10% off sale items when shown a receipt from PillowTalk at the time of purchase. A PillowTalk receipt will also earn patrons of CK Designs 10% off a product or a hair service and 10% off the bill at Serendipity Tea Room.

Donation receptacles are also available at select Arts & Design District businesses for those visitors wishing to make a contribution to the Susan G. Komen Indianapolis Affiliate directly. For information regarding Bras for the Cause, please visit PillowTalkBoutique.com or call 317.574.8990.  Visit CarmelArtsAndDesign.com or call 317.571.ARTS for more information about Carmel Arts & Design District events, galleries and merchants.

, here are 8 Great Things to do in Hamilton County, Indiana this weekend:

1. Go shopping for a cause! Select shops in the Carmel Arts & Design District are donating portions of March profits to breast cancer research – Daily March 1 through March 31.

2. See the runaway hit NUNSENSE – a fun live theatre performance featuring dance, audience interaction, laughter, amnesia, nuns and more –  Wednesday, March 3 – Saturday, March 6.

3. Take the little ones (ages 2-5) for an afternoon filled with merry music at Conner Prairie in Fishers – Friday, March 5.

4.Visit our Restaurant of the Week – Serendipity – for high tea or a delicious afternoon brunch.

5. Ready for winter to be over? Visit the Birdie Gallery in Noblesville for the Emerging Colors exhibit – a spring show of paintings, ceramics and sculpture – Thursday, March 4 through Friday, April 30.

6. See the tiny new exhibits on display at the Museum of Miniature Houses in Carmel – Open every week, Wednesday – Sunday.

7. Weather permitting, spend some time strolling through the Snowflakes & Silent Nights exhibit at Cool Creek Park in Westfield – Open daily until Sunday, March 7.

8.  End your weekend on a high note and experience a live performance by Broadway star Ben Vereen – Sunday, March 7.

*Visit us online at 8GreatTowns.com for a complete list of things do in Hamilton County, Indiana!

Each quarter, we recognize a business and an individual for all their hard work in making the 8 Great Towns of Hamilton County a great place to live AND visit.  Nominees are recognized for their dedication to superior hospitality in Hamilton County with one STAR named in each of the 3 categories (individual, non-profit and tourism business). If you have experienced STAR service, nominate your Tourism STAR today!  All nominations for the 1st Quarter Star Award are due March 10, the award will be given out on March 25.

Restaurant of the Week – Week 9

The Vault, photo from Serendipity's Website

Serendipity - In the heart of the Carmel Arts & Design District is Serendipity, a tea room that serves an incredible brunch, lunch and English tea.  The cozy restaurant is set within a renovated 120 year-old bank – make sure to make a reservation to dine with pals in the vault.  Serendipity is all about details and showcases marble floors, chandeliers, glass top tables and gorgeous tea pots.  My favorite part?  The most expensive dish on the menu is $11.95, so you can enjoy the fancy surroundings without breaking the bank (no pun intended).

YUM! Love the scones - photo from Serendipity's website

Serendipity is within walking distance of the 8 Great Towns office, so I have had the pleasure of taste testing most items on the menu and love the Turkey Asparagus Wrap.  Served with a warm scone & fresh fruit, this sun dried tomato, basil cream cheese wrap is filled with fresh turkey and asparagus – and always makes my taste buds happy.  Next time you are strolling through the District, take a moment to experience a delicious lunch at Serendipity (and then stop over at our Welcome Center to say “hello!”).

Hours

Lunch: Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

English Tea: Monday – Saturday, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sunday – Open only for private parties

Ben Vereen, photo from CarmelPlayers.org

Looking for a fun way to end your weekend?  Well, on Sunday, March 7, Current Publishing and Carmel Community Players welcome Broadway legend, Ben Vereen to Carmel High School. Mr. Vereen is a Tony Award-winning singer, actor and dancer and starred in Pippin, Jesus Christ Superstar, All That Jazz, Fosse, Jelly’s Last Jam, Wicked and more.  The show begins at 7 p.m.!

This performance is a fundraising event for Carmel Community Players, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, all-volunteer community theater.
Don’t miss this very special evening!

Fishers Farmers Market

If you read the blog last year, you know that I love Indiana farm markets – I love talking with the vendors about their sweet corn, fresh spices and ripe tomatoes.  I love the feel of the sun shining on my shoulders as I look through fresh-cut flowers and the feel of grass touching my sandaled toes.  I have been busy putting together our summer calendar of events brochure (it will arrive in late March, if you are interested in receiving this brochure email info@8GreatTowns.com) – and want to share the dates of the Markets.  Four of our 8 Great Towns offer weekly markets – check out the dates below:

Carmel Farmers Market
Saturday’s, May 22– October 2; 8 to 11:30 a.m.
One Civic Square, Carmel
317-710-0162
CarmelFarmersMarket.com

Fishers Farmers Market
Saturday’s, June 5-September 25; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
11601 Municipal Drive, Fishers
317-578-0700
FishersChamber.com

Noblesville Farmers Market
Saturday’s, May 29-September 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
205 W. Conner Street, Noblesville
317-776-0205
Noblesville.biz/NMainStreet

Westfield Farmers Market
Friday’s, June 4-August 6; 4 to 8 p.m.
Corner of SR 32 & S. Walnut Street, Westfield
317-867-5427
DWNA.org

Visit us online for a full list of Hamilton County, Indiana festivals, outdoor concerts (including the most current Verizon Wireless line-up), family adventures and park classes.

All Aboard!

The Indiana Transportation Museum has announced their 2010 calendar!  This fun, unique gem in Hamilton County, Indiana can be appreciated and enjoyed by both Indiana visitors and residents.  The schedule begins on April 24 with caboose shuttles – a quick train trip that allows you to enjoy the fun of riding the rails – but allowing time to explore other great Hamilton County attractions.  Hop aboard for an evening on the dinner or pizza train excursions, or ride WFMS FairTrain to the Indiana State Fair in August.  Give dinner and a movie a whole new meaning, or avoid the hassle of traffic by taking the train for selected festivals throughout the year.

Visit their website at ITM.org or call 317-773-6000 for a full listing of events and more details on the train rides!

The 30-Star Civil War Flag during the restoration process

1. See the tiny new exhibits on display at the Museum of Miniature Houses in Carmel – Open every week, Wednesday – Sunday.

2. Visit Sheridan for the “Welcome Home, Old Glory” program that honors a restored 30-Star Civil War Flag – Thursday, February 25.

3. Make a reservation to spend an evening back in 19th-century Indiana during Hearthside Suppers at Conner Prairie – Friday, February 26 – Sunday, February 28.

4. Enjoy a live performance of the Farndale Housing Society Murder Mystery at the Belfry Theatre in Noblesville – Friday, February 26 – Sunday, February 28.

5. Visit our Restaurant of the Week – Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano – for a delicious Italian meal.

6. Take a “maple syrup hike” in Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve where, with the help of nature staffers, you will seek out trees, learn how to gather sap and even taste test – Saturday, February 27. UPDATE – THIS EVENT IS CLOSED UNTIL MARCH

7. Bring your ice skates to Redman Park in Westfield for an evening of free outdoor ice skating (the final chance for the year!) – Saturday, February 27.

8. Experience the “Songs Of Freedom & African American History In Hamilton County” exhibit at the Birdie Gallery in Noblesville – Sunday, February 28.

*Visit us online at 8GreatTowns.com for a complete list of things do in Hamilton County, Indiana!