Hamilton County is bursting with holiday cheer. Whether you enjoy walking through the light displays or just gazing at them while sipping on your favorite wine at a restaurant, they’ve got you covered. Shopping couldn’t be more fun as you venture from one boutique to another.
After spending a weekend in Hamilton County, I’ve put together my favorites. Planning your holiday vacation will low stress as you decide on your top picks.
Conner Prairie
A living, historical farm throughout the year, Conner Prairie is transformed into a fantastic light display during December. Get your timed ticket early and plan to spend an evening packed with fun holiday activities.
Different plays and Dickens retellings are put on throughout the evening, so be sure to grab a map which gives locations and times. Heading to the right as you enter, take a trip down the Polar Plunge. Floored inner tubes, rubbed with wax for extra speed, whizz you down an inflated tubing strip. A smaller hill is available for younger children.
As you wander through the acres and acres of lights, you’ll see many tractors and farmers paying homage to the region’s mainstay. Santa’s elf is available to grant you a ‘Nice’ or ‘Naughty’ card based on a few fun questions that he asks. From there, you can go into the barn to take selfies with Santa. Just outside the barn is a nice photo op area. Small campfires are along the trail giving you a great pit stop to rest your legs or to warm up.
Additional Activities at Conner Prairie
You can try your hand at candle making by purchasing a crafting voucher. There is a twine and a leather craft available as well. Need a bite to eat? Kettle corn is continually being made throughout the evening along with goodies from the food court area. While eating, you can listen to live music being played. We had the opportunity to listen to ‘Elvis’ in all of his glory. The singer was excellent!
My favorite part was walking through the covered bridge. A multitude of lights, synchronized to music, flash and move all over the interior of the bridge. It’s quite a cool feeling. Once you have passed through the bridge, you will come to even more light displays and the beautiful carousel ride. There is a warm drink station serving hot chocolate, coffee and lattes.
Families and couples alike will have a wonderful time at the Very Merry Prairie. Reserve your timed ticket online.
A Very Merry Prairie 13400 Allisonville Rd. Fishers, IN
Ice Skating
I have always loved ice skating ever since I was a kid, so skating on an outdoor rink is one of favorite parts of winter. When my best friend eyes a silly llama sweater and suggests we wear them on the ice, well, by all means, it’s a go. The ice brings out the kid in everyone.
Skate rentals are available as well as Skate Helpers. Shoes can be stored in little cubbies.
Just outside the skating rink, near the large stage, there are great photo op areas. Large presents, ornaments and the like grace the lawn waiting for the perfect picture.
Federal Hill Commons 175 Logan St. Noblesville, IN
Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes
This was not open during my visit, but will be opening around the middle of December. Snow is made and blown onto these man-made sledding grooves for exciting winter fun. It is definitely on my list for my next winter visit!
Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes 11800 Koteewi Dr. Westfield, IN
Carmel Arts District
While walking around the downtown area of Carmel, you will notice a wide assortment of art. There are life-like statues (that make silly pictures), stained glass art and even statues in the roundabouts.
Coffee, Beer and Wine
Hamilton County offers an excellent selection of cafes, breweries and wineries. When visiting Carmel, be sure to pick up their Caffeine Trail brochure. There are 20 different cafes for you to try. You’ll be sure to get your favorite coffee or tea brewed just how you like it. Obviously, we couldn’t sample all of them or I would have had the jitters, but we did get to experience a few.
Along that same note, Carmel also has a Brews and Barrels Trail featuring 13 breweries, wineries, and distilleries. They range from an ultra-casual feel to more of an upscale ambiance.
Indie Coffee Roasters
A visit to Indie’s can be quite an educational experience. They only source and roast seasonal beans. That gives you the freshest drink possible. It also gives you a chance to consistently try new flavors.
Because the flavors are always changing, this provides you an opportunity to find your tasting note. Labels on the bags of coffee beans specify exactly what flavor you’ll be getting to help guide you. If this is unfamiliar to you, think of it like enjoying a sweet versus a dry wine and then branching out from there.
Indie also offers Cupping Sessions which allow you to sample various coffee tastings and gain a deeper insight into what you are drinking.
Indie Coffee Roasters 220 E. Main St. Carmel, IN
Schoolhouse 7 Café
‘Cute as a button’ is the first thought when walking into this local favorite. This one-room schoolhouse, built in 1903, has been transformed into an adorable coffee, wine and beer café that can be enjoyed from early in the morning on into the evening hours.
A cozy fireplace and ample seating lure you to sit and admire all the small touches. The menu even has themed items such as ‘Core Subjects’ (coffee, hot chocolate, lattes) and ‘Extra Credit’ (whipped topping, sprinkles).
Schoolhouse 7 Café 12125 Cyntheanne Rd. Fishers, IN
Mashcraft
If you enjoy trying craft beer, here is yet another place to check out. Mashcraft has an extensive list of both drinks and food. Their fried bologna sandwich was over the top with bacon and all the fixin’s. The staff was very knowledgeable about the brewery and provided some great recommendations.
Mashcraft Brewing 11069 Allisonville Rd. Fishers, IN
Books and Brews
Come for a drink, stay for a game. Books and Brews is known for a relaxed atmosphere that encourages socializing and fun. You can bring the whole family and pick out a board game for all to enjoy – they have stacks and stacks of them to choose from. The walls are lined with used books that can be purchased for $3 each. 10% of the proceeds are donated to the local library.
The beer is brewed in-house and the roasted coffee beans come from Indie Coffee Roasters. Just like Schoolhouse 7, they too, take on a fun, thematic route when naming their beers: Winnie the Brew, Nancy Brew, Charlie and the Chocolate Stout.
Books and Brews 61 W. Center Dr.
Urban Vines
We had the cool opportunity to chill out (sorry, just had to lol) inside one of the winery’s igloos. They book up fast, but if you see an opening, I’d recommend going for it. Each igloo seats eight people and it comes with a space heater.
If you don’t get an igloo reservation, don’t fear as the inside of Urban Vines, as well as the outdoor fire pit area, is cool as well. Live music plays after 7pm along with other entertaining activities scheduled throughout the month.
A large selection of wines and beer are made on the premises. You can order charcuterie boards and pizza. I lean toward the sweet wines, so when I saw they had a flight consisting of PB&J, lollipop and cotton candy I just had to try them. The other friends in my party lean toward dry wines, but we all went home with a bottle of PB&J. You just have to try it!
Urban Vines 303 E. 161st St. Westfield, IN
Louvino
Louvino sits on the corner of the Nickle Plate District which is currently all decked out in Christmas light splendor. Walking into this restaurant, you get a vibe for its artistic flair in wine.
A large menu of wine flights is available for you to choose from. They have small, medium, and large plates of food, so regardless of your appetite, there is something for everyone. We had the salmon and the (huge) scallops and they were both cooked to perfection.
Louvino 8626 E. 116th St. Fishers, IN
More Great Places to Eat in Hamilton County, Indiana
Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream
Come hungry, leave happy! You don’t have to try the Big Ugly, but it’s sure hard to come to Bub’s and not order it. This 22oz patty is cooked to your liking and is topped with cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and tomatoes.
If you want to attempt the Big Ugly challenge, be ready for a hearty meal. The more burgers (and all the toppings) you eat, the larger your picture becomes that will hang on the restaurant’s wall.
Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream 210 W. Main St. Carmel, IN
The Roost
This diner reminds me of a place where you just know you’re going to get a delicious, homecooked meal as soon as you walk through the doors. Known for the breakfast dishes, the tenderloin sandwiches and the corn casserole, The Roost has something for every palette. I was impressed by the wide selection of sandwich melts. My veggie melt was a far ancestor from your common grilled cheese, as it was loaded with a great variety of grilled veggies all blended with melted cheese and a special sauce. Delicious!
The Roost 7371 E. 116th St. Fishers, IN
No Label at the Table
Many of us have come to that stage in life where our kids are getting ready to graduate from high school and the inevitable question is asked, “So what do you want to do when you graduate?” When your child falls on the autism spectrum, this question is a bit tougher.
One day, Shelly, the owner, asked her autistic son that question. He replied that he wanted to become a chef. With hard work and determination, that dream is now a reality. Cupcakes, cookies, and many other pastries can be purchased at this local bakery along with artwork created by others with special needs. Currently, Shelly employs 23 people at the bakery, providing a much-needed source of income and opportunity for all involved.
No Label at the Table 111 W. Main St. Carmel, IN
The Cake Bake Shop
Voted as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world, The Cake Bake Shop is full of glamour and illumination. Even without snow on the ground, this place feels like a winter wonderland with all the holiday trees, polar bears, twinkling lights and white décor. Reservations are recommended. There is also a bakery for which you can order your slice of cake or cookies to go.
The Cake Bake Shop 800 S. Rangeline Rd. Suite 220 Carmel, IN
Woody’s Library Restaurant
Woody’s is in one of the original buildings built by Andrew Carnegie in 1913. Carmel was chosen to be the recipient of a Carnegie Library because the town had a stop light, which meant a lot of people traveled through this area.
During your dining experience, be sure to notice the ladder that was used to access the books near the ceiling, the coral and big fish aquariums, and the preserved books. One large book has court entries from 1901.
Woody’s Library Restaurant 40 E. Main St. Carmel, IN
Xchocol’Art
For some very delicious, handcrafted chocolate treats, be sure to stop into Xchocol’art. If the decision is too hard, you can always start with the award winning Kentucky Whiskey and Local Honey Truffle. There’s a good reason it was given the silver medal at the London Awards competition.
Xchocol’Art 228 W. Main St. Carmel, IN
The Food Hall
The Food Hall, on Monon St. in Carmel, is similar to a food court. Restaurants lining the perimeter offer indoor seating, but there is a huge outdoor area to sit and enjoy your food as well. Swings, swirly chairs, and lounge chairs are there to choose from. Up for a game of ping-pong or pool? They’ve got you covered. Public restrooms are available along with a storage garage for your bike if you are taking a pitstop along the Monon Trail.
Shopping in Hamilton County
Noblesville Square
Noblesville is your quintessential, mid-western small town with the beautiful courthouse surrounded on all four sides by commerce. The blocks are lined with quaint little stores that make shopping so much fun. There is something for everyone: seasonal décor, clothing, silly stocking stuffers, antiques and more.
Horse drawn carriage rides are currently being given. Also, as you are walking around, be sure to notice the informative, historical plaques giving a little background information on the buildings.
Here are a few of our favorite places that we stopped in:
- A Corner Cottage 895 Conner St. Noblesville, IN
- Across the Pond 98 S. 9th St. Noblesville, IN
- Thistle & Thyme Home Store 29 S. 9th St. Noblesville, IN
- Logan Village Mall 977 Logan St. Noblesville, IN
Gallery 116
This multi-room house is full of treasures for you or others on your list. Beautiful, hand-blown glass balls, birdseed birdhouses, novelty items with all the silly sayings, jewelry, clothing and home décor all wait for you to discover.
Gallery 116 8597 E. 116th St. Fishers, IN
Lodging
Hilton Garden Inn
As soon as you walk through the doors, you are made to feel special. The staff is super friendly, the entrance area has a lot of great places to sit and relax, the made to order hot breakfast is delicious and the rooms are spacious. The pool isn’t open at this time, due to COVID-19, but the workstation and workout room is still available. The hotel’s location is very central to visiting Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville.
Hilton Garden Inn 9785 North By Northeast Blvd. Fishers, IN
A huge thank you to the Hamilton County Visitors Bureau and all the participating businesses for a wonderful weekend trip. As with all my trips, the experiences and opinions are my own.
Looking for additional weekend destinations? Click over to some of the other areas in the U.S. I’ve enjoyed.
