Pro tip: If you want to see a lot of cicadas this summer, the little buggers are abundant at Cataract Falls. | Photo by INDYtoday team
Spring is here, which means it’s the perfect time to get some fresh air in the great outdoors. We’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Indy area with eight routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure.
Smell the hickory trees and brave your way through a tunnel to see the falls. Heads up: To protect hibernating bats, the tunnel of this trail is only open May through October.
Indianapolis
Eagle Creek Park’s Lily Lake is a great spot for a picnic when you’re ready for a break. | Photo via @freezeframe56
Looking to do a bit of bird watching while you’re working up a sweat in this loop? Well, it’s called Eagle Creek Park for a reason — keep an eye out for these feathered friends and don’t forget to hit the Ornithology Center on your way out.
Be cautious of mountain bikers on this beaten path with plenty of ravines to cross. Pro tip: The trail can get pretty muddy, so be sure to watch the forecast for rain.
Parke County
Turkey Run State Park is located in Marshall, IN — a little over an hour from Indy. | Photo by INDYtoday team
What do a suspension bridge, ladders, and a Punch Bowl have in common? You’ll find out if you take this trail — recently named the Midwest’s best hike in Midwest Living.
On-Stage LIVE! Presents: Country Divas | Friday, April 12-Saturday, April 20 | Times vary | On-Stage LIVE! Cabaret, 916 E. Main St., Greenwood | $37 | Hear music written by some of the most iconic women in country music history.
Saturday, April 13
Dash by the Past | Saturday, April 13 | 9-10 a.m. | Meridian Restaurant & Bar, 5694 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis | $25-$40 | Join this family-friendly 5K run or one-mile walk with a scenic route that passes previous Decorators’ Show House and Gardens homes.
Cereal Cinema in The Tobias Theater | Saturday, April 13 | 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis | $6 | Enjoy a complimentary bowl of cereal while you watch some of the funniest kid-friendly movies from the past to the present.
Plant-Based Cooking | Sunday, April 14 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Central Library, 40 E. Saint Clair St., Indianapolis | Free | Learn how to make quick and delicious tacos that you can enjoy any day of the week.
Monday, April 15
Indiana Fever Draft Party | Monday, April 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | Free | Watch a livestream of the WNBA draft as you partake in fun activities and indulge in food for purchase.
Tuesday, April 16
Women’s Networking Dinner and Art Party | Tuesday, April 16 | 6-7:30 p.m. | VIP Center for Business Women, 3755 N. Washington Blvd., Indianapolis | $30 | Come for dinner, a guided painting experience, and casual networking.
Wednesday, April 17
And I Love Her: The Beatles Reimagined | Wednesday, April 17 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis | $35 | Enjoy a musical tribute to The Beatles, the women that influenced them, and the kaleidoscopic female characters they created.*
Heads up for drivers in the Lawrence area: At least seven paving projects are beginning this week that will affect traffic. The city will provide updates as work progresses. (WTHR)
Plan Ahead
Do you know who St. Benno is? The patron saint of Munich is known for his talent for brewing beer — and he’s also the star of the historic annual St. Benno Fest, which kicks off Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m. on E. Michigan Street. Get tickets. (WISH)
Job
The nonprofit Fathers and Families Center provides free training certifications to help men in underserved communities get jobs in the construction industry. The program will open to the general public in the coming months. Get more information. (WRTV)
Sports
The WNBA broadcast schedule has been released, and it will show a record 36 of the Indiana Fever’s 40 games nationally. Last season, only 22 of the Fever’s games were broadcast. Check out the schedule. (IBJ)
Shop
A few tenants opened their doors for the first time this week at Castleton Square Mall. The new businesses include Cath Coffee, which sells Middle Eastern-inspired drinks and pastries, The Inspiration Co., which sells motivational jewelry and apparel, and a candy shop called Sweet Treats Candy. (WISH)
Kids
Need to keep the kids entertained this summer? Here’s a list of bowling alleys where registered children ages 2-15 can play for free. Now that’s a perfect strike. (IndyStar)
Sports
Can’t wait for football season to return? Catch up on the most important updates from Notre Dame’s spring practice with the Locked On Irish podcast.
Trending
🧋 Tea-riffic drink news
Juicy drinks are taking over Indianapolis
The mocktail drinks at Harmony are fruity and refreshing. | Photo by INDYtoday team
“Treat culture” is trending right now, and what better way to treat yourself in the (upcoming) warm weather than with a fruity drink? Fortunately, Indy’s drink scene continues to multiply faster than you can say “bubble tea.”
The beloved Indiana-based Harmony Tea Shoppe is in the process of opening several new locations. The first is at The Yard at Fishers District, next to Naturely CBD, and is expected to open soon. The second isn’t coming until summer, but will be well worth the wait for frequent fliers: It’s inside the Indianapolis International Airport.
In the meantime, juice fans will be excited to hear that Twenty Two Juice Bar is opening a new location. The grand opening of the new Fishers shop, at 11670 Commercial Dr., Unit 500, is slated for this Monday, April 15.
A ClassPass membership, which lets you use multiple local gyms, fitness studios, and spas with just one membership. We like: Getting 14 days free when you sign up — meaning you can finally see if that gym you’ve been eyeing is worth it.
Answered
We asked you which barbecue style is best, and here’s what you said:
His Place Eatery offers everything from chicken and waffles to in-house smoked meatloaf and rib tips. | Photo by @melodieyvonne
Kansas City had a runaway win, with 45% of the vote.
Carolina style nabbed the second spot, with 29%.
Rounding out the bottom of the rankings was Memphis, with just a wee 3% of the vote — and one person who designated St. Louis as their fave. We see you, grilled spare ribs.
Have any favorite Brown County hikes? Send them my way — I’m getting married there in October and would love to do a bit more exploring around Nashville.
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