As if the 155th Indiana State Fair weren’t enough to get you out and about in Indianapolis, the beloved IndyFringe Festival has also taken over Naptown. And if that isn’t enough, two large conventions jockey for position atop our “things to do in Indianapolis” list this week: Gen Con Indianapolis and the Indy International Wine Competition. Peruse our list below to see a rundown on what all this excitement is all about.
Greater Indianapolis Things to Do
August 3 – 5, 2011
| Indiana State Fair – For the 155th time, Hoosiers from all over Indiana will gather at the Fairgrounds in downtown Indianapolis to share the golden summer fun. August 5 – 21, 2011 Indiana State Fairgrounds Tickets: $8, Children under five, free |
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| Gen Con Indianapolis – This is the big one, folks, with more than 7,000 gaming events for all you serious players out there. It’s the longest-running gaming convention in the entire world. August 4 – 7, 2011; open at 8:00 am Indiana Convention Center |
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| First Friday Art Tour – The IDADA offers an inside glimpse of 25 Indianapolis art galleries in the downtown sector every first Friday of the month. Take advantage and sample the savory and creative Indianapolis culture. August 5, 2011; 6:00 pm |
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| Benjamin Harrison Lookalike Contest – Think you may be presidential? Age doesn’t count in this fun photo contest. Enter your President Benjamin Harrison lookalike photo via email, then attend the President’s birthday party to enjoy free ice cream and cake and find out if you won. Contest deadline – August 12, 2011; Benjamin Harrison’s Birthday – August 20, 2011; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Benjamin Harrison Presidential Home Free |
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| Morgan County 4-H Fair – This summer Indianapolis fair occurs on the north edge of the Morgan-Monroe State Forest, only about 20 miles southwest of Indy. July 29 – August 6, 2011; Open at 8:00 am Morgan County Fairgrounds in Martinsville, Indiana |
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| Indy International Wine Competition – Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana is the place for this big Indianapolis event, featuring some 3,000 wines from 43 states in the U.S. and fifteen countries outside it. August 3 – 5, 2011 Purdue University |
Ongoing Indianapolis Things to Do this Summer, 2011
| A Conner Prairie Summer – Besides a multitude of activities this interactive historical museum offers, you can also see the world from the sky on one of Conner Prairie’s hot-air balloon voyages this summer, and hear the sweeping music of the Midwest in one of their Symphonies on the Prairie. Conner Prairie Interactive Living History Museum |
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| Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – Take your Indianapolis children to one of the best museums of its kind in the United States, and see “National Geographic Treasures of the Earth” in the renowned children’s museum in Indianapolis this summer. Visit the Indianapolis Children’s Museum online |
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| OMG! Orchids -Don’t fail to see this exotic display at the gorgeous Hilbert Conservatory, inside the Indianapolis Zoo. Through October 30, 2011 Hilbert Conservatory Tickets: $10.25 – $15.25 (includes admission to the Zoo and White River Gardens |
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| Quilt Gardens Tour – For an unforgettable day trip from Indianapolis, visit the over 20 “quilt gardens” on display for anyone who wants to see them. Through October 1, 2011 Various locales in Elkhart County Free |
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| Rally in the Alley – Indy’s City Market is transformed to an enormous farmers market plus a colorful street fair this summer. Wednesdays through August 31, 2011 City Market in Indianapolis downtown Free |
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| Harness Racing – Don’t forget how much fun a day at the races can be this summer. And the fabulous Indiana Live! Casino is right there too in Shelbyville, Indiana, offering you two great Greater Indianapolis attractions in one. Happening all summer long; 4:55 pm Indiana Downs |
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| Battle of Birdy’s – All summer long and into November, this big huge battle at Birdy’s Bar and Grill rages on. Birdy’s is a popular Indianapolis bar and restaurant. Fridays through November Birdy’s Bar & Grill Cover: $7 |
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| Live Theatre Productions – See Fun City Finder‘s comprehensive list of the incredible iNDYFRINGE offerings during their Annual IndyFringe Festival this month, along with major productions offered by other Greater Indianapolis theatre companies. |
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis | Indiana State Fairgrounds | Indiana State Museum | Indianapolis Museum of Art | Central Indiana Theatres and Performing Arts Venues | Indianapolis Zoo | More Indianapolis Things to Do
Indianapolis Things to Do by Geographical Locale
Indianapolis Downtown Things to Do | Indianapolis North Things to Do | Indianapolis West Things to Do | Indianapolis East Things to Do | More Indianapolis Things to Do
Anderson Things to Do | Avon Things to Do | Bargersville Things to Do | Brownsburg Things to Do | Camby Things to Do | Carmel Things to Do | Cicero Things to Do | Crawfordsville Things to Do | Danville Things to Do | Fishers Things to Do | Fortville Things to Do | Greencastle Things to Do | Greenfield Things to Do | Greenwood Things to Do | Indianapolis Things to Do | Lawrence Things to Do | Lebanon Things to Do | Martinsville Things to Do | Mooresville things to Do | Noblesville Things to Do | Plainfield Things to Do | Shelbyville Things to Do | Westfield Things to Do | Zionsville Things to Do
