Visit Indy with Kids

Hey Indianapolis! Does this look familiar?

For some reason this winter has been the dreariest I have ever experienced. It even led me to buy one of those fake sunlight lamps that I bake in front of for a while several times throughout the day. And if the sun dares to peek through for even a moment? I'm lying in the sunny patch on my floor like a very large sun starved lizard.

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm not part bear because the idea of curling up in a ball and sleeping until this weather is gone? IS AWFULLY APPEALING.

But alas, life must go on, dreary damp weather or not. So with that I give you some pretty places to be. Places to remind you that warmth and green and color will return soon enough to our dreary Midwest sadland.

First? Garfield Park Conservatory. About ten minutes South of downtown Indianapolis and free you can escape here on your lunch break to enjoy the Koi or just breathe in some humid air that is well above freezing. Feel free to walk around and around and around until you've convinced yourself that cloudy skies will pass and green will come again.



Also downtown but not free (unless you have a membership which if you have kids hello you should) is White River Gardens and the zoo. I'm shocked at how many people frequent the zoo but never make the two minute walk over to White River Gardens. Similar to Garfield Park you can walk around in this warm lush oasis as well until you feel refreshed. Also? You think the zoo is just for sunny weather? Head into the deserts pavilion and you'll be pushing lizards off rocks just so you can feel the sweet sweet warmth of dry heat (I hail from a desert originally, so that dry heat is like a gentle massage to my chilled bones.)



Last and also free is the IMA and Lilly Gardens, now the outdoor gardens may not be all that fantastic, but there's always the greenhouses. Full of orchids and lovely things that bloom. If you have longer to wander, head over to the IMA and imagine yourself in some of the paintings. With the last few weeks I swear I can feel the warmth radiating off the pictures of our beach vacation. Priceless works of art are no different to a sunshine starved soul.