Indiana One-Tank Trips: Part 1 (Holidays)

When the holidays roll around, we’re all about creating experiences as a family. Our kids have plenty of stuff, so being together and creating new traditions is one of our favorite things to do during the holiday season.

One of the wonderful things about living in Greater Lafayette is its proximity to places like Indianapolis and Chicago, where there are a lot of fun things happening during the holidays. There are some other great regional stops, too. Here are some of our favorite memory-making destinations that take one tank of gas or less.

Just hop on to 65 South and check out some of these fun events for the holiday season.

Frankfort: TPA Park

Last year, our family discovered the light display in Frankfort at TPA Park, and it’s a new favorite. It’s especially fun on a cold night because you don’t even have to get out of your car! Somehow, it’s a lot easier to enjoy the lights when you’re not freezing. Imagine that! There are over a million lights to see, including the 12 Days of Christmas displays and a tunnel of lights. Here’s a link to a video of the 2017 show.

We have some friends who make this trip even more fun by putting the kids in their jammies and eating a pizza dinner during the drive! (Now there’s a memory, and maybe a mess, but a memory nonetheless!)

Lebanon: Christmas on the Square

Continue south and check out Christmas on the Square in Lebanon. There are a lot of fun activities for kids at this event, including photo ops with Santa (so you can skip the mall Santa, if you wish), live reindeer,the unforgettable Christmas parade, and lighting the Christmas tree on the square. You can also enjoy sweet treats, and for those over 21, mulled cider t(o help you survive all the festivities).

Indianapolis

Ready for a bigger adventure? Indy has several Christmas activities that we love.

The Carmel Christkindlmarkt

The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is an event that makes you feel like you’re in Bavaria—no joke. It brings the old-world charm of a German Christmas to Indiana. There are food and drink vendors, Christmas shopping, and even outdoor ice skating. There is also a schedule of music, demonstrations, and other special events, which can be found here.

The market runs from November 16^th to December 24^th while being closed on the 28^th for Thanksgiving. I love that it stretches across so much of the holiday season!

Lights at the Brickyard

A co-worker told me about a favorite holiday tradition in Indianapolis, Lights at the Brickyard. They load up their kids and enjoy driving around one of the most famous ovals in America. It features dozens of colorful displays that include more than three million bright lights on the two-mile course. After that, they enjoy dinner at one of the many delicious establishments in Speedway, IN. What fun!

Winterlights at Newfields

Winterlights is back for its third year in central Indiana. Stroll through the beautiful Winter Wonderland while sipping hot cider or chocolate (spiked choices are available for adults). You can also make delicious s’mores over a fire pit.

Watch the lights on the Lilly House lawn and take photos at the frosted forest, snowflake bridge, and other displays. Newfields also hosts Deck the Halls at the Lilly House, where each room in the mansion features decorative surprises and beautiful holiday florals.

Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees is such a fun way to experience the holiday season! The History Center is full of nearly a hundred elaborate trees in the grand building. They’ve had an incredibly unique selection of trees in the past, and that will certainly continue this year. You can even vote for your favorite trees.

Saturday has games, crafts, and other fun activities for every age. Santa is also there on Saturdays and Sundays to hand out special treats and participate in a special storytime for the kids.

Jingle Rails

Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum is a family holiday tradition unlike any other. This is a G-scale model train wonderland with nine working trains. Enjoy them winding past landscapes of Indianapolis and the American West, including Mt. Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Hoover Dam, and more. It’s awe-inspiring for the entire family!

Sullivan’s Santa Express

The Santa Express is a fun way to meet Santa at the North Pole. Your family will check in at Central Station in Indy and wait for your departure time. There are new attractions along the narrated train route, so watch out for unexpected surprises!

Once you arrive at the North Pole, enjoy some playtime at Santa’s workshop and visit with Santa himself before you catch your train back. The total time on the train is around 30 minutes.

French Lick: The Polar Express Train Ride

If Indianapolis isn’t far enough, I’ve heard that the Polar Express Train Ride in French Lick is EPIC! I’m told kids and parents of all ages show up in their jammies to take this scenic ride, while enjoying the fun and music from one of our favorite Christmas movies! Caution: This one sells out. Be sure you get tickets before making that trek. (Oh, and while you’re there, check out the beautiful, massive tree in the rotunda of the West Baden Springs Hotel, aka “the Eighth Wonder of the World.”)

Chicago: Christkindlemarket

If going south from Lafayette doesn’t sound like enough adventure, considering heading north on I-65 to the Christkindlmarket in Chicago. This is such a festive event with food and shopping that will make you feel like you’re in the heart of Germany! Be sure to get some mulled wine, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, and/or roasted nuts. YUM! There are products from all over the world to check out here, plus fun performances to take in. Admission is always free.

Do you have any other favorite one-tank holiday adventures you’d like me to know about? I’m always up for trying a new one or two! Leave me a comment below.