CENTRAL INDIANA THINGS TO DO Jan Feb 2022
Stoke your passion for outdoor fun.
Playing outside may be your new post-pandemic habit, or perhaps it’s been part of your lifestyle for decades. Either way, you’ll learn more about outdoor recreation at the 67th Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, February 18-20 and February 23-27. The largest U.S. show of its kind returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds this winter with a panoply of exhibitors and experts. Get travel advice from local and regional outdoor enthusiasts. Or plan the adventure of a lifetime with help from veterans like the captain of a Great Lakes charter boat, or the guides who organize hunting and photography safaris. Don’t miss Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel, a popular act that amazes children and adults alike. Box office admission is $15, or $13 in advance. Children are $9 per child. www.indysportshow.com
Embrace the art of winter.
For a fun, one-tank destination, head to Richmond for the Meltdown Winter Ice Festival, January 25-29. This chilly celebration includes several events, including an ice sculpture competition. Award-winning sculptors will transform 22 tons of ice into stunning outdoor art.
Watch the competition at Jack Elstro Plaza on January 29 at 7:30 p.m., and vote for the winning sculpture. The outdoor art will remain on display for as long as weather permits. Spend the weekend and dive into the local restaurant scene at family-owned gems like the Red Front Pizza Grill, a regional favorite that offers inside or outside dining even in winter, thanks to outdoor gaslit seating. On the high end, try the Old Richmond Inn, a local landmark for over 25 years. www.Richmondmeltdown.com
Wrap yourself in the history of warmth.
See Little Beauties: The Art of Miniature Quilts, an exhibit that opens February 22 and runs through May 7 at The Quilter's Hall of Fame in Marion. Formerly the residence of Marie Webster, a notable quilt designer from the early 1900s, the renovated home is a National Historic Landmark that shares the legacy of an accomplished female artist, author and entrepreneur. From her home studio, Webster designed and sold quilt patterns, and in 1915 wrote the first book of quilt history, Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them. The book has since been updated with a biography by Webster’s granddaughter Rosalind Webster Perry. The Quilter’s Hall of Fame promotes the art of quilting through education, research and exhibitions. www.quiltershalloffame.net
Get your steps in.
The Indianapolis Hiking Club has been sponsoring free hikes for 75 years. With indoor and outdoor routes scattered across the Indianapolis vicinity, there’s a walking tour for every level of fitness almost any day of the week. On the east side, for example, hikers follow six to 12 miles of the flat, straight Pennsy Trail, which runs parallel to the historic Old National Road. If you lack winter gear or hate cold weather, join one of the climate-controlled sites such as the Greenwood Mall, where you can easily log six miles. www.indyhike.org
Spruce up your home.
Not-too-surprising news: surveys show that Americans are spending more time at home, and we all want this space to be an inviting sanctuary. Whether you’re preparing your home for education, work, entertainment or exercise, you’ll find inspiration at the Indianapolis Home Show. Now in its 100th year, the show offers one-stop shopping for products and services as well as expert advice about home improvements. This year’s show is held January 21-30 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. www.indianapolishomeshow.com
