005- Kids in Indy with Hannah Hansen (Indianapolis, Indiana, Travel Locally, Moms)

This week on Indy Unscripted, De's sister Hannah joins in the conversation. You'll not only learn about some fun things around Indy, but also find out that De and Hannah have a tendency to make obvious realizations way too late in their lives. Hannah has the Indy Mom perspective because she has two incredibly adorable daughters, Eliza and Adelaide (2 ½ and 10 months). Because she's not a homebody, Hannah spends her days trying to figure out places to take her kids -- which has created a pretty long list of places she loves to go with them in Indy! Eliza's favorite place is the Children's Museum. The Indianapolis Children's Museum is ranked in the country and has so many things to do. There are super fun traveling exhibits (like the really fun kids show Doc McStuffins), but also exhibits that are there constantly like the carousel, dinosaurs, and a toddler area. The toddler area (Playscape) has a water area, a climbing structure, crafts, drums, sand, and basically anything a toddler would get totally hype about. The Indianapolis Zoo is also a fantastic place to take your kids when the weather is nice. It's also nationally ranked, making the list of the "10 Best Zoos in U.S." For both of those -- buy the membership! If you plan on going more than twice, the membership is worth it! Conner Prairie is another fun place to take kids. During the fall they have a Headless Horseman festival. It's supposed to be scary after 8pm, but De wants everyone to know that it is most definitely not scary. Years ago it was, but either something has changed or De has gotten much braver. During the rest of the year, Conner Prairie is an outdoor living history museum. There are houses, barns, doctor's offices, and more. The workers are in costume and stay in character 100% of the time, except when they blatantly talk on their walkie-talkies in front of guests. Even so, the experience is fun and interesting for kids and adults. If you're looking for seasonal fun, try Stuckey Farm! They have U-Pick apples in the summer and apples and pumpkins in the fall. They have also recently started having a Fall Festival on the weekends during September and October. For $10 a person you can go on a hayride, slide down the huge tube slide, ride on the barrel ride, see pig races, and buy some apple cider donuts. If you'd rather not pay $10, you can still go into the store and buy the pre-picked apples and pumpkins. Because the main goal of a mom is to wear her kids out before naptime, Hannah has found a couple of great parks around the city. Holliday Park is by far her favorite. It has great play grounds, walking trails, a play-based nature center, and a new beach-like splash pad! If it's raining or snowing, Hannah goes to The Park at Trader's Point Christian Church. The Park is a huge indoor playground (think McDonald's play place times 20). There are 4 or 5 levels with tons of slides and stairs and platforms. A kid could get lost in there! Eliza does -- every time. As for a place that's advertised for kids, but so not worth it-- The Urban Chalkboard. It's an indoor play area in Carmel with toys and books. It's $10 to get into this glorified play date and while there, you can also purchase coffee or snacks. The toys are sub-par and the books are nothing special. They have classes sometimes, but overall it's not worth it for the level of toys and books that they have there. Speaking of books, Hannah is addicted. She recommends two locally owned kids bookstores -- 4 Kids Books & Toys and Kids Ink. 4 Kids is a super cute store with high quality, wooden toys and tons of books! The back room is set up for story times and birthday parties. Their unique story times include "Paint a Story," "Story and Snacks," and "Story and Songs." The birthday parties run at around $250, and they do everything! It is definitley worth it for the adorable party, cupcakes, favors, set up, clean up, and everything in between! Indy Reads Books is another cool bookstore that caters to adults and children. The store is half used and half new, but all non-profit! The workers are volunteers, the books are donated, and all proceeds go to a literacy program that they have set up. A great place to go with a good cause! Contrary to what others may think (even herself), Hannah also has a life outside of children. When her fantastic husband sends her out for the night, she tends to go to The Quirky Feather Confectionery -- a cute cafe that serves delicious homemade baked treats, coffee, and some alcohol. Their "Crossroads Cookie" was rated the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie in Indiana -- and it so is! The Quirky Feather is also open late, which makes it a perfect place to get away to after bedtime. If Hannah had 24 hours in Indy with her family, most of it would revolve around food -- suprise, surprise. But they would start at Rosie's Place, a delicious brunch place in Zionsville. They would then head over to the Monon Trail to take a walk and maybe stop over at BRICS (Broadripple Ice Cream Station). After that, lunch at the most delicious Yats before heading to the zoo. After a few hours at the zoo, they would head to MacKenzie River Pizza Company for some delicious lodgepoles (cheesy bread) and nachos. In the evening, after dropping off the kids with their Aunt De -- they would head to Comedy Sportz on Mass Ave. for some hilarious improv comedy. They would then stay the night at the beautiful JW Marriott. The final point Hannah is sure to make, is that cheese sauce is the best part about Indiana. Believe it or not, other states do not appreciate the delicious yellow/orange goodness that is nacho cheese with their breadsticks. Indiana wins for this reason alone. If you're looking for more information on things to do with your kids around the city -- check out Indy With Kids. It's a blog with great ideas and info on the happenings of Indy! And check out Hannah's Instagram @hanhanthetoucan. Links The Children's Museum of Indianapolis -- the ranked Children's Museum in the U.S. The Indianapolis Zoo -- Animals. Pretty self-explanatory. But also nationally ranked. Conner Prairie -- A fun living history museum located in Fishers! Stuckey Farm -- a U-Pick apple and pumpkin place located in Sheridan with a fun Fall Festival. Holliday Park -- A sprawling park with fun playgrounds, trails, a nature center, and a unique splash pad. Located at 63rd and Springmill Rd. in Indy. The Park -- A huge indoor park at Trader's Point Christian Church in Whitestown. The Urban Chalkboard -- An indoor play area that translates to a glorified play date. Scotty's Brewhouse -- A delicious restaurant with a play area for the kids. MOPS -- A Christian organization for Mothers of Preschoolers. A great place for moms and kids to make friends! 4 Kids Books & Toys -- A fun book and toy store with quality items and unique story times and birthday parties. Located in Zionsville off of North Michigan Rd (SR 421). Kids Ink -- A cute bookstore in the Butler area of Indy (56th & Illinois). Indy Reads Books -- A non-profit bookstore whose profits go to a literacy program in Indianapolis. The Quirky Feather Confectionery -- A quirky cafe in Carmel that is open late serving delicious baked treats, coffee, and alcohol. Rosie's Place -- A delicious brunch restaurant in Zionsville. The Monon Trail -- a walking/biking trail going from Downtown to Westfield, IN. BRICS -- Broadripple Ice Cream Station -- delicious ice cream in an old train station, right on the Monon Trail . Yats -- Delicious cajun food, multiple locations across Indy! Get extra bread -- you'll thank us later. MacKenzie River Pizza Company -- Delicious pizza, cheese bread, appetizers, and desserts. Located on 86th St. in Castleton. Unfortunately, the Carmel location is now closed. Comedy Sportz -- An improv comedy joint on Mass Ave. JW Marriott -- the big, glass luxury hotel downtown. Built when Indy hosted the Superbowl. Hotel Broad Ripple -- A trendy hotel in Broadripple. Hannah's Instagram -- @hanhanthetoucan -- mostly her kids!

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005- Kids in Indy with Hannah Hansen (Indianapolis, Indiana, Travel Locally, Moms) is an episode from Indy Unscripted.

This episode is 54:05 long.

This episode was published on Jan 11, 2018.

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