Winter Getaways
Good time to try an Indiana destination.

by Steve Kaelble

(December 2001) - If there ever was a time to plan a getaway that doesn't cross the state line, this is it. The recession is on and terrorism has given many people the air-travel jitters.

The good news is that Indiana can deliver. When it comes to getaways, Indiana is a winter wonderland. Following is a sampling of the many possibilities. Find many more getaway ideas at enjoyindiana.com or 888/ENJOY-IN.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS, SIGHTS AND SHOPPING
Nashville-Few places in Indiana look like an old-fashioned Christmas more than downtown Nashville in December. It's a quaint and festively decorated place, with some 300 shops and galleries full of antiques, paintings, pottery, mountain dulcimers and unusual gifts. The town glistens at night with Christmas lights by the thousand.

Those planning a Nashville getaway have a variety of lodging options, from bed-and-breakfast inns to more traditional lodging such as The Seasons Lodge and Conference Center (812/988-2284), Brown County Inn (812/988-2291), Hotel Nashville (812/988-8400) and the Abe Martin Lodge at Brown County State Park (812/988-4418).

Madison-A trip to Madison is a trip back in time, thanks to its unequaled collection of historic real estate, some 1,500 structures in a 133-block historic district. The city hosts a variety of holiday activities throughout the season and offers visits with Santa downtown, amid antiques and specialty shops and art galleries. Accommodations range from the area's numerous B&Bs to the Clifty Inn (812/265-4135) at nearby Clifty Falls State Park.

Evansville-Old-time holiday charm can be found in Evansville at the historic Reitz Home, which is especially attractive when decked out for its annual Victorian Christmas. Also in Evansville, the Mesker Park Zoo features Santa Claus, games, choirs, crafts and storytellers.

Evansville lodging choices are many, including the hotel connected with the gaming riverboat Casino Aztar (812/433-4000), the Radisson Hotel Evansville (812/424-8000) and the newly renovated Executive Inn Evansville (812)424-8000).

Downtown Indianapolis-One of the state's biggest outdoor light displays is at the Indianapolis Zoo. Also downtown is the Circle of Lights adorning the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, this year done up in patriotic colors. While on the Circle, take in the annual "Yuletide Celebration" featuring the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. Or walk to the Indiana Repertory Theatre for the state's best-known annual production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." For holiday shopping, downtown Indianapolis offers Circle Centre, with a wide range of shops and boutiques along with upscale anchors Nordstrom and Parisian.

Downtown lodging choices include some of the state's biggest and most elegant hotels, including the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (317/822-3500), Westin (317/262-8100), Embassy Suites (317/236-1800), Hyatt Regency (317/632-1234), Adam's Mark (317/972-0600), Crowne Plaza (317/631-2221), Omni Severin (317/634-6664), Canterbury (317/634-3000) and Hampton Inn Downtown (317/261-1200).

Santa Claus-For kids, Christmas wouldn't be complete without a visit to Santa Claus. This year, try visiting the southern Indiana town named for Santa. The second weekend of December, Santa Claus plans holiday concerts, a Christmas parade, a Christmas Toy Fair and Craft Show, and holiday lights at Christmas Lake Village. Spend the night at Santa's Lodge (812/937-1902).

Columbus-Mill Race Park is home to a spectacle of 2 million twinkling lights and 300 displays. The Indianapolis Museum of Art's Columbus Gallery, meanwhile, will exhibit more than 50 crèches gathered from 20 countries and spanning three centuries. Stay all night at the Holiday Inn Conference Center (812/372-1541), the Ramada Inn & Plaza (812/376-3051) or the Columbus Inn B&B (812/378-4289).

Covered Bridges in Winter-The "covered bridge capital of the world," Parke County, has events and activities planned all winter (check coveredbridges.com). To make a weekend of it, stay at one of the local inns or nearby at the Holiday Inn Terre Haute (812/232-6081).

WINTER SPORTS
Paoli Peaks-Paoli Peaks has snow on the ski trails whether or not Mother Nature provides the white stuff, thanks to snowmaking equipment that can blanket the area with a foot of snow a day. Check for holiday rates. To make a weekend of it, consider staying at nearby French Lick Springs Resort (812/936-9300).

Perfect North Slopes-In the southeastern corner of the state, Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg serves the nearby Cincinnati area but also draws skiers from across Indiana. Go there for day or night skiing on a 17-run trail system ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers alike.

Ski World-Take a break from the Nashville shopping scene at Ski World, just under five miles out of town. Ski World features not only skiing but snowboarding and tubing, with a full range of skill levels.

Pokagon State Park-If toboggans are your preferred mode of downhill travel, visit Pokagon State Park, which has its own toboggan run with two fully refrigerated tracks. The park has winter getaway accommodations at the Potawatomi Inn & Conference Center (219/833-1077).

FAMILY GETAWAYS
Football Facts-The football capital of Indiana is arguably the South Bend area, home not only of the University of Notre Dame but also the College Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame includes a 360-degree theater, an interactive training center, Gridiron Plaza and the Hall of Champions that honors more than 800 Hall of Famers. Nearby lodging includes the South Bend Marriott (219/234-2000).

Indianapolis for Families-A getaway to the Indianapolis area offers numerous choices for families, ranging from the world-famous Children's Museum (now decked out for Christmas) to the Conner Prairie living-history museum now featuring holiday candlelight tours and a seasonal display of gingerbread houses. Check out Hoosier exhibits at the Indiana Historical Society, sports memorabilia at the NCAA Hall of Champions and the Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, and artistic endeavors at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the National Art Museum of Sport and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art.

Some of the downtown lodging options are listed above. Or stay on the outskirts at the Holiday Inn Select Airport (317/244-6861), the Holiday Inn Select North at the Pyramids (317/872-9790), the Indianapolis Marriott North (317/705-0000), Hampton Inn East (317/359-9900), Hampton Inn Northwest (317/290-1212), Courtyard by Marriott Northwest (317/297-7700) or Hampton Inn Carmel (317/843-1100).

Fun in Fort Wayne-Families will find plenty to do at Science Central, with a host of entertaining and educational exhibits and special activities. Parents can drop kids off January 2 for a special study of "burps, snot and slime" (no kidding). Enjoy lush vegetation in the dead of winter at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory downtown. Lodging options are numerous and include the Hilton Fort Wayne Convention Center (219/420-1100) and the Marriott Fort Wayne (219/484-0411).

Getaway in Muncie-Kids love the Muncie Children's Museum, which among many other things pays tribute to the area's agricultural heritage and its most famous resident, Garfield the cat. Muncie's Minnetrista Cultural Center has ties to the Ball family that made canning jars in Muncie for generations. It includes art galleries, traveling art and science exhibits and, of course, a collection of jars. When in Muncie, stay at the historic Radisson Hotel Roberts (765/741-7777).

Entertainment in the Region-The holidays are a perfect time to take in a show, and Lake County has a number of offerings. The Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville has a full bill, including a Kenny Rogers Christmas show on the 15th, an Oak Ridge Boys Christmas show on the 21st, Louie Anderson and Roseanne Barr on the 28th, REO Speedwagon on the 29th, and Herman's Hermits and the Grass Roots on January 26. At the Center for Visual & Performing Arts in Munster, the Theatre at the Center presents "42nd Street" through December 23. Out-of-towners will find handy accommodations at the Radisson Star Plaza (219/769-6311). Or try the Indian Oak Resort & Spa in Chesterton for special deals that include spa services (219/926-2200), or the Inn at Aberdeen in Valparaiso for a cozy room with Jacuzzi, fireplace and balcony (219/465-3753).

Visiting Kokomo-No Hoosier's knowledge of state history would be complete without the story of the automobile, with a lot of chapters set in Kokomo. That's where one finds the City of Firsts Automotive Heritage Museum. A different kind of history is on display at the Seiberling Mansion, an elegant example of Neo-Jacobean Romanesque Revival architecture that celebrates Christmas Victorian-style.

Break Away to Bloomington-This is a favorite getaway for Indiana University alums and their families. While walking around campus, check out the I.M. Pei-designed IU Art Museum, where "Living with Art: The Legacy of Herman B Wells" is featured through the 23rd. The Indiana Memorial Union has numerous winter-weather recreational options, including bowling. Families also may want to check out Wonderlab, an interactive science center near downtown. Lodging options include Indiana Memorial Union (812/855-2536) on campus, Scholars Inn (812/332-1892) near downtown, Fourwinds Resort & Marina (812/824-9904) on Lake Monroe and Stonehenge Lodge (812/279-8111) to the south in Bedford.

New Harmony-Though some of this utopian community's attractions are better suited for warmer weather, New Harmony's appeal as a family or romantic getaway is tremendous all year. The winter special at the New Harmony Inn includes dinner for two at the highly regarded Red Geranium, a carriage ride if weather permits, breakfast at the Bayou Grill and a gift. The rate is $145, or $10 more for a room with a fireplace (812/682-4491).