Travel on a Budget: Indianapolis

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Traveling with your large foster family can be an overwhelming thought, but with these budget friendly tips for a great trip to Indianapolis, Indiana, your family can make memories to last a lifetime. There's so much more than the Indy 500 and sports in Indy.  With advice from this self-proclaimed Thrifter, Budget Traveler, Foodie, Indy native and Momma to bio and foster kiddos, your family can travel to Indy to experience the not so advertised, insider scoop. These suggestions are tried and true and get this frugal gal's stamp of approval.

Budget-Friendly Fishers Entertainment

If you are the adventurous type family, be sure to check out one of the 24 parks in Fishers, Indiana. Fishers is about 10 minutes north of Indianapolis. Billericay Park (12690 Promise Rd, Fishers, IN 46038) features a play area, shelter and splash pad. It’s a Fishers favorite, so expect a crowd on a hot day.

Flat Fork Creek Park (16141 E 101st St, Fortville, IN 46040) is one of the newest Fishers Parks with three tree house style forts, one of which is ADA accessible. In fact, a huge portion of the park is ADA accessible.

After your morning exploring the Fishers parks, cool off at Saxony Beach (13288 Pennington Rd, Fishers, IN 46037).

Admission is just $1 for non-residents. This is a man-made beach in the heart of Fishers and the kids are sure to love it!

If shopping is your thing, Fishers is also home to the newest IKEA store in Indiana. Look for the Grand Opening in the Fall of 2017.

If you are an expert Thrifter (like yours truly) you will want to hit the Fishers Goodwills. There are three within a 4 mile vicinity.  The Goodwill at 116th and Olio Road in Fishers boasts apparel and household goods donated by local celebrities and athletic stars.

This Goodwill is located just ½ mile north of Geist Reservoir where many celebrities reside in multi-million dollar mansions. After visiting the Goodwill, take a little drive along the reservoir to oooh and ahh with jealously at the massive estates.

On your way back to call it a night, you MUST stop at Handel’s Ice Cream (8760 E 116th St, Fishers, IN 46038-2817) for a delectable double dip. DO NOT under any circumstances pass up on this opportunity. Ranked #1 in the area, Handel’s is a non-negotiable.

Downtown

You can’t travel to Indy and NOT experience the Downtown scene.

After a walk around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, better known to locals as “The Circle,” stop in UNDERNEATH Monument Circle for a FREE tour of the Civil War Museum (One Monument Circle, Soldiers & Sailors Monument, Indianapolis, IN 46204). This is a great educational experience for the whole family and is a great little tour for a quick cool down on a hot day.

While in Downtown Indianapolis, plan to spend a day a The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

Take advantage of the FREE (yes, FREE) The Children's Museum of Indianapolis foster family membership. The Children's Museum is remarkable! Your family could easily spend six hours in the museum and still not experience everything. With such a generous foster family discount, be sure to take advantage of this opportunity.

Hit the City Market (222 East Market Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204) for all kinds of amazing foods. This is an absolute heavenly experience for Foodies.  The selection and electricity in the air is sure to please every traveler in your crew.

Other Indy Insider Finds

Indoor Play Park

If you are looking for free entertainment for your children, but would like a little time to catch up on social media, make sure you check out this incredible, huge indoor church play park. Traders Point Christian Church “Park” (6590 S Indianapolis Rd., Whitestown, IN 46075) has an incredible two-story indoor play park and it is completely free. Children can safely run around and have a blast while parents sit down and take a breather after a morning of fun.

Tours

If you are traveling in the fall or winter, I HIGHLY recommend you give Circle Center Transportation a call and book a Ghost Tour or Christmas Light Tour. Circle City Transportation (317.430.1050) is home to the Original Chicken Limo and they have a variety of large vehicles available for tours.  Tell them Jill sent you and they will give you a FOSTER FAMILY DISCOUNT.  The Ghost Tours or Christmas light tours are fantastic and you are sure to have a great time.

Waterpark

The Carmel-Clay Waterpark (1235 Central Park Dr. E, Carmel, IN 46032) is located just north of Indy in beautiful, Carmel, Indiana.

At waterpark ticket prices of $10 per adult and $7 per child, you can send a day enjoying the enormous lazy river, giant waterslides and more.  It’s a MUST do and is generally a local’s secret.

Eerie Fun

If you are looking for some eerie fun, contact Garry Ledbetter to take a tour of the former estate of Skiles Test and hear the legend of The House of Blue Lights. The House of Blue Lights is a creepy local legend about Skiles Test and the legend of how he kept his dead wife in a glass coffin in his home in the woods of Fall Creek which was adorned with eerie blue lights. Is the legend true?  Once a child whose family was employed by Skiles Test and lived on the property, Garry Ledbetter knows the truth behind the legend.  Contact Garry Ledbetter through The House of Blue Lights website to inquire about a tour of the property which is now the home of Skiles Test Park, 6700 Fall Creek Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46220. Tell him Jill with The Foster Life sent you and he will offer you a FOSTER FAMILY DISCOUNT.

If spooky fun is your thing, you MUST visit the Historic Hannah House.  This home is the most well-known among locals to be haunted and to pack a ton of historical punch.  This home was once a stop on the Underground Railroad.  The story behind the hauntings is tragic and fascinating.  You can take a tour or experience an overnight paranormal stay.  This home has much to offer regarding history even if you prefer the ghosts not reveal themselves.

Bike Trails

If you are an athletic family, Indianapolis and Fishers are adorned with some of the best bicycle trails in Indiana. Check out the Monon Trail for great trails that run through Downtown, Broadripple and the southern tip of Fishers.  Fishers is equally adorned with its’ own beautiful expanse of bicycle trails.

The 100 Acres Park (4000 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208) is a local’s hot spot. It’s absolutely free, and enormously spectacular with beautiful scenery and fun play areas.  With interactive exhibits and lush, well-manicured gardens, this park has great finds for the whole family.

Hole in the Wall and Locally Owned Favorites

Chili Verde Mexican Restaurant

7367 N Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46250

Favorite: Carne Asada Burrito

Fast Wok

10116 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46229

Favorite Dish: Combination Sesame Chicken and Beef and Broccoli with Fried Rice

Acapulco Joe’s

365 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Favorite Dish: Mi Tres Amigos

Mama Carollas

1031 E 54th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220

Bazbeaux Pizza

333 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis

Long’s Donuts

1453 N Tremont St, Indianapolis

2301 E Southport Rd, Indianapolis

Favorite: Yeast Donuts-Don’t get fancy. Get the yeast.  Trust me.

Tim’s Bakery

6087 W Broadway, Mccordsville, IN 46055

Favorite: Yeast Donuts

Do you have favorite free or budget friendly suggestions for travel to Indy?  Please share in the comments section.

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