If you happen to be at Conner Prairie, you may notice this well preserved covered bridge on the way…read moreto the Civil War Journey area of the park. Inside the bridge, there are banners and sound recordings of things you might hear people say while discussing the Civil War in 1863. Although a Union State, there were a lot of Copperheads who supported the Confederacy. The bridge is fairly short for Hoosier standards at only 110' long. Odd fact is that the bridge wasn't around during the Civil War. It wasn't built until 1884 during the later stages of the covered bridge building boom of the 1870's and 80's. Although bridges usually span rivers, the park has built a pond beneath the bridge to give it the appearance of being functional. You don't hear the murmuring of water flowing underneath like you do at many other bridges. So, it's a good idea of having the sound recordings take your mind away from what's missing. The bridge seems to be in great shape. I've been to nearly 50 covered bridges in Central Indiana and this one is right up there for the best preservation. Review #2720

Cedar Chapel Covered Bridge so far is my favorite covered bridge in the state of Indiana or…read moreanywhere! I am so impressed at how much care goes into the preservation of the covered bridges in this state. Not only do they keep many of them freshly painted and structurally sound, they celebrate them with driving tours, festivals and special parks such as Conner Prairie. Cedar Chapel is a beautiful structure unlike any other I've seen, moved from its original location to the Conner Prairie Pioneer Settlement. Six years prior to its purchase it sat roadside and then remained on Conner Prairies property for 25 years until The Governor's Office presented a check for $240,000 to aid in the cost of it's restoration. Conner Prairie is AMAZING! Truly worth visiting with your family as you walk through time. The facility is divided into villages. There is an 1836 Prairietown, an 1863 Civil War Journey, 1859 Balloon Voyage, animal encounters, a homestead, Indian camp, nature walk and many interactive areas. The bridge is located between the 1836 Prairietown and 1863 Civil War Journey. We had very little time to spend here, but are making plans to return soon! BRIDGE FACTS Year Opened: 1884 Builder: George Woerntz & Son Length: 110 feet (124 feet including the 7-foot approaches at each end) Width/Height: 12 feet wide / 13 feet high Truss type: Howe Truss Current Location: Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fisher, IN Original Location: DeKalb County FINAL THOUGHTS It costs to get into Conner Prairie ($15/adults or $10/children at the time of this review), but it is so worth it, especially if you are a fan of historic details. Of all the bridges I've EVER seen, I would recommend this be a top destination for your travel folder. It is one of the most beautiful covered bridges you will ever see in an ideal family setting loaded with things to do. Visit. Enjoy.

This library was such a hidden gem! I drove here expecting a small library with a limited…read morechildren's section, but I left completely amazed. The children's department was incredible--so many books for little readers, fun activity stations, and the friendliest staff. It was such a welcoming space, and my girls had the best time exploring. It was my first time visiting this town, and I definitely wasn't expecting a library this impressive. Safe to say we'll be making the drive back!

The FCL is much more than a library. There an art gallery filled with local art. The a community…read moreclassroom. There are cases of art and artifacts throughout the two-story building. And of course, lots of books for adults, children and teens with quiet places to sit and read. The facility got its start from a Carnegie grant totally $22,500. The original limestone building opened in 1906. Today, some of the original Carnegie stairway, scrollwork and leaded glass windows can be seen in the Children's area. In 1988, a significant expansion added square feet, improved accessibility and modernized the former library. Each section of the library is named for a benefactor that provided funding. There's a sense of community pride throughout the facility. I took my granddaughter and she spent an hour playing and exploring in the children's area. The staff even provided take home project kits for her. She also bought a book in their resale shop. The staff is friendly and knowledgable. There is free street parking in front of the building. Worth a visit if you like libraries and architecture.

I've see this guy in a few different articles and online in a few different places, I was finally…read moreable to see him in person on a day off. It's a fun quirky statue, and upon further research I learned that it gets decorated for different holidays and will even be in parades! Fun roadside attraction to check out, I'm glad I can say I've seen it in person now :)

The Pink Elephant - Fortville is a whimsical side adventure in central Indiana. Located along a…read moredusty road in a small town, this elephant with a martini glass in his trunk is a funny attraction. There is parking next to the elephant so that you can get out of your car, take a picture, and be on your way. I highly recommend the Pink Elephant - Fortville.

The art along the Monon Trail in downtown Carmel is fun and interesting. These giant bicycles were…read morecreated by Wiktor Szostalo, a Polish raised, now American, sculptor. The steel structure was completed in 2017. The conjoined disfigured bikes are a bit silly and childlike. The bikes sit envious, watching local athletes whiz by on high end racing bikes. The sculpture is surrounded by nice landscaping and occasional benches. The walkway is accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.

This is an attention-grabbing piece that was created by Wiktor Szostalo in 2017. It is constructed…read moreof stainless steel and corten and consists of three 8-foot tall colorful (Blue, orange, and pink) bicycles connected by a single handlebar. The bells on the bike actually work. It is also meant to be a structure for kids to safely climb or the public to rest. You will find it along the Monon Trail in Carmel. It is fitting that it is on a trail that is popular among bicyclists. The paint on the bikes is a bit dull, but I think that is by design. I really like this piece. It is simple, eye catching and placed appropriately. It needs no explanation and adds beauty to this area that the city has invested a lot into. There is free street parking right by the sculpture and a garage available to park within a very short walk. I know that this is probably not going to be a long stop. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip such as the Selfie Mural or the Sails sculpture that is right down the street.

You will never find a line at the post office in Kirklin! The little brick building, circa 1960,…read moreis conveniently located a block off of 421 in downtown Kirklin in the shadow of the water tower. There is a distinctive Midwest graciousness here. There are about 4 parking spaces out front and more on the street. The spots are all empty. There is a mailbox out front if you don't want to go inside. The sign on the door reminds people of coronavirus recommendations for social distancing. There does not appear to be a mask requirement, but I wear one anyway. Inside, is a window, a number of PO Boxes, and a stand describing express mail boxes/packages. The clerk is friendly, efficient and helpful. We converse about Hawaii. We receive a tracking number for our package which arrives on time. They open early 7:45 and close early 3:45 Monday through Friday. They close daily between 10:45-12:45. And Saturday they are briefly opened between 8:30-10:30. Best Postal service in the US.

The town of Kirklin has become a charming antique destination. I counted at least four independent…read moreantique stores which are open Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. A wonderful coffee shop and a nearby pub are opened daily for meals. A new bakery is on the corner, but I haven't had the chance to visit as it has odd hours. Also, I saw a distillery that is opened later in the day. The town also has an original Carnegie library that is worth visiting and only a block from the center of town. The library is a good place to take a restroom break as most of the shops do not have public restrooms. I also love the little post office and find the service exceptional. The town just received a $600,000 grant to revitalize the downtown area. I will be interested to see what new attractions will come. The town is a perfect little day trip for antique lovers or girl's day out. The ride through Indiana farmland land is lovely. During good weather, the town hosts a flea market on the second Saturdays. There is plenty of free street parking but you have to be careful crossing the street because the traffic moves quickly in 421.

We have two toddlers and love this library! The play area is fun and interactive. I also love how…read morethe books are organized for the little ones. We've been to story time a few times and enjoyed it. It is interactive and they also go over a letter and number each time. I enjoy the smaller and quieter environment compared to our regular library.

The Lebanon Public Library is a fabulous facility housing books and so much more. The main branch…read moreis located in downtown Lebanon caddy corner from the Courthouse. The current facility was built in the 1990's as an addition to the previous Carnegie facility. The new facility is spacious with two floors of books and a third floor of study and meeting rooms. I took my granddaughter to check out the library during her spring break. The colorful children's area is located in the basement area. There is a massive collection of books and, today, there were space-themed books on display. There is a large play area for toddlers with kitchen and climbing structures. A number of board games and puzzles are available for kids to play in an open area. We read several books in a cozy area. There is a classroom available near the area. Librarians were friendly and helpful in the children's area. On the main floor, are adult books, a teen activity center and a heritage room. The teen center attracts after school teen that can work on homework, play games or work on art projects. The heritage center houses reference materials including local school year books, local history, genealogy materials, local newspapers and much more. One of the most interesting features of the Library is the collection of vintage art by local artist. Beautiful paintings and more are located throughout the library. Quiet work areas are scattered throughout the library for study or work. Free WIFI is available. They are an Evergreen member. The facility is wheel chair and stroller friendly. Free street parking is available.

The historic Hamilton County Courthouse in Noblesville is one of the older functioning courthouses…read morein the state, dedicated in 1878. The building was designed by famous Indianapolis architect, Edwin Mays, but completed by J. C. Johnson. (Mays went on to design the Indiana Statehouse, but became paralyzed during the project and died in 1880.) The courthouse is French Second Empire and I think the French influence is evident from grand facade outside. The clocktower has been replaced due to failure of the original structure (similar to the Montgomery County Courthouse clocktower). Inside, the staff is friendly. The deputy welcomed me, told me where to find courthouse artifacts and encouraged me to peek inside the courtroom. Other staff members also asked if I needed assistance. The courthouse has undergone numerous renovations throughout the years and offices are 1990's "modern" while the halls are original. Most notable are the twin staircases with short bannisters and steps. The floors are a mix of marble and mosaic tile. Some of the original cabinetry stands in the halls. Lovely leaded glass windows crown entryways. Unlike other Indiana courthouses, there is no grand dome that can be seen from the inside. The original bench of the courtroom has been maintained, while seating was updated at some point. A plaque notes the 1925 historic conviction of Klu Klux Klan leader, D. C. Stephenson, for the brutal attack that led to the death of Madge Oberholtzer. Stephenson's conviction contributed to the demise of the Klan. A cabinet on the third floor holds interesting artifacts such as one of the original hands of the clock and photograph of the original building. Today, a tunnel runs from the basement of the courthouse to a government complex across the street. The original sheriff's house and prison sits on the Square, now housing a museum. There is limited parking around the square. The building is accessible through an entrance ramp and there is an elevator inside. I recommend visiting on a Thursday or Friday, when the Sheriff's House/Museum is opened. Around the Square are several good restaurants and antiques shops. Worth a visit, for sure.