'''Fishers''' [http://www.fishers.in.us] is a city in the Nine-County Region of Indiana.
Get in
By car
Fishers is located, north of Indianapolis just off Interstate 69, a major north-south highway in Indiana.
By plane
In addition to the '''Col. Weir Cook Indianapolis International Airport''' [http://www.indianapolisairport.com/], located off of I-70 in Indianapolis, smaller planes can schedule a landing at one of two airports in Hamilton County and nearby Boone County, located just west of Hamilton County. Both offer aircraft charter, sales, rental, catering, flight school and more.
'''Metropolitan Airport''' 10401 Willow View Rd., Fishers. ''+1 317'' 849-0840. [http://www.indianapolisaviation.com]
'''Indianapolis Executive Airport''' 11329 East SR 32, Zionsville. ''+1 317'' 769-3288. [http://www.indyexecairport.com] This airport also is home to a Hamilton County Welcome Center, open 6 to 8 p.m. daily.
Get around
Car
General speed is between 55-70 on interstates and highways, and generally 35 on other roads unless otherwise posted.
See
Museums
'''Conner Prairie Living History Museum''' 13400 Allisonvile Rd, ''+1 317'' 776-6006 [http://www.connerprairie.org] Settled in the 1880s, Conner Prairie is an outdoor history museum and an Indiana tradition. With volunteers dressed in period-costume year round you are able to experience every aspect of the way of life - from blacksmithing to cooking, games and schooling, farming and church. Start at the modern museum learning about the science and anthropological history, then head to the living history museum featuring authentic buildings from the 1880s. In the summer the grounds feature 'Symphony on the Prairie' where one can picnic in the evening and enjoy live classical and pops performances. Halloween features haunted hay rides and the Holiday season includes dinners, candlelight tours and other celebrations. Restaurants on hand and a gift shop too. Parking is free. Kids can go to a prairie school, train for the militia or talk to the town doctor about _gmodern_h cures. A new balloon flight experience will open in 2009, based on the Lafayette (Indiana) launch of John Wise_fs _gflying machine._h Admission is $11 (adults), $10 (seniors), $7 (youth 5-12) and free (youth 4 or under).
'''Follow the North Star''' 13400 Allisonville Road ''+1 317'' 776-6000 Conner Prairie has created a unique program that let_fs you learn first-hand about how the Underground Railroad functioned in 19th-century America. You become the fugitive slave in this interactive encounter, and Conner Prairie staff become the slave hunters, friendly Quakers, freed slaves, and Railroad Conductors that decide your fate. It is a dramatic and emotional experience, one that may stay with you for a while.
'''Indiana Transportation Museum''' [http://www.itm.org] 825 Park Dr. in Forest Park +1 317 773-6000. This volunteer-run museum specializing in the railroad history of Indiana begins many excursions from the Train Depot in Fishers off of 116th Street. Ride along in an old steam or diesel train along 35 miles of rails the museum maintains along the old Nickel Plate Road. Regular excursions include the family-oriented Pizza Train, the Dinner on the Diner and the Weekend Express. Seasonal excursions include the State Fair Train, the Polar Bear Express, Pumpkin Train, New Earth Festival Train and the Pork Festival Special. Excursion fees vary; tickets can be purchased at the Fishers Trail Depot office.
Do
Fishers is known as a fast-growing, family-friendly town. There are a number of things to do for families, especially those with young children interested in sports.
Festivals
''May'' '''Civil War Days at Conner Prairie''' 13400 Allisonville Road. ''+1 317'' 776-6000 Each May, Civil War re-enactors converge on Conner Prairie_fs grounds to portray a battle reenactment demonstrating military tactics of the Civil War period. Even though the war rarely reached over the Indiana border, historians rank Indiana second among Northern states in the percentage of men who served in the armed forces. Interest in the military tactics and equipment from the time period remains strong; expect crowds.
'''Fishers Freedom Festival at Roy G. Holland Memorial Park'''. Held the weekend before the 4th of July holiday, this community festival attracts tourists too because of the sheer amount of things to do. Arts, crafts, food, business vendors, live music, 5K walk/run, K-9 demonstrations, teen tent, street dance, parade, fireworks, etc.etc.etc. Last year, the festival tried to stage the worlds_f largest water balloon fight too. Oh, it_fs all free too.
''Early October'' '''Fishers Renaissance Faire''' 13400 Allisonville Road. If you like Renaissance Faires, this is a good and inexpensive one. Tickets are under $10 per day. The Faire is held to honor the relationship between Fishers and its sister city of Billericay, England. More than 20 acts, including the ever-popular joust.
''October'' '''Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie''' 13400 Allisonville Road ''+1 317'' 776-6000 For more than a quarter of a century, Conner Prairie has been transformed into a live-action version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow each October, with nightly appearances by the Headless Horseman (in addition to other Halloween-themed activities). The moonlight _ghaunted_h hayrides are always a sell out on the weekends. Go during the week if you can.
''June'' '''Indiana Festival at Conner Prairie''' 13400 Allisonville Road ''+1 317'' 776-6000 Celebrate the arts, music and people of the Midwest with this summer cultural outdoor festival. Five stages of entertainment as well as food vendors and artists show off the traditions and variety of the ethnic cultures that call Indiana home.
'''Country Fair at Conner Prairie''' 13400 Allisonville Road ''+1 317'' 776-6000 This historic agricultural fair recreates 1886 Indiana, complete with historic baseball, a _gtent of wonders_h (Bearded man anyone?), farm animals and antique tractor parade.
Landmarks and Arts
'''Fishers Arts Council''' Some of the Council_fs _gCaBOOST the Arts_h train cabooses are installed at the Fishers Train Station, One Municipal Drive, that are worth a drive by. The cabooses were all painted or decorated by local and regional artists.
Outdoors
[http://www.fishers.in.us]
'''Billericay Park''' 126th Street and Promise Road. Seven lighted baseball diamonds are the centerpiece of this park, which also has a play area, woodlands, walking trail and concessions building.
'''Brooks School Park''' 11780 Brooks School Rd. 16.5 acres with playground, basketball court, horseshoe pits and a loop walking trail.
'''Cheeney Creek Natural Area''' 11030 Fishers Pointe Blvd. A 25-acre natural wildlife habitat provides hiking, birding and fishing. Primitive and rugged.
'''Cumberland Park''' 10580 Cumberland Rd. 40-acre park is accessed through a housing subdivision. Includes seven soccer fields, wooded area, community building and shelter.
'''Fishers Heritage Park at White River''' 10595 Eller Road. Wooded, 33-acre greenspace with hiking/biking loop trail, bird watching and nature study. Also home to the Ambassador House, a National Historic Register home currently under renovation.
'''Harrison Thompson Park''' 13573 Conner Knoll Pkwy. Accessed through a housing subdivision, this 11-acre park includes a playground, grills, soccer fields, baseball diamond and restroom building.
'''Hoosier Woods''' 10034 E. 121st St. Natural area with short soft-surface woodland trail. Located next to Hoosier Road Elementary School ? use of playground facilities allowed during non-school hours.
'''Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve''' 10410 Hague Road. Formerly owned by The Children_fs Museum of Indianapolis, this 42-acre site is an Indiana State Designated Nature Preserve. The remaining 85 acres is under a state conservation easement. The site offers five different trails totaling 2 miles and a shelter area. Guided hikes and programs also are available.
'''Roy G. Holland Memorial Park''' One Park Drive. This 34-acre park is accessible through a housing subdivision. Offers soccer fields, sand volleyball, baseball and softball, basketball courts, two playground areas and picnic shelters.
Family Friendly
'''Ben & Ari_fs''' [http://www.benandari.com] State Road 37 and 141st St. ''+1 317'' 770-5294 This is a pre-teen_fs dream destination. Miniature golf, mini-pin bowling, huge arcade, picnic area and loads of opportunities to win tickets that can be exchanged for prizes.
'''Fishers YMCA''' 9012 E. 126th St. '' +1 317'' 595-9622 Yes, the YMCA is a member-only organization, but this branch has a variety of events all year that are open to non-members. It's worth a phone call if you are in the area.
'''Pinheads''' [http://www.bowlatpinheads.com] 13825 Britton Park Rd. ''+1 317'' 773-9988 Bowling alley that offers bumper bowling, thunder bowl, rock-n-bowl parties and a big arcade-filled party room.
Golf
'''Gray Eagle Golf Club''' [http://www.grayeaglegolf.com] 12500 Brooks School Rd. ''+1 317'' 845-2900 Public par-72 course also offers golf simulators in the winter months.
'''Ironwood Golf Club''' [http://www.ironwoodgc.com] 10955 Fall Rd. ''+1 317'' 842-0551 R.N. Thompson course with 27 new holes, offered in three nines (Lakes, Valley and Ridge). Create your own course!
'''River Glen County Club''' [http://www.riverglencc.com] 12010 Clubhouse Dr. ''+1 317'' 849-8274 Public par-71 course in one of the most scenic settings in Fishers. Area hotels offer a _gStay and Play_h package for this course.
Sports
'''Billericay Park''' 126th Street and Promise Road. Seven lighted baseball diamonds are the centerpiece of this park, which also has a play area, woodlands, walking trail and concessions building. Host to a variety of youth baseball events.
'''Eller Fields''' 10198 Eller Road. This 4.5-acre park offers two lighted ball fields (baseball and softball) and playground equipment.
'''Mudsock Fields''' 12160 Packers Ave. Three football fields with bleachers, scoreboards and concessions building.
'''Olio Fields''' 14181 E. 126th St. Located behind Hamilton Southeaster High School, this 18-acre park offers six softball fields and one baseball field. Playground and concessions facilities also available.
'''Indiana Fieldhouse''' [http://www.thefieldhouse-indy.com] 11825 Technology Dr. ''+1 317'' 842-2255 A 53,000-square-foot, six court basketball facility that hosts _gLittle Dribblers, semi-pro and amateur tournaments and a hoops academy. Called one of the finest basketball facilities in the United States by USSSA and AAU officials.
Learn More
'''Fishers Chamber of Commerce''' [http://www.fisherschamber.com] 11601 Municipal Drive. ''+1 317'' 578-0700 The Chamber can provide information about area businesses and upcoming events.
'''Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau''' [http://www.hamiltoncountytowns.com] 37 East Main Street, Carmel (Indiana) ''+1 800'' 776-8687. Not-for-profit tourism organization that promotes and encourages the development of Hamilton County tourism, conventions, festivals and other special events. Staff are very helpful and welcome visitors who need information. Visit HamiltonCountyTowns.com for a full event calendar and interactive map of destinations, golfing, restaurants, shopping and places to stay.
'''Fishers Visitor Information Center''' 11601 Municipal Drive ''+1 317'' 579-1946 Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.
Buy
'''Everything Indiana''' [http://www.everythingindiana.com] ''+1 317'' 679-5893. Can_ft get to Hamilton County for a visit? You can sample a little bit of Hoosier Hospitality with a gift basket of Indiana products made by Indiana companies.
Indulge
'''Dream Weaver Salon & Day Spa''' [http://www.dreamweaversalon.com] 11061 Allisonville Rd. ''+1 317'' 595-6000. The 3,500-square-foot spa has 8 hair styling stations, 2 manicure stations, 2 pedicure stations, 2 massage rooms, 2 facial rooms and a make-up area.
Eat
Fishers is a growing location for chain restaurants, but there are a few locally-owned places to try as well.
Splurge
Moderate
'''Fionn MacCools Irish Pub & Restaurant''' [http://www.maccoolsirishpub.com] 8211 E. 116th St. ''+1 317'' 863-2100 A true, authentic pub environment brings the Craic of the Irish to Fishers. Traditional Irish food all the time, and live music on the weekends.
'''Nickel Plate Bar & Grill''' 8654 E. 116th St. ''+1 317'' 841-2888 Located across the tracks from the Fishers Train Depot. Features American pub food including the breaded tenderloin, which some claim originated in Indiana.
'''Sahm_fs''' [http://www.sahms.com] 116th & Allisonville ''+1 317'' 842-1577. Sahm_fs is the family owned flagship restaurant of a group of restaurants that have been open for more than 20 years. Sahm_fs makes its own soups, sauces and breads. The sour cream coffee cake is not to be missed. For huge breakfasts at a reasonable price, try '''The Roost''' across the street (another Sahm_fs restaurant).
Cheap
'''Handel_fs Homemade Ice Cream''' [http://www.handelsicecream.com] 8760 E. 116th St. ''+1 317'' 585-8065. With locations across Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, this isn_ft a Fishers-only stop. But the ice cream is really good and the location is on the main drag of the old downtown area, only two blocks from the municipal town center, so it is fun for people watching too. Try a Handel_fs Pop.
'''Indiana Foodways Alliance''' 11601 Municipal Drive ''+1 317'' 579-1940. This membership-based organization is headquartered in Fishers, but documents great Indiana culinary traditions across the state. The Alliance has created culinary trails such as the Hoosier Pie Trail, Scenic By-ways Trail and the Tenderloin Trail. It also keeps a calendar of all the food-based fairs and festivals in the state.
Drink
'''Fionn MacCools Irish Pub & Restaurant''' 8211 E. 116th St. ''+1 317'' 863-2100 Guiness, anyone? A fine pub environment plus a fine (if expensive) whiskey menu brings the Craic of the Irish to Fishers. Traditional wood-paneled Irish bar, and live Celtic bands on the weekends.
Big Apple Bagels. 528 E 126th Street, Fishers IN. ocated behind Shell gas station on 126th Street and State Road 37.. 17-915-9196. ttp://www.babcorp.com. am-5pm Monday thru Friday; 7am-4pm Saturday; 7am-3pm Sunday. We offer a casual yet comfortable atmosphere in which you can order to-go or dine in with a broad selection of breakfast and lunch items, treats, beverages, and specialty drinks such as Smoothies, Lattes and Cappuccinos. Visit us and enjoy our daily fresh, made-from-scratch premium baked bagels or muffins at low price.
. 528 E 126th Street, Fishers IN. ocated behind Shell gas station on 126th Street and State Road 37.. 17-915-9195. am-5pm Monday thru Friday; 7am-4pm Saturday; 7am-3pm Sunday.. We offer a casual yet comfortable atmosphere in which you can order to-go or dine in with a broad selection of breakfast and lunch items, treats, beverages, and specialty drinks such as Smoothies, Lattes and Cappuccinos. Visit us and enjoy our daily fresh, made-from-scratch premium baked bagels or muffins at low price.
Big Apple Bagels. 528 E 126th Street, Fishers IN. ocated behind Shell gas station on 126th Street and State Road 37.. 1 317-915-9195. ttp://www.babcorp.com. am-5pm Monday thru Friday; 7am-4pm Saturday; 7am-3pm Sunday. We offer a casual yet comfortable atmosphere in which you can order to-go or dine in with a broad selection of breakfast and lunch items, treats, beverages, and specialty drinks such as Smoothies, Lattes and Cappuccinos. Visit us and enjoy our daily fresh, made-from-scratch premium baked bagels or muffins at low price.
Big Apple Bagels. 528 E 126th Street, Fishers IN. ocated behind Shell gas station on 126th Street and SR37. 1 317-915-9195. ttp://www.babcorp.com. am-5pm Monday thru Friday; 7am-4pm Saturday; 7am-3pm Sunday. We offer a casual yet comfortable atmosphere in which you can order to-go or dine in with a broad selection of breakfast and lunch items, treats, beverages, and specialty drinks such as Smoothies, Lattes and Cappuccinos. Visit us and enjoy our daily fresh, made-from-scratch premium baked bagels or muffins at low price.
Sleep
Fishers growth means there are a number of reasonably priced chain hotels to accommodate visiting friends, family members and groups. Visit the chain websites for Hampton Inn & Suites Fishers, Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis NE, Holiday Inn Northeast and Express Northeast, Comfort Suites, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fishers and Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn for more information (some are listed below).
'''The Frederick-Talbott Inn''' 13805 Allisonville Rd. ''+1 317'' 578-3600. Located across the street from Conner Prairie. This 10-room inn sits on a 2-acre estate complete with country gardens, horse shoe pits and a wide veranda. Each room has a private bathroom, although some have a shower only.
'''Holiday Inn''', 9780 N. By Ne Blvd., ''+1 317'' 578-9000, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/indne].
'''Holiday Inn Express''', 9790 North By Northeast Boulevard, ''+1 317'' 578-2000, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/indfs].
'''Hotel Indigo''', 9791 North by Northeast Boulevard, ''+1 317'' 558-4100, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/in/1/en/hotel/indfi]. Newly opened in 2008, the Indigo has the feel of a boutique hotel with the customer service of a large chain. Guestroom murals vary from room to room.
'''Motel 6 Indianapolis - Fishers''', 8250 North By Northeast Boulevard, ''+1 317'' 913-1920, Fax: ''+1 317'' 913-9674, [http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=6007].
Contact
For more information about Fishers, contact the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau at ''+1 800'' 776-8687 or visit HamiltonCountyTowns.com for a full event calendar and interactive map of destinations, golfing, restaurants, shopping and places to stay.
Get out