Let Visit Hendricks County Help You Navigate the Holiday Season
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The holidays can mean so many things to so many people, but here at Visit Hendricks County, this season allows us to focus on our locally owned shops and attractions, and ways to support them.
Our organization has already embarked on a milestone holiday season. For the 10th consecutive year, we unveiled our Hendricks County One-of-a-Kind Finds holiday gift guide. This guide has become a passion project, as we encourage locals and visitors alike to support these local small businesses rather than buying everything on Amazon or in those big-box retail stores.
In addition to uncovering our hidden shopping gems, we also love finding and sharing attractions and activities that families and individuals can enjoy this season. As you hopefully know, our organization has become known for our popular events calendar, and providing options for things to do here locally.
So, let’s get to all the great places to shop and fun things to do this season:
Holiday Gift Guide
Our Holiday Gift Guide highlights the best local, one-of-a-kind gifts we found this year. Please help support the featured businesses. They really need our help now more than ever. You can learn much more about each specific gift and where to find them at visithendrickscounty.com/gift.
We have highlighted some of our favorite food, fashion, local experiences, home decor and much more. What we truly intend with this Gift Guide is to give you a reason to visit these businesses. We believe getting visitors into their doors is key, because once you walk into these businesses, we know you will be surprised by what you find and the service you will receive.
Indoor Attractions
Here’s just a sampling of indoor activities in Hendricks County. You can check out all the options at visithendrickscounty.com/winter.
X-Golf – Plainfield
This new indoor golf facility at The Shops at Perry Crossing allows visitors to play many of the best golf courses in the world without leaving the county. This fun, virtual experience has become a hit and is perfect for a family, group or holiday gathering.
Press Play Gaming Lounge – Brownsburg
This large, indoor fun center provides plenty of room to spread out including family pods, virtual reality stations with numerous games, a foam war area, a three-point shootout, a BEAM system for young visitors, as well as food, a bar and more.
The Tie Dye Lab – Avon
Offering a fun, do-it-yourself experience, the Tie Dye Lab helps participants color T-shirts, hats, socks, bandanas and other attire. You choose your design and colors, and the experts there guide you through the process. The tie-dye process is both easy and mess-free, and within an hour you get to leave with your creation.
Kids Planet – Brownsburg
Those with younger children will love this multistory, indoor play area, which will help release some of their pent-up energy. The play structure includes slides, a foam pit, tunnels, ball shooters and more. A special area allows kids aged 4 and under to play in a separate space.
Outdoor Winter Activities
We have so many options to highlight here, but will limit them to just a few of our top recommendations, though you can find more at visithendrickscounty.com/winter.
Penguin Park – Avon
Penguin Park is back this holiday season at a new location – Murphy Aquatic Park, at 753 South County Road 650 East in Avon. Enjoy ice skating (skates provided) on a synthetic rink on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays through February, rent an igloo for a gathering or birthday party, and enjoy concessions.
Holidays at Beasley’s Orchard – Danville
Most people associate Beasley’s Orchard with fall, but this family farm can be equally enjoyable in December when the barn is transformed to ring in the holiday season. Enjoy their award-winning apple cider, peruse their aisles for late-arriving apple varieties, and get your picture taken with Santa on an antique sleigh.
Horseback Rides at Natural Valley Ranch – Brownsburg
Natural Valley Ranch offers guided horseback rides year-round, weather permitting, but there is just something fun about bundling up and going out in the fresh, crisp air for a horseback ride. You do need to contact the ranch in advance to make a
reservation before arriving.
