christmas tree

It’s pretty tricky to narrow our top local hangouts, but we’ve done our best for the 2017 holiday season! There’s a lot to love about Indianapolis. When you want somewhere fun to take your out-of-town guests, be sure to put these restaurants, shops, and activities on your short-list.

Our Favorite Restaurants around Indianapolis

Go ahead—give yourself a break from cooking. These local restaurants are sure to hit the spot. (We even included a place you can hit up for breakfast!)

 

Fire by the Monon

We love the cozy vibe at Fire by the Monon, and their menu is great year-round. The winter season is especially yummy because they’re big on comfort food. Just make sure you save room for those desserts made by the owner’s wife. So yummy!

 

Wolfies Grill in Fishers

This restaurant has multiple locations around the Indy-area, but our favorite by far is the Wolfies Grill in Fishers. They’re our go-to Chicago Bears bar. Great food, great people, and the Bears game always has sound. What else could you want?

 

Ruth’s Café

A unique breakfast menu and fun atmosphere make Ruth’s Café a real winner. Plus, it’s conveniently located off 86th street by the Keystone Fashion Mall. They always have quirky mugs to drink from, which makes every visit a little different.

 

Provision

This is a new restaurant from CRG—the owners of Bru Burger, Mesh, Vida, Union 50, and more. Provision is a perfect spot for your next date night. It’s also just a sweet space to relax after a long week. For the holiday season, gift certificates are now spend $50, get a $10 bonus card. They’ve got excellent food and must-try desserts. (Renee’s fav is the Peanut Butter Bombe.) Did we mention that Travis’s brother is the chef? Go check them out!

 

Best Places for Holiday Shopping in Indy

If you want to add a unique touch to your gift-giving, swing by these local shops. They’ll be able to hook you up with thoughtful items for everyone on your nice list.

 

Rusted Moon Outfitters

For anyone seeking adventure, Rusted Moon is a one-stop shop for outdoor gear. Their knowledgeable staff can always steer you in the right direction. They have a pet-friendly location, cozy outdoor fire pit, and even offer kayak lessons. (Great gift idea, right?)

 

Silver in the City

Honestly, this shop should be on every Indianapolis gift guide. Located on quirky Mass Ave, Silver in the City is a delightful and eclectic shop full of pretty jewelry, housewares, bags, and more. Since everything here is fun and unique, it’s easy to find something special.

 

Gallery 116

If you want to support local art, visit Gallery 116 in Fishers, Indiana. Their shop features more than 50 local and regional makers. You can shop online or visit in person. They’re open daily and offer complimentary gift wrap so all of your presents can be fuss-free.

 

Family Fun around Indiana in Winter

Whether you’ve got little kiddos in your family or not, all ages are welcome with these Indiana traditions. If you want to get out and celebrate the season, any one of these winter activities would be a hit.

 

Pokagon State Park

Take a day-trip to Pokagon State Park for their winter Toboggan Run. Located in northern Indiana near Angola, the run is open (with or without snow) from November 24 to February 25.

 

Perfect North Slopes

To get a little more action, check out Perfect North Slopes. You can go skiing, snowboarding, and even snow tubing just 90 minutes southeast of Indy! First timers are always welcome.

 

Christmas at the Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo lights up at night with their annual Christmas at the Zoo festival. Guests can visit some of their favorite animals after dark and enjoy a true winter spectacle.

 

Indiana Sports Teams

Plan a night to support the local team. Indy Fuel Hockey and the Indiana Pacers have a packed schedule for the season. Why not grab some tickets to cheer them on?

 

Carmel Christkindlmarkt

New for 2017, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt is sure to be a winter family favorite. Here you can enjoy delicious German food, ice skating, and dozens of festive holiday booths.

 

Winterlights at Newfields

The Indianapolis Museum of Arts is now Newfields, a place for nature and the arts! Now through January 7th, their grounds are filled with “whimsy trees” and stunning holiday lights in the Winterlights display.

 

Santa Hustle Indy 5K & Half Marathon

Before you tuck into a plate of cookies and hot cocoa, consider joining the Santa Hustle! It’s the ultimate fun-run for the season, and they’re known to throw an awesome after-party.

 

From all of here at LCS Heating & Cooling, we hope you have a very merry holiday season! Get out and enjoy all that Indy has to offer. There’s a lot to love about our community, and we’re so glad to share it with you!

cutting board with burger and fries

Summer here in Indy means heat, humidity, and some good ol’ fashioned sunshine. While we’re quite fond of a strong AC unit, there are plenty of other ways to beat the summer heat around Indianapolis.

Before you decide to stay indoors and dial down the thermostat, check out some of these favorite local venues. Our picks for 2016 have something for everyone. Whether you want to explore the great outdoors, find a great shopping deal, or sip on a great local brew, we’ve got the summer itinerary you need to keep cool around town.

Best Outdoor Activities:

Sahm Park & Aquatic Center in Castleton

Probably the easiest way to lower your core body temp is to take a nice dip in the pool. We love Sahm’s Park because it’s convenient to get to and has plenty of space for relaxing. Open swimming, water slides, and other water spray features can help you stay chill on the sunniest of days.

Rusted Moon Outfitters in Broad Ripple

If you want a quieter scene and want to soak up some nature, be sure to check out Rusted Moon Outfitters this summer. They’re the local, one-stop shop for everything outdoors! You can even rent a paddleboard or kayak and then head over to the White River just down the road. If you start working up a sweat while paddling, it’s easy to cool off with a quick splash of water.

Fort Harrison State Park in Lawrence

Maybe shade is what you’re after? The trails at Ft. Ben can help you take cover. We like to take our pups hiking at this state park because their paths are fairly short and easy to follow. (Just don’t forget your doggie bag and a collapsible water bowl for them.)

Best Shopping:

BluePeppermint Boutique in Fishers

Some days are just too hot and stuffy to enjoy the outdoors. When that happens, consider getting out of the house for an afternoon shopping spree. That way, you still get a change of scenery, but you don’t have to sacrifice the AC. Located in a cute green house, BluePeppermint Boutique has a great collection of whimsy-chic clothing and accessories. We always find something fun!

Silver in the City on Mass Ave

There’s even more to love with local shopping at Silver in the City. This gift shop has some uniquely classy jewelry and loads of quirky items for anyone with a good sense of humor. Use your free time in July to get holiday shopping done early—who cares if it’s six months away? You might even find something special for yourself. (Also note: BRU Burger Bar is just around the corner. They've got a nice, big patio and unbelievable burgers!)

Dottie Couture Boutique at Keystone

There’s even more fashion trends at Dottie Couture Boutique to browse. They’re really good about keeping stocked with new styles and shipments, and the prices are great too. With other locations in Fishers and Greenwood, this is an excellent place to put on your list. A new dress for summer can help you cool off. It’s all about dressing for the season, right?

Best Food & Drink:

Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream on 79th and Fall Creek Road

Sure, getting an ice cream cone is one of the most obvious ways to “beat the heat,” but if you haven’t had Sundae’s yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. Over 30 years of ice cream crafting make them one of Indy’s best-loved venues. (A couple of our favorite flavors are Peanut Butter Pie and Sundaes Trax. Also love the Reese's Mountain Sundae!)

Fire by the Monon in Broad Ripple

Fire by the Monon is just a half block off its namesake trail, so it’s easy to stop in and treat yourself to a drink or some dessert after a warm afternoon stroll. They have plenty of craft beers on tap, but we like to go because they have a great “Monon Mule.” So refreshing! (And even cooler—The owner's wife even makes some of their scrumptious sweet-tooth offerings herself.)

Blind Owl Brewery off 62nd and Binford Boulevard

On mild nights we definitely recommend hanging out at Blind Owl. It’s a family-friendly bar and restaurant with a great patio space for outdoor games. Nothing quite says Indiana summertime like a game of corn hole! There’s also bocce ball, so be sure to bring your game-face.

Alibi’s Bar & Grill at Shadeland Station

After a long day at work, we think of Alibi’s as our local “Cheers” bar. Great company and awesome food—just what you want on a hot day. Plus they’ve got the best cheesy bread and pizza around. Try their BBQ Chicken. They make it with smoked Gouda and the flavor is perfect for both winter and summer. Yum!

 

What do you think of our 2016 list? Did we include some of your own local Indy favorites? Check these places out and leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!