8-Zoo+and+Nature+Reserves

Just footsteps from downtown, the Indianapolis Zoo is open daily at 9 a.m. Highlights include Indiana's largest aquarium, open exhibit areas with 350 different animal species and seasonal pony, train and family roller coaster rides. The complex also includes the 3.3-acre White River Gardens, featuring hundreds of plant varieties on display in outdoor gardens, as well as entertaining and educational conservatory exhibits throughout the year. The Indianapolis Zoo's mission is to connect animals, plants and people.



Visit the Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens. Garfield Park Conservatory houses 10,000 square feet of plants from the worlds tropics. Even if it's snowing outside, the conservatory is always in full bloom. Changing educational displays and three spectacular seasonal shows make the conservatory a great place to visit throughout the year. The Sunken Gardens The Sunken Garden includes three acres of European classical formal gardens. The garden's three graceful fountains, paved walkways and [|benches] throughout the the landscape, make it a gorgeous and relaxing retreat from citylife. The gardens are planted with three different seasonal displays a year. Both the gardens and the conservatory are completely handicap accessible.

A National Historic Landmark and listed on the National [|Register] of Historic Places, Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens is the former home and estate of the J.K. Lilly Jr. family. Lilly House is now a historic house museum and the 26-acre estate offers beautiful formal and informal gardens.The IMA's gardens and grounds are renowned for their beauty and history. The 152-acre complex includes: Oldfields, a 26-acre American Country Place estate designed by the famed landscape architecture firm, Olmsted Brothers, that has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark, the Indianapolis Museum of Art's 26-acre main [|campus] and the 100-acre Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, which opens in spring 2010.

Live some history at Conner Prairie! Journey back to long ago and experience how life has changed. Travel to an Indian camp, pioneer village, Victorian farm, more hands-on areas, Discovery Station indoor play and [|learning] area (ages 2 and up) and a historic house and gardens.Take the 1859 Balloon Voyage and explore the science and technology behind this "flying machine" and the history of ballooning in America. The exhibit culminates in the opportunity to ascend to 350 feet high in a tethered, helium filled balloon that recreates the maiden voyage of John Wise, a scientific pioneer in the exploration of manned flight.Conner Prairie's annual events include Follow the North Star (April, Nov.), Indiana Festival (June), Marsh Symphony on the Prairie with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (June-Sept.), Glorious Fourth (July), Country Fair (Sept.), Headless Horseman (Oct.).