What a value you get when you visit this charming farm - a farm experience and a huge bouquet of…read moreflowers to arrange at home later for $30. We didn't know what to expect but knew there would be flowers to pick. We brought all of our own paraphernalia like scissors, a trug and even a vase. Leave that at home, ya'll because Anne-Marie provides all of that. One stipulation is if you have a long drive ahead of you, it might be a good idea to bring a vase. A tall paper cup is what you are provided and gets a little soggy as time passes. My kids are 5 and 3 and they both had so much fun picking flowers. We picked zinnias, sunflowers, strawflowers, daisies and cosmos. We purchased 2 bouquets and with that amount made 4 bouquets at home. It's amazing how many flowers fit in a tall paper cup. I'm not sure if dahlias are ever available but that is one flower I would love to be able to pick a bouquet of. Totally thinking of having my kids' bday party here next summer. Really such a great experience to get kids closer to nature.

Found this amazing place that is hidden gem secretly located in Zionsville. Came for the Sip and…read moreClip event which is on Thursdays 6-8p and costs $30. We brought our own wine and snacks which is encouraged. Open cutting of gorgeous selections of flowers. Many beautiful choices including sunflowers that are stunning. The owner has very well maintained paths and bundles your selections for the ride home. This is her second career and she does it well. She is very welcoming. There are tables and chairs but feel free to bring your own. So peaceful. Great girls night out event.

We had a fun time at Spangler Farms this summer, exploring their sunflower maze. It was really…read moreaffordable too, I believe it was like $12 for all 6 of us and we each got to pick/cut our own sunflower to take home. The sunflower field is smaller but they have a specific section just for taking photos. Watch out for the bees - they love sunflowers too :) We also noticed that they had food trucks available during the summer sunflower field weekends as well. They have a small farmers market with a gift shop, produce, and lots of goodies. In the Fall, they have mums, pumpkins, and gourds available.

Oh, Growing Places - you've been rocking the farm to table, urban gardening, food accessibility…read morescene before it was "cool". Not only are you a beautiful and educational addition to the White River State Park scene but you also make it possible for all to have access to produce through affordable pricing, SNAP programs and selling to local restaurants. Most are probably familiar with Growing Places Indy thanks to Indy Winter Farmer's Market which they founded and have operated for more than seven years throughout downtown locations (currently: Circle City Industrial Complex / kicking off in November). If you're looking for more ways to get involved with Growing Places Indy, they often have volunteer opportunities and you can visit their June-September farm stands at the Boner Center on Thursdays (4-6:30 PM - also donation-based yoga during this time) and at the IndyGo Transit Center on Fridays from 3-6 pm. I personally can't wait for some yoga and veggies next Thursday. Thanks for all you do, GPI!

A nonprofit adding beauty and functionality to our entire city. They have three farm sites: Boner…read moreCenter, Slow Food Farm in White River State Park, and the Slow Food Garden at Cottage Home. They also have farm stands open to the entire community from June to September. The farm stands offer fresh produce for a low cost, and they even accept food stamps. Growing Places Indy also runs the Indy Winter Farmers Market in Circle City Industrial Complex (an incredible market if you haven't been before!). They also teach yoga classes and offer tons of volunteer opportunities for individuals or big groups to come and help in the farms. One of my favorite parts? They communicate with local restaurants to provide local produce. Duos, King Dough, and many more around Indy use some produce from these sites in their cooking. Very cool!

Little Green Thumb at Garfield Conservatory…read more We tried a new-to-us program today and it was honestly SO cute! This peaceful, hands-on story time was such a sweet way to spend the morning with the kids. The kids got to: Feed & pet the chickens Read stories about the sun Use the sunshine to melt crayons into cute animal shapes Pick peppers Check out dried sunflowers & their seeds Have a little dance party Plant beets Explore the garden It was such a calm, down-to-earth experience that combined story time, gardening, animals, crafts + outdoor exploring--perfect for little ones! Garfield Park Conservatory -- Indianapolis Ages: 2-5 $6 per child Registration required Next Little Green Thumb: September 16 | 10-11 AM Join them in Blake's Garden to learn about gardening and help plant, grow & harvest in the vegetable garden. There will also be a story, craft + time to explore! Definitely adding this one to our list of sweet Indy activities for little kids!

The conservatory offers a variety of plants, flowers, and serene views of the waterfall. The…read morewaterfall and fish pond was definitely my favorite view out of everything offered at the conservatory with their scenic views and decor. The sunken garden was an okay view, the fountains were beautiful but there wasn't any other foliage, flowers, or scenery out there to enhance the view. The garden definitely has potential to be better than it is.

I enjoyed my first visit to White River Gardens! Even though I'd been to the zoo many times, I…read morehadn't made my way into White River Gardens yet. With the butterflies being there (April 2021), I decided to go check it out with my niece. There was a wait to get into the butterfly room, but it moved fairly quickly. You were required to wear a mask inside. The rules for the butterfly room are pretty basic: stay on the paths, don't touch the plants, don't touch the butterflies, and don't freak out if a butterfly lands on you--let it do it's thing. The butterflies were fun to watch flutter around. There were an assortment of types. I liked the ones with blue wings best. I think my niece and I spent about 10 minutes in the butterfly room. It was a little crowded and we didn't go to the upstairs portion. Next we went outside to the outdoor gardens. It was still early Spring, so I imagine they're even more impressive when the leaves are back on the trees and things start growing more. Still, it was really lovely to walk the paths a bit. White River Gardens was a nice slice of nature in a city setting. I'll be back to explore more later!

Love the gardens. We have been here a few times. In 2021 we came on Sept 6, the last day for the…read morebutterfly exhibit. We arrived at 2p. Parking at that time isn't great, but most people are at the adjacent Indianapolis Zoo. There used to be a separate admission for White River Gardens. Now it is included in the fee to get in the zoo. (We have a membership. Today I came to the garden and never was asked to show my card - maybe I did something abnormal??) I really enjoy the gardens - both inside and out. I will say though that the outside is getting a little tired looking. I also know I just visited after some really hot days and during COVID. Still, I find it peaceful. I like sitting I. The shade garden and looking through the park with the cityscape in the background.

Yet another fun event that happens yearly on the Circle! It's like a farmer's market exploded into…read morea super-sized event! Sometimes I feel like I know most of the vendors that generally come to events like this, but then I'm reminded that I really don't! I love discovering new local purveyors of food, drinks, desserts, and other wares that always blow me away with their creativity and quality. I liked another reviewer's suggestion that it happen once a month during the summer. I get why they don't since it looks like it takes a fair bit of coordination. It's a fun time to relax, get some food, and discover new things all while taking in the cool look of the Soldier and Sailor's Monument. I really appreciate Indiana Grown's efforts to promote all the good things made in our state! Be sure to check them out on social media and get updates on more fun events and where to find this kind of thing during the year. (For example, they have a market at the State Fair every year!)

Just when I think I know of all Indy's local businesses, I headed to Monumental Marketplace and…read moreencountered even more. This event was more than your local farmer's market. It included local distilleries, wineries, breweries, bakeries- everything. I got to try BBQ bacon, a Cardinal Spirits cocktail, Guac and More guacamole and pico de Gallo, and much more. PS: I bought that pico de gallo because it was THAT good. It was my first time attending this event and you bet I'll be there next time! I feel like I didn't even get to encounter all the businesses because I kept stopping at so many gems.

This is a simple family farm that sells mums and pumpkins. Simple as that. But you know how I heard…read moreabout it? Instagram. Yep, social media. They recently started their account and post stunning pictures of their mums and I knew I had to check it out for myself (follow them -- @zellersmarket). You're definitely in farm country, but you're actually about five minutes north of Klipsch Music Center and five minutes east of Stony Creek Farm. Like I said, it's their personal home with a barn and cows, and they sell pumpkins (large and mini), decorative gourds and mums. Prices are super reasonable - I snagged a larger mini pumpkin for $1 and mums are $10 tops. Note that this is a cash only joint, and you pay in a box on the honor code - took me awhile to figure that out as I was waiting for someone to greet me ;) Say hi to the cat Stormy!

Corn is tender, sweet and delicious! The tomatoes looked overripe and very soft. They needed to…read morebe refreshed. For a roadside market, the corn is always fresh and aside from tomatoes that's it for right now.

AMAZING farm to table experience with such a beautiful interior and exterior. I always make it a…read morepoint to come here and get their Mac and cheese and cheese board whenever I'm in town. I still think their Mac and cheese is one of the best if not the best around. We got their ice cream, cheese board, Mac and cheese, and stone fruit salad. Definitely very filling and very delicious. The salad was surprisingly tasty even though I usually don't like salads. Service is friendly and prompt. Would recommend reserving.

This place is an Indy gem I loved bringing friends and…read morefamily here whenever they would visit and it never disappoints. They have such a cool barn style restaurant with farm to table meals. I love that the menu rotates seasonally. They have an amazing cheese collection so I always started with the cheese board. Last time I got the French toast and Rhubarb pie. Leave space for the ice cream because it's incredible! The staff is so kind and have always treated me and my friends well. I can't wait to be back and eat here again.