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Veal's Ice Tree

4.9 (11 reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

Veal's Ice Tree Photos

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Sana K.

Have been wanting to come here for years but since it's kind of a trek, it had to be planned a bit. It's located on the southwest part of town. This is a stop and go deal. This is provided by people who are lovely enough to share this with the public. It is completely free and has been on the news. They have a Facebook page that they update on the conditions of the tree. The weather has to be just right to get it all together. This has been done for generations. I was so glad to see it on this lovely day with its height and color. I only wish I came earlier in the day so the sun would be behind/hitting it. At night it lights up. This is someones private property though so please be respectful and follow the signs. When I came there was only 1 other group here. 5pm on a Saturday afternoon. They had just colored it and made it so pretty yesterday. Thought for sure it would be busy. I enjoyed having it to myself. The colors were stunning

Veal's Ice Tree - 2/19/22
Richard P.

I love that Yelp has a "local flavor" category, a category for those things that make your community different and weird and truly special. Veal's Ice Tree is such an attraction. It could easily be called a roadside attraction. It's listed in Weird Indiana and on Atlas Obscura. Started in 1961 almost by accident, Veal's Ice Tree is essentially an ice sculpture that was originally built around the foundation of bushes. After three years (in 1965), the family decided to simply build the "tree" without the bushes to avoid harming any of the bushes. It's an annual attraction created by the family that incorporates water from their nearby pond essentially frozen upon an actual tree that over the course of the winter becomes a beautifully sculpted, wondrously awesome ice tree. This family tradition has literally spanned 60 years. The tree usually gets started in January as the temperature has to be below 30 degrees for at least five days in a row. In Indiana, that typically occurs in January. The Ice Tree typically melts in April. Per the family, the longest it has lasted is May 5th. In an average year, the ice tree grows to 35-40 feet high. In 2014, it actually achieved 79-80 feet. For those who are people of faith, there is a strong element of faith that serves as the foundation of why the family continues to maintain the tree annually long past when the original tree creator, patriarch Vierl G. Veal (the family's name is Veal - thus, Veal's Ice Tree), has passed away. The family acknowledges a love for watching nature and things growing during the year - that's harder during the winter and they love watching the tree grow. They also love watching their visitors experience the wonder of the tree (especially when they start adding color to it - which they do!). They also find it to be fun and great exercise. However, they also note they continue it in memory of their father and his never failing positive outlook on life.  According to the family, "He once wrote, "God states in the Bible we can be happy in adverse circumstances." Their father didn't always enjoy the winter weather but he did love to create beauty from adversity. Repeatedly, Daddy found that many events that look like misfortunes to us are really God's opportunity for us to find greater happiness. In essence, Veal's Ice Tree is created as a reminder that beautiful things can come out of adversity. Veal's Ice Tree is worth a visit. As I looked at it, it felt like a prayer to me and it felt like bit of a frozen labyrinth. You can easily experience the labyrinth if you're in a wheelchair, though obviously you won't be climbing it and being respectful of property is expected. The family requests visits from dawn to dusk, though this is allowed 7 days weekly. stay on the blacktop (they do have 2-3 spaces where you can park if you want to pull over for a photo). However, you can also simply drive around it. The family does not collect money. They don't accept donations. You can catch current info on their Facebook page. There's just a lot that I love about this and it's a truly beautiful thing to behold. I love the ice tree itself and I love the family's maintaining of it to honor their father and for their own personal faith reasons. If you've never checked out this attraction here in Central Indiana, I recommend taking the time and visiting it on a day when you need a reminder that good things can come out of adversity.

Linda L.

Right off of 74east, the Veal Ice tree is worth a gander in the winter time. What a fun little hobby to create an ice sculpture every year since the 60s. When I went, they had yellow to represent the Bengals for super bowl on one half and red for Valentine's Day. There is a little circular drive that you go around. While in the area drive down to Buck Creek Winery for a little treat to warm yourself up.

Danielle N.

This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Apparently there is a Facebook page that you can go and watch the tree grow through the winter months and then after watch it melt away. Apparently this tree has been around since 1961, it happened because they were trying to make an ice slide to go down the hill and onto the pond one winter and overnight a wind came through and threw ice on all the surrounding bushes and then the tree was born. It is not an actual tree but just some good old fashioned water from a hose and powered food coloring to get the cool colors. I guess at night they have lights surrounding the tree to make it more picturesque. I had just gotten off work and had never seen this tree before and decided to take a different way home just so I could see and I was not disappointed especially for such a cold cold day. Would love to see at night with the lights and would recommend to anyone that loves to see cool things.

Alissa J.

If you're looking for an off-the-beaten path side road free attraction in the Indy area, stop here! Veal's Ice Tree is right off of I-74 E heading towards Ohio off of Acton Rd exit 99. It's in a residential area at the families home. The family work hard every year to tie up hoses with running water to a tree to create this beautiful ice tree sculpture. They will use natural dye to color it for a beautiful effect. They also post lights up around it so if you stop by in the evening it glows up at night. The family does ask that you visit during normal business hours, 10-7. They have a parking lot right next to the tree and there is street parking on the road.

Kelly S.

I just love local traditions and the story of the Veal family and their ice tree is so fun. As soon as cold weather hits, be sure to seek out this colorful south side spot for photos unlike any other! To read the story of how Veal's Ice Tree got started, check out my blog post here: https://lostbetweenpages.com/2019/02/04/veals-ice-tree/.

Front view of the ice tree
Guy Z.

This is a must-stop for anyone who enjoys visiting something uniquely timed event! You must go after a long spell of cold weather (sub freezing for a period of 5-7 days is ideal) so that the ice tree has time to be created and expanded from all the dousing of constant water being added to the tree. The tradition has been going on since 1961 and is now being maintained by Wynter and her mom. Wynter is quite a fun and genuinely friendly as can be. She will take the time to share stories and will even let the kids "color" the ice tree with dye, if available at the time of visit! Wynter is sometimes seen climbing and building onto the existing tree to make more mesmerizing to the sight. I was lucky to visit when she was doing an interview and I was shown the various tasks she must do on a daily basis to maintain this beautiful event(regardless of temps) Besides meeting a patient and friendly curator, they do not charge any fee to come see a beautiful sculpture that is never a same thing twice! It's well worth the few minutes drive SE of Indy...

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Apparently there is a Facebook page that you can go and watch the tree grow through the winter months and then after watch it melt away.

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Indy Island

Indy Island

(12 reviews)

We had a great time here. I took my 4 and 2 year old. There were lots of lifeguards on duty paying…read morevery close attention and took their jobs seriously. The kids area looked to be updated with a toddler slide, and the big slide was fast and fun!!! I will definitely be back. They are open even in the winter and it was a good day to go today because it was slightly raining out. 4 stars because they have a good court with nothing in it.

Eh -- Indy Island is OK. I'll start with the positives:…read more 1. There were always at least half a dozen lifeguards circling the perimeter of the pool and water area. They were constantly walking back and forth, checking things out, so I always felt like my kids were safe. 2. This indoor aquatic center is open year-round, so kids have a place to splash, wade and swim even when it's freezing outside. The day I visited, the water temperature was nice and warm, and the ambient air temp was just as inviting. 3. It's really inexpensive. Prices range from $4 to $6 dollars depending on age and the day you visit. Kids 2 and younger are free. 4. This is a small indoor water park, but it's big enough to have fun for hours. Now for the negatives: 1. This indoor water park is really old and in need of an update, and it shows. The playground structures in the water area are visibly rusted and look dirty. 2. The lock to the bathroom / changing room I was in DID NOT LOCK. It goes without saying that their changing rooms should have working locks. I had to stand by the door to block it, hoping that no one would try to come in! It also didn't have a trash can, for some reason. 3. The hallway to the changing room was super dark and didn't have any lights. Pretty much the last place you want to be changing in is a dark and creepy room. Fix the lightbulbs! This is another simple thing that could be fixed if they kept up the place. 4. They don't allow outside food or drinks inside the aquatic center. You can buy food and drinks at their snack bar, but when I was there (on a weekend), it was closed. Not sure what they expect visitors to do with a closed snack bar during operating hours. I like that Indy offers places like Indy Island so kids can enjoy swimming and playing in the water indoors. But this place is in need of some TLC in order to compete with some of the other indoor aquatic centers.

Zip City Indy

Zip City Indy

(62 reviews)

some. My little had a blast. They have a large parking lot that can handle more than enough…read morevehicles. They do have age and weight limits that they strictly adhere to and I know the ceiling is 250 pounds, because I was knocking on the door of it and had to jump on the scale. You have to be at least three to join in on the fun, so I left the youngest little at home. This place is huge, approximately 72,000 square feet, and there are not many indoor kids play places on the south side of Indy, so this is a welcomed addition. They have zip lines, rock climbing walls, trampoline dodgeball, trampoline basketball, trampolines, a battle pit with foam blocks, trampoline air bag, laser tag, and a ropes course. There are also concession stands and video games. I must admit, that looks like a place that teleworking parents bring their kids while they work. They had some people there that looked like they were in a home office. The entire staff here is very friendly and helpful. Top notch all the way. You can bring your own helmet for the zip line, ropes course and rock climbing, which I recommend, so you know it fits, or they have common use ones that you can borrow They have 2 concession stands, one upstairs, by where you get on the zip-line and one downstairs. The upstairs one is only open on busy days. The downstairs one has a small arcade area and is their primary concession bar. They have candy, soft drinks, hot dogs, burger, fries, pretzels and other typical quick food. They are slightly higher priced than normal. I guess in line with movie theater prices. And they do not allow outside food or drinks. They have 4 zip lines that are all the same, but the number of lines open depends on how packed the place is. They were only running one line while I was there. There are some couches overlooking the zip line and some tables and chairs in the area of the upstairs concession stand that are some prime real estate. That is where some parents set up their hoe offices and also serves as a place to hold people's coats, shoes and other belongings. I did not see one free, while I was there. FYI: The ropes course has a higher height requirement than most of the attractions there. You should check it before you wait in line to make sure that your little is good to go. The rock climbing wall has two sections. One has a lot of attachments for little kids to grab and stand on. The other has much less attachments and is way more challenging. They have a toddler area, with a large bounce house and little toys. It is fenced off from the other areas. It is only for kids 2 years old and under or who are under 35 pounds. This is the only area in the complex that those kids can play. They play host to birthday parties and have a huge indoor soccer field where they hosts soccer leagues, football games and ultimate frisbee. It is very nice, with spectator bleachers and all. It can be rented out. They run some good specials, like their Hero Days on Wednesday and Thursday where Police, teachers, firefighters, nurses and military (along with their immediate family) get a discounted rate for 2 hours of unlimited stuff. It is a really good deal. You may also find an occasional Groupon deal as well. I really do not understand all the bad reviews this place got. My experience was awesome. My little and I had so much fun. She rode the zip line like they were closing it down for the season. She was able to easier navigate the rock climbing wall, which boosted her confidence as well as her ego. There is tons to do here, but I think two hours is good to do what you want to do. This is definitely the place to bring the little ones, but not too little. I highly recommend checking this place out.

There really is something for everyone here. Even toddlers and crawlers have their own little…read moresection, and it's reserved just for the little kids, blocked off by a black mesh curtain, with height and weight cut offs and everything. It's like a little baby nightclub. But mainly, Zip City is for the big kids. There are two ziplines, several trampolines (even trampolines where you can joust, shoot hoops and play dodgeball), a laser tag area, a sky obstacle course and a rock climbing wall. There is also an indoor field, but we didn't play on it because there was a soccer game happening when we visited. We were here for a birthday party, and it seems like a great place to have a party. You get your own space with tables and a staff member to help, and then you set your hellions loose to burn off the sugar from the birthday cake. It's a really fun place for boys and girls who are adventurous and need an outlet for their energy. One of the things that I appreciate was that there was a staff member at each area, and several at the trampolines. They are always watching everything that's happening, and will remind you of the rules if they see you breaking them. I like my kids to have fun, but I like them to be safe more. In order to use the zipline, you need to weigh at least 35 pounds. Keep that in mind when planning a trip! Kids who weigh less than 35 pounds can play in the toddler section.

The Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis - Tables and darts

The Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis

(69 reviews)

Recently visited Fowling Warehouse for a work team building event. I had no idea what to expect…read more Parking was a bit of a mystery. There was a sign in front of the business pointing you to turn down a steer for parking; next block there is a huge parking lot but no signs saying you can park there for fowling, BUT, it was abundantly marked that cars will be towed. Since there was nothing else around, I assumed it was the right place and parked. Of course I briskly walked to fowling to inquire if I was in the correct space. I was, whew. Those towers can really work fast. Fowling is in a warehouse with other businesses, hence the name. It is huge. We were on lane 32, I believe so there's at least 32 lanes. There is also a corn hole area. There is a bar where they have a decent variety of adult beverages. I went with 3 Floyd's warpig, a hazy ipa. It was really good. The important aspect of fowling is not eating or drinking there, but to interact with the people your with. Sure you can win a game, but the fun is the game itself and the camaraderie with a drink. Our leader looked up the rules prior and explained them. You take turns throwing a football at bowling pins, one set of pins on each end of the lane. There are two lines to throw from, our group guys threw from back and women from front. I watched a group next to us, both men and women threw from front line, it didn't appear to give anyone an advantage. I don't know if the pizza place is part of fowling or a separate business, but we got pizza from Bonk Pizza. It was ok, it was enough to say we were fed. I'm glad I did this and would go again.

Fowling (noun) fowl-ing: The hunting or trapping of wildfowl…read more Google "fowling definition" and this is what you'll find. Google simply "fowling" and you learn about this odd sport where you combine football and bowling. Just now. Right NOW as I'm writing this, the word fowling finally made (sort of) sense. Football + bowling = fowling. Now I'm even pronouncing the word different with a long "o" sound versus the "ou" diphthong. I had to Google that, too, but once I saw diphthong, I knew it was going in my review. You're welcome for the 5th grade grammar lesson. Please redeem your Pizza Hut personal pan pizza for your hard work. Ok, fowling. It has nothing to do with trapping birds or teaching birds of prey to land on your arm (that's falconry). Nope, it's a game you play with friends and beer. The setup is more like cornhole, but you use bowling pins and throw, that's right, a football. Someone was clearly drunk when this game was invented. But what a great way to bring a group of people together! The Fowling Warehouse specializes in the game of fowling, but has several other activities to enjoy as a group: pool, darts, a few arcade games and a golf simulator. I may go back just for the golf simulator. This is the real deal, a full Trackman set up. It was pretty sweet. Those simulators can be a little intimidating at the PGA Superstore, but it's tucked away in the corner at the Fowling Warehouse where you can shank balls and not feel like a fool. Mostly. There are also two bars and you can order pizza and boneless wings. The bar has a nice selection of beers on tap. They use the magnet cup system where the cup fills from the bottom. My favorite thing was seeing multiple signs on the bar that warn you that if you push the bottom of the cup, you will get wet! And I smiled devilishly thinking about curious people testing their luck with the cups and losing every time. For me, I enjoyed a couple glasses of this blood orange IPA. Delicious and refreshing. The Fowling Warehouse isn't exactly my jam, but I think it's the kind of place that is perfect for a certain crowd who enjoys games and likes a new challenge. And they can handle a large party! If you are looking to try a new sport that feels like it was invented by someone who lost a bet, this place is for you! I kid, but the Warehouse is nice and clean and large! The service was good and everyone seemed to have a great time. Seems like a pretty good spot for your next party if games are your thing! Please note: No birds were injured during the writing of this review.

eXplore Brown County - That's me on the last Zip!!! Gorgeous view!!!!!!

eXplore Brown County

(63 reviews)

I had a blast here playing paintball. I called ahead, made reservations, they told me when to get…read morethere for our 1pm start time. We had 20 people and they were so organized. When we got there, we followed the signs to paintball. We went into the place that looked like it would be the office, it was. We made sure everyone signed the waiver, a few of us wanted overalls. We got everything done and we were ready for our safety / procedure instructions. After that, we started the paintball fight! We split in two teams, the teams were mixed each session, we played about 6 rounds with 3 different games and then it was time for us to head home - we could have been there longer, but we had a schedule to keep. Overall - it was a fun time for everyone.

Upon arrival, there was no clear indication of where to check in. The building labeled Office had a…read morepermanent "Closed" sign, which made things even more confusing. After wandering around, we finally found someone. The owner seemed unsure about checking us in, mentioning that they're normally closed on Tuesdays, which explained why only two staff members were onsite and why it felt like they weren't expecting us. We were informed there was an electrical outage being worked on at the time. Understandable--but when we tried to pull into our site to wait it out, the space was occupied by the electrician and his trailer of tools. The owner had to track him down to get the site cleared. Once we finally pulled in, the campsite itself was a mess: five trash cans stacked up, a broken picnic table shoved to the back, a fire pit overflowing with ash and garbage, and litter scattered all over--plastic utensils, bottle caps, string, caution tape, and paper trash. The whole site looked neglected, with uneven gravel, sticks, and leaves everywhere. We had prepaid $46 for a trailer of firewood, expecting enough for a 5-day stay. Instead, what we received was roughly the equivalent of four bundles--maybe $28 worth at best--and the wood was wet, making it hard to use. Other campers around us received much larger, drier loads of wood, and even a staff member commented that our delivery was ridiculous and promised more, but nothing ever came. The bathrooms and showers were another major disappointment. Except for one permanent building at the far end of the park, everything else is portable toilets and trailers. The trailer near us was unusable the first day because no one had bothered to turn the breaker on. Even once it was working, the power was mysteriously shut off multiple times without notice, leaving campers stranded. It also wasn't stocked with hand towels until our last day. The shower trailer offered only two stalls, both moldy, with no hooks or shelves to place belongings. The shower I used had such a moldy curtain that I refused to close it. Ventilation was poor, and if you cracked the window, you were exposed to a mechanical area and a neighboring porch. Portable toilets throughout the park were even worse--several were overflowing, creating awful smells that you couldn't avoid while walking to the lake. While the park map shows brick-and-mortar restrooms at the event hall, staff told us they simply don't open them. Everywhere we went--the docks, stages, buildings--looked dirty, dusty, and poorly maintained. The "vintage campers" offered for rent were also concerning. They were left unlocked, and when we peeked inside, the smell of mold and mildew was overpowering. The bedding looked like it hadn't been washed in months. There's no way I would ever stay in one of those. Ultimately, we cut our stay short by a day because nothing about the experience encouraged us to stick around. Bottom line: The location itself is stunning and the property has incredible potential, but it desperately needs a full cleanup and refresh. Campsites should be maintained (fire pits cleaned, picnic tables fixed, gravel added, trash removed), facilities deep-cleaned, and bathrooms and showers properly managed. The dock area needs attention (and the massive wasp nest removed). The entrance and check-in process should be clear and welcoming, and rental campers need serious restoration before being offered. With effort and care, this place could be worth the $45/night rate. But in its current state, it was a huge disappointment.

Brown County State Park - Brown County campground site.

Brown County State Park

(109 reviews)

Our favorite state park in Indiana. My friends and I camp here for a four day weekend at least…read moreonce a year, and sometimes visit for just a day hiking trip and picnic. The campgrounds are excellent, especially Taylor Ridge. But be aware that you need to make reservations ahead of time, especially if you are planning a fall camping trip. Campsites sell out early. Shower rooms are decent, not wonderful. But satisfactory for a campground. Quiet hours are strictly observed, and the park rangers will pay a visit to your campsite if you aren't quiet after 10:00 pm Once we received a visit from a friendly park ranger when we were playing cards around 11 pm. We hadn't realized that we were being noisy at all but the ranger advised us that sound carries throughout the campground. Hiking trails range from easy to moderate. Trail maps are available are the trails are well marked. You will likely see deer and raccoons when hiking the trails. Some members of our group enjoy mountain biking too.

Love the mountain bike trails. They have trails from beginner to advanced so there is something for…read moreeveryone. Love the very large campgrounds. The only bad I would have to say is twice while staying at the campground the power went out. I do NOT! Recommend staying at the INN, Abr Martin Lodge. It needs a major renovation. The air was out in all 5 rooms they tried to put us in. The beds needed a major cleaning. Two were pee stained sheets. The last had dead bugs. The overlooks throughout the park are breathtaking. A definite visit at sunset or sunrise.

Veal's Ice Tree - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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