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Enjoy Christmas in the Tropics – Without Leaving the State By Mary Jane Bogle
Few people are traveling to tropical paradises for the holidays this year. But what if you could enjoy a taste of the tropics without leaving the Hoosier state? Thanks to a special exhibit at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Indianapolis, you can. Welcome to Tropical Holiday at the Conservatory, where you’ll discover gorgeous displays of holiday poinsettias and thousands of twinkling lights, not to mention a fantastic collection of tropical flora. No matter what the Midwest weather brings, a wide range of stunning plants from the rainforest are sure to warm up your holidays. Visitors to this special event at the conservatory can download a self-guided tour, which takes them on an expedition to discover such rare plants as the Ice Cream Bean Tree, a Fiddle Leaf Fig and the Australian Tree Fern. And don’t miss the Powder Puff Tree, which puts on a show with its fluffy pink blooms. The exhibit costs just $4, and children under 2 get in free. Tours last about 45 minutes, and visitors should remember to dress for the tropical weather during their stay. (No, really, it can get very warm in the conservatory, especially on sunny days.) If you’d like to experience all the warmth of the tropics this season, you’ll have to purchase tickets ahead of time, since no walk-ins are allowed. In fact, the conservatory has taken extra measures to keep guests safe, including clearly marked, one-way traffic; zero transactions at the front desk and social distancing between parties. Please note that the plant shop and restroom facilities will be closed, so be sure plan accordingly. And remember that tickets sell quickly, so if you want those tickets to paradise, you’ll have to get them soon!
Benjamin Harrison home
Festival of Trees
Other Indy Attractions Round out your tour of the tropics with a quick trip to Fountain Square. Just minutes from Garfield Park, this funky Indianapolis Fountain Square, By Nyttend - Own work, Public Domain, neighborhood offers https://commons.wikimedia.org a unique range of shopping and dining options, with everything from live music performances, one-of-a-kind stores (perfect for last-minute Christmas shopping) and independent restaurants, which offer a wide range of cuisine which can cater to all tastes. People traveling with children might want to make a quick trip to the award-winning Indianapolis Children’s Museum, while those able to stay through the evening hours will enjoy a visit to Newfield’s Winterlights, featuring over a million and a half lights glittering on one-hundred-year-old trees throughout the historic grounds. History buffs won’t want to miss the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, which showcases the beautiful 10,000 square-foot Italianate Victorian family home of President Benjamin Harrison – our country’s 23rd President (1889-1893) and Indiana’s only President. And no trip to Indy in December would be complete without a stop at the Indiana Historical Society’s Festival of Trees. Just remember that many of these venues require advance tickets. With some early planning, you can enjoy all that Indianapolis offers during the holidays this year.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolils
December 2020 | Home Living 13
