Thursday, June 14, 2012

Ten ways to celebrate Christmas in July in Santa Claus




One of our family's favorite vacation spots is Santa Claus, Indiana. For couples who aren't at the stage for an exotic getaway on a tropical island, but who want to find a family friendly spot with lots of activities for all ages, they'll find it in this little Midwest town. Santa Claus really sparkles with celebration in the height of summer when water if flowing and roller coasters are whizzing and the town's biggest attraction, Holiday World Amusement Park and Splashin' Safari Water Park. There's also lots of other fun to be had in the area and here's a list I put together. (This article originally appeared at http://www.examiner.com/article/10-ways-to-celebrate-christmas-july-santa-claus)

Ever wonder where Mr. Kringle goes to relax and get away from the North Pole? He has his own vacation spot and it happens to be in Indiana – Santa Claus, Indiana that is.
In the small town in southern Indiana named for the big man in red, signs of Christmas are all over from the strip mall to the golf course to the little town diner to the Holiday World theme park. Looking to get into the Christmas spirit in the heat of summer? Here are some ways to do just that:
1) Get some sweet treats at Santa’s Candy Castle. Once part of “Santa Claus Town” with a workshop and toy village, the candy castle was renovated in recent years and is a great place to stop for some sweets and learn a little more about the town’s interesting history.
2) Watch the light show in front of the Santa Claus Christmas store at Kringle Place Shopping Center each evening. Classic holiday tunes play with coordinated dancing lights shaped into a tree in the parking lot.
3) Pay a visit to Santa’s Lodge. This Christmas themed hotel features king and double family suites. The sights of Christmas can be found all over the lobby and grounds.
4) Frosty’s Fun Center. Enjoy some pizza and play a game of mini-golf on a course where you’re supervised by a large snowman.
5) Play on a real, full-sized golf course at the Christmas Lake Golf Course.
6) Camp out at Lake Rudolph. The RV resort is full of family fun with the Blitzen Bay family pool and kiddie pool, fishing lake, game room, outdoor movies, playgrounds, basketball courts and more.
7) Mail off a letter to Santa to get your wishes in early. Drop off your letter at the Santa Claus Post Office.
8) Stop by the Santa Claus Museum, a free attraction that takes you back through the town’s 150+ year history.
9) Pick out some ornaments, lights, wreaths or other seasonal decorations at the Santa Claus Christmas Store.
10) Lastly, what draws most to Santa Claus is Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, now in its 64th season. Santa can be found at the park all season long along with thrilling rides, musical acts and a massive water park.
For more information on the area, visit  www.LegendaryPlaces.orgwww.holidayworld.comand www.LakeRudolph.com

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Summer Bucket List

Ok, I've been absent from this blog for a while as I'm much more active on my other blogs - Chicago Foodie Sisters, which has daily posts and Adventures in Motherhood, which has new posts usually one to three times a week. I'm hoping to get in a regular posting routine on here, so I can share lots of my favorite summer spots. There's what -- 92 days in summer? If I really get with it, I can post something for each of those days.


It's not officially summer, but I am in full summer mode now that the kids are out of school and I'm planning out some summer fun. I just thought I'd share my summer bucket list that I made up today. My goal is to do at least half of the 50 items listed. I'm already off to a good start. Everything listed is pretty local - within an hour or so and I've got a few checked off already. I'll have to make another list for some of the places I'd like to travel to this season. What's on your summer bucket list?



Summer Bucket List

Pool visit (maybe get passes)
X                     Sand Ridge Nature Center
Zig E’s Funland
Albanese Candy Co.
Deep River Water Park
XX                   Library visit
Chelberg Farm
Wicker Park Splash Pad
Calumet City Fun Center
X                     Indiana Dunes
Frozen Yogurt Express in Munster
X                     Free Movie at Lansing 8
                        Zoo (Broofield or Washington Park)
                        Picnic at a local Park
                        Kite flying
X                     Berry Picking (strawberries)
                        Downtown day via Metra train
                        Roller Skating (free passes from school)
X                     Tyler’s Tender (free kid meal from birthday club)
                        Mini Golf
                        Wihala Beach
X                     49-er Drive In
                        Berry Picking (blueberries)
                        Green Lake Aquatic Center
                        Zoa Island
X                     Cubs game
                        Splash Pad (either Homewood or Valpo – one we haven’t been to)
                        Tyler’s Tender (take report cards – 5 tokens for each A)
                        Hollywood Park
                        Car Show
                        Out for a family breakfast
                        Boat ride                     
                        Find a new park to visit
                        Fishing
                        County fair
                        Minor league baseball game
                        Chinatown
                        Try Dairy Belle in Hammond
                        Hoosier Theatre
Try a new restaurant
                        Movie in the Park
X                     Attend a parade
                        Ribfest
                        Overnight at a campground
                        Farmer’s Market
                        Summer Concert
X                     Dairyville
                        Vintage Base Ball Game
                        Navy Pier
                        Cruise Night

Prairie Guest House, Fishers Indiana

On a recent media trip in Indianapolis, I spent a little time in Hamilton County, staying at the Prairie Guest House Bed & Breakfast in ...