EASTERN MIDWEST Family planner

To see the world as a kid does, you have to get your hands dirty. Oh, sure, you can see SPLISH- SPLASH and smell things, but the best The Silver Beach Center in St. way to really understand Joseph, Michigan, something new is to touch offers dozens of hands-on ways for it. Take it apart. Push it kids to play. around, and maybe climb on it. Luckily, these kid-friendly destinations let little ones (and big ones) dig in, run around, explore and have fun. background Indianapolis’ museums, parks and restaurants balance big-city culture with little-tyke appeal. Interactive exhibits at the Indiana State Museum, lawn seats with run-around space at baseball stadium Victory Field, and the mix of adventurous and tradition- al pizzas at Bazbeaux Pizza will keep visitors of all ages coming back for more (800/323-4639; visitindy.com). itinerary

EASTERN MIDWEST Canal boating in Indy

D A Y can stand in a glass gazebo surrounded by a dolphin tank for 360-degree viewing. Or, nature-lovers enjoy simply exploring White Indy River State Park itself, strolling walking paths or taking advantage of bike rentals. Spend the day exploring1 attraction-packed For nap time, tuck into plush bedding at White River State Park, nestled along Indy’s the Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Central Canal. The Indiana State Museum Downtown, where big windows offer great there features interactive exhibits covering views of White River State Park. Hungry getaway Indiana’s history, from the paleontology (see families flock to Mug-n-Bun Drive-In, where a mammoth skeleton) to its people (hear a flick of the headlights summons a carhop, from a Southern slave trying to make his way the burgers come hot off the grill, and the North to freedom). Visitors to The Indy Zoo secret-recipe root beer is crave-worthy.

D A Y glassblowing station. ScienceWorks has a rock wall to climb, a construction site to build in and a pond to explore. When hunger hits, ZOO DELIGHTS A dig in at Bazbeaux Pizza: the brave try the visit to the Indy Zoo likes of the Neptune, with crab, shrimp, peas, may give little ones black olives and green peppers; the picky the chance to get Giant dinosaurs guard2 the entrance (and peek rely on great cheese pies. Baseball fans find up close and in the windows) of The Children’s Museum plenty to love at Victory Field, home of the personal with of Indianapolis, where exhibits encourage AAA Indianapolis Indians. A combination of some of the hands-on play—for kids and adults alike. assigned stadium seats and find-a-spot lawn residents. Fireworks of Glass features a Chihuly space equals plenty of seating options, and glass ceiling, a tower of glass and a virtual the Indy skyline makes a gorgeous backdrop. Cedar Point Amusement Indiana Dunes National Park/Resort Cedar Point Lakeshore Nature lovers has a mix of modern thrill comb hiking trails, sandy rides (16 roller coasters!) beaches, swamps and and old carnival classics in bogs—all right next to Sandusky, Ohio (419/627- Indiana Dunes State Park. 2350; cedarpoint.com). See historical homes, 5 4 such as the 19th-century Thrilling Kings Island North of Family- Chellberg home, during Cincinnati, this giant ranger-led tours (219/395- attractions amusement park boasts 1882; nps.gov/indu). a cool Dinosaurs Alive friendly attraction (513/754-5700; visitkingsisland.com).4 beaches

SILVER BEACH COUNTY PARK The park surrounds St. Joseph, Michigan’s clean, wide, family-friendly beach. Nearby, the Silver Beach Center features

a fantastic 4 indoor carousel Kelleys Island Attractions (269/982-0533; include Kelleys Island State Holiday World and berriencounty Park (for the rental yurts Splashin’ Safari This .org/parks). and fabulous beach), amusement and water park fishing spots and Victorian in Santa Claus, Indiana, B&Bs. Get there by ferry, contains a day’s worth 20 minutes from Sandusky of rides. Parents love the or Marblehead, Ohio freebies that come with (419/746-2360; admission, including kelleysislandchamber.com). parking, drinks, sunscreen and inner tubes (877/463- Holland State Park Eight 2645; holidayworld.com). miles west of Holland, this Lake Michigan park has East Race Waterway Get an expansive beach and wet on the nation’s first great views of nearby Big artificial white-water rafting Red, a much-photographed Michigan’s course. It takes less than lighthouse. A boardwalk Adventure Seven 10 minutes to splash down and stairs access Mount roller coasters, the South Bend, Indiana, Pisgah’s towering sand 20 water slides course (574/299-4765; dune (616/399-9390; and dozens sbpark.org). michigan.gov/dnr). of other rides and attractions provide ample fun at the Muskegon, Michigan, amusement and water park (231/766-3377; miadventure.com) The Best Chocolate in Town The handmade Indianapolis treats include sea salt caramels and divine truffles (317/636-2800; bestchocolateintown.com). 3Delicious Sw2eet 1Weekend- destinations stays worthy museum The Henry Ford An evolving roster of family-friendly activities, events and exhibitions in Dearborn, Michigan, celebrate history. Visitors not only see memorabilia from the automaker’s collection (Lincoln’s seat at Ford’s Theatre) but also engaging special Graeter’s4 Ice Cream exhibits (313/982-6001; The fourth generation thehenryford.org). of the Graeter family still makes legendary ice cream; locations around Cincy (800/721-3323; graeters.com).

Crystal4 Mountain Resort Cherry Valley Lodge and Spa Active families Situated amid an arboretum come here to ski, hike, golf and botanical garden in and play at Sleeping Bear Newark, Ohio, the crowd- Dunes National Lakeshore. pleaser has a huge indoor The Crystal Spa stuns with water park and luxe spa. its design and service, and (800/788-8008; cherryval- the Thistle Pub satisfies leylodge.com). with hearty dishes. (855/995-5146; crystalmountain.com).

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