Summer Ideas ARTS & CULTURE

Summer breaking boredom

Ways to get out of house, enjoy freedom

Ava Hunt huntava000@hsestudents.org

With only a few days until school is out, and with the waterfall and scenery the site has to offer. Senior Olivia approaching open schedule comes a lot of leisure Waltermann had the pleasure of travelling up there last time. The warmer weather and time off allow for summer. more freedom to explore and the ability to indulge in new “Williamsport Falls was one of the highlights of my adventures. But the ten-week break can breed boredom and summer last year,” Waltermann said. “My friends and cause ideas on how to keep yourself busy to run dry. For those I made a day trip out of it and loved being able to go looking for something to do, there are a variety of activities and underneath the tallest waterfall in Indiana and take some ideas to check out this summer that all can be enjoyed from cool pictures. There were even walking trails we went on as home or within driving distance. Here are a few ways to whittle well.” away the long summer days. There are plenty of local activities closer The state is home to a lot of activities to home that involve getting out of the to fill up the allotted break. Indiana house. Up in Noblesville, Indiana, lies features an abundance of state Shipshewana an adventure park called Strawtown parks. Indiana studies teacher Kotewi Park that includes zipline and Chris Edwards says that the treetop trails, an archery center and state contains beautiful parks even trails that can accommodate that you can simply walk through or visit nature centers Williamsport Falls Carmel Arts Strawtown Kotewi Park horses. “The ziplining at Kotewi is really where their rich history can be District fun and serves as a workout, too,” learned. Waltermann said. “It’s a great way “My happy place is Shades to go outside and get that adrenaline State Park in Park County, Downtown Fishers flowing.” which is very close to Turkey Run State Park,” Edwards said. Shades State Park The Carmel Arts & Design district is a creative epicenter that contains “There are lots of trails where many places to shop and studios to you can find more solitude than admire local artists. Enjoy the intricate other state parks. I love to go architecture and attempt to join the hiking with my family there.” Bloomington wall of fame for conquering the Big Indiana also houses several Ugly, an infamous burger located at tourism towns that can be SpringHill State Park Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream. Both visited and made into a day Waltermann and junior Lydia Alveal trip or even an overnight stay. said that the district is a must-stop Down near Evansville rests a location for them over the summertime. town called New Harmony, “My friends and I travel up to the a 19th century failed utopia where many cafes, festivals New Harmony Holiday World arts district quite a bit,” Alveal said. “Sometimes we will get into The Cake and antique shopping centers reside. For those Graphic by Ava Hunt Bake Shop, depending on how long the lines are. But one of our favorite places interested in more of a culture shock, Shipshewana, an amish to shop is the Carmel antique store.” town, bestows the Midwest’s largest flea market and offers IKEA, Topgolf and Conner Prairie are just a few of horse and buggy rides. Indiana also enjoys the presence of the things to do in the heart of the Fishers community. many college towns that can double as college tours, which are Downtown Fishers also holds famous national chain more Edward’s speed. restaurants, such as Shake Shack, Portillo’s and Crumbl “I really like going to Bloomington and visiting the Cookie that can serve as great places to expand your food independent bookstores there,” Edwards said. “There are pallet. Also, the Nickel Plate district hosts the Fishers lots of good restaurants and it’s very nice to walk around the Farmers Market that houses local producers every Saturday campus, especially when hardly anybody is there.” morning from 8 a.m. to noon, running through September Indiana also has outlets and activities for the adventure 25. seekers. Spring Hill State Park, located in Mitchell, Indiana, “My family and I attend the Fishers Farmers Market every hosts inexpensive cave tours that show guests what total summer,” Waltermann said. “My favorite part is taking my darkness looks like. If not interested in the dark, then consider dog with us and being able to enjoy the free samples, which taking a trip up to Williamsport Falls and enjoying the natural are delicious.”