Forest Park in Noblesville, Indiana, is a park that truly does have something for everyone. On its 150-acres it has a 9-hole golf course, miniature golf, a carousel, skateboard park, different playgrounds designed for different-age kids, kid-sized rock climbing walls, hiking and biking trails, an Olympic size swimming pool, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a gaga ball pit, and even a train museum.
Parking and Public Transportation at Forest Park
Entrance to Forest Park and parking inside the park are both free. There are plenty of parking lots and parking spaces throughout the park. The only form of public transportation to the park would be a taxi or rental car.
Best and Worst Time to go to Forest Park
Weekends in the summer are the park's busiest times, particularly in the afternoons. So, go as early as you can to beat the crowds. You will want to go on weekends if you plan to include the Indiana Transportation Museum in your Forest Park visit because it is only open on weekends.
Admission to Forest Park
There is no admission to get into Forest Park. Some of its attractions do cost money but many are free. You can skateboard, play basketball, tennis, volleyball, horseshoes, use the playgrounds and rock climbing walls all for free. The 9-hole golf course, the Aquatic Center, miniature golf, carousel and the Indiana Transportation Museum all charge admission, but the costs are low.
Must See and Do at Forest Park
If anyone in your family loves trains, you won't want to miss the Indiana Transportation Museum, which is located inside Forest Park. But, the museum is only open on weekends between April and October. Admission is less than $5 to see the exhibits, and if you happen to visit when the museum is hosting one of its vintage train excursions, the admission price will include a train ride if the excursion boards at the museum.
Other Places to Visit near Forest Park
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park – a living history museum that's affiliated with the Smithsonian, where you can experience time periods from Native Americans through the Civil War.
Jump N Play – If a storm blows up and you want to take the kids for fun indoors, check out Noblesville's Jump N Play, a playland full of inflatable furniture, jump houses and toys for both kids and adults to jump on and in.
Klipsch Music Center – After a fun-filled day at Forest Park, enjoy a concert at Klipsch Music Center, an outdoor amphitheater that hosts some of the biggest names in the music business.
Insider Tip for Visitors to Forest Park
Bring your own picnic food and drink as concessions are limited and not always available, and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Author's bio: Susan Hoskins Miller is a writer who lives in metropolitan Indianapolis and works in a university library. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and exploring places in the Midwest.
Named after father and son Potawatomi leaders Leopold and Simon Pokagon, Pokagon State Park is located in Steuben County, which has more lakes than any other Indiana county. The park features cross-country ski rental, sledding, ice fishing, and a twin-track toboggan run for winter visitors. During warmer months, visitors can enjoy campgrounds, hiking trails, picnicking, non-motorized boat rentals, a sand volleyball court, and a saddle barn.
Must see and must do at Pokagon State Park
Pokagon State Park's quarter-mile, refrigerated toboggan run reaches speeds of 35-40 mph. The toboggan run operates weekends from the Friday after Thanksgiving through February, with extended hours during the Christmas holidays.
Best and worst time to go to Pokagon State Park
Pokagon's toboggan run makes the park a unique and popular tourist destination during the winter months. While the toboggan run may draw extra visitors, it offers a unique family activity that makes late November through February the best time to visit the park. Pokagon State Park is open 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily.
Admission to Pokagon State Park
Park entrance fees are $7 for in-state vehicles, $9 for out-of-state vehicles, and $2 per person for bus entry. Toboggan sled rental is $13 per hour, with a maximum of four riders per toboggan. Cross country ski rental is $8 per hour for adults and $5 per hour for those fifteen and under.
Wildlife at Pokagon State Park
The lakes located at Pokagon State Park make it a haven for a variety of bird species, including geese, mallards, cranes, and swans. Visitors to Pokagon can also see deer and turtles.
Insider Tip for Pokagon State Park
Sleds for the toboggan run are rented on a first come, first served basis. Visitors who plan to enjoy the run should arrive when it opens in order to avoid a lengthy wait.
Author's Bio: Heather Hurley is a publishing professional and freelance writer living in Carmel, Indiana. She enjoys exploring Indiana's many state parks with her family.
