Some of Indiana’s best travel adventures can be found in Westfield and surrounding areas in Hamilton County. One of the best ways to fully experience the area is through a guided tour, such as the ones below.
Image via Flickr by Paul J Everett
Travel to the American Frontier at Conner Prairie
Conner Prairie is a giant open-air museum that takes visitors back to the days of the American frontier and Civil War. Highlights at Conner Prairie include: Prairietown, bringing an 1836 Central Indiana village back to life; a hot air balloon experience harking back to the early days of manned flight in 1859; an 1863 Civil War re-enactment, pitting visitors on the side of the Union as the Confederates cross the Ohio River into Indiana; and visiting a Lenape Indian Camp dating back to 1816, around the time first contact was struck with American fur traders.
Conner Prairie is open May 1 to October 28, Tuesdays through Sundays, and occasionally in winter for special events. General admission costs $18 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $13 for kids aged 2-12. Extra charges apply for some group tours and activities. For example, the 1859 Balloon Voyage requires a special ticket and costs $13 for adult members and $17 for non-members. Conner Prairie is situated at 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers, a few minutes’ drive from Westfield.
Historic Indiana Ghost Walk and Tours
These popular tours have been running since 2000 and combine the history of 19th century Indiana with tales of the supernatural. Multiple tours take place each week in Westfield, Noblesville, and downtown Indianapolis, each guided by a professional storyteller. The tour through Westfield introduces visitors to the ghosts of the Underground Railroad and the haunted history of the area’s modern-day gangsters. The Noblesville tour is another favorite. It starts at the Court House Square and continues through several haunted buildings, including the old jail and beer rooms.
Due to popularity, ghost tours must be booked in advance. Tours run for about two hours. Tickets cost $18 for adults, and $15 for kids 8-12 and seniors over 65.
Winery Tours at Urban Vines
What better way to cap off all that walking and adventuring than with a winery tour? Urban Vines is a winery and brewery in Westfield, offering two types of tours: 30 and 60 minutes. The Signature Tour is a 30-minute guided tour of the facility and grounds and includes an explanation of how wine and beer are made. The Wine Makers Tour is a 30-minute guided tour followed by a 30-minute wine and cheese tasting. Tours at Urban Vines run Monday to Friday, 12-4 p.m. The Signature Tour costs $10 per person and the Wine Makers Tour costs $35 per person.
Urban Vines opens from 12-9 p.m. Sundays to Wednesdays and 12-11 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays. It serves wine, beer, cider, and a selection of meats and cheeses. Urban Vines is located at 303 E. 161st St. in Westfield.
There are dozens of good hotels in and around Westfield where you can put your feet up and rest after a long day of tours and activities. They are a short walk or drive from Hamilton County’s major attractions and approximately 30-45 minutes from downtown Indianapolis and the Indianapolis International Airport.
