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Downtown is fired up
for the Fourth of July
Celebrate independence with fireworks, food, festivities and lots of fun – there’s something for everyone in Downtown Indianapolis this July 4! With so much going on, you will want to stay Downtown for the entire patriotic experience. For a complete calendar of events, call Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. at 317.237.2222 or search online.
Observe a piece of Indiana history during a FREE tour of the Athenaeum Theatre! Meet in the Theatre Lobby at 1 p.m. for a docent-led tour. Call 655-2755 or visit www.athenaeumfoundation.com for more information.
The President Benjamin Harrison Home will host a Naturalization Ceremony at 10 - 11 a.m. on the south lawn of the property. Judge Sarah Evans Barker will preside over the ceremony, welcoming those who have become qualified U.S. citizens. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Tours of the President Benjamin Harrison Home are available after the ceremony. Visit www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org or call 631.1888 for more details.
Start celebrating Independence Day early at Howl at the Moon’s Red White & Brew! Enjoy great drink specials and live music. The party starts at 6 p.m. Call 317.955.0300 or visit www.howlatthemoon.com.
In celebration of the Fourth of July, the Indiana Fever are offering $14 tickets for just $4! This special price is available for the Fever games on Thursday, July 2 vs. Connecticut and Sunday, July 5 vs. Atlanta.
Buy your tickets now!
Check out art from some of Indianapolis’ best photographers in Dean Johnson Gallery’s new exhibit, Black & White. The show runs until July 30, with an opening reception on Friday from 5 – 9 p.m. Call 634.8020 or visit www.deanjohnson.com for more information.
Enjoy Indy’s largest fireworks display at Regions Bank Freedom Blast beginning at 9:47 p.m. Shooting from the top of the Regions Bank Tower, the fireworks can be seen from almost anywhere Downtown. The fireworks will be synchronized to patriotic music. For more information, call 317.221.6000.
Spend time with friends and family outdoors! Wheel Fun Bike and Boat Rentals is offering a $5 discount off any rental. Scoot around on a Moped, zip through Downtown in an electric car or get everyone together in a “grande” surrey! Rentals are available all day until 6 p.m. Call 317.767.5072 or visit www.wheelfunrentals.com to see what else is available for rent.
The Indiana State Museum will host Independence in Indiana from 4:30 – 9 p.m. on July 4 from its scenic location on the Canal Walk. Museum visitors can enjoy a special celebration including fun, family-oriented activities before the annual Downtown fireworks. Watch The Indy Admirals radio-controlled boats out on the Canal. Log on to www.indianamuseum.org for more information.
Celebrate Independence Day at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art with FREE admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy family-focused activities from 4:30 – 9 p.m. along the Downtown Canal. The outdoor celebration will include crafts, music, artist demonstrations and more! Dine on a special BBQ buffet in the Sky City Café and stay for a great view of the Downtown fireworks. Log on to www.eiteljorg.org for additional information.
Celebrate the Fourth of July by cheering on your Indianapolis Indians against the Louisville Bats at 6 p.m. Fans can enjoy fireworks twice as much this year with a spectacular fireworks display after the game followed by the Regions Bank Freedom Blast. The first 10,000 fans will also receive a hand-held American flag. The Indians also play Louisville again on July 5 at 6 p.m. The first 4,000 fans to this game receive a 2009 Indians baseball card team set. Get your tickets today at www.indyindians.com or call 317.269.3545.
Head to Buggs Temple on the Canal (11th Street Basin) for a July 4 party. Enjoy two bands, food and a cash bar for $5 admission. www.buggsevents.com
Take the family on an adventure that’s out of this world! The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis hosts Tutenkhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, on display until October 29. Additionally, Star Wars Saturdays take place the first Saturday of every month this summer from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Participants learn about the Star Wars series and take part in fun activities fit for all ages. This event is FREE with museum admission. Be sure to stop by the Star Wars: The Clone Wars exhibition, which runs until January 30, 2010. For more information, log onto www.childrensmuseum.org or call 317.334.4007.
Head to WFMS’ FREE Fourth Fest from 7 – 11 p.m. at American Legion Mall. The family-friendly event features patriotic and country bands to celebrate the nation’s birthday. Military displays, speakers and food vendors will be on hand.
Celebrate July 4 the old-fashioned way with a scoop of refreshing ice cream at the 34rd Annual Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social at the President Benjamin Harrison Home. From 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., enjoy this cool treat along with popular outdoor activities from the 1800s on the spacious lawn including a Thomas Jefferson re-enactor, live music, Silly Safaris’ animals, juggler, magician, caricaturist, Indianapolis Fire Department fire fighters, croquet, a variety of Victorian games and historical treasure hunt for children. You can also tour the beautiful Victorian home. The day will culminate with a live reading of President Harrison’s nomination acceptance speech, originally delivered on July 4, 1888. For more information, call 317.631.1888 or check out www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org. $10 adults; $4 students; children four and under FREE.
The Indiana Historical Society presents FREE Concerts on the Canal July 4. Due to renovations at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, the concert will take place two blocks north at the American College of Sports Medicine. This Independence Day Bash will feature The Indianapolis Municipal Band at 5 p.m. and The Impalas at 7:30 p.m. Come out and celebrate with the sounds of freedom from 4:30 – 9:45 p.m. Reserved seating available: Tables for four are $30; $25 IHS members. Tables for eight are $40; $35 IHS members. Attendees may bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to the concert. No pets and no smoking allowed on Plaza. Café, cash bar and outdoor grill open from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Call 232.1882 for more details or log onto www.indianahistory.org.
Downtown’s restaurants and café have terrific specials and extended hours on the 4th! The Indianapolis Propylaeum will host a July 4th Celebration Brunch at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a delightful meal and family activities including a patriotic music, games, and activities. Admission is $20; $5 age 12 and under. Call 317. 638.7881 for more information.
Zing is also hosting a Saturday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The balcony has a fantastic view of the fireworks, or sit in one of the chairs along the sidewalk. The restaurant is also offering its Saturday drink specials. For more details, call 317.636.7775
Au Bon Pain on Monument Circle is featuring a $5.99 box lunch all day! The meal includes half of a café sandwich, a bag of chips or piece of fruit and a fresh baked cookie. The restaurant will stay open until 11 p.m. Call 317.624.9126 or visit www.aubonpain.com for details.
End the day on a sweet note. Champions Sports Bar and Restaurant is offering a two for one desert special from 9 p.m. - midnight. Print out this page and bring it with you to receive your desert!
Please remember that some restaurants will be closed on the 4th in observance of Independence Day. Oceanaire will not be open, but will have regular hours on both Friday and Sunday. R Bistro willl be closed from the 4th to the 14th.
To make sure your Downtown dining experience is the best it can be, contact your preferred restaurant to confirm their hours of operation this weekend. With more than 250 restaurants to choose from, there are plenty of options! Click here.
Party Independence Day away at the Rathskeller Biergarten’s July 4 celebration! Enjoy live music by Zanna Doo from 7 – 11 p.m. Stay for a great view of the Downtown fireworks. Call 317.636.0396 to make reservations today! Admission is $5 and is granted only to those over the age of 21. Log on to www.rathskeller.com for more details.
Don’t miss the 7th Annual Rooftop 4th of July Celebration at the Fountain Square Theatre Building July 4. Guests can enjoy dinner from the shelBi street caFe & Bistro and a spectacular view of the Downtown fireworks from the Rooftop Garden. The celebration will be from 7 – 11 p.m. and includes Duckpin Bowling. This year's dinner menu features a salsa duo appetizer, choice of salad, choice of entrée and a desert with mixed berries and whipped cream. Beer, wine, margaritas and soft drinks are included with the package price. Tickets are $70 per guest (includes tax & gratuity) and all guests must be 21 years and older. Tickets are on sale now. Call 317.686.6010, ext. 2 for tickets.
Come to play, come to stay
Enjoy an overnight stay Downtown that’s fit for a king! Crowne Plaza is offering a King Tut for Two Package (two adults) and a Family 4-Pack Package (two adults and two children) as part of a partnership with the King Tut exhibit this summer at the Children’s Museum. Gusts receive accommodations for one night, exclusive VIP, jump-to-the-head-of-the-line any day, any time tickets including sold out dates, access to the Children’s Museum and buffet breakfast. Call 317.243.1010 or visit www.crowneplaza.com for more information.
Conrad Indianapolis invites all government employees and teachers to enjoy exclusive rates of $94 per night for stays between now and July 12. The “Government and Teacher Appreciation” offer is a special invitation to active and veteran military men and women, firefighters, police officers, education staff and teachers, and all other Indianapolis civil servants. To make reservations, call 317.713.5000 and reference promotional code G3 or go online at www.conradindianapolis.com and check the Government/Military box. Official government ID or proof of educational employment is required upon check-in.
Homewood Suites Indianapolis is offering a special 4th of July rate on the 3rd and 4th. For $115 a night, guests can stay in a 4-person or 6-person suite Independence Day weekend. Make a reservation through the front desk at 317.636.7992 or visit www.homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/en_US/hw/index.do.
The 4th may be over, but the fun isn’t! Come to Conseco Fieldhouse to watch the Indiana Fever play the Atlanta Dream at 6 p.m. Call 917-2500 or visit www.consecofieldhouse.com for more ticket information.
Everyone can find parking, arrive at their destination on time and enjoy all the excitement if a few simple tips are followed.
- Plan your driving and walking route into and through Downtown ahead of time.
- Use interstates to travel to and leave Downtown.
- Enter Downtown from the side on which you plan to park.
- Allow plenty of extra travel time to Downtown.
- Be aware that travel through Downtown will be limited to streets away from the core area.
- Relax during peak exit times.
- Wear comfortable shoes, park once and enjoy the walk.
- Carpool or use IndyGo if possible.
- Downtown parking is abundant. There are nearly 72,000 parking spaces Downtown.
- Click here for Downtown maps with attraction and parking information. Print out the map and bring it with you.
- Select a couple of parking alternatives before you leave home.
- Plan to use a garage or lot. Most meters near event sites are restricted during this time; Meters are free on weekends.
- Some parking facilities and lots may not be open to the public.
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