Whether visiting a new town or creating your own staycation over fall break, Hendricks County has options ranging from relaxing nature trips to entertaining family fun to keep everyone satisfied.
I love the fall season with the crisp air, fall flavors, scents and outdoor exploration and local businesses and restaurants don’t disappoint.
Check out just one of the many opportunities for a fall break getaway in Hendricks County this year.
Day 1
Best Friends Coffee & Bagels
My kiddos are ready to go from the moment you say, ‘bagel’.
Start the day out with a quick visit to Brownsburg’s local bagel shop for some of our favorites, like The Bulldog Breakfast with bacon, egg and cheese or the Wolf-Pack Breakfast sandwich with eggs, hash browns, ham, bacon and pepper jack cheese.
We love the family-friendly atmosphere that two friends created five years ago and the fun conversation starters with decor on the walls and games on the tables.
Be sure to get your fall experience started with seasonal favorites, Pumpkin Pie Latte or Filthy Pumpkin Chai with Marshmallow Foam.
Hogan Farms
While in Brownsburg, stop in at Hogan Farms for a hayride, pumpkin picking and on select days, a farmers market full of fresh, homemade treats.
The Kid Zone, open on weekends only, features straw climbing fixtures, pumpkin chess, pumpkin Tic Tac Toe and more.
In addition, the corn maze, always with a fun, fall theme, is a great way to get the entire family involved. Leashed pets are welcome to join you. Be sure to check out current hours and activities here.
Love mazes? You can also find a corn maze at Beasley’s Orchard in Danville and a prairie maze at McCloud Nature Park in North Salem.
Board and Brush
After a day on the farm, we’ll stop in at Board and Brush for one of their public workshops to let the creative juices flow.
The Pick Your Project workshops give guests the choice of signs, trays, boxes and more. They provide all the materials as well as DIY instruction to let your group create a memorable piece from your fall break trip for the home or as a gift.
What I love about Board and Brush is the help you get along the way. Someone with no artistic ability like myself can walk away with a product I’m proud to display in my home and someone like my daughter, who is an amazing artist, can feel free to let her creativity loose.
Check their website for workshop availability.
Charbonos
Stop in Avon for a late lunch/early dinner. My family enjoys Charbonos for the variety of options. Burgers, salmon, chicken and even pizza are on the menu at this family restaurant.
The atmosphere is laid back and relaxing after a long day of having fall fun. Try the Chicken Parmesan or the Sirloin and talk about all the fun you had throughout the day over a yummy meal.
Avon offers an assortment of unique dining locations for a quick bite. If not Charbonos, try Bangkok Kitchen Tfor some Thai food, Opa! for some Mediterranean fare, or Hirosaki Japanese Steakhouse for something different over fall break.
Day 2
Mama Bird Bakery
On day two of our fall break getaway, we’ll stop by Mama Bird Bakery in Plainfield for a quick bite.
Just the smell in this place brings you back to mom’s kitchen over the holidays and with a full day ahead of us, it’s nice to stop by and grab something on the go.
The new bakery has partnered with Beasley’s Orchard to bring fresh apples to their variety of scones, muffins and hand pies in honor of the season. One must-try is the popular corn cookie with honey buttercream icing, typically available all season long.
Rent a Bike for the Day
From there, we can grab a few bikes from the county’s first Bike Sharing Program, Pedal with Plainfield at Bicentennial Plaza, just west of Mama Bird's. It’s an inexpensive way to get around the downtown area and makes the adventure all the more fun.
Be sure to bring your helmet with you and enjoy exploring the nearby shops like African Plum Home & More and Outta the Shed in downtown Plainfield. Easily access the trail system to explore nearby parks like Friendship Gardens and Hummel Park.
Bonus: After a morning of biking and getting your exercise, I like to let the kids play on one of the several playgrounds at Hummel Park, kick my feet up and enjoy the beautiful fall colors.
Late Afternoon Shopping
After returning our bikes, we’ll travel a little further east and visit the The Shops at Perry Crossing, Plainfield’s outdoor mall.
First, I’ll reserve a spot for an hour at X-Golf, Plainfield’s new, indoor golf simulator experience. It’s a fun activity for the entire family. You can reserve a time in advance here.
In the meantime, my family can spend hours window shopping or making purchases at locations like Claire’s, Rocket Fizz, Schakolad and other unique shops throughout the mall. I love that it’s outdoors and allows us to enjoy the good weather while stopping in and out of those shops we enjoy.
Sal’s Famous Pizzeria
Plainfield has plenty of dining destinations. One of our favorites is Sal’s, an authentic Italian restaurant with outdoor seating.
The décor on the walls, lighting strung on the patio and music makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
We enjoy sharing a large pizza or several pasta dishes such as fettuccini, penne romana, baked ziti and others.
Don't miss the delicious appetizers, from bruschetta to insalata caprese.
Accommodations 
Don’t forget to find the perfect place to stay.
In the fall, we like to stay in an area that allows us to enjoy that fall weather, so you might consider the cabin at Natural Valley Ranch for the outdoor atmosphere. But be warned, you may want to utilize this with a group. This may be too big and expensive for a typical family.
However, the county has some beautiful and relaxing bed and breakfasts, too and hotels with indoor pools, including the newest, Embassy Suites By Hilton Plainfield Indianapolis Airport Hotel, Hendricks County’s first and only full-service hotel.
