Top 10: Hendricks County's Best-Kept Secrets

Chances are pretty good that when you hear about Hendricks County, Indiana, you're familiar with many of our main attractions.

Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg is home to the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and many other motorsports events on the oval track and the drag strip.

The Mayberry Cafe in Danville has gained national fame and is the epicenter of the annual Mayberry in the Midwest festival.

But are you familiar with some of our best-kept secrets?

We enlisted the help of our Facebook and Instagram followers to complement my own list of lesser-known favorite spots in Hendricks County, and we bring you our selection of the Top 10 best-kept secrets in Hendricks County.

1. Amo Pizza 

In the southwestern quadrant of Hendricks County is the quaint little town of Amo. And within that quaint little town is one of our best-kept secrets: Amo Pizza.

Tucked into the back of the Amo General Store, Amo Pizza is one of those places that doesn't look like much, but holy smokes, their pizza is GOOD! They don't skimp on the toppings, either.

Order a large Around the World, and I would bet money that you're getting somewhere close to 10 pounds of pizza. No joke. I regularly drive from Danville to Amo for Amo Pizza.

So whether you're walking or biking the Vandalia Trail, enjoying a youth ballgame at the new Brian Burch Memorial Park or just on the hunt for some outstanding pizza, make a point of visiting Amo Pizza.

2. Avon Gardens 

Avon Gardens boasts an oasis of natural beauty located, as you might guess, in Avon.

Spread out over 5 acres, Avon Gardens offer the opportunity to purchase trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals, as well as gorgeous display gardens to spark your imagination and wow your eyes.

A gazebo located within the display gardens is a popular place for weddings, family gatherings, baby showers, retirement parties and more.

3. Brew Link Brewpub 

If you enjoy unique flavors of hand-crafted beers, you're going to love Brew Link Brewpub in Plainfield.

Located next to the Oak Tree Golf Course, this veteran-owned business features brew flavors that I guarantee you have never experienced before.

Couple that with delicious food, excellent customer service and indoor and outdoor seating, and you've got yourself a must-visit spot in Hendricks County.

4. Brightly Art Studio

Brightly Art Studio in Brownsburg is a creative place for kids and adults alike. It’s a place to explore, create, imagine, and shine. 

Brightly Art Studio believes in nurturing and celebrating creativity through a variety of lessons and workshops that includes pre-school playtime, elementary school age workshops, couples workshops, open studio time and more!

5. Indiana Lyons 

This organization is near and dear to my heart. I attended the very first game of our American Basketball Association (ABA) team, the Indiana Lyons, in 2018, and I've been absolutely hooked ever since.

Bring the entire family to Bosstick Gym in Danville -- affectionately known as the Lyons Den -- for some fast-paced, high-scoring, very family-friendly entertainment.

This organization also boasts some of the nicest, friendliest athletes and staff that I have ever encountered. Lyons games are a wonderful experience, and I would know -- I'm a season ticket holder.

The regular season takes place from November through March, with the playoffs lasting into April.

6. McCloud Nature Park

I was absolutely thrilled to see an Instagram user recommend McCloud Nature Park outside of North Salem as a best-kept secret because Hendricks County Parks & Recreation, where I work, operates that park!

This 232-acre property has a ton of stuff for families to enjoy -- a historic truss bridge that's over 100 years old (pictured at the top of this post), a huge boardwalk and observation deck that overlooks a wetland habitat, 6.5 miles of trails, Big Walnut Creek, a live observable honeybee habitat, a Nature Center, all sorts of family programming and camps and much more.

Best of all, it's absolutely free to explore!

7. Nehemiah Ranch 

Nehemiah Ranch is an unassuming 34-acre slice of natural beauty in Avon that is named for a Biblical verse: Nehemiah 4:14.

Not surprisingly, given its namesake, Nehemiah Ranch is a faith-based ranch that emphasizes and facilitates family time.

There is a neat barn at Nehemiah Ranch that serves as the central gathering place there, and it is a perfect location for a wedding, a birthday party, a graduation party, a family gathering, a company outing or any other activity where you want to bring people together.

A great spot for outdoor recreation year-round, Nehemiah Ranch is especially popular during their Fall Harvest Days in October.

8. Norelu

Hidden away in the small town of Lizton is one of my favorite places to shop for home decor and gifts: Norelu. This is a husband-and-wife operation named after their three kids: NOlan, REgan, and LUke.

Brooke Canada is amazingly creative in designing signs that range from witty to down-to-earth to spiritual to whimsical and beyond. Her husband, Josh Gordon, is a masterful woodworker who takes Brooke's ideas and makes them a reality.

If you want unique, creative, handmade signs for your home or the home of a loved one, you must visit Norelu.

9. Pecar Park 

My colleagues at Washington Township Parks & Recreation recently opened a new park in Avon called Pecar Park, which sits on 46 acres.

It currently boasts a Nature Center, a small pond, live tortoises on exhibit, a playground and eight primitive campsites available for tent camping between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

With free admission, Pecar Park is a wonderful place for the entire family to enjoy.

10. Rusted Silo Southern BBQ & Brewhouse 

Simply put, the Rusted Silo in Lizton is where carnivores die and go to heaven.

Owner Rob Ecker is an absolute guru at barbecuing ribs, chicken, brisket, pork butt, sausage and wings, and then pairing them with southern favorites like cheese grits, collard greens, ranch beans, cole slaw and more.

Take it from someone who lived in Texas for 10 years. Rob knows his barbecue. 

Rob has experience as a microbrewer, too, so it's no surprise that the Rusted Silo offers a slew of craft beers from Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky, including some of Rob's own recipes.