Finally! The weather is slowly starting to improve with warmer temps, and nature is responding with gardens sprouting, baby animals and an overall itch to get outside.
Whether you can’t wait to jump on your bike for a trail ride or simply enjoy sitting in the sun with a cool breeze at an outdoor dining spot, Hendricks County, Indiana, offers spring fun around every corner.
Think of this as your spring bucket list for Hendricks County.
Baby animals are not guaranteed, but Natural Valley Ranch in Brownsburg offers horseback trail rides with pre-registration and an animal encounter area with sheep, goats, rabbits and more.
Oinking Acres Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, a farm animal rescue with select tour hours and Montrose Farms, an alpaca ranch, are also great stops to visit in the spring.
For the freshest produce around and so much more, Beasley’s Orchard is a great spot to get your fill of nature. Make sure to visit their historic barn market, and they also begin to offer a series of U-pick flowers and produce (starting in late May).
You can also take a walk through Avon Gardens with acres of beautiful, colorful plants. The gardens are free to explore during open business hours, and don’t forget to stop by the garden store for supplies to plant your own at home. We have also put together a whole list of places to find flowers in our county and beyond.
Hendricks County has a variety of outdoor dining options, ranging from pizza at Perillo’s to steak at The Locale, and that includes dog-friendly patios if you want to bring your four-legged family member along.
There are also some great spots to pack a picnic and spend the afternoon fishing and playing on the playground at one of the county’s many parks.
Murphy Aquatic Park and Splash Island Family Aquatic Park open in late May, so taking a swim will have to wait, but there might be some hot spring days that inspire a search for the perfect ice cream or other treat.
Check out Danville Dips, Danny's Mexican Ice Cream and Mandy’s Ice Cream, or spend the afternoon at Frigid Frog in Plainfield playing outdoor games with an ice cream cone in hand.
Spring is the perfect time to get the bike back on the road, or if you prefer to walk or run, Hendricks County has you covered with a variety of trail systems across the county.
McCloud Nature Park in North Salem has beautiful hiking trails and Blue Heron Park’s (formerly Avon Town Hall Park) scenic trail features a story walk for youth. You can also go on an adventure by cycling on the B&O Trail in Brownsburg or the Vandalia Trail in Plainfield, Amo or Coatesville.
I have to say my shopping excursions slow down drastically when it’s cold and windy outside, but spring makes me think of getting back out there to all the shopping experiences available in Hendricks County.
The Shops at Perry Crossing is an outdoor mall with everything from dining to recreation. In addition, the downtown Danville square and unique antique shops like Gilley's Antique & Decorator Mall in Plainfield and Copper Top Customs in Clayton will have you enjoying the outdoors with some fun purchases along the way.
