5 Helpful Tips For Driving In Unknown Territory

There is always something going on in Indianapolis, and many of the events center around food and drinks. There are only a few months left in 2017, but that doesn't mean the fun is over; there are still many festivals and fun things to do before the year ends. Here are some delicious events still to come in 2017. The 5th Annual Pumpkin, Cider, and Fall Beer Festival On Saturday, Sept. 30th, Indianapolis will host the 5th Annual Pumpkin, Cider, and Fall Beer Festival in Opti-Park on East 66th Street. This fun event grows every year and features all kinds of food, beer, and fun. You can check out the more than 40 different pumpkin brews along with other fall beers, and make sure to get there to see the Elysian Great Pumpkin Road Show. You can also take part in the keg tosses, pumpkin painting, and even some pumpkin smashing along with many other activities. Tickets to the event are $35 in advance or $40 at the door, and designated drivers are just $5 at the door. The festival is for guests 21 years old and over. The Indianapolis Chinese Festival Experience Chinese culture at the 7th annual Indianapolis Chinese Festival. This event will take place in downtown Indianapolis at IUPUI's Wood Plaza. It takes place on Sept. 23rd, which is during the Chinese Moon Festival, one of the largest Chinese festivals. There will be all kinds of delicious Chinese food to eat along with music and dance performances. Visitors can watch or even take part in the famous lion and dragon dances, and explore the art exhibits. The festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. and ends with a beautiful lantern walk. more The Original and Fabulous GermanFest Celebrate everything German at the Original and Fabulous GermanFest on Oct. 14th starting at noon. This event takes place at the Athenaeum on East Michigan Street and has something for everyone. Try German food provided by the Indianapolis Sangerchor, and taste some German beer. There are also activities for the whole family, including live Wiener dog races, a strongman competition, and a 5K run/walk. The kids can head to ZwergenLand for fun activities designed just for them, or you can all browse through the Urban Flea market with over 100 vendors. Tickets range from $3 to $12, and you can buy them online or at the door. The Indy Winter Farmers Market You can still get your fresh fruit and vegetables in the winter at the Indy Winter Farmers Market. This market has over 40 vendors with locally grown and produced fruit, meat, dairy products, and vegetables along with herbs, flowers, and baked goods. It runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Circle City Industrial Complex from November through April. Make sure to check out these events and festivals to enjoy delicious food and drink along with fun activities. There is still time in 2017 to get out and enjoy Indianapolis and all it has to offer. Image via Publicdomainpictures.net

The architecture in Columbus sets the city apart, with both historic and artistic modern buildings and structures. There are a number of enigmatic and practical designs spread all through the city, and anyone with a passion for how buildings are made will find these six places worth a visit. First Christian Church Constructed in 1942, this house of worship is one of the first churches in the United States built with a contemporary style. It features a perfectly rectangular clock tower over a building lined with columns of windows along the sides. The property is also home to Large Arch, a 20-foot-tall abstract sandcast bronze sculpture by Henry Moore. Across the street you'll find the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, a charming brick building with many extended walls that first appear to be columns. Cummins Health Center Designed in 1973, this business was made to offer alternatives to common, industrial health care. The building was made with few interior walls, and much of the outer walls are designed in a special black glass that becomes transparent at night. This structure received an Honor award from the American Institute of Architects in 1976. Bartholomew County Jail Though few would expect it, this penitentiary for Indiana convicts with minimum sentences is downright beautiful. Lovely flower beds surround the jail, which has a criss-cross appearance with lots of white and tan topped by a transparent dome. While you'll never want to see the inside if you can help it, this structure sets an important precedent that care can go into the outward appearance of even the least desirable places to stay. more Inn at Irwin Gardens This Italianate home on stately property was built by Joseph I. Irwin, a Columbus businessman, in 1864. Though still one of the best examples of enduring historic architecture in the city, the Inn at Irwin Gardens also has an intriguing history of changes, since the building was enlarged and redesigned over the following decades. The site also houses a maze garden based on the Casa degli Innamorati. If you're after the most unforgettable hotel for a romantic getaway, look no further. North Christian Church Completed in 1964 by Eero Saarinen, this church has six sides and a sloped roof that joins to a 192-foot spire with a cross coated in gold leaf. The landscape and general site is also quite interesting, including a parking lot with rooms dedicated to sheltering vehicles. The Prall House In 1891, Charles F. Sparell designed this Queen-Ann-style home for dentist Will J. Prall, and it took until 1895 before the work was complete. The high brick chimney sticks out amid the cream-colored exterior and tower bedroom, and the ridges of the home's many roofs are lined with wrought-iron fencing, a fascinating touch that pulls the look together. These places should be a high priority for any Columbus visitor or resident in the architecture industry, or anyone with a general interest in the many ways buildings and properties can be designed, furnished, and landscaped. From churches to Columbus' towering post office, there's a lot to see if you go off your ordinary routine. Image "First Christian Church" via Flickr by hartjeff12 used under CC BY 2.0

The verdant landscape of Columbus can be enjoyed in many ways, particularly at one of the city's highly-rated golf courses. Whether you're interested in a long-term membership in a respected institution or just want a nice place to play the occasional game with friends, Columbus has just what you've been looking for. Take a look at each and you'll likely notice one that suits you best. Otter Creek Golf Course This 27-hole PGA championship course is designed to both challenge players and fully display the unimpeded beauty of southern Indiana, and has been one of the highest-rated public courses in the United States since opening in 1964. Otter Creek consists of one 18-hole course suited to experts, with a mix of wide, gently sloping hillsides. The course isn't too gimmicky with traps and obstacles, ensuring the players test their drive and swing to the fullest. There is also a nine-hole section that complements the 18-hole course and is excellent for a shorter game. Harrison Lake Country Club Popular for its fine dining restaurant, tennis courts, pool, card rooms, and banquet hall, Harrison Lake Country Club's main claim to fame is its classic 18-hole course. You'll swing over level terrain and mild inclines with terrific views of the lakeside and forested hills. Before or after the game make sure to stop by the pro shop, which provides various helpful services to members. The country club also holds private golf lessons by Nodjya Cook, a PGA training professional, and other experts, as well as junior golf camps. Greenbelt Golf Course For players interested in something more casual, Greenbelt is a 9-hole course set in less landscaped and more park-like land with very little incline. Repeat visitors praise Greenbelt for the pace of the game, as no hole is too long or too difficult to find after completing the prior hole. While the course is not difficult, it's a great place for first-timers to get the feel of swinging, putting, and more, or a good place for veterans to play casually with inexperienced friends. Rocky Ford Par 3 Golf Course For those unfamiliar, a par three course is generally less difficult than the typical championship 18-hole course, which has an average par of four when factoring each hole together. Though you'll see the occasional sandtrap and water hazard, you won't lose a ball at Rocky Ford Par 3 if you know what you're doing. However, with tees up to 2,100 yards you can expect a more intermediate challenge compared to Greenbelt. Rocky Ford Par 3 also has an 18-hole foot golf course, an extremely fun game that's just like gold, except with soccer balls, 21-inch cups, and no clubs. If you live in Columbus or are visiting the city soon and would like to play a great game of golf, any of these four places will do the job. Visit each one and you'll see photo-worthy nature and sharpen your skills. Image via Flickr by Krzysztof Urbanowicz used under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original