Nashville's Most Elegant Wedding Venue
Belle Meade Plantation provides the backdrop of a historic farm setting framed in beautiful flowering gardens and an 1853 mansion, all with the convenience of our location, sitting right in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. Our venue offers a lavish indoor barn space and an intimate outdoor garden area for wedding ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, and other events. Belle Meade Plantation accommodates up to 300 guests.
The Ocean Institute is an educational facility is located in the beautiful city of Dana Point. Its mission is to educate people of all ages to become responsible stewards of the ocean. The Institute is nationally known for its hands-on approach to environmental education, marine science and maritime history programs. The Ocean Institute specializes in ground-breaking marine and social science programs. It has a collection of artifacts and animals on its campus. More than 110,000 K-12 students and 6,000 teachers annually participate in the Ocean Institute's 61 award-winning programs.
Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre historic estate and botanical garden in downtown Orlando, is a kaleidoscope of colors throughout the year. Stroll the walkways that wind through butterfly, herb and rose gardens, past dozens of species of azalea, bamboo and banana plants, showcasing a prized Camellia collection that has more than 2,000 plants and is considered one of the best in the U.S. The gardens also include a number of whimsical sculptures, a native wetlands garden and nearly 400 species of palms.
Parking at Leu Gardens
Ample free parking is available.
Best and worst time to go to Leu Gardens
Although the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visit in early morning to avoid Florida's afternoon heat and thunderstorms, especially from spring to early fall. The gardens have free admission on the first Monday of each month, with added bonuses on those days including a sidewalk cafe on the patio and a popsicle stand in the gardens. The gardens are closed only on Christmas Day, although the Leu House Museum is typically closed each July for restorations.
Admission to Leu Gardens
Park admission is $10-$12, with students in grades K-12 admitted for a nominal fee and children 4 and under free. Discounted rates are available for larger groups.
Must see/do at Leu Gardens
Don't miss the guided tours of the Leu House Museum, a restored 19th-century home overlooking Lake Rowena that shows what life was like in Central Florida at the turn of the century. The tours, which start on the hour and half hour beginning at 10 a.m., last about 25 minutes and are complimentary with admission. The last tour starts at 3:30 p.m. On your walk through the gardens, make sure to visit the Citrus Grove, which showcases Central Florida's roots with more than 50 types of citrus trees. Numerous other varieties of tropical and subtropical fruit trees dot the gardens, including avocado, guava, mango, papaya, pear, pineapple and star fruit.
Other places to visit near Leu Gardens
For a romantic dining experience after your visit to the gardens, try Santiago's Bodega, a laid-back tapas-style restaurant and bar with soups, salads, desserts and more than 30 small plates, or the Funky Monkey Wine Company on North Mills Avenue, where you can enjoy an extensive wine list, sushi and American cuisine with an Asian flair. Both are within 1.5 miles of Leu Gardens.
Insider tip for visitors to Leu Gardens
For a romantic night out, surprise your significant other with Date Night at Leu Gardens. Held on the first Friday of each month from February to December, the event includes discounted admission to the garden at 6 p.m., followed by a free movie for which you can bring a lawn chair or blanket. Popcorn and other food items are available for purchase, or pack your own picnic basket with wine, cheese and fruit.
Author's bio: Kevin Adams is a freelance writer who has lived in Orlando for more than a decade and has had travel articles appear on USAToday.com and in Golfweek magazine.
The Museum of Indian Culture is a non-profit organization and educational center. Founded in 1980, it is dedicated to presenting, preserving and perpetuating the history of the Lenape and other Northeastern Woodland Indian cultures.
The Museum of Indian Culture is located along the Lehigh Parkway at 2825 Fish Hatchery Road outside of Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
The museum features dozens of arrowheads, tools, jewelry, animal pelts and other artifacts found in the Lehigh Valley and in an archaelogical site in Broomall, Pa. Displays depict Native Americans as they would have looked both prehistorically and after Europeans began to settle the area.
A gift shop offers candles, jewelry, note cards, books and other items. The museum includes a research library.
The museum hosts workshops and festivals throughout the year.
The Ames Historical Society is a non-profit organization. It performs services in historical preservation and documentation of Ames heritage. It additionally conducts historical writings and research. It accepts memberships and donations.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, and the United States Grand Prix. The Brickyard Crossing golf course is also located on its grounds, featuring four holes inside the famous oval track. Also on-site is the Hall of Fame Museum, dedicated to automobiles, auto racing and the history of the Indianapolis 500. The museum houses the Borg-Warner Trophy, commemorating each year's winner of the Indianapolis 500, when it is not traveling.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Parking
Numerous lots are available for parking inside and just outside of the Motor Speedway track. A fee is associated with all parking options. Various lots offer options for overnight parking, RV parking, camping, and tailgating. During major racing events, local residents and businesses open their property to provide parking to visitors for a fee, with prices increasing the closer you get to the IMS. During non-racing times,parking is available at the museum free of charge.
Hotels Near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Dozens of hotels are located within a 10 mile distance of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Prices are typically in the range of $125-$300 per night. During major racing events, rooms fill quickly so book well in advance.
Seating at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Seating high in the Northwest Vista offers views of both turns 3 and 4 and can be an exciting location toward the end of a race. Seating across from Pit Row allows visitors to see the frequent team races during pit stops. Seating in the Paddock offers coverage from the weather. Most other seats are open to the weather, so if inclement weather or harsh sun is in the forecast, come prepared.
Food at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
A wide variety of concession stands are available at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. During racing events, numerous concession stands are located both inside the track as well as on the major streets surrounding the track.
Beer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Beer and other alcoholic beverages are available for purchase inside the track. Visitors are permitted to bring their own alcohol to racing events; however, glass bottles are not permitted and coolers must not exceed a size of 18" x 14" x 14".
Parking Alternatives at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
During the Indianapolis 500, shuttle service is available from areas including downtown, the Indianapolis International Airport, and the IUPUI campus. Shuttle service fees are approximately $25 per person. Shuttle service continues to run for approximately two hours after the conclusion of the race.
What to Bring to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Because most seating options are open to the weather, packing for the season is advised. Summer events can be hot and sun-filled, so sunscreen is advised. Seating at this outdoor events typically consists of metal bench seating. If you have a cushion, you may want to bring it. Regardless of where you park, a trip to the expansive Indianapolis Motor Speedway involves a lot of walking, so wear shoes that comply.
Insider Tip for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
If you are attending the Indianapolis 500 and plan to bring your own alcohol, be aware that the sale of take-out alcohol on Sunday is not permitted in Indiana. Alcohol sales by vendors are permitted inside the track on Sundays, but if you plan to bring your own, make sure you purchase it prior to race day.
Author's bio: Heather Hurley is a publishing professional and freelance writer living in Carmel, Indiana. She has visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for almost two decades of Indianapolis 500 racing.
