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Noblesville [1] is a city in the Nine-County Region of Indiana.

[edit] Get in

Noblesville is the county seat of Hamilton County. There is no bus or train accessiblity to Noblesville, however, since it is close to Indianapolis you can see arrival options there too.

[edit] By car

Noblesville is situated between two major highways: Interstate 69 and Interstate 65. From Indianapolis and Michigan you can reach Noblesville by way of I-69,just north of Fishers. From Chicago take I-65 and then SR-32 East, which will lead you directly into downtown.

[edit] By plane

In addition to the Col. Weir Cook Indianapolis International Airport [2], located off of I-70 in Indianapolis, smaller planes can schedule a landing at one of two airports in Hamilton County and nearby Boone County, located just west of Hamilton County. Both offer aircraft charter, sales, rental, catering, flight school and more.

• Metropolitan Airport 10401 Willow View Rd., Fishers. 1-317-849-0840. [3]

• Indianapolis Executive Airport 11329 East SR 32, Zionsville. 1-317-769-3288. [4] This airport also is home to a Hamilton County Welcome Center, open 6 to 8 p.m. daily.

[edit] Get around

[edit] Car

A car is a must in Noblesville. Since it started out as a suburb, of sorts, its wide area is much more friendly for cars.General speed is between 55-70 on interstates and highways, and generally 35 on other roads unless otherwise posted.

[edit] Bike

Noblesville is very flat, making biking very easy for all levels. Sidewalks are extensive, and if you chose to ride on the street be prepared to deal with car drivers who aren't too used to your presence. The downtown area is quite easy to bike around, however the further out you go the further the treks.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Landmarks and Arts

• The Belfry Theatre [5] Off of SR 238/Greenfield Avenue 1-317-773-1085. Over forty years of quality entertainment by a community theatre. From any seat in the cozy facility, you will see and hear every detail of the performance.

• Hamilton County Art Center [6] 195 S. 5th Street 1-317-776-2278. A small art gallery dedicated to Hoosier artists is housed in the old First Baptist Church Building, built in 1875.

• Hamilton County Courthouse Downtown Noblesville. French Renaissance building completed in 1878. Served as the county courthouse until 1992, and once housed Charles Manson and John Dillinger. Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Free.

• Hamilton County Museum of History [7] Built in 1857, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places the museum was originally the county sheriff's home and the county jail, up until 1977. The building houses historical antiques and artifacts, history about the county and a genealogical library. Free.

• Historic Noblesville Square Between 8th and Logan Street and 9th and Conner Street. The Noblesville commercial historic district sits at the center of the community, literally and figuratively. It combines historic architecture, period street lamps, quaint flower boxes and wrought iron benches. Total small town character!

• Indiana Transportation Museum [8] 825 Park Dr. in Forest Park 1-317-773-6000. [5] A volunteer-run museum specializing in the railroad history of Indiana. Ride along in an old steam or diesel train along 35 miles of rails the museum maintains along the old Nickle Plate Road. Regular excursions include Dinner in the Diner, the A Train, and the family-oriented Pizza PLUS Express or Dinner or a Movie trains. Seasonal excursions include the FairTrain, the Polar Bear Express, Pumpkin Train, New Earth Festival Train and the Pork Festival Special. Check out more then 50 rail cars of all shapes and sizes on the museum grounds, open April through January. Admission $2-3, excursion fees vary.

• Nickel Plate Arts Trail [9] Extending 30 miles from Fishers to Tipton, the Historic Nickel Plate Arts Trail runs through Fishers, Noblesville, Cicero, Arcadia, Atlanta, and Tipton. The first of eight Indiana artisan trails adopted by the state, the Trail is accessible by rail through the Indiana Transportation Museum or automobile on Allisonville Road and State Road 19 as well as by river. The trail focuses on the more traditional forms of the arts and encompasses food, culture, and community heritage.

• Potters Bridge 19401 N. Allisonville Rd. 1-317-773-6000. Hamilton County's only covered bridge is located in this county park. The bridge was built in 1870-71 and crosses over the White River. Walk through the bridge and view the river through the many windows looking over it. They also have accessibility for canoes/kayaking. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Indulge

• Chateau Bjiou [10] 802 Mulberry St., Suite D1. 1-317-770-0007. Located in the Model Mill building, which is listed in the National Register, this salon and spa offers hair, skin care, nail and massage services as well as complete spa packages.

[edit] Festivals & Events

• Pumpkin Harvest Festival (Late September-Early October) at Stonycreek Farm [11], 11366 State Rd. 38. E. 1-317-773-3344. A month-long celebration of all things pumpkin, fall and regionally historical. Hayrides, a silo slide (yes a slide in a silo), candle making, pumpkin toss (poor pumpkins), pottery making, cloggers, Civil War reenactments and plenty of food to boot. Grab a funnel cake and pick a pumpkin for your fall celebrations. Fun for all! Cheap fun too.

• Potter’s Bridge Festival (October) 19401 N. Allisonville Rd. 1-317-770-4400. The festival celebrates the only remaining covered bridge in Hamilton County with arts, crafts, food, live music and kids activities.

• Noblesville Street Dance (End of July) Downtown Noblesville 1-317-776-0205. Hosted by Noblesville Main Street [12], this summer night features local restaurants, live music, classic car show and an antique tractor show.

• Shakespeare in the Park (Weekends in the Summer) Seminary and Dillon Parks 1-317-877-6189. Sponsored by the Noblesville Cultural Arts Commission [13], Shakespeare in the Park features free, live drama in an outdoor setting.

[edit] Golf

• Forest Park Golf Course [14] 701 Cicero Rd. 1-317-773-2881. 9-hole municipal course offers “free cart Mondays” and rental clubs.

• Fox Prairie Golf Course [15] 8465 E 196th St. 1-317-776-6357. 27-hole public course with four sets of tees for golfers of all experience levels.

• Harbour Trees Golf Club [16] 333 Regents Park Ln. 1-317-877-3612. Private club with Pete Dye course offers a “membership sampler” in the fall of each year for $100 per family.

• Pebble Brook Golf Club [17] 3110 Westfield Rd. 1-317-896-5596. Offers two 18-hole courses with multiple tee markers for every golfer’s skill level. Offers value passes or daily fee. Lots of tee times available.

• Purgatory Golf Club [18] 12160 E. 216th St. 1-317-776-4653. As the name suggests, Purgatory can be a real challenge, even for the serious golfer. Six tees on each hole change the course from a 4,562 yard course to a 7,700 yard challenge. At the back tees, Purgatory is the longest course in Indiana. Either way, the 125 bunkers make the course a real test. Rated as one of America’s greatest public courses by Golf Digest and others. Area hotels offer a “Stay and Play” package for Purgatory.

[edit] Outdoors

• Forest Park 701 Cicero Road. 150-acres includes a 9-hole golf course, miniature golf, playground, swimming pool, volleyball and tennis courts. Home to the Indiana Transportation Museum as well as the “Little Beauty” carousel, a 1920 Allen Herschell design with 20 “jumpers” and 12 other animals to ride ($1 per ride).

• Dr. James A. Dillon Park 6001 Edenshall Lane. Nearly 78-acre park opened June 2008. Playground, spray park and trails currently open. Plans include adding a skate park and a disc golf course.

• Seminary Park Between 10th and 11th Streets. A pocket park of 1 ½ acres hosts annual Shakespeare in the Park and community concerts.

• Strawtown Koteewi Park 12308 E. Strawtown Ave. 1-317-984-5556. This 75-acre park features wetlands, prairie land, boating, fishing, and natural trails for hiking and cycling. It has also become a hotbed for archeological activity in recent years. Students from state universities have discovered arrowheads, pottery and other items dating back to 1400 A.D. Some are on display at the Taylor Center of Natural History, located on the park grounds.

• Southside Park Between 2nd and 3rd Streets. A pocket park that includes a softball field, basketball court and playground.

• Morse Reservoir This man-made lake, located between Cicero (Indiana) and Noblesville has 1,500 acres for boating and water activities and 35 miles of shoreline. More than 95% of the shoreline is residential, but recreational boating is allowed. Launch your boat from the Carrigan Road Bridge marina. Morse Lake Park, by the dam on the east side of the lake, allows supervised swimming in the lake and year-round picnicking as well as fishing.

[edit] Music

• Verizon Wireless Music Center 12880 E. 146th St. 1-317-249-2710. [19] Formerly known as Deer Creek, Verizon is Indy's largest outdoor music venue, featuring major concerts with covered and lawn seating. Performances have featured the likes of Sade, Aerosmith, Lollapalooza tours, Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, Depeche Mode, Lyle Lovett, Tom Petty, The Jonas Brothers, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews, Rascal Flatts and many, many more. This is where the big Grateful Dead riot happened back in the 90s and Phish carried on the traveling spirit. Lyle Lovett and Julia Roberts first appeared on stage together here, after eloping in Marion, IN earlier that day.

[edit] Learn More

• Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau [20] 37 East Main Street, Carmel (Indiana). 1-800-776-8687. Not-for-profit tourism organization that promotes and encourages the development of Hamilton County tourism, conventions, festivals and other special events. Staff are very helpful and welcome visitors who need information. Visit HamiltonCountyTowns.com for a full event calendar and interactive map of destinations, golfing, restaurants, shopping and places to stay.

• Noblesville Main Street also is home to a Bureau Welcome Center in Noblesville, 942 Maple Ave., which is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.

[edit] Shop

• Hamilton Town Center [21] 3901 Town Center Blvd. The newest Simon Mall property opened in spring 2008 features a mix of retail, restaurants and entertainment in the now popular open-air mall concept. A 16-screen movie theater is anchored by an IMAX 3D. Milwaukee restaurateur Johnny Vassallo opened one of two Mo’s Irish Pubs on the property.

• Historic Noblesville Square Between 8th and Logan Street and 9th and Conner Street. The Noblesvlle commercial historic district sits at the center of the community, literally and figuratively. It combines historic architecture and embraces its small town character to its advantage. Stores include furniture, art, wine, antiques, clothing and even children’s books. A few shops are listed in more detail below.

• J’Ann & Co. [22] 930 Logan St. 1-317-776-4088. A lady’s boutique and bridal shop.

• The Faux Flower & Gift Shop 84 S. 9th St. 1-317-770-0088. Specializes in custom, botanically correct “fake” flower design and arrangement. Also sell home décor, gifts and collectables.

• Originals Art Gallery 871 Conner St. 1-317-776-2362. More than 40 artists from Hamilton County and the surrounding area are featured in this gallery. The gallery also offers a handmade Friendship Spoon workshop.

• The Ruby Pear [23] 1095 Conner St. 1-317-770-TEA2. A Victorian Queen Anne style home just off the main square includes a this quaint little tea shop and parlor on the first floor. Purchase tea, tea sets and accessories or homemade sweets (that are also served at a luncheon or high tea). The chocolate covered strawberries are a real treat or try the “Fat Rascal” cookies, a family tradition for four decades.

• Strawtown Pottery & Antiques 12738 Strawtown Ave. 1-317-984-5080. They have been creating stoneware here since 1983. Also sell antiques and pottery accessories.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Alexander's on The Square [24] 864 Logan St. 1-317-773-9177. Step back in the 50s with this retro ice cream shop in the heart of Noblesville. High stools and plenty of ice cream and treats to go around. Homemade chocolates, homemade ice cream and hometown friendliness. They have the best waffle cones in town, freshly made all the time. Open 36 flavors with plenty of toppings. Oh yeah, they do have a deli, how could I forget with all the ice cream?

• Barley Island Brewing Company [25] 639 Conner St. 1-317-770-5280 Offers a Family Dining Restaurant, Games, Banquet Services & Microbrewery. Daily specials.

• The Hamilton Restaurant 933 Conner Street 1-317-770-4545. Located within site of the historical downtown Noblesville square, the Hamilton Restaurant is both chef owned and operated. Offering fine dining in a casual and comfortable atmosphere for both lunch and dinner.

• Lutz's Steakhouse 3100 Westfield Rd. 1-317-896-5002. [26] Serving up steaks and seafood to mainly a retiree crowd, you can get a hearty meal for a good price. With a retro and cheesy interior - the same for 30 years. Start your meal off right with a famous "onion-ring loaf" and order a fresh-fried lobster for dinner. Go early for the freshest best meals.

• Matteo's Ristorante Italiano [27] 40 N. 9th St. 1-317-774-9771. The premier Italian experience in the state of Indiana. Here, you can experience the finest Italian cuisine as well as fine art and great music in a relaxed atmosphere. Come and taste the vibrant flavors of Matteo's home in Salerno, Italy. And make sure to take advantage of all the benefits of a true Italian meal.

• Mudsocks Grill [28] 146th and Hazell Dell Pkwy. 1-317-580-0630 This restaurant sits right on the border between the town of Noblesville and the city of Carmel. Offers great atmosphere, drinks and food for lunch and dinner. The portions are huge, especially the salads – try the Citrus Island Salad. Indoor and outdoor dining.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Coffee & Tea

• The Ruby Pear 1095 Conner St. 1-317-770-TEA2 . A Victorian Queen Anne style home just off the main square includes a quaint little tea parlor on the first floor. Tea for two or up to 36 (according to the website) for lunch or “high” tea. The chocolate covered strawberries are a real treat or try the “Fat Rascal” cookies, a family tradition for four decades. You can buy the tea and tea sets too.

• Noble Coffee & Tea 933 Logan St. 1-317-770-0339. A spacious coffee shop on the square. The store roasts fresh coffee beans weekly and features a wide selection of menu items, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and a coffee bar. For the non-coffee lover, try an iced chai tea or an Italian soda.

[edit] Cocktails

Drinking age is 21. You cannot buy alcohol on Sundays. Some of the below venues do open up to all ages, and it is mentioned if there is a age restriction.

• Barley Island Brewery 639 Conner St. 1-317-770-5280. [29] The county's only brewery. Award winning bears with amazing unique labels. With names like Black Majic (coffee beer), BarFly Pale Ale, Dirty Helen Brown Ale, and 60 Schilling Scotch Ale - you are guaranteed a tasty and unique beer experience. Live music, T.V. trivia, game room with pool table, darts and jukebox. Poker tables are also available. Families welcome.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Noblesville has its share of reasonably priced “chain” hotels, including the Quality Inn, Super 8 and Sycamore Knoll. They are all well maintained. Visit the chain websites to locate the hotel and special deals.

• Cambria Suites, 13500 Tegler Drive, ☎ (317) 773-4970, [30]. checkin: 2pm; checkout: 11am. 100% non-smoking, conference space, free wireless Internet access.  edit

• Fairfield Inn & Suites [31] 17960 Foundation Drive. 1-317-776-9900. Complementary breakfast buffet and special package deals with Indianapolis Zoo and Children’s Museum.

• The Picket Gate Bed and Breakfast [32] 1107 S. 11th St. 1-317-313-7818. Choose from the Cabin Retreat or the Secret Garden room in this late 1800s home turned B&B. The owners offer interesting package deals that include area attractions, music and restaurants.

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