Serving up 12 FREE Days of Christmas in Indy! (Indianapolis, Columbus: house, neighborhood)

[Zig'sbird]

Thought I would pass this on:

Serving up 12 FREE Days of Christmas in Indy!

The holidays are the season of giving. Twelve Indianapolis-area attractions and a collection of local restaurants are in the spirit of the season. That’s why they’ve come together to give you the gift of something FREE during the 12 days leading up to Christmas. So, take advantage of this unique and FREE (there’s that word again) opportunity for you and your family to share in the joy of the season.

Images are available for each of the 12 FREE days of Christmas in Indy.

Saturday, Dec. 13
On the first FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum gives to you …
An up-close view of Indy’s auto racing history and heritage, including the Indianapolis 500. For the race fan in your family, this is indeed a holiday treat. This National Historic Landmark has approximately 75 cars on display at all times, including the 1911 race-winning Marmon "Wasp." An extensive trophy collection, including the famed Borg-Warner Trophy with winning drivers’ faces sculpted into the side, and other artifacts are also on display. Free parking.

Sunday, Dec. 14
On the second FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the President Benjamin Harrison Home gives to you …
A look inside the home of the 23rd U.S. president. The year is 1888. President Harrison, some of the family from Ohio and the household staff will be "home for the holidays" talking about the excitement of Christmas Day and personally offering their good wishes to you and yours for the holidays. The restored 1875 Italianate mansion will be decorated for the holidays, including a 10-foot Christmas tree like the one the Harrisons had at the White House. Free parking.

Monday, Dec. 15
On the third FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indy Wine Trail gives to you ...
A complimentary wine glass to accompany a sampling of several vintages at any of the seven participating wineries. From urban settings to sprawling vineyards, you'll experience the many faces of Indiana vintners and a variety of wines. Head downtown to Easley Winery or one of the other participating wineries which include Buck Creek Winery, Chateau Thomas Winery (Plainfield), Ferrin's Fruit Winery (Carmel), Grape Inspirations Winery (Carmel), Mallow Run Winery (Bargersville), & Simmons Winery (Columbus).

Tuesday, Dec. 16
On the fourth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home gives to you …
The opportunity to see inside the home of Indiana’s most beloved poet, James Whitcomb Riley, dressed up in its holiday splendor. Located in downtown’s historic Lockerbie Square neighborhood, Riley resided here for 23 years and produced many of his more than 1,000 poems, including “Little Orphan Annie,” while living in the home. Free parking.

Wednesday, Dec. 17
On the fifth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Morris-Butler House gives to you …
The experience of a genuine Victorian Christmas at this historic landmark on Indianapolis’ Old Northside. Many of our most beloved Christmas traditions became popular in the Victorian era. Tour all three floors of the 1865 landmark, lavishly decorated for the holidays, and learn about Victorian Christmas traditions both familiar and unfamiliar. Free parking.

Thursday, Dec. 18
On the sixth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, Indianapolis Museum of Art and the historic Lilly House gives to you …
A way to brighten up the darkest day of the year by celebrating the Winter Solstice with ice carving, music, film, cold-weather animals and art activities for the whole family! Tour the IMA and also take a look inside an American Country Place era of the 1930s and 40s with a tour of Oldfields – Lilly House and Gardens. The historic home is lavishly decorated for the holidays, including a classic tree ornamented with strings of cranberry and popcorn, shimmering draperies of blue and silver and a pyramid of candles to brighten the mantelpiece. Free parking.

Friday, Dec. 19
On the seventh FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indiana Historical Society gives to you …
A stroll through the “Holidays in the Heartland” display, where you’ll enjoy vignettes about Indiana Santas, holiday food traditions, Christmas tree decorations past and present, and winters in the Midwest. Anyone who has seen the classic film, “A Christmas Story,” will remember the infamous leg lamp. You can buy one just like it at the Basile History Market, along with all kinds of made-in-Indiana products. Free parking.

Saturday, Dec. 20
On the eighth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indiana Medical History Museum gives to you …
A tour of the nation’s oldest surviving pathology laboratory (1-3 p.m.). Home to many interesting specimens, the building originally provided physicians in the late 1800s with state-of-the-art facilities to study mental and nervous disorders. Today, the museum uses its more than 15,000 artifacts to educate visitors about the developments that have made today’s advanced medical treatments possible.

Sunday, Dec. 21
On the ninth FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art gives to you …
The dynamic art, culture and history of American Indians and the American West. The Eiteljorg Museum showcases one of the best Native American and Western art collections in the world, including traditional and contemporary works by artists such as T.C. Cannon, Georgia O’Keeffe and Kay Walkingstick. While you’re there, don’t miss the” Our Land: Contemporary Art from the Arctic” exhibition featuring 64 pieces demonstrating how artistic traditions of the Inuit inspire contemporary sculptures, prints, photography and digital media. Free parking.

Monday, Dec. 22
On the 10th FREE day of Christmas in Indy, the Indiana State Museum gives to you …
A trip through the imaginary town of Celebration Crossing aboard the "Santa Claus Express" train. The kiddies can visit with Santa in his cozy home for photo or stop by his workshop, while the adults reminisce of holidays past while looking at the moving figurines in the replicated L.S. Ayres store windows.

Tuesday, Dec. 23
On the 11th FREE day of Christmas in Indy, select Indianapolis restaurants give to you …
A sweet treat: free dessert with the purchase of an entrée. Participating local restaurants include: The Skyline Club (open to the public this day only with reservations); The Claddagh (234 S. Meridian St.); Dunaway’s Palazzo Ossigeno; Champions at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown; SI Restaurant & Lounge; One South Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis; Hooter’s (25 W. Georgia St.); Santorini Greek Kitchen; Buca di Beppo (35 N. Illinois St.); Hot Tuna at the Omni Severin; RAM Restaurant & Big Horn Brewery (140 S. Illinois St.); Palomino; McCormick & Schmick's; and Greek Islands Restaurant.

Thursday, Dec. 24
On the 12th FREE day of Christmas in Indy, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis gives to you …
The unforgettable experience of Jolly Days. Enjoy traditional holiday favorites such as the Yule Slide, Jingles the Jolly Bear and visits with Santa (and since this is Christmas Eve, it’s a chance to have Santa fill those last-minute orders). The Snow Castle provides a toddler-size version of the Yule Slide. Try your ice-fishing skills or visit the Cookie Café to warm up your imagination with lots of cookie fun! Free parking.