Nine-County Region

Nine-County is the central 9-county area of Indiana, comprising the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area.

Cities

Northern

Boone, Hamilton, and Madison counties:

Central

Hendricks, Marion, and Hancock counties:

Southern

Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby counties:

Understand

Get in

By car

This is the area where "Crossroads of America" really comes into play. Numerous interstates and highways swarm into this area. I-65N from the northwest, I-74 from the west, I-70 from the southwest, I-65S from the south, I-74S from the southeast, I-70E from the east, and I-69N from the northeast. Indianapolis has a loop called I-465.

By bus
  • Greyhound
    • Anderson - Economy Inn, 2400 S. Scatterfield Rd. +1 765 642-3931
    • Indianapolis - 350 S. Illinois St. +1 317 267-3076
  • Megabus, +1-877-G02-MEGA. A super cheap way to travel by bus that was brought from Europe to the Midwest. Clean, friendly travel option. The earlier you book your trip the cheaper it is. Pickup/drop off at the IndyGo bus shelter at 200 E Washington St (north side of Washington between Delaware and Alabama Sts) in Downtown Indianapolis.
  • Burlington Trailways 1 800 992-4618. Offers bus service throughout the Midwest. Pickup/drop off in Indianapolis.

By plane

By train
  • Amtrak 350 S. Illinois St., Indianapolis. +1 800 USA-RAIL.

Get around

See

Almost all of the big sights are in Indianapolis, but also keep an eye out for sights in less-known towns, like those related to the Hoosier Poet, James Riley in Greenfield, the historical Grover Museum in Shelbyville, and the SullivanMunce Cultural Center in Zionsville. The biggest attraction of the region outside Indy, though, is Conner Prairie in Fishers, a huge outdoor living history museum full of actors in period costumes, exhibits, events, etc.

Do

Festivals and events

To hit the big festivals, don't miss:

  • Late June Pennsy Trail Art & Bluegrass Festival Pennsy Trail between Center St & Riley Ave., Greenfield +1 317 462-2877. [ Juried fine art and craftws fair in downtown Greenfield benefiting local non-profits. Shop for art and enjoy great food and regional bluegrass music.
  • Mid-Late July Hendricks County Fair County Fairgrounds. +1 317 745-9260. Join thousands of residences celebrating the summer at the county fair. 4-H sponsors it, with contests in all areas - food, crafts, art and animals. Live music, midway, food food food and the legendary demolition derby.
  • Early-Mid August Indiana State Fair State Fairgrounds. The biggest summer event in the state. A trip to Indiana isn't complete without a trip to the fair. Animals, crafts, art, rides, dancing, eduation, environmentalism, Hoosier Pride and FOOD!! I go at least 2-3 times within the two week period. They also have live music and concerts. Prairie Home Companion comes every other year.
  • Mid-Late October Pumpkinfest The Country Market, 5 miles north of Zionsville on SR 421. The festival celebrates all things pumpkin and fall. All crops are grown within a 5 mile radius - pick your pumpkin on a hayride, run through the corn maze, eat some kettle corn too. They have a market there that sells local foods (great brownies) and homegrown honey. You can also rock out to some amazing local Bluegrass. Avoid the tenderloins, enjoy the kettlecorn. $5 per person.
  • Early October Riley Festival Downtown Greenfield. +1 317 462-2141. Greenfield celebrates the life of James Whitcomb Riley, Indiana's favorite poet, with a huge festival. Activities are endless. One of the largest craft fairs in the state, pumpkin contest, live music, art show, parade, 5k run and walk, antique sale, theatre performances, and countless other activities. Oh, don't forget the food and the duck race.
  • Early-Mid October Heartland Apple Festival 2304 E. Main St, Danville. +1 317 745-4876. Celebrate your love for apples and fall at Beasley's Orchard. Pick pumpkins and apples, hayrides, arts & craft fair, apple pie contest, and live music provided by regional bluegrass and country musicians. And the food..ohhhh the food! Apple butter and biscuits, bratwursts, ribeyes, apple dumplings, porkburgers, caramel apples and don't forget a cup of cider.

Buy

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

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