Cincinnati definitely has a ton of things to do, see and eat, but sometimes, it’s fun to see what’s happening in other Tri-State cities. Indianapolis is less than 2 hours away and is jam-packed with activities for the whole family this winter!

If you love beautiful light displays, Winterlights at Newfields is the perfect spot to start. Featured on the campus of Newfields (the new name for the campus at the Indianapolis Museum of Art), this brand new exhibit is an ideal date night, family getaway or solo adventure. The gardens are completely blanketed in lights as the campus both shines and entertains with a synchronized light show, hovering Christmas trees, larger than life sculptures, warm cocktails, snacks and soft music. This is one of the Midwest’s must-see holiday exhibits of 2017, so don’t miss the chance to see for yourself.

Ever dreamt of driving your car across the Yard of Bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?  Back and better than ever this holiday season is Lights at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This event features more than 2.5 million bright lights and hundreds of shining displays spread along a stretch of the IMS road course and a portion of the oval. For race fans and bucket-listers alike, this is one you don’t want to miss.

While in Indy, drop by Monument Circle to see more gorgeous lights! The day after Thanksgiving more than 100,000 people gathered to celebrate the lighting of Indy’s beloved 242-foot tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the epicenter of Indy. Travelocity named this one of the top five must-see Christmas trees in the nation and they are spot on with that designation.

Did you know the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the United States to hold a holiday lights show? Christmas at the Zoo is a fan favorite for both Indy residents and visitors alike. Enjoy a hot beverage while you stroll the zoo, see the lights, take time to see the animals and listen to some carolers by the campfire.

Of course, nothing beats a holiday train ride. Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum is a locomotive wonderland that will take you on a journey through the American West via nine working model trains. The trains will wind past local Indy treasures before heading west to check out Mt. Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Hollywood and much more.  Perfect for kids and adults alike!

Now is also the perfect time to visit Indy’s premier family-friendly holiday destination, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. They celebrate the holidays with Jolly Days, where you can take part in wintertime traditions including games, “baking,” exploring the frozen Ice Castle, sock-skating on the “ice pond,” and trying your hand at “ice fishing.” If you’ve never been to the world’s largest children’s museum before, you have to check it out. And come back in the spring when the 7.5 acre indoor/outdoor Sports Legends Experience opens!

And last but not least, if you’re looking for a show, check out IPL’s Yuletide at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra or A Christmas Carol at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Whatever you’re searching for, you’ll find it in Indy, the perfect day-trip destination from Cincinnati. For more information about Indy and all it has to offer, visit www.visitindy.com.

Forget the Colonel: Dillonvale IGA definitely has the best fried chicken in Cincinnati!  You wouldn’t think a grocery store would be the hot ticket for fried chicken, but they’ve found a way to make the freshest, juiciest, tastiest chicken around: maybe because they fry it fresh all day long!  You’ll never get chicken that’s been laying around under hot lights for hours; just hot, fresh, fried goodness that will put a smile your family’s face every time it hits the dinner table.

But that’s not all the Dillonvale IGA is known for; they also are proud to offer their fresh salad bar (with fresh items put out daily), Boar’s Head deli products, and their newest offering: Busken Bakery products.  Locally known for their cookies, doughnuts and pies, Busken’s is a Cincinnati tradition and now you can pick up your dessert cravings while picking up your fried chicken!

Dillonvale IGA also offers another old Cincinnati favorite: Bill Knapp’s cakes.  Bill Knapp’s was a popular restaurant in Cincinnati for ages, and their chocolate cake was the most popular item on their menu.  And while the restaurant closed some time ago, the cake lives on – and you can get it at Dillonvale IGA.  They also carry the vanilla cake, but let’s be honest: chocolate is where it’s at.

Located in the Dillonvale shopping center on Galbraith Road in Dillonvale, just west of Kenwood Towne Center, this IGA is where to go for all your grocery needs.  Drop by, get a fresh salad, hot fried chicken and some dessert; mealtime is easy with the Dillonvale IGA.

Diamond earrings are the hot ticket for holiday gift giving this year, and no one has a better selection or better price than Eddie Lane’s EDB Diamond Showroom!

Whether the special person in your life has “hoop dreams” or prefers a stud, the earrings they long for are available in the showroom.  Inside/outside hoops are very stylish and perfect for any occasion; Eddie Lane’s has 1 carat hoops available for just $995.  Or, you can upsize to 1 ½ carats for $1595 or 2 carats for $1995.  Studs are always in style, and Eddie Lane’s has the biggest selection around, in every size and of the utmost quality.

Already have some studs and want to upgrade?  That’s easy to do at Eddie Lane’s; drop by, sip on a cup of hot cocoa or tea and browse the different styles and sizes of diamond stud earrings.  Their courteous staff will bend over backwards to help you make the best choice for your budget and you’ll leave with the earrings you’ve always wanted…no stress, only fun!

Currently, Eddie Lane’s is fired up for holiday shopping, and new shipments of diamonds arrive daily.  You’ll find incredible discounts on not just earrings, but all other jewelry as well.  So, whether you’re shopping for earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces or any other fine jewels, Eddie Lane’s has you covered.

More studs, more fashion jewelry, better quality and the best staff in town: Eddie Lane’s EDB Diamond Showroom is the only jewelry store in town you need to shop at for all your holiday needs.  Visit them in Downtown Montgomery and see why they were voted Best Jeweler in Cincinnati for three years running!

Feel like bowling but also want to hear some awesome music?  Looking for a fun place to go on a night out that can keep you on your feet while your toes are tapping?  Then look no further than Howl at the Moon/Splitsville Luxury Lanes!

On one hand, you’ve got your bowling at Splitsville: 8 luxury lanes that can hold up to 8 bowlers each, and boasts indoor and outdoor seating.  It’s high energy fun in a comfortable atmosphere, and you’re welcome to just drop in or make a reservation (as long as it’s 24 hours in advance).  While bowling you can enjoy their full menu: the motto is, “Eat Like a King, Bowl Like a Champ.”  And they aren’t kidding!  Start with wings, sliders, two kinds of nachos or some French fries and chive dip, then move on to fresh sushi, pizza, sandwiches and salads.  There is definitely something for every palate!  Bowling will fire up your thirst, so check out the amazing cocktail menu – and take note, you can order that fancy drink in a variety of sizes: how about an 86 oz Blue Margarita?  Now THAT’s a drink!

So you can bowl, but you can also sing and dance: it’s the trifecta of entertainment!  Howl at the Moon provides a high-energy, live entertainment experience Wednesday through Saturday nights; it’s a party with all the best dance hits that will keep you dancing in between throwing strikes!  Everything from classics to today’s hits can be heard from the live band, and no matter what lane you’re on in Splitsville, you can see the show.

Howl at the Moon/Splitsville Luxury Lanes is the best place in town for your special event as well.  They can host anywhere from 8 to 880 people in their 16,000-square foot facility, so whether it’s an intimate birthday party or a full-size holiday extravaganza, this place has you covered!  There are so many options for your event to choose from; the website, www.howlsplitsville.com has floor plans and menus for you to explore, and if you have questions just call Abigail at (513)421-2695, ext. 2, for more information.  The holidays are coming up fast, so book soon if you want to throw the best office party in town!

If you’d like to hit a special event but not throw it yourself, Howl at the Moon/Splitsville Luxury Lanes also hosts their own events; Black Friday at the Moon, on Friday, November 24th, will feature great drink specials to help you recover from shopping, and their New Year’s Eve Party is totally hopping with a variety of packages you can choose from to ring in the New Year.

The Banks is one of the coolest places in Cincinnati, and Howl at the Moon/Splitsville Luxury Lanes is definitely the highlight.  Drop by, bowl a few games, listen to awesome music, knock back a tasty drink while dining on fabulous food and have yourself the best night out ever at Howl at the Moon/Splitsville Luxury Lanes!

Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery invites you to attend the opening reception of our 12th annual inclusive show, “CHANGING PERCEPTIONS: PEACE BY PIECE” on Friday, November 17, 2016 from 6 to 9 pm. The Changing Perceptions series, which features the work of artists with and without disabilities, has continually grown in popularity as one of the regions’ most vibrant fine art exhibits. The exhibition will last until Friday, January 12, 2018.

Join us at Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery for this special occasion. Experience the original art and meet featured artists. Art Beyond Boundaries will have a variety of paintings, sculptures, photography, and other media. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Admission is free.

Art Beyond Boundaries provides a professional, mainstream fine arts exhibition venue for artists with disabilities, located at 1410 Main Street in the historic Over-the-Rhine arts district. For more information, visit www.artbeyondboundaries.com, “friend” or “follow” the gallery on FaceBook and Twitter, and/or contact the gallery at 513-421-8726.

Great deli?  This is not New York, you’re thinking.  Where could there be great deli in Cincinnati?  Well, now that Indianapolis’ Shapiro’s Delicatessen has come to town, Cincinnati finally has its world-class deli!

Shapiro’s has been a fan favorite in Indianapolis since 1905, run by four generations of Shapiros who pride themselves on buying the best possible meats and produce from their neighbors and nearby businesses.  With the best sandwiches and other deli-style offerings, Shapiro’s has always been a restaurant of integrity and honesty.  While the deli isn’t kosher, it reflects the Jewish deli tradition in everything it serves, right down to the pickles.  The menu is loaded with classic deli sandwiches, traditional entrees, soups, salads, and fabulous desserts as well as the side dishes you expect, such as potato pancakes, potato salad and cole slaw.  There’s so much on the menu, it’s hard to choose!

And if you want to bring Shapiro’s to your next gathering, they do catering.  Box lunches, party trays and even buffet options: no matter what your event needs, Shapiro’s has it.  You can’t go wrong with a huge platter of corned beef, right?

Located in the Crossings of Blue Ash, Shapiro’s Delicatessen has hit Cincinnati and it’s a dining experience you can’t pass up.  Drop by, get a nosh and be a part of the tradition!