10 things to do in Indiana before summer ends

Though summer officially ends on September 22, for thousands of families, summer effectively ends with the ring of the first school bell. In some cities, that’s as early as the second week of August. If the end of summer has snuck up on you and left you feeling like it all went by too fast, considering celebrating the season to the very last minute with one of these ideas for summer fun:

1. Head to the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens on a Thursday evening between now and August 19 for Animals & All That Jazz. The music gets going at 5:30pm and continues until 8:30pm. Animal exhibits, including “Cheetah: The Race for Survival,” are open until 7pm.  Animals & All That Jazz is free for zoo members and included in regular zoo admission for those visiting on Thursdays.
2. From the livestock to the midway to music concerts and more, the The Indiana State Fair has something to offer everyone. Check out discount admissions and other money-saving deals here.
3. Size up the Colts’ roster as they get ready for the 2010 season at the annual Colts Training Camp at Anderson University.
4. If you’re looking for something a little slower-paced, try the self-guided Quilt Gardens Tour across Indiana’s Amish Country. Consider going August 12-14 when you can take in the Das Dutchman Essenhaus Quilt Show for just $3/person. Kids under 10 are free.
5. For another free, self-guided tour, head east to Wayne County’s “Festival of Murals.” Nine murals were painted by artists in locations across the county. The paintings depict the area’s history in music, the Underground Railroad, and early transportation. While you’re there, try dinner at The Olde Richmond Inn or the J & J Winery.
6. Do the 7th inning stretch with the boys of summer at one of Indiana’s five minor league baseball parks.
7. Give the girls of summer their fair shake, too. The WBNA Indiana Fever finish out the 2010 season with four home games at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
8. Answer the call of the wild at one of Indiana’s 25 state parks. Whether you go for a day or for a weekend, if you love the great outdoors, you’ll love our state parks.
9. If the kind of wild you love is the roar of motors and the flinging of dirt, head to Bedford, Indiana on August 28-29 for the Off-road Motorcyles and ATVs (OMA) Nationals.
10. No vacation in the budget this summer? Take a trip to Tahiti anyway by visiting the IMAX Theater at the Indiana State Museum for a showing of The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D. I saw it and was thinking maybe the surfing life might be the way to go.