We live out in the country, just a few miles from Fortville. To my kids, it’s not called Fortville, though. Instead, they call it “the town with the orange firetruck”. We went to a touch-a-truck-type of event when they were younger, and Fortville has an orange firetruck with a blue stripe down the side. Needless to say, it made an impression on my kids. So, if you ever get a chance to visit a parade or community event in Fortville, be on the lookout for it! We have compiled a list of 20 other things to do in Fortville for you.
Piney Acres
1115 E. 1000 N.
Whether you need a Christmas tree, a pumpkin, a place to hunt Easter eggs, or just an afternoon outside…. Piney Acres has you covered. They offer a nice outdoor children’s play area and a place to “Mine for Gems,” as well as a petting zoo and much more. Check their website for dates and admissions.
Brawners Greenhouse
1015 E. Broadway Street
My daughter got hooked on fairy gardens at this location, and we have been incorporating them into our flower pots ever since. This is a lovely greenhouse, with a variety of plants. It is especially beautiful here during the Summer months, so be sure to plan a trip then!
Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library
625 E. Broadway Street
Fortville has its own library with a children’s area with activities and events. They also offer make-and-take crafts, as well as audiobooks through the Libby app and their own YouTube channel, for monthly book recommendations. Check out their website for information on story times.
Ten West Center for the Arts
10 W. Church Street
The Ten West Center for the Arts is a performing arts center with theatre shows for youth and adults. Children ages 6-14 can also participate and rehearse for shows. Tickets are available for purchase to view all performances, just check out their website for dates.
Main Street Shops
Various Stops along Main Street
Fortville has some adorable shops with almost anything you can imagine, including clothing, home décor items, crafts, candles, antiques, flowers, and more. It is definitely worth your time to make a stop, take a walk to check them out and enjoy some retail therapy.
Flat Fork Creek Park & Sledding Hill
16141 E. 101st Street
Even though this park is technically in Fishers, it’s so close to Fortville you would never know the difference. Flat Fork Creek Park has both paved and natural walking trails, as well as two tree houses to climb, a mountain bike path to tackle, and an awesome sledding hill for winter months. The park features plenty of parking, nice restrooms, and a covered picnic area.
Green Township Community Park
10609 S. Indiana Highway 13
This sprawling 40-acre park has 3 miles of trails and campsites available. There are covered picnic areas, for a spot to stop for lunch, and the mature trees offer plenty of shade on the hiking trails. Pavilions are also available for rent for special occasions.
Memorial Park
400 W. Church Street
When you arrive at what you think is Memorial Park, just keep driving. There is so much beyond the entrance to check out before you park. For years, I just visited the first playground I came to and never went any further. I was amazed the day I kept driving into the park and realized how much I was missing. There are 3 different playground areas, a skate park, tennis courts, basketball courts, several picnic shelters, a couple of bridges that cross a creek, and even a dog park (with a fee to join). There is so much to do here, and you could keep busy for quite a while.
Landmark Park
223 Staat Street
Landmark Park is a quaint and quiet park, featuring a lovely gazebo. There is a swing set, a tall slide, picnic tables, and a nice open grassy area, which is used as a football and soccer field. Located close to the main street in town, there is limited parking and no restrooms, due to being located near other amenities.
Elephant in Glasses
308 W. Broadway Street
You definitely have to drive by and see this iconic landmark. Locate outside Elite Beverages, it’s more of a funny spot to point out or stop and snap a photo. The landmark we are referencing is a ginormous pink elephant in thick-rimmed glasses holding a martini glass with its trunk. You can’t miss it.
Sunrise Bakery
101 W. Broadway
Sunrise Bakery in Fortville has to be the coolest donut shop around because it has a model train inside. My kids love to check it out while I stop in to get my morning coffee, and of course, plenty of their sweet selection for the family.
Libby’s Ice Cream & Gifts
11 S. Main Street
Libby’s Ice Cream and Gifts is an ice cream parlor and a trendy home décor store, all combined into one. With so much to choose from, there is sure to be something for everyone here. Even better, they often have some children’s toys (like Melissa & Doug) for sale.
Wild Blackberry Farms
10728 S. 700 W.
Have you ever taken your kids to a you-pick Blackberry Farm? Well, here’s your chance! The blackberries here are a thornless variety, so no need to be worried about prickles when picking. They also have pre-picked blackberries available for purchase. This location also has a beautiful venue rental available to rent for parties.
On The Rail Farms
3441 W. 1000 N.
On The Rail Farms offers camps, classes, and clinics for horse enthusiasts of all skill levels, as well as riding lessons. This is a great location to expand your horse knowledge and get to appreciate these beautiful creatures up close.
ATA Black Belt Academy
226 S. Main Street
ATA Black Belt Academy offers martial arts classes for kids ages 3 on up. They offer a free trial class to see if you or your kids will enjoy learning self-defense before you make a commitment. In addition to traditional class topics, they also focus on the personal development of students. They offer after school programs and camps to enjoy, as well.
Studio 309
309 Noel Avenue
A great place for the artist in all of us, Studio 309 offers painting, drawing, and sculpture. They offer classes, birthday parties, team-building events, camps, and more. Private lessons are available for all ages here, as well.
Fortville Farmers Market
701 S. Maple Street, (Church of the Nazarene Parking Lot)
During the growing season, on Thursdays from 4-7 pm, you can take the kids to the Fortville Farmers Market. Here they can pick out some fresh grown produce, local meat and dairy products, and plants, as well as other locally hand-crafted items.
Train
Crosses Main Street
If you have a child who likes trains, Fortville is the perfect place to see one. We love counting the cars as they pass by and seeing the big crossing guard arms come down and light up. There are some rather fast traveling trains, so make sure to watch out for those, as well.
Ivy House Bed & Breakfast
304 N. Merrill Street
If your child is interested in local history, you should drive them past the Ivy House Bed & Breakfast. There is a well-know rumor the famous gangster Al Capone once visited the house during the Prohibition Era, when it was a secret gambling institution. The house has been on HGTV, showcasing the homes rich history.
Festivals
Fortville has some great festivals throughout the year. We especially love the downtown trick-or-treating event. It’s super cute to see all the kids collecting candy from all the shops, decked out in their Halloween costumes. Winterfest is another great event, and Santa always puts in an appearance for the kiddos. Like I mentioned, be sure to be on the lookout for the orange firetruck!
If you need additional ideas, check out some more of our favorite playgrounds and parks in the area, as well as great spots to grab a bite!
