Where Is Sondra

Tag: writing

  • How I Live Local in Indianapolis with Everwise Credit Union

    How I Live Local in Indianapolis with Everwise Credit Union

    Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Everwise Credit Union. As always, all opinions and experiences are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Where Is Sondra possible. 

    If you’ve followed Where Is Sondra for any length of time, you know I love discovering the best restaurants, local shops, sporting events, and hidden gems around Indianapolis. There’s never a shortage of things to do in Indy. I’m always planning a date night downtown, cheering on one of our teams, or trying newly opened restaurants. 

    Because I spend so much time exploring local businesses, I appreciate having a checking account that fits my everyday lifestyle. That’s one of the reasons I opened an Everwise Max Checking account. I also love the fact that they are a local credit union in Indy because I’m all about supporting local businesses in every area of my life! The Everwise Max Checking account offers benefits that complement how I already enjoy Indianapolis, AND they truly value their Indy community. Just like me!

    Aside from banking locally, here are just a few more ways I enjoy living local and supporting businesses in Indianapolis:

    Restaurants in Indianapolis Indiana

    Dining at Indianapolis Restaurants

    One of my favorite ways to spend a weekend is trying new Indianapolis restaurants. Whether it’s brunch with friends, coffee meetings, or special occasions at locally owned Indy restaurants, supporting small businesses is a huge part of my life. Which means, spending money is also a huge part of my life. 😂 Having a checking account designed for everyday purchases helps me spend more confidently.

    If you’re always searching for the best restaurants in Indianapolis like I am, having a checking account that works with your lifestyle is a nice bonus. Some of my favorite places to find Indy hidden gem restaurants are on Mass Ave, Broad Ripple, and Fountain Square. 

    Mass Ave Restaurants I recommend: The Oakmont, Salt on Mass, Union 50, Livery, FortyFive Degrees, The Garage Food Hall, BODHI

    Broad Ripple Restaurants I recommend: Canal Bistro, 317 Burger, Petite Chou Bistro, Half Liter

    Fountain Square Restaurants I recommend: The Inferno Room, Harmony Tea Shoppe, Upland FSQ Brewery, Hotel Tango (they don’t have food, but they have some of the best cocktails in Indy!)

    Things to do in Indianapolis Indiana

    Exploring Things to Do Around Indianapolis

    One of the reasons I love living in Indianapolis is that there’s always something happening.

    You can visit a local farmers market, browse boutiques on Mass Ave, spend the afternoon at a museum, or find a new seasonal event to experience. Every weekend brings another opportunity to support local businesses and discover something new.

    As someone who creates content about things to do in Indianapolis, I’m constantly out exploring, and I appreciate having banking that fits seamlessly into those everyday adventures. Check out my recent blog posts for Indy date ideas (that aren’t dinner!), Indy solo date ideas, Indy girls night ideas, and this super fun railbike adventure just north of Indianapolis!

    Indianapolis sports teams and their schedules

    Cheering on Indianapolis Sports Teams

    Sports are another big part of life in Indianapolis. There’s something special about spending an evening with thousands of other fans celebrating our hometown teams, and it’s another example of how everyday spending becomes part of making memories around the city. Here is a quick guide to the sports teams in Indianapolis and what months you can catch them in action:

    🏐 Indy Ignite: January – May

    ⚾ Indianapolis Indians: March – September

    ⚽ Indy Eleven: March – October

    🏈 Fishers Freight: March – July

    🏀 Indiana Fever: May – September

    🏈 Indianapolis Colts: September – January

    🏀 Indiana Pacers: October – April

    🏒 Indy Fuel: October – April

    Concerts at Everwise Amphitheater in Indianapolis Indiana

    One of My Favorite Perks: Fast Pass at Everwise Amphitheater

    Summer in Indianapolis means concert season for me. One benefit I was excited to learn about with the Everwise Max Checking account is Fast Pass access at Everwise Amphitheater. Members can use the Fast Pass entrance at select concerts, helping you spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying the show. As someone who shares concerts and events around Indianapolis throughout the year, that’s definitely a perk I’ll be taking advantage of (in fact, I already have!).

    Local credit union in Indianapolis Indiana Everwise Credit Union

    Earn a $250 Welcome Bonus

    If you’ve been thinking about opening a new checking account, Everwise is currently offering a $250 welcome bonus through the GET250 promotion for qualifying new Max Checking accounts.

    Living Local with Confidence

    One of the things I love most about Indianapolis is how easy it is to support local businesses while creating memorable experiences. I’m always looking for ways to enjoy our city, and the Everwise Max Checking account fits naturally into that lifestyle, making it a great option for anyone who loves exploring Indianapolis as much as I do.

    If you’d like to learn more about the Everwise Max Checking account and see if it’s the right fit for you, be sure to check out the current GET250 offer and account details.

    *Everwise Credit Union Get250 promotional offer: Conditions apply. Must meet requirements within 60 days of account opening. See full details at everwisecu.com/Sondra. Federally insured by NCUA. 

  • Double Date Idea Near Indy | Nickel Plate Express Railbike Rides

    Double Date Idea Near Indy | Nickel Plate Express Railbike Rides

    The most fun double date in Central Indiana that we’ve ever done! If you’re looking for things to do with your friends near Indianapolis, you have to check out the Twilight Railbike Ride at Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville, Indiana. Below, I will tell you all the need-to-know details, or you can check out a video guide here and the Nickel Plate Express website here. This is one of the most fun things to do near Indianapolis, so you’re going to want to check this out!

    This post is sponsored by Nickel Plate Express, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

    Everything You Should Know About Nickel Plate Express Railbike Rides

    What is a Railbike? I’m so glad you asked, Dear Reader, because I was wondering the same thing. If you’re searching for things to do in Noblesville, Indiana, I can’t wait to introduce you to my new favorite date night activity. The Railbike Rides at Nickel Plate Express are four-person bikes that you pedal along a railroad track. There are three different railbike rides offered at Nickel Plate Express, which I have detailed below:

    Forest Park Rail Adventure

    • 2 Hours
    • All Ages
    • 7 Miles
    • Starting at $40

    White River Family Cruise

    • 1.5 Hours
    • All Ages
    • Bike 15-20 minutes then enjoy a 1-hour layover in Downtown Noblesville. 
    • Starting at $30

    Twilight Rail Ride

    • 3 Hours
    • All Ages
    • 7 Miles
    • S’mores: graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate included!
    • Starting at $60
    • This is the one we did, and I highly recommend it!

    The Nickel Plate Express is located in Noblesville, Indiana just about 30 minutes north of Indy making this the perfect summer activity near Indianapolis to take your friends and family to!

    Date night ideas near Indianapolis

    Why the Twilight Railbike Ride is a Perfect Double Date Near Indianapolis 

    My husband and I recently took my sister and brother-in-law on a double date to the Nickel Plate Express to do their Twilight Railbike Ride. The whole time we were riding, we kept talking about all the people we’d want to bring there next time! We had an absolute blast from beginning to end (and especially in the middle). We chose the Twilight Ride to get beautiful sunset views and cooler weather. But the real highlight of the Twilight Ride was the turnaround point.

    The Twilight Ride is a 7-mile, 3-hour journey (including the 1-hour stop at the turnaround). Once you get halfway through the ride, you get to sit by bonfires and roast s’mores to truly make this the perfect Indiana summer night. 

    The Twilight Rides are running through the fall, so check for available dates here. 

    What to Bring on a Nickel Plate Express Railbike Ride

    There are two small baskets on either side of the railbikes, so you can definitely bring along some “road trip” goodies for your ride! We brought water bottles, snacks, cookies, and sweaters. But, if I were to do this again, I would bring everything I mentioned above AND hot dogs, buns, and ketchup packets. That way, you can also roast hot dogs on the turnaround point along with the s’mores they provide you. This only applies to the Twilight Railbike rides since they have the bonfires at the turnaround point, but for any other railbike ride at Nickel Plate Express, here is what you should definitely bring:

    • Water bottles and drinks
    • Snacks – Beef jerky, crackers, cookies, and anything else that you like to munch on!
    • Bug spray
    • Sunscreen
    • Sweaters or sweatshirts

    The baskets aren’t huge, but they were the perfect size for our small travel cooler.

    Nickel Plate railbike rides in Noblesville Indiana

    Would You Try a Railbike Ride at Nickel Plate Express?

    I can’t recommend this double date idea near Indy enough. We are still talking about it! However, if you’re not the double-date type, this activity in Noblesville, Indiana is also perfect for girls trips, family outings, and friend groups. There was even a bachelorette party on my ride! If you have more than four people, you can also attach two railbikes together. The family in front of us did that so they could all still chat while riding. 

    Next time you are looking for unique things to do near Indianapolis or fun date night ideas in Central Indiana, check out the Nickel Plate Express!

  • Galentine’s Day Ideas in Indianapolis + Central Indiana

    Galentine’s Day Ideas in Indianapolis + Central Indiana

    Get in, gals, we’re hitting the town! Here are some things you can do with your gal pals in the Indy area this Galentine’s Day. Because why should we leave all the February fun to the couples?

    Friendship is everything. Our friends love us for us, and not for what we can offer to our companies or for how clean our house is. Our friends see us through so many phases of our lives—through all the turmoil and chaos, through the love and loss, through that weird haircut you had in 2016—and yet they choose to hang out with us! No obligations.

    More than that, I truly believe female friendships are one of the most important things in a woman’s life because our friendships nurture the perspective we have about ourselves regardless of the labels society puts on us as women (employee, wife, mother, daughter, student). Our girls are there for us through breakups and babies, through wild nights and rough mornings, through promotions and layoffs. They are our shoulders to cry on and our partners in crime.

    Galentine’s Day (February 13th) is the perfect moment to celebrate these female friendships. If you are in the Indy area, I hope you’ll take some time to call up your girl squad and get something on the calendar. I know we are very busy (because who runs the world? GIRLS!), but I’ve made it as easy as possible with a full list below of things you can do with your girlfriends this Galentine’s Day in Indianapolis.

    “Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair minus the angst… Plus frittatas!” – Leslie Knope

    Tea, and Brunch, and Thrifting, OH MY!

    For the gals who are always down for brunch and thrifting, I want to take you a little west of Downtown Indy to Mooresville, IN. Click HERE for a video visual.

    Start with brunch and tea service at The Parlor PS. I recommend sharing the Grand Breakfast Tower. It was perfection!

    Then walk right next door for thrifting at Yellow Moon. There are so many unique vintage finds in here!

    Let’s Go to the (Keystone) Mall

    Going to the mall is so underrated lately. Especially with your girlfriends. Picture this: you and your friends having an early 2000s rom-com movie moment. Trying on pretty dresses and accessories. Telling each other “you should totally buy that.” And ending the entire spree with an Aperol Spritz. Here’s what I recommend:

    Window Shopping at The Fashion Mall at Keystone: Some of my faves are Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel, Dry Goods, Kendra Scott, and any other store that strikes your fancy!

    Napolese for Dinner: I tried the Aperol Spritz, Baked Goat Cheese, and Margherita Pizza, but your girls will love anything here!

    Something sweet from Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier: Get the sea salt caramels – TRUST ME!

    Do it for the ‘Gram

    If you’re looking for a sign to break out that dress you haven’t worn yet, here you go. Have you been to Restoration Hardware at The DeHaan Estate in Indy? This is a completely free place to visit and explore the latest pieces in the RH Gallery. There is a restaurant on site, but my favorite thing to do here is grab a glass of wine and explore the grounds. Get all dressed up with your gals and take pictures! You’ll want to remember this one.

    RH Indianapolis 📍 4501 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46228

    Let’s EAT!

    If you’re looking to keep it simple and just grab a meal with your Galentines, here are some brunch and dinner spots I recommend in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas that have all the cute, girly vibes!

    Brunch: RIZE, Three Dolls, The Green Room, Rejoicing Vine, Borage

    Dinner: Hanami, Baby’s, divvy, Cake Bake, Matador

    For your Crafty Gals

    If you and your friends are in the mood to get crafty, I recommend one of these local candle-making spots in Indianapolis, or hitting up one of the Indy Winter Farmers Markets to get baking! The farmers markets usually have some DIY bread-making pouches, elixir kits, and even yarn/knitting goodies!

    Candle Making – Unplug, Penn and Beech

    Winter Farmers Markets: The AMP, Broad Ripple, Carmel. More details about each market can be found here.

    A Toast to Friendship

    Raise a glass to girlhood! Here are some of my favorite places to do a wine tasting in Indianapolis with my girlfriends:

    Buck Creek Winery + Brandywine Creek – These are great because you can hit two Indiana wineries in one go! These are very close together, so you can Uber or ask one of the ladies’ lovely husbands to be a chauffeur 😉

    BONUS: Check and see if the Veal’s Ice Tree is up and running while you’re out. This is an Indiana hidden wonder you have to see in the winter!

    Other places for wine tastings: Daniel’s Vineyard, Urban Vines, Peace Water

    Hug your girls tight, Indy! Love, your Galentine, Sondra 💋

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