This blog has always been mostly about marketing advice, but the thing about blogs is this – they can evolve! For me, work and family often intertwine, and that’s the case here. I’m a member of Indy Blog Society and found an opportunity through them to attend Conner Prairie’s Headless Horseman event during opening night. It really is one of our favorite things to do each fall, and it only seemed fitting to blog about it here, as well as some of the other sites I blog for. I hope to share more local, family-friendly events here in the future!
When to go
We go every year, and we’ve gone on school nights and on weekends. We’ve gone when it’s hot, and when it’s cold. My best advice is to go on a Thursday or Sunday when the weather is nice. The lines will be much shorter and the kids will be happier if they aren’t sweating or freezing. Last night was absolutely beautiful and we didn’t arrive until about 6:10pm. The lines were only a few families deep and we had plenty of time to enjoy most of the activities and still make it home for bedtime.
Tickets
Tickets are $17 on Thursdays and Sundays for anyone 2 and over. They go up to $21 on Saturday and Sunday. All members can get in free Thursday and Sunday, and Plus-Level members and above can also get in free on weekends. You can purchase tickets in advance here.
The Hayride
Your hayride time is given to you at the gate. If you arrive early enough, you can opt to get in line for the daylight rides. Every family and kid are different, but our kids have always done the hayride in the dark and found it to be more fun than scary. I recommend getting your hayride time, and then deciding how much time you have and what other activities you want to take in before/after your ride.
Corn Maze
We didn’t do the entire maze, but my kids liked walking in it for a bit. The shortest maze is around 30 minutes, and we didn’t plan for quite enough time prior to our ride. There are three options to choose from, depending on how long you want to walk and the ages of your group.
Marionette Show
This is located in the Featherston Barn and is an adorable show! We didn’t attend this year, but we did in the past. There are designated show times displayed on a sign outside. Check this out when you arrive so you can pick your time, and plan to stand in line a bit ahead of time.
Magic Show
Similar to the marionette show, there are specific show times. It’s an adorable show for all ages. Last year after we went, a magic kit was at the top of my four year old’s Christmas list, so it definitely made an impression!
Food and Drinks
The Apple Store is open until 9pm and it’s definitely worth a stop. We love the hot cider and my kids love the candy that looks like little rocks. If your kids like playing with rocks, trust me, it’ll a hit. (It’s the little things, right?)
There are also plenty of options if you want to grab dinner or a snack while you’re there. Hotdogs, chicken fingers, nachos, ice cream – it’s all there.
We’re craft brew fans, so I have to mention the Sun King Brewery collaboration available during the event. Ichabrewed Crane is a copper ale with apple cider, ginger, and nutmeg. We enjoyed it!
The 1859 Balloon Voyage
I hate to admit this, but we still haven’t gone up in the balloon. We go to Conner Prairie often and for one reason or another, it’s never been a great day to do it. But, it does run during Headless Horseman if it’s something you want to do, weather permitting.
There are also plenty of games to play and the playground is open during the event. The event is really fantastic, so be sure to add it to your fall bucket list! More details available on Conner Prairie’s Website.
