Indiana·
Published June 29, 2026 ·
Updated July 10, 2026 · 25 things to do
· 23 min read
Fishers, Indiana
Source: Illustrative image
Once a quiet railroad stop on the Nickel Plate line, Fishers has grown into one of Indiana's most energetic suburbs without losing its small-town warmth. Just northeast of Indianapolis in Hamilton County, it pairs a walkable, event-filled downtown with sprawling parks, a sizable reservoir, and a remarkable density of indoor attractions.
Here are the 25 best things to do in Fishers, drawn from the spots locals and visitors rate most highly — whether you are planning a weekend, entertaining the kids, or just looking for something new close to home.
Fun Facts About Fishers, Indiana
Fishers began in 1872 as a railroad stop called “Fishers Switch” on the Nickel Plate line, and today the old rail corridor is the walkable Nickel Plate District and Trail.
It is one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Indianapolis, with a population around 106,000, about 16 miles northeast of downtown.
Fishers is home to Conner Prairie, a nationally acclaimed 1,000-plus-acre living-history museum and Indiana’s first Smithsonian affiliate.
Geist Reservoir, the area’s largest body of water, anchors boating, fishing, and lakeside dining on the city’s eastern edge.
The city has leaned into family entertainment, with an unusual concentration of trampoline parks, go-karting, climbing gyms, escape rooms, and a Topgolf.
The crown jewel of Fishers and one of the Midwest's most celebrated open-air living-history museums, Conner Prairie sprawls across more than 200 acres along the White River. This Smithsonian-affiliated site recreates 19th-century Indiana through historic areas, costumed interpreters, and hands-on exhibits, immersing you in the daily life of the era.
The grounds are named for pioneer William Conner, who settled the area. Seasonal highlights include a tethered hot-air balloon ride and a winter lights experience, while wide lawns and nature trails easily fill a full day. It's the kind of place where history feels lived-in rather than displayed behind glass.
Named for the historic Nickel Plate railroad that founded the town, the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater is downtown Fishers' open-air gathering place. Its sloping lawn hosts concerts, films, and festivals through the warmer months, along with free Tuesday shows that make catching live entertainment an easy, spur-of-the-moment plan.
The amphitheater anchors a compact, walkable district of restaurants and breweries, so a show pairs naturally with dinner. Arrive early, settle in for a meal nearby, then stroll over as the lawn fills in, turning an evening performance into a full night out without ever moving your car.
Geist Reservoir is the largest body of water in the area and the heart of the region's boating and lake culture. Formed by a dam on Fall Creek, it draws anglers, paddlers, and powerboaters, its winding shoreline lined with waterfront homes and restaurants.
Most public access comes through the marina and nearby parks. From there you can launch your own boat, rent watercraft for the day, or simply settle in for a lakeside meal and watch the water traffic drift by along the shore.
A cornerstone of downtown Fishers' Nickel Plate District, Four Day Ray Brewing ranks among the area's most popular places to eat and drink. The industrial-chic brewpub pours a rotating lineup of house-brewed beers alongside a scratch kitchen turning out shareable plates, flatbreads, and heartier entrees.
A spacious patio and frequent live music lend the place an easygoing, social feel. It makes an easy stop before or after a show at the nearby amphitheater, whether you're settling in for a full meal or just pulling up for a pint and a bite between other stops downtown.
The Fishers Event Center is the city's marquee indoor arena, a modern venue built to bring major concerts, sporting events, and family shows to the suburb. It seats thousands and serves as the home venue for minor-league sports teams, giving the area a full-scale place to gather for a night out.
Its contemporary design and ample concessions keep the experience comfortable, while easy suburban parking means you can catch a show or a game without making the trip into downtown Indianapolis. It's a convenient anchor for anyone looking to fill an evening close to home.
Pinheads & Alley's Alehouse is a sprawling entertainment complex that suits a kids' birthday party or an adults' night out equally well. At its core sits a modern bowling alley, layered with an arcade and an axe-throwing area, so there's plenty to keep every age group busy long after the pins stop falling.
The energy ramps up with regular DJ sets and live-music nights, giving the space a real after-dark buzz. The attached Alley's Alehouse rounds things out with a full menu and bar, plus a seasonal outdoor Tiki hut, making it easy to turn a few games into a full evening of food, drinks, and entertainment.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park lets kids and adults burn off energy no matter what Indiana weather is doing outside. Wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, and dedicated zones turn a simple visit into freestyle jumping, dodgeball, and slam-dunk basketball, so everyone finds a way to bounce.
Beyond open jumping, the park hosts fitness classes, toddler times, and group events, letting it flex from a casual afternoon to a full birthday party. Because the whole space is climate-controlled, it stays dependable year-round, making it an easy call when you need indoor fun that holds up in any season.
Adrenaline Action Park brings the fun indoors, packing roughly 50,000 square feet of activity into one building on E. 121st Street. Trampolines, climbing walls, a ropes course, an obstacle course, and dodgeball give older kids and adults plenty to tackle, while dedicated toddler areas keep the youngest visitors busy and safe in their own space.
Because everything sits under one roof, families with a wide range of ages can all find something to enjoy in a single visit, making it a reliable choice when Indiana weather turns rainy. The park also offers memberships, birthday parties, summer camps, and group events, so it works just as well for a special occasion as for an afternoon of unstructured play.
K1 Speed Indianapolis brings high-speed, all-electric indoor go-karting to the Fishers area. The karts are quick and quiet, the indoor track twists under bright lights, and computerized timing lets you race friends while chasing a personal-best lap.
Because the karts are electric and the track is indoors, the racing runs year-round, rain or shine. Between heats, lounges, simulators, and a snack bar give spectators and drivers somewhere to regroup, making it an easy outing whether you come to compete or simply cheer from the sidelines.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is a large indoor adventure center that reaches well beyond a standard trampoline park. Alongside the jumping courts and foam pits, you'll find climbing walls, a ropes course, tube slides, and a warrior-style obstacle course built for older kids and adults looking for more of a challenge.
Toddler-friendly areas keep the youngest visitors in the mix, so the space works across a wide range of ages. Membership options and party packages add flexibility for regulars and celebrations alike, and because it's all indoors, it's an easy call on cold or rainy days when you need somewhere active to burn off energy.
Geist Marina is the gateway to life on Geist Reservoir and the main hub for boating, rentals, and waterfront dining. Boaters find slips, fuel, and service here, while visitors without a boat of their own can often rent a pontoon for the day and head out on the water.
A lively dockside restaurant and bar make the marina a destination in its own right, not just a place to launch. The festive on-the-water atmosphere is at its best on summer weekends and especially at sunset, when the reservoir becomes the whole reason to come.
Climb Time Indy is a long-running indoor rock-climbing gym that has introduced countless first-timers to the sport while giving seasoned climbers a dependable place to train. Thousands of square feet of terrain stretch across top-rope routes, walls of varying difficulty, and dedicated bouldering, so there's something to work on whether you're tying in for the first time or chasing a harder grade.
Beyond drop-in climbing, the gym runs youth programs, private lessons, and group sessions that make it a reliable choice well past the casual visit. That mix makes it especially popular for parties and team outings, where beginners and experienced climbers can share the same walls and everyone leaves having pushed a little further than they expected.
Indianapolis Pickleball Club North is a dedicated indoor facility in the Fishers area, tapping into one of the country's fastest-growing sports. Its many courts host the game that blends tennis, badminton, and table tennis, and the indoor setting keeps play comfortable in every season, no matter the weather outside.
Lessons, leagues, clinics, and open sessions welcome both beginners and competitive regulars, so there's an easy way in whatever your experience level. The doubles-friendly format suits groups especially well, making it a natural stop for friends or families looking to try the game together during a visit to Fishers.
Activate Games turns a night out into an interactive adventure, sending teams through a series of tech-driven rooms that each hold their own physical challenge. Think of it as a cross between an escape room and a video game brought into the real world, where players dodge lasers, hit light-up targets, and race the clock from one room to the next.
Every room scores your performance, so there's always a number to beat and a reason to come back and top it. It's active without being intimidating, which makes it an easy call for a group of friends, a family looking for something different, or a corporate team wanting to shake up an ordinary outing together.
15. Midwest Balloon Rides
Source: Jesse Gardner on Unsplash (illustrative image)
Midwest Balloon Rides offers a serene hot-air balloon flight above the fields, neighborhoods, and waterways of central Indiana. Drifting in the calm hours around sunrise or sunset gives a sweeping, peaceful perspective on the landscape below, the kind of quiet, elevated vantage that turns an ordinary morning or evening into something memorable.
Flights are weather-dependent and booked in advance, with experienced pilots handling the launch, the flight, and the landing. That makes the experience popular for marking a celebration or a milestone, or simply for the once-in-a-lifetime view. If you want a genuinely different way to see this corner of Indiana, it is hard to beat.
Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve is a peaceful pocket of protected forest close to the heart of Fishers, tucked along Hague Road. Its roughly 127 acres hold nine trails totaling more than two miles, winding through mature woodland, wetland, and meadow. The walking is easy and well-marked, making it an unhurried escape into nature just minutes from the city center.
As a state-dedicated preserve, it leans into quiet enjoyment and conservation, with naturalist programs and interpretive signage that help you read the landscape. The mix of habitats makes it one of the city's best birdwatching spots, so bring binoculars and a slow pace. It's a simple, restorative stop for anyone who wants forest, marsh, and open meadow in one short outing.
Breakout Games serves the Fishers area from just southwest in the Castleton area of Indianapolis, where immersive themed rooms drop your group into a story and set a one-hour clock ticking. You'll hunt for clues, crack codes, and solve puzzles together as the plot unfolds around you, racing to escape before time runs out.
Themes range from heists to mysteries, so repeat visitors always find a fresh challenge rather than the same room twice. Built around teamwork, it's a reliable hit for friends looking for a memorable outing, families, date nights, and corporate groups after some hands-on team-building away from the usual routine.
Flowing Well Park is a small but beloved nature spot on 116th Street between Carmel and Fishers, best known for its namesake artesian well. There, cold, clear water flows freely for visitors to drink and fill their own jugs, an unusual feature that has turned the park into a genuine local institution.
Beyond the well, wooded hiking trails wind through the grounds, a gentle stream offers a spot for wading, and shaded picnic areas invite you to linger. It is the kind of place you can enjoy in an hour or two, whether you come to fill a jug, take a quiet walk, or simply cool off by the water.
Roy G. Holland Memorial Park is one of the most popular community parks in Fishers, packing wide-ranging recreation into a family-friendly setting. Sports fields for baseball, softball, and volleyball share the grounds with playgrounds and plenty of open green space, while a loop trail keeps walkers and joggers moving around the perimeter.
That blend of organized sports facilities and casual recreation gives the park real range. Come for a league game, spread out a picnic on the green, or simply let the kids burn off energy on the playground. Whatever the visit calls for, there's room here to make an afternoon of it.
Tucked onto wooded acreage near 106th and Allisonville, Fishers Flower Farm is an appointment-only, pick-your-own cut-flower experience that makes a refreshing counterpoint to the area's busy indoor attractions. This isn't a walk-in field: you reserve a slot in advance, then join a seasonal, guided visit that runs roughly from late spring through October.
On the farm, visitors learn about the different flower varieties before cutting their own bouquet, with extra stems available individually. It's a relaxing, photogenic, and distinctly local outing, and the offerings shift with the growing season, sometimes expanding to include special events and hands-on workshops among the rows.
21. Game Show Battle Rooms - Indianapolis (Castleton)
Just southwest of Fishers in the Castleton area, Game Show Battle Rooms recreates the thrill of being a TV game-show contestant with a group of friends. Teams face off through rounds of trivia, physical challenges, and buzzer questions modeled on classic game shows, all hosted with high-energy showmanship that keeps the competition lively from start to finish.
It's built for parties, corporate events, and group celebrations, scaling to fit your team and keeping everyone involved rather than sidelined. No special skills are required, so anyone can jump in and play, making it an easy pick for a spirited outing just outside Fishers when you want something more interactive than the usual sit-down night out.
Bubba's 33 is a lively, family-friendly sports restaurant in Fishers and a popular spot to gather around a game. The all-American menu centers on made-from-scratch burgers, hand-tossed pizzas, and a long list of ice-cold beers, all served in a casual dining room lined with large-screen TVs.
Plenty of seating and a full bar make it easy to settle in, whether you're here for a relaxed family dinner or arriving with a game-day crowd. It's the kind of casual, all-American spot that works just as well for a quiet weeknight meal as it does for cheering on your team.
Portillo’s brings a slice of Chicago's iconic fast-casual scene to the Fishers suburb, set on E. 116th St. The menu centers on Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, and crinkle-cut fries, all capped by the famous chocolate cake shake.
An efficient line keeps things moving even at peak times, so the crowds rarely slow you down. It's a destination meal and a reliable taste of a beloved regional institution, served up in a fun retro dining room that makes the visit feel like an occasion.
Topgolf Fishers reinvents the driving range as a social outing that welcomes golfers and non-golfers alike. Players take to climate-controlled hitting bays and aim microchipped balls at giant outfield targets, scoring points in a game that is easy to pick up regardless of skill.
Beyond the bays it functions as a full lounge, with an extensive food and drink menu, music, and a buzzy atmosphere. That mix makes it a reliable pick for parties, date nights, and after-work gatherings, whether or not anyone in the group has swung a club before.
Tucked into the Castleton area of Indianapolis, just a short hop from Fishers, Smiley Ocean Themed Adventure Park wraps its play areas in a cheerful undersea theme built for younger children. Kids clamber through soft-play structures, whoosh down slides, dive into ball pits, and scramble over climbing features while parents relax nearby, making it an easy outing for toddlers and early-elementary visitors.
The whole space is enclosed and climate-controlled, so little ones stay safely entertained no matter the weather outside. Dedicated areas for different age groups keep the youngest explorers separate from the bigger, more adventurous climbers, letting everyone play at their own pace. It's a colorful, low-stress stop when you want the children moving and the grown-ups off their feet for a while.
Best Time to Visit Fishers
Late spring and early fall are the most pleasant stretches to explore Fishers, when mild, comfortable days make it easy to move between the outdoors and the city's many attractions. This is the sweet spot for walking the Nickel Plate Trail along the old rail line, catching a show under the open sky at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, getting out on Geist Reservoir, and lingering in the green space at parks like Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve, Flowing Well Park, and Roy G. Holland Memorial Park. The walkable Nickel Plate District downtown is at its best in these shoulder seasons too, with patio weather that suits a stop at Four Day Ray Brewing.
Summers here run warm and humid, which is exactly when the reservoir earns its reputation as the area's go-to for boating, waterfront dining, and cooling off on the water, and when the water-and-play draw of Topgolf Fishers and the family entertainment centers is strongest during the hotter afternoons. Winters are cold, and that is when Fishers' deep bench of indoor attractions really earns its keep: trampoline and adventure parks, go-karting at K1 Speed, indoor climbing, escape rooms, and bowling all keep the fun going no matter the weather, so the city stays worth a visit in any season.
Getting to Fishers
Fishers sits along Interstate 69 (I-69), about 16 miles northeast of downtown Indianapolis, which makes it an easy drive for anyone road-tripping through central Indiana. I-69 runs right past the city and connects to the I-465 beltway that loops around Indianapolis, so getting into town from almost any direction usually comes down to a straightforward highway approach. Because Fishers is a spread-out suburb, a car is the practical way to reach it and to move between attractions once you arrive, though the Nickel Plate District downtown is compact and walkable once you park.
The nearest airport is Indianapolis International Airport (IND), roughly 30 to 33 miles away and about 35 to 45 minutes by car on the far side of Indianapolis. There is no airport in Fishers itself, so most visitors fly into Indianapolis and drive up, typically taking I-465 around the city and then I-69 north into town. If you are already in the region, downtown Indianapolis is only about 20 minutes away, putting the big-city sights and Fishers' suburban attractions within comfortable reach of a single home base.
Getting Around Fishers
Fishers is a spread-out suburban city, so the easiest way to explore it is by car. Attractions are scattered across neighborhoods along Interstate 69 and the surrounding arterials, from Conner Prairie in the north to the entertainment venues and restaurants clustered nearer the highway, and having your own vehicle makes it simple to string several stops together in a day. Ride-share services operate throughout the area and are a convenient option for a night out or a single destination, and downtown Indianapolis sits only about twenty minutes away by road for anyone combining a Fishers trip with the bigger city.
The exception to the car-first rule is the Nickel Plate District, the walkable downtown heart of Fishers built around the old railroad line. Here you can leave the car parked and cover the amphitheater, brewpubs like Four Day Ray Brewing, and the surrounding restaurants and shops on foot. Running alongside the historic rail corridor, the Nickel Plate Trail adds a paved multi-use path for walking and biking, giving you a pleasant car-free way to move between the downtown district and nearby neighborhoods, especially in the mild weather of late spring and early fall.
Where to Stay in Fishers
The most walkable base is the Nickel Plate District downtown, where you can leave the car parked and reach dining, the amphitheater's concert nights, and events at the Fishers Event Center on foot. If your trip leans toward the family-entertainment venues, the areas near the Interstate 69 exits are the practical choice: they put the trampoline parks, go-karting, climbing gyms, and Topgolf within a short drive and give you a fast, straightforward run into downtown Indianapolis. For a quieter, water-oriented stay, look to the Geist Reservoir area, where the lakeside setting and marina access make an easy home for boating days and slower evenings.
Because Fishers sits only about 16 miles northeast of downtown Indianapolis along I-69, many visitors also base themselves in the city itself and drive out to Fishers for the day. That works well if you want to pair the suburb's attractions with time in downtown Indianapolis, roughly 20 minutes away, or use it as a launching point for day trips farther afield. Wherever you land, plan on having a car, since this is a spread-out suburb and most of its attractions are best reached by road.
Where to Eat in Fishers
The dining heart of Fishers is the walkable Nickel Plate District downtown, a compact grid of brewpubs and restaurants where you can park once and stroll between meals, drinks, and the amphitheater. Four Day Ray Brewing anchors this scene with house-brewed beer and a full kitchen, and the surrounding blocks make it easy to turn dinner into an evening out. Because Fishers is a spread-out suburb, most other dining clusters along the I-69 corridor, where casual and family-friendly spots line the busy interchanges; Bubba's 33 and Portillo's both sit in this stretch and are among the easiest stops to fold into a day of trampoline parks, go-karting, or Topgolf.
For a different setting, head toward Geist Reservoir on the east side of town, where lakeside dining lets you eat with a water view and watch the boat traffic come and go from Geist Marina. Between the pedestrian-friendly Nickel Plate District, the chain-heavy I-69 corridor, and the waterfront near Geist, Fishers covers the range from a leisurely downtown night out to a quick, convenient bite. Warm summer evenings are ideal for patios and lakeside tables, while the cold Indiana winters push most of the action indoors to the downtown brewpubs and restaurants.
One Day in Fishers
Fishers rewards a day that starts on the open estate lawns up north, drifts down through the walkable Nickel Plate District, and finishes on the water at Geist before a lit-up evening on the range & under the amphitheater lights.
Morning: Begin at Conner Prairie the moment the grounds open — it’s the region’s marquee open-air draw, and the outdoor living-history village, wooded trails and wide meadows are best walked before the day heats up. When you’ve had your fill of the historic grounds, drift west to Flowing Well Park, a quiet spot built around its namesake artesian spring where a short loop of shaded boardwalk trail makes for an easy stretch of the legs and a refill of the water bottle from the free-flowing well.
Afternoon: Head into the heart of the Nickel Plate District for lunch at Four Day Ray Brewing, whose big patio and house-brewed beer are the anchor of downtown Fishers. From there it’s a short drive east to the water: rent a paddleboard or simply take in the shoreline at Geist Reservoir, then continue to Geist Marina to watch the boat traffic and feel how much of Fishers life bends toward this lake in warm weather.
Evening: Point back toward the center of town and grab a hitting bay at Topgolf Fishers as the light drops — the climate-controlled tiers, the targets glowing out on the range and a full menu make it an easy multi-hour stop. If there’s a show on the calendar, close the night under the stars at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, an intimate outdoor venue that puts a live-music cap on a full Fishers day.
Free Things to Do in Fishers
Some of the most rewarding ways to spend a day in Fishers cost nothing at all. The Nickel Plate Trail traces the route of the old Nickel Plate railroad that gave the city its start, offering a flat, easy path for walking, running, or biking that connects neighborhoods to the heart of town. It leads into the walkable Nickel Plate District downtown, where you can stroll past the amphitheater, browse the shops, and soak up the social energy of Fishers' compact core without spending a dime. Places like Four Day Ray, Bubba's 33, and Portillo's are here if you get hungry, but simply wandering the district and people-watching is free.
The city's parks are another no-cost draw. Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve protects a stretch of woodland with quiet trails to explore, Flowing Well Park centers on a naturally flowing artesian well and shaded paths, and Roy G. Holland Memorial Park offers open green space, walking loops, and room to spread out. Down by the water, Geist Reservoir rewards visitors with pretty lakeside views, especially in late spring and early fall when the weather is at its best. Keep in mind that Fishers leans hard into paid family entertainment, so the trampoline parks, go-karting, escape rooms, and Topgolf all charge admission, as do Conner Prairie and most amphitheater shows. The trails, the parks, and a downtown stroll, though, stay completely free.
Day Trips from Fishers
The biggest day trip is the one right on your doorstep: downtown Indianapolis sits about 20 minutes south of Fishers by way of Interstate 69, and it packs in far more than a suburb can. Indy is home to a cluster of major museums, a full slate of pro and college sports, and the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so it works whether you're chasing art, a game, or racing history. Because the drive is so short, you can easily fold a morning in the Nickel Plate District into an afternoon and evening in the city, then be back in Fishers for dinner.
If you'd rather point the car a little farther, head about an hour south to Columbus, Indiana, a small city that punches well above its weight for modern architecture and public design and has its own CityViking guide worth reading before you go. Reaching wider still, both Dayton, Ohio, to the east and Louisville, Kentucky, to the south sit within comfortable day-trip range for a longer outing. Late spring and early fall are the easiest seasons for any of these drives, with milder weather than the humid summers or cold Indiana winters.
FAQ: Visiting Fishers, Indiana
What is Fishers, Indiana known for?
Fishers is a fast-growing suburban city in Hamilton County, about 16 miles northeast of downtown Indianapolis, best known for its walkable Nickel Plate District downtown and a heavy concentration of family entertainment. Founded in 1872 as a Nickel Plate railroad stop, it pairs Conner Prairie living-history museum and Geist Reservoir with trampoline parks, go-karting, climbing gyms, escape rooms, and Topgolf.
Is Fishers, Indiana worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you're traveling with family or making a base near Indianapolis, since Fishers packs Conner Prairie, Geist Reservoir boating and lakeside dining, and a whole cluster of active entertainment into one spread-out suburb. Its walkable Nickel Plate District downtown adds an amphitheater, brewpubs like Four Day Ray Brewing, and restaurants for an easy evening out.
Is Fishers good for families and kids?
Very much so, as Fishers leans heavily toward family entertainment with options like Sky Zone and Urban Air trampoline parks, K1 Speed go-karting, Sky Zone, Climb Time Indy, Breakout Games escape rooms, Adrenaline Action Park, and Topgolf. Conner Prairie's living-history experience and outdoor spots like Flowing Well Park and Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve round out the kid-friendly mix.
How far is Fishers from Indianapolis?
Fishers sits about 16 miles northeast of downtown Indianapolis along Interstate 69, which works out to roughly a 20-minute drive. That makes downtown Indianapolis the easiest and most popular day trip from Fishers.
What is there to do in Fishers on a rainy or cold day?
Fishers is well set up for bad weather thanks to its many indoor attractions, including Sky Zone and Urban Air trampoline parks, K1 Speed indoor go-karting, Climb Time Indy climbing gym, Activate Games, Breakout Games escape rooms, and Pinheads bowling with Alley's Alehouse. Topgolf's covered, heated bays and a beer at Four Day Ray Brewing in the Nickel Plate District also make good cold-weather stops.
What is the best time to visit Fishers, Indiana?
Late spring and early fall are the best times to visit, offering mild, comfortable weather for exploring Geist Reservoir, the Nickel Plate Trail, and outdoor parks. Summers are warm and humid while winters are cold, so the shoulder seasons hit the sweet spot.
What is Conner Prairie in Fishers?
Conner Prairie is a living-history museum in Fishers where costumed interpreters and re-created historic settings bring 19th-century Indiana to life. It's one of the area's signature attractions and a highlight for families and history-minded visitors alike.