12 free days of Christmas

(Credit: Rob Goebel / Metromix)

In this treacherous economy, who needs milking maids, piping pipers and leaping Lords? (Given the hidden, faith-based meanings of the symbols, you could argue differently, but that’s off-point for the purposes of this story.) What we could all use during the 12 days of Christmas is something free — such as gratis desserts and admission to many of the city’s top attractions.

Each of the following places is waiving admission fees, or offering special gifts on a designated day, for the next dozen days. So if you’ve been meaning to catch the Chocolate exhibit at the Indiana State Museum before it ends in January, or attend the annual Winter Solstice celebration at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, there’s no better time.

1. Saturday, Dec. 13

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum

Not expecting a new luxury car festooned in a big red bow this holiday season? Admire other people’s fantastic rides, like the Marmon Wasp, winner of the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911, or Tony Stewart’s 2005 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard-winning Chevrolet.

Also part of the museum is A.J. Foyt’s four Indy 500-winning cars; Smokey Yunick’s famed “side car;” and the one-of-its-kind 1957 SSI Corvette. A collection of motorcycles features Nicky Hayden’s 2006 MotoGP World Championship Honda bike.

After visiting the museum, enjoy a narrated track tour and shopping at the gift shop.

DETAILS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame, 4790 W. 16th St., www!.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

 — T.J. Banes

2. Sunday, Dec. 14

President Benjamin Harrison Home

You’ll either get nostalgic for the non-plastic holiday decorations of the past, or happy about all the mod cons of the present during the annual Christmas tour of the Harrison home, which showcases what the home was like circa 1888. Wannabe Martha Stewarts can get inspiration from the 10-foot tree, just like the one the 23rd president of the U.S. and his wife put up at the White House.

DETAILS: Tour hours are 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Benjamin Harrison Home, 1230 N. Delaware St., (317) 631-1888 or www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org.

— Jenny Elig

3. Monday, Dec. 15

Indy Wine Trail

Seven wineries. Each within an hour of Indianapolis. All with a different wine-tasting experience. Sounds like a good challenge for the holidays (with a designated driver, if you’re not a wine-spitter). You usually have to visit all seven to get a free wine glass, but on this day you get one if you go to any of the wineries before 6 p.m. You’ll find wineries hidden Downtown, in the suburbs — on all sides of the Interstate 465 loop. So one’s gotta be within reach.

DETAILS: For winery locations, visit www.indywinetrail.com.

— Amy Bartner

4. Tuesday, Dec. 16

James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home

James Whitcomb Riley was a nationally known writer, famous for the poem “Little Orphant Annie,” at the time he was recovering from a stroke in 1911. You can still see the poinsettia-studded postcards fans sent him for Christmas that year, on display in the drawing room of the Lockerbie Street residence he called home starting in 1893. Each year, a different sampling of cards hangs on a tabletop tree. That’s just one of several holiday touches in store for visitors to the 136-year-old Riley Museum Home.

DETAILS: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Riley Museum Home, 528 Lockerbie St., (317) 631-5885 or www.rileykids.org/museum.

— Whitney Smith
 
5. Wednesday, Dec. 17

Morris-Butler House

Plan to spend about an hour browsing the elegant home’s four floors, decorated in Victorian style with wreaths, garland and gold-plated and crystal-beaded ornaments. A miniature, but regal, version of Queen Victoria sits atop the Christmas tree in the parlor.

Docents will give tours and teach about the timeless era, and you can follow up with a visit to the gift shop. Did you know Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had 9 children together? That being said, feel free to bring your little ones along — the venue is kid-friendly.

DETAILS: Tours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Morris-Butler House, 1204 N. Park Ave., (317) 636-5409.

— Nina Mehta

6. Thursday, Dec. 18

Indianapolis Museum of Art and the historic Lilly House

Spend the entire day studying the paintings, sculpture and installations on view indoors, or simply feel the frosty crackle underfoot while walking the manicured grounds of the IMA.

If you’re already familiar with the institution from a recent visit, step back in time and experience the decorative arts with a visit to the Lilly House, where director Bradley Brooks has once again overseen the task of furnishing the famous residence with period holiday decorations. Fully embrace the onset of winter — and the fact that Christmas is just one week away — when the house hosts its annual Winter Solstice celebration.

DETAILS: The Indianapolis Museum of Art and the historic Lilly House is at 4000 Michigan Road. Regular hours 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Solstice celebration 5 to 8 p.m., movie at 7 p.m. (317) 923-1331, www.imamuseum.org.

— Konrad Marshall

7. Friday, Dec. 19

Indiana Historical Society

Admission is always free here, but a few holiday activities will make the trip special. At the top of the list is the annual “Holidays in the Heartland” celebration, which runs through Jan. 3. Visitors can write a letter to Santa (and get a response before Christmas if it’s delivered by the end of today) and even get their picture taken with the infamous leg lamp from the movie “A Christmas Story”!

There are also interactive displays about decorating Christmas trees, holiday cooking and other yuletide activities.

DETAILS: 10 a.m. to 5p.m., Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St., (317) 232-1882 or www.indianahistory.org.

— Christopher Lloyd

8. Saturday, Dec. 20

Indiana Medical History Museum

Don’t worry — no medical oddities will be wrapped in bows, and no jars of brains will be adorned with Santa hats. Basically, instead of paying $5 admission, you’ll get a free tour of this museum, home to the oldest-known remaining pathology lab in the country. This two-story non-profit museum is on the grounds of the former Central State Hospital, where doctors examined human brains in an autopsy room to learn about mental illness. Thankfully, the autopsy room — and the brains, preserved in glass jars — still exist to engage your synapses.

DETAILS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last tour starts at 3), Indiana Medical History Museum, 3045 Vermont St., (317) 635-7329, www.imhm.org.

— Amy Bartner

9. Sunday, Dec. 21

Eiteljorg Museum

Saddle up with Cowboy Santa, who will welcome guests to the museum’s Nina Mason Pulliam Education Center. Visitors of all ages can have their picture taken with Kris Kringle in front of a true-to-life stagecoach decked out for the holidays.

Kids can also enjoy hands-on activities, and leave wish lists in the Radio Disney Holiday Mailbag. One young letter-writer will win a holiday prize.

DETAILS: 1 to 4 p.m., Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., (317) 275-9378 or www.eiteljorg.org.

— T.J. Banes

10. Monday, Dec. 22

Indiana State Museum

Free day is made especially sweet by the museum’s popular “Chocolate: The Exhibit,” which runs through Jan. 4. (Make sure to visit the third-floor gift shop and pick up some Hoosier-made treats.)Meanwhile, Santa Claus will be on hand to warn kids of the dangers of Red Rider BB guns and the museum has erected a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments made by artisans from each of Indiana’s 92 counties. If that isn’t enough to wear you out, then pony up some extra cash for the IMAX version of “The Polar Express” and achieve maximum holiday sensory burnout.

DETAILS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., (317) 234-1022 or www.in.gov/ism.

— Neal Taflinger

11. Tuesday, Dec. 23

Select Indianapolis restaurants

Hooters: You go there for the wings (of course you do), and you stay for...the free dessert. The restaurant (25 W. Georgia St.) will be among several local eateries offering free desserts with the purchase of an entrée. Try the bread pudding at Claddagh, or the chocolate torte with roasted chestnuts at Dunaway’s Palazzo Ossigeno. Other participating restaurants: Hot Tuna at the Omni Severin; Champions at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown; SI Restaurant & Lounge; One South Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis; Santorini Greek Kitchen; Buca di Beppo (35 N. Illinois St.); RAM Restaurant & Brewery (140 S. Illinois St.); Palomino; McCormick & Schmick’s and Greek Island Restaurant.

— Amanda Kingsbury

12. Wednesday, Dec. 24

The Children’s Museum

Kids won’t need hats and mittens to enjoy this winter wonderland. “Sled” down the second floor to the first floor on the curved Yule Slide; make pretend holiday cookies in Cookie Café; and go ice fishing at the Fishing Shack. All the regular exhibits are open as well, including Dinosphere and Animation.

Santa will be on hand for a few hours, before heading off to the North Pole to pack his sleigh. Visitors are welcome to bring cameras.
DETAILS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Santa visits from 11 a.m. to 2p.m.), The Children’s Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St., (317) 334-3322 or !www.childrensmuseum.org.