Fall City Guide: 24 Hours in Muncie

To start things off, I need to let you know that I've lied. There's no way you can do all the things I'm about to share with you in 24 hours. There is a chance you could do these things in 48 hours though, so I'm not too far off.

MOVING ON.

October 24th is Family Weekend at Ball State University, so I got some help from Eventbrite to find events locally and I was inspired by their site to put together a fall city guide. You can also sell your events tickets online to help promote your own event. Let's do it!

Places to eat... (cause food is of most importance)
The Caffeinery
Coffee addict, old building lover, and people watcher? The Caffeinery is for you. Located downtown, they have a wide variety of beverage options, including a slow bar and tons of loose leaf teas. I'd vote for the Steve Albini if you're a latte fan.

Barn Brasserie
For lunch, this local restaurant, pronounced BRASS-er-Y, is the best spot for farm-to-table, American cuisine. There are lots of French influences in their dishes and everything is made from scratch. You won't regret trying their Hippie Ranch sauce. Check out their Facebook page for their revolving menu.

Thai Smile 2
For a complete cultural shift at dinner, Thai Smile offers traditional Thai dishes with a choose-your-spice-level option that's perfect for weenie's like me. They also offer sushi, which I've heard is pretty good too. I'm not a sushi girl so I can't say for certain. It's a local favorite, but they are only open for certain hours at lunch and dinner, so be sure to check their site to make sure they are open.

Pizza King
If you live in central Indiana, I'm sure you already know and love this place. Now, to be honest, this isn't a favorite of mine, but everyone else I know, lives and swears by the pizza at Pizza King. The favorite menu item is the Royal Feast, which is pepperoni, sausage, onions, green and red peppers, and mushrooms, on the traditional thin crust. I do enjoy their garlic and dill breadsticks with cheese sauce though!

Things to do...

Children's Fair
Bringing little ones along for Family Weekend? The BSU Student Center is hosting a fun morning of carnival games and inflatables. Their site has all the information!

Ball State vs. Central Michigan football game
Family weekend is centered around this game, so of course I had to include it. Cheer on the Cardinals as they take on Central Michigan. Call 888-BSU-TICKET or buy your ticket at the gate.

Charlie Town Tailgate
I've tailgated quite a bit and I consider it to be incredibly stressful. It's inevitable that I forget something super important like bowls for chili, charcoal for the grill, chairs - that's just a few of the things I've forgotten over the years. Make it easy on yourself by registering for the pre-game meal at the Alumni lot. More socializing, less stress.

Fall Tree Walk
Not a football fan? Join other nature lovers on a relaxing walk through Christy Woods. The changing fall leaves are sure to be beautiful. Contact BSU's Field Station and Environmental Education Center for more info.


Minnetrista
Visit the local farmers market and shop the in-season goodies. Sample jam, honey, and barbque and sip on warm cider from the Orchard shop. While you're there, take a stroll through the Indiana Artists Exhibit. There's sure to be a variety of styles and mediums; something for everyone to enjoy.

Halloween Astronomy
Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. Get in the spirit by visiting the Charles W. Brown Planetarium to learn about the astronomical holiday and what this year's Halloween sky will look like!

Where to stay...
Charles Over Mansion
This is for the lover of historic architecture, intricate wood workings, and traditional decor. Located in a historic neighborhood near downtown, you'll be surrounded by mature tree's and other large historic homes. $55/night gets you a private room in the mansion.

Pawnee Timeshare
This lovely, mid-century home is bright and airy, and a furry friend will great you at the door. For $50/night your private room is a perfect spot for resting during all that running around you've done all day. It's close to campus in a quite neighborhood that will make you feel like you're right at home.

McDowell Nearing Bed and Breakfast
If you're looking for a place that feels like your visiting an old friend, this bed and breakfast is the perfect spot. Each room is quaint and cozy, and you can enjoy breakfast around the table with other visitors. The location is perfect for campus visitors who want a quiet place to go at the end of the day.

Where to shop...
Dandelion's Flower's and Gifts
Perfect for finding unique, little treasures. From ceramics to soaps to cards, this shop has special things you won't find in box stores.

Hayloft Boutique
The perfect boutique to spend some quality girl time, while browsing affordable, trendy fashions.

Refresh
If you're looking for unique and repurposed furniture, Refreshed has you covered. A wide variety of painted and refurbished furnishings are available, as well as a large selection of chalk paints to give your own furniture a new look. You can also sign up to take a class if you're a newbie to chalk paints.


Thanks so much to Eventbrite for inspiring this post! If you're visiting Muncie for Family Weekend, I hope you check out some of these things. And if you reside in or frequently visit Muncie, share your favorite local spots in the comments!