Mayberry in the Midwest Returns to Danville, Indiana May 20-22, 2016

Barney Fife at Mayberry in the Midwest 2014

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

This year marks the third year of Mayberry in the Midwest in Danville, Indiana. We had the pleasure of visiting Danville during Mayberry in the Midwest's inaugural year and had a fabulous time. Who doesn't wish for a little visit to Mayberry from time to time? We enjoyed character visits, watching The Andy Griffith Show on the big screen in the historic Royal Theater, checking out the tractor show and squad cars, throwing our daughter into the "paddy wagon" by the Hendricks County Historical Museum, eating bison burgers from a local vendor and sitting down to a full meal at the delectable Mayberry Cafe. Really one of those warm and fuzzy family days that we won't forget!

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Last Bites about Indiana's Hendricks and Morgan Counties and our Launch Point in Plainfield

A sculpture in Danville.

**Disclosure: Thank you to Hendricks County for sponsoring our trip. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% our own.

We hope that everyone enjoyed our series uncovering Hendricks and Morgan Counties in Indiana. We had an amazing time, found many treasures, met wonderful people and---gasp---relaxed! For those following us from the Chicagoland area, the drive to the Hendricks County area is about 3.5-4 hours. This makes the area ideally located for a long weekend getaway. Both counties are close to Indianapolis. If you are already heading to Indy, you can easily make a stop at one or two of the places we visited!

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Unfolding History at the Hendricks County Historical Museum

While enjoying the Mayberry in the Midwest Festival, we were able to duck into the Hendricks County Historical Museum in Danville, Indiana for a peak. My daughter and I both are total history buffs, so a stop at the museum was a must. What I was not expecting was the amazingly large collection of artifacts in the museum and the jail--yes, the jail--in the basement!

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Zydeco's: A Touch of Louisiana in Small Town Indiana

**Disclosure: We did receive a complimentary meal in order to facilitate this review. Thank you to the Hendricks County Visitors Bureau for sponsoring our trip to Hendricks and Morgan Counties. No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

While planning our trip to Hendricks and Morgan Counties in Indiana, we certainly did not expect to find a splash of Cajun spice never mind a restaurant with a fully Cajun menu. Much to our surprise {and to the joy of our tastebuds}, we found great Cajun cooking inside of a charming, ivy-covered brick building in downtown Mooresville. The flavor and spirit of New Orleans is magically threaded throughout the restaurant and the food is the real deal, allowing patrons to truly experience a bit of Mardi Gras!

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Meeting Makers in Martinsville, Indiana: Martinsville Candy Kitchen and Homestead Primitives

**Disclosure: Thank you to Pam and John Badger and Ann Lankford for showing us some of the treasures of Martinsville! Thank you to the Hendricks County Visitors Bureau for sponsoring our trip to Hendricks and Morgan Counties. No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.


Side trip: Martinsville, Indiana:

Our journey through Morgan and Hendricks Counties in Indiana took us to the delightful small town of Martinsville. The lovely old brick buildings with edifices telling the stories of old America will invite you to explore in search of hidden treasures. Across the street from the town's prominent court house, we found two discoveries worthy of a side trip to any vacation in the area. We were thrilled to experience the real flavor of the creativity of the area by meeting the makers behind the sweet treats at the Martinsville Candy Kitchen as well as the intricately hand painted gourds of Ann Lankford.

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Perillo's: A Pizzeria Welcoming Families and Breathing Life into a Town

**Disclosure: Thank you to Hendricks County for sponsoring our trip. Thank you to Perillo's for taking some time to meet with us. We received a complimentary meal in order to conduct a review No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% our own.

During our trip to Hendricks County, Indiana, Perillo's reputation for great food really stood out. Everyone we talked to before our lunchtime visit could not have given more glowing reviews. How often do you see eyes light up all around you when discussing the same restaurant? We knew that Perillo's would be a special place--and it definitely was.

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McCloud Nature Park: A Natural Gem in Hendricks County, Indiana

**Thank you to Joe Reagin for a wonderful tour! Thank you to Hendricks County for sponsoring our visit. Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.**

On every vacation, we love to spend some time enjoying peace, tranquility and natural beauty. We found McCloud Nature Park to be an ideal spot for a nice hike while discovering the treasures of the great outdoors. We started our visit at the Nature Center which houses a number of interactive exhibits to help visitors learn about the wildlife in the area. My daughter could not resist the hands-on learning!

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Be Amazed and Learn about Art at Hot Blown Glass in Hendricks County, Indiana

**Thank you to Lisa Pelo for a wonderful introduction to Hot Blown Glass. Thank you to Hendricks County for sponsoring our visit. Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.**

Reflecting upon our recent visit to Hendricks and Morgan Counties, we realized that the trip delivered the complete package for us. We were able to tap into the uniqueness of this region of Indiana and experience its natural beauty, creativity and welcoming spirit. One of the earliest stops on our trip provided us with a wonderful morning exploring the artistic talent that is threaded throughout the region. Our morning also marked a first for us--a visit to a glassblowing studio!

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