We have to be in Indianapolis and SF in October with about a 2 weeks between the events. Any suggestions on great things to do or see near either place (or in between)? Thanks! We don’t feel it worthwhile to come back to HI and make an additional trip, as it’s just more tiring adjusting to time zones.
I know this may sound crazy but Indianapolis has the worlds largest Children’s museum. It is awesome (although there are definitely lots of children). When I used to live there a friend of mine and myself used to go as two adults. Five stories of fun and interactive exhibits.
The Air Force Museum is in Dayton OH. A couple hours away but a really impressive collection.
I’ve always loved children’s museums and can see H and myself touring this place. Thanks for the recommendation. Any others?
Do you like tall buildings? Salesforce has the tallest buildings in each of those cities. (I know this random bit of information because a family member will be working at the one in Indianapolis starting this summer.)
Nah, buildings aren’t all that impressive to me. I’m more into national parks and wildlife that buildings.
There’s an awesome free music festival in Golden Gate Park, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, in early October. You’ve got to like big crowds though.
Plenty of hiking trails in the area around San Francisco.
The town of New Harmony is worth a visit. It is about 2-3 hours south of Indianapolis and has numerous historic structures and parks. It was home to several utopian communities and has a labryinth. There is also a area nearby that has bald cypress trees, which normally would not seen in Indiana.
Modern architecture? Columbus Indiana is about an hour south of Indy and has more notable buildings per capita than anywhere else in the US. I M Pei, two building each by both Saarinens, Henry Moore, etc. Generally walkable.
Fascinating info–thanks!
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Yes, we’re pretty familiar with SF, as we have visited that area many, many times over the years, but thanks.
Yosemite is a few hours away from SF. I used to live in Alaska, and Yosemite is the only place I’ve been since I left Alaska that I was truly blown away by.
Yes, we do love Yosemite. That’s another fr at suggestion.
Fleet week is Oct 2-9 in SF
lots of things to see and do including the spectacular air show featuring the Blue Angels!!
H would love that. Sadly we will be elsewhere that week. 
Luckily they sometimes perform over our skies too, but likely a much shorter performance.
Indy - we used to take the kids to the Children’s Museum and out to visit the Speedway (I have boys). Personally, I could take a pass on the bus ride along the race track, but they loved it! The Children’s Museum is fabulous as mentioned above - I met a librarian friend there a couple years ago when she had a conference. Still enjoyed it as an adult. We’ve done the Columbus, In. tours also and enjoyed. There are organized bus tours or do it yourself.
Downtown Indy is surprisingly attractive with a nice river walk. I was snowbound in the city a couple years ago - all roads out blocked and everything closed - except the Indiana State Museum which was open only because they had a conference of out-of-towners already booked and in place. I spent at least 3 hours at the museum and found it very impressive. The Indianapolis Art Museum is also quite good along with Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens. Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art l have found disappointing.
The Air Force Museum in Dayton is spectacular if you are up for a drive. We typically spend an entire day and recently delayed our return home to spend an extra day. A real history of aviation along with many of the iconic planes and equipment - Air Force 1, missile silos, U-2 Spy Plane, etc, etc. I never would have guessed that I would find the museum and topic so fascinating, but as a history buff and remembering the TV footage of VietNam, etc seeing all this “live” was remarkable. We’ve taken the specialized tours and walked through ourselves - both approaches recommended.
Of course, if Indy doesn’t offer enough, you could drive up to Chicago.
Thanks–so much food for thought!
If you haven’t done the Alcatraz tour before, I highly recommend it. I live nearby and have gone at least 4 times myself over the years. Fall is usually a great time of year for it, since it’s typically so much warmer than in the summer.
I also love to take visitors who are up for a little workout to the stairs that go up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower (also a nice destination, especially if you like WPA art). The documentary about the parrots of Telegraph Hill is nice to watch before doing the stair walk.
Another nice walk/hike is from Lands End to the former Sutro Baths location/the Cliff House. It’s really cool to see the Golden Gate Bridge from the “other” side.
Hope you enjoy your time in SF!