Victorian Holiday Open House

The James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home is opening its doors for its annual Victorian Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 5, from 10 AM to 4 PM. The museum is the preserved former residence of the poet, and for this one day, the whole place is decorated for the season.

The main draw is a free walk-through tour of the entire home. You can wander through the rooms at your own pace, and while you're at it, you can snap holiday photos. Throughout the house, carols play on the home's 1908 Apollo player piano, which adds a nice bit of period sound to the walk. It's a family-friendly day, so it works just as well with kids in tow as it does on your own.

Over at the Billie Lou Wood Visitor Center, there's a bit more going on. You can meet Santa Claus, take part in kids' activities, and grab a winter beverage. And for the fourth year running, the museum is hosting a small winter market in the visitor center's lower level, where artisan vendors set up shop. It's a good spot to pick up a few handmade gifts while you're already there.

The tour is free, though the museum asks for complimentary tickets in advance. The open house runs from 10 AM to 4 PM at 528 Lockerbie St in Indianapolis.