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There’s nothing quite like watching fireworks bursting in air around the Fourth of July.  It wouldn’t be Independence Day in Indy without seeing the downtown skyline light up; but that’s not the only place you can catch a show that night.  Here’s a look at the top 6 places where you can see fireworks displays in the Indianapolis area on the Fourth of July!

IPL Downtown Freedom Fest

6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Indiana War Memorial Grounds | FREE

Enjoy live entertainment from the Indianapolis Colts Stage, family fun in the Royal Pin Leisure Centers Kids Area, support local small businesses in the Indiana Originals Marketplace, and get a great view of the Downtown fireworks display launched from Regions Tower around 10 PM!  Tune your radio to B105.7, 97.1 HANK FM, or 93.1 WIBC for the official fireworks soundtrack.  #FreedomFestIndy

Blast on the Bridge

6:00 PM – 10:45 PM | Fall Creek Bridge, Fishers IN | FREE

Experience a spectacular view of fireworks over Geist Reservoir.  Find a spot to watch on the bridge or toss your anchor and relax on your boat for the show.  Attendees can bring their own food and beverages (alcohol included) on the bridge.  Fireworks will begin at approximately 10:00 – 10:15 PM and will be done by 10:45 PM.

CarmelFest Fireworks Celebration

9:45 PM | Civic Square, Carmel IN | FREE

A dazzling array of Fireworks will hit the skies at 9:45 PM on Wednesday, July 4th.  WHJE 91.3 will synchronize the fireworks show to music. The Fireworks will launch from an area north of the Palladium and the eastside of the Monon.  Fireworks will be held rain or shine, unless there is severe weather. #CarmelFest

Lawrence 4th Fest

10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Lawrence Community Park | FREE

This festival runs from June 28th until July 7th, with carnival rides available daily and local vendors and live music available Friday through Monday.  The parade starts at 10 AM, and the fish fry and car show will take place at the conclusion of the parade to begin the celebrations.  The fireworks will conclude the day-long festivities at 10 PM.

Noblesville Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Festival

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Noblesville High School | FREE

The Noblesville Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Festival takes place at Noblesville High School on Wednesday.  A variety of games and activities are free and available to all! Food and beverages are available for sale. Live music takes the stage starting at 7:00 PM and the firework show starts at 10:00 PM.

Westfield Rocks the 4th

4:00 PM – 10:30 PM | Grand Park, Westfield IN | FREE

Come out to Westfield Rocks the 4th and experience fun for the whole family!  Check out over 20 food and retail vendors, face painting, bounce houses, balloon artists, live music, a hot dog eating competition, a car show, fireworks, and more!  Fireworks will begin at 10 PM.

Nothing ruins a trip faster than being pick pocketed, scammed, or having a card number stolen. Whether fumbling through guidebooks or gawking at new sights, tourists are often unaware of their surroundings, making them easy prey for thieves.

Don’t be an easy target. Here are some smart tips for how to protect your money when you travel.

Use Credit and Limit Cash

The general rule is to bring enough cash to cover your expenses for the first 24 hours of the trip or until you can find an ATM. By using cash, you can more easily adhere to a specific budget since it forces you to spend within a certain range.

The downside is that cash isn’t replaceable – if you lose your wallet or get robbed, you could lose all of your vacation funds if you only use cash. However, most credit cards have zero-liability policies, meaning you won’t have to pay anything for unauthorized charges if your card is lost or stolen. So you’ll want to use a credit card for your major purchases (like hotels, car rentals, etc), but keep cash on hand for smaller sales at local businesses. Just make sure to bring the contact information for each of your credit cards with you on the trip so you can alert the credit card company should your card get lost or stolen.

Overall, it’s best to bring some cash with you on your trip, but just don’t carry too much on you at a time. At the ATM, only take out the cash you may need for that day and plan on visiting the ATM everyday. And always take at least two credit cards with you, one as your primary card and one as a backup, and never keep them both in the same place.

Tell Bank and Credit Card Companies about Travel Plans

There is nothing more frustrating than carefully choosing a souvenir or gift only to have your credit card declined because your bank doesn’t know you’re out of state. Be sure to alert your bank and credit card companies of your upcoming travel plans. If you don’t, they may think a thief (not you) is making all those vacation purchases and will shut down your credit or ATM card. If you contact them in advance, they’ll change the settings on your account so that new charges in your destination area don’t trigger an identity theft decline.

Choose ATMs Wisely

Try to use ATMs inside banks, hotels, or airports rather than stand-alone machines. Watch out for sketchy ATMs and be sure the cash machine is legit before inserting your card. There are fake cash machines in tourist areas, and thieves will tamper with real ATMs to steal your card’s information. Visa and MasterCard have ATM locators on their sites so you can find trusted locations in your destination area.

Trim Your Wallet

Don’t take a big, thick wallet with you – you won’t need the vast majority of those cards or other items. Before you leave, take the time to go through your wallet and take out everything except the necessities (a universal credit card and a backup, an ATM/debit card, an identification card, etc.). Not only will it help you travel lighter, but if your wallet does get lost or stolen, you’ll have less to replace.

Make sure to remove any card with your Social Security number. For health insurance cards, make a copy of the card and remove the last four digits of your Social Security number. Bring the photocopy with you on your trip and leave the original card at home.

Divide Your Money

Whenever possible, divvy up your travel cash and even credit cards into multiple safe spots – never carry all of it in your wallet. If you’ve got all your money in one place, it only takes one time for a thief to completely wipe you out. Instead, break it up and hide various amounts of it in different spots to reduce the impact of theft. You can even wear clothing with multiple pockets and spread your stuff out among the pockets. If you have a travel partner, divide it between yourselves and carry it in multiple areas on your body.

Additionally, never leave cash or credit cards lying around your hotel room. Theft doesn’t only occur outside the hotel – hotel staff have access to your room, and if your room door is accidentally left unlocked, other hotel guests can enter and steal your belongings.

Protect Your Devices With Passwords

Losing or having your phone or laptop stolen can give someone access to your financial apps and other personal information. A thief might pull up your bank account or credit card information and make fraudulent purchases. To ensure your safety, password-protect each device to keep your information safe, and program devices to auto-lock after one or two minutes of inactivity.

Be smart on vacation: the way you handle your money will either increase or decrease your risk of theft. As long as you are careful while traveling, take a few steps before you go, and stay aware of your surroundings, you will be fine and able to enjoy your travels.

How do you keep your money safe when you travel? Let us know in the comments!

Beautiful beaches, woodsy mountains, national parks, and big cities – no matter what you’re looking for in a summer vacation spot, you’re likely to find it somewhere in the United States.  As the weather begins to heat up, it’s about time to start planning your perfect summer getaway!

So pack your bags and hit the road to visit one of these great American summer vacation destinations!

#1. Grand Canyon

To experience some of the most inspiring views America has to offer, plan a trip to the Grand Canyon!  Measuring approximately 277 miles in length, up to 18 miles in width, and a mile deep, this massive chasm in northern Arizona is a breathtaking natural wonder. Whether you choose to hike the Bright Angel Trail or raft the Colorado River, you’re sure to feel small against the towering rock formations and picturesque vistas.

#2. San Francisco

With colorful neighborhoods and beautiful views, San Francisco draws those free-spirited types who have an eye for edgy art, a taste for imaginative cuisine, and a zeal for adventure. Here, you’ll discover a patchwork of culture flourishing throughout San Francisco’s many vibrant quarters. The city boasts jaw-dropping sights, world-class cuisine, cozy cafes, and plenty of nightlife venues.

#3. Yellowstone

With steaming geysers, multicolored pools, bubbling hot springs, and hiking trails that stretch for miles, there’s plenty to excite nature lovers in this national park. Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres creep from the northwest corner of Wyoming into the edges of Idaho and Montana, offering plenty of untouched territory to explore.

#4. New York City

Museum-strolling, theater-going, bar-hopping – the sheer number of things to do in the Big Apple puts most of its U.S. peers to shame. As the most populous city in the U.S., NYC requires stamina. Follow trendsetters to the East Village and Brooklyn to check out indie boutiques, bakeries, and trendy coffee shops. Or stop by to admire the cutting-edge art collections at the MoMa and the Met, catch a memorable show on Broadway, or peruse the racks of the high-fashion shops lining Fifth Avenue. There are virtually endless opportunities in the city that never sleeps!

#5. Charleston

Beautiful architecture, relaxing beaches, and plenty of Southern charm are the defining elements of Charleston. As you walk the gas lamp-lit streets at night, past horse-drawn carriages and the antebellum architecture, you might think you’ve traveled back in time! History flows through almost every aspect of the city, from the majestic homes-turned-museums to the landmarks that promote the city’s role in United States history.  Plus, Charleston also offers mouthwatering Southern cuisine.

#6. Cape Cod

While the Cape’s shoreline entices many visitors, the main draw here is the sense of tradition and laid-back atmosphere. Quaint bed-and-breakfasts wrap around rugged sand dunes, scenic bike trails snake along forests, and the seemingly endless seashore is punctuated by bright kayaks and fishing boats. Life moves at a slower pace here, but that’s part of the charm. If you’re looking for a relaxing and quiet vacation with low-key vibes, this is the perfect destination for you!

#7. New Orleans

A melting pot of influences ranging from Caribbean to European, New Orleans has a distinct personality. The city is known for its European-style architecture, mouth-watering Creole cuisine, and all-around mysticism. With jazz, blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and Zydeco music flowing through every street, here you’ll find a party year-round. This vibrant city welcomes visitors with all the gumbo, jazz, and partying they can handle!

First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22nd in which various events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.  It has now expanded to more than 193 countries, coordinated globally by the nonprofit Earth Day Network.  Don’t miss your chance to attend one of these Earth Day events around Indiana!

Franklin Street Earth Day Bazaar

Date: Apr. 22, 2017, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm | Location: West Branch Library, 2000 W. Franklin St, Evansville, IN

Come celebrate with Earth Day Yoga, live Bluegrass music, art activities, food trucks, environmental demonstrations, and a variety of vendors! http://44news.wevv.com/community-celebrate-earth-day-franklin-street-bazaar/

Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration

Date: Apr. 22, 2017, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm | Location: Porter County Fairgrounds, 217 E. Division Rd, Valparaiso, IN

Experience collection events, DIY activities, secure shredding, live animal shows, and more! https://visitindiana.com/events/28087-northwest-indiana-earth-day-celebration

2017 Earth Day Indiana Festival

Date: Apr. 22, 2017, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | Location: Historic Military Park, 601 W. New York St, Indianapolis, IN

This event highlights over 125 environmental nonprofits, companies, and groups.  Check out the local food vendors, kid’s activities, environmental exhibitors, live music, 5K run/walk, and beer garden! http://www.earthdayindiana.org/

Earth Day Fort Wayne

Date: Apr. 30, 2017, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Location: Eagle Marsh, 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne, IN

Join the Little River Wetlands Project for this free, family-friendly community event.  You’ll enjoy conservation-oriented learning activities and presentations, wetland education stations, stewardship opportunities, a farmers market, and food trucks! http://www.omirivers.org/portal/event/earth-day-fort-wayne-at-eagle-marsh/

Help support sustainability and environmental protection – find an Earth Day event in your area!