Locals Recommend Unique Things to Do in Indianapolis

There are a great deal of good reasons to go to Indianapolis. The largest town in Indiana gives the gains of living in a significant metropolis when keeping a tiny tiny-city charm. Many exclusive actions allow newcomers to immerse by themselves in their new metropolis. So whether or not you just acquired a house in Broad Ripple or are wondering of renting an condominium in Carmel, you are guaranteed to obtain a thing entertaining and exciting to do. 

To assist you get commenced, we requested locals to share some of their preferred, exceptional items to do in Indianapolis – look at out what they had to say and start off exploring Indy.

unique things to do in indianapolis

Take a stroll together the Indianapolis Canal Walk

If you take pleasure in the outside and are looking for a breath of contemporary air in the downtown space, you need to examine out the Indianapolis Canal Walk. This three-mile loop is common between health fans and individuals searching to get outdoors and delight in a scenic see.

“One of our favorite items to do in Indianapolis is to walk our canine together the Indianapolis Canal Walk,” states Indy nearby Victoria Rayburn. “This lovely, a few-mile route together the canal—which is constantly entire of joggers, walkers, and paddle boats—takes you by means of much of the town and most of the museum district. The Canal Stroll is a fantastic area to stretch your legs and see Indy. Additionally, you can pop up the stairs pretty much anywhere along the path to locate excellent food items and drinks.”

Rayburn included that the Canal Wander performed a function in her decision to relocate to Indy. “After paying out a weekend in Indy, my husband and I made the decision to go to the city for the reason that we beloved the idea of becoming able to stroll together the Indianapolis Canal Walk anytime we needed. Locals and site visitors require to check out out this facet of the city.”

unique things to do at newfields indianapolis

Immerse oneself in artwork and mother nature at Newfields

Regardless of whether you are a supporter of the arts, a record buff, or adore the outside, there’s some thing for you at Newfields. In addition to fascinating exhibits, Newfields is also residence to The Beer Back garden, exactly where you can enjoy nearby and worldwide beer and wine, and a cafe (aptly named The Cafe) exactly where you can get a speedy chunk to consume.

“One of my preferred issues to do in Indianapolis is to devote an afternoon at Newfields,” suggests Alison Mae, an Indianapolis area. “Enjoy masterpieces at The Indianapolis Museum of Art, stroll via the lovely gardens, or tour the historic Lilly House. For a far more laid-back working day, investigate the trails and sculptures of Fairbanks Park, the place artwork and mother nature collide. There is one thing for everyone at Newfields.”

Have a spooky great time with Historic Indiana Ghost Walks & Excursions

For one particular of the distinctive factors to do in Indianapolis, check out the Historic Indiana Ghost Walks & Tours. This is the perfect activity for newcomers in Indy who also take place to be paranormal enthusiasts. The excursions supply a spooky way to get to know your new city.

“Nothing is greater than when customers capture a thing during the tour in the course of their fingers-on working experience,” states Nicole Kombrowski of Unseenpress.com, Inc. “They get to examine new locations and the mysterious and unsure mother nature of the paranormal. Our tour guides are correct believers and authorities in local record and haunts. Prospects occur for the record and remain for the ghosts. Guests love soaking in the nearby tradition and obtaining the items that go bump in the night.

Expend the working day at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

When going to a new city, it’s also crucial to locate something enjoyable and instructional for the children to do. A take a look at to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in the Historic Meridian Park neighborhood checks the two boxes. The museum gives indoor and outside displays ranging from science and art to Scooby-Doo and Barbie.

“The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a single of my favourite sections of dwelling in Indy,” says Indianapolis neighborhood Kelsee B Hankins. “Not only is it the world’s greatest children’s museum, but they are also amazingly open up and giving to the neighborhood. They give evening situations for households and some adult-only evening events for the major little ones who love to check out the museum with no kids. It is a area ideal for making the most of with going to close friends or loved ones, or just to appreciate a day of exciting no subject how previous you are.”

David McWhirter of Coda Studios Images also recommends the museum. “The Indianapolis Children’s Museum is the most significant museum of its variety in the earth, and it has something for little ones (and grownups) of all ages,” he suggests. “With a wide variety of traveling and long lasting exhibits, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum features every little thing from hands-on learning experiences to exceptional artifacts. In addition to historical displays, the museum attributes a large out of doors sports-centric place and even hosts an annual haunted house for Halloween.”

Have an epic encounter at Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park

For these trying to get an adrenaline rush, the Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park is the place to go for some coronary heart-racing pleasurable. Located on the east shore of Eagle Creek in west Indianapolis, they offer many courses and other things to do like ax throwing.

“Go Ape is a fantastic zipline experience in Indianapolis,” claims Leah Severson, an Indy nearby. “The course will take you 40 toes into the wonderful forest of Eagle Creek Park, just one of the city’s major parks. The Go Ape zipline program takes two to a few hrs, and you have to be at the very least 10 a long time aged to take part. It’s a excellent family enjoyable action in the town.”

cows grazing on a farm

Choose a working day excursion the the WonderTree Farm

Positioned just outside the house the city, checking out WonderTree Farm is one particular of lots of special factors to do in Indianapolis. Absent from the hustle and bustle of downtown Indy, this farm is the fantastic spot for a rural working day trip.

“WonderTree Farm is a terrific location to stop by when you have a no cost Saturday,” says Kristeen Waddell of KristeenMarie Pictures. “The local farm in Zionsville (just north of Indianapolis) has all types of animals, and you can freely roam the farm to pet and feed them. All the animals are tremendous-welcoming and do nicely with even compact kids. They demand $10 for each vehicle to park, but you will receive a $10 voucher that can be used to invest in neighborhood grass-fed meat, eggs, feed to feed the animals or delectable baked merchandise. The farm is not open every single Saturday, so test the WonderTree website’s program.

Capture a race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

One particular of Indianapolis’ most important promises to fame is that it is the dwelling of the most notable race in motorsports: the Indianapolis 500. It is a excellent position to catch a race, and you can also tour the historic racing complicated, which includes a museum.

“Visiting Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a favorite of mine,” claims Amanda Cranfield of Earth of Speculate Vacation. “There are additional than 100 yrs of racing background in the museum, and you can increase to your knowledge by having a experience all around the keep track of. If you have never found IMS in man or woman, you cannot certainly grasp the sizing of that 2.5-mile monitor. Kissing the bricks on the bus tour is an added bonus.”

Seize a chunk to try to eat at The Eagles Nest

For a wonderful meal and picturesque sights of the city, glimpse no more than The Eagles Nest, a cafe situated just north of Lucas Oil Stadium. “

A one of a kind exercise in Indianapolis that I love undertaking is going to The Eagles Nest for supper,” states Jasmine Norris. “The Eagles Nest is the only revolving restaurant in Indianapolis and presents 360-diploma views of the metropolis. Their foods is also to-die-for, and they use neighborhood ingredients. I very advise having the baked brie as the appetizer.”

indiana peony festival

Examine out the Indiana Peony Festival at Seminary Park

Each May possibly, Seminary Park in close by Noblesville, IN, hosts the Indiana Peony Pageant. Peonies have been in the region since the 1800s and the initial competition occurred in 2021. In addition to the Peony Festival, the park hosts live shows, weddings, and local community events.

A person function that we like is the Indiana Peony Festival, which Kelly and Lindsey McVey established, claims Stephanie Groves of Indy Maven. “The peony is Indiana’s point out flower, and at this community festival in May perhaps, you will obtain hundreds of magnificent peony plants, flower growers sharing their knowledge, and a good deal of pleasurable functions for young children.”

Discover the Indianapolis Cultural Path

This eight-mile-lengthy urban trail opened in 2013 and features a bicycle and pedestrian route in downtown Indianapolis. The town constructed the path as a way to highlight its cultural property. Attractions positioned along the route involve the Town Sector and the Hilbert Circle Theatre. There’s no scarcity of distinctive factors to do and see along this Indianapolis path.

The Indianapolis Cultural Path is a environment-course urban trail and linear park that spans eight miles (quickly to be 10) and five acres through downtown Indianapolis,” says Autumn Monaghan. “Experience free family members-helpful events such as reside new music, yoga, audio baths, and extra in a single of the areas that intersect the Cultural Path: the Downtown Canal, Lugar Plaza, and Georgia Street. Indianapolis Cultural Path, Inc. operates the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare, with 50 stations and 525 bikes spanning from Wide Ripple to Garfield Park. Adaptive bike rentals are out there by reservation.”

Devote an afternoon at the Indianapolis City Market

There are countless one of a kind matters to do and see at the Indianapolis City Sector. “The market’s heritage is as wealthy as the guarantee of its long run,” states Amy Crook. “When it opened in 1886, the industry ushered in a new custom: an open up place for the sale of meats and deliver, The Original Accumulating Position, if you will.”

Crook adds, “The Indianapolis City Market is detailed in the Nationwide Sign-up of Historic Spots and is a lively downtown celebration location. These days, the Metropolis Industry provides patrons an experience that brings together the best of both yesterday and nowadays with a wide variety of eateries, stores, coffee, a barber shop, and an all-Indiana craft beer bar. The Market place characteristics bocce ball courts, corn gap, and sufficient out of doors seating to enjoy and love dwell tunes on occasion.”