Walk Bike Or Run The Indianapolis Cultural Trail
The 8-mile $63 million Cultural Trail in downtown Indianapolis connects the citys Cultural Districts. Its a great way to explore the city. As a bonus, its flanked with $26 million in public art. Or just take a stroll along the 3-mile Canal Walk in downtown Indy where you may spot pedal boats and Venetian-style gondolas as they glide along on the water. This is a great way to get outdoors and breathe in the fresh air.
TravelingMom Tip: Download this file for a self-guided walking tour before you go.
How To Save Money On Indianapolis Zoo Admission
Save money by planning ahead and purchasing your tickets in advance from the Indianapolis Zoo website. Prices online are cheaper than at the gate.
If you plan on purchasing tickets for rides like the Skyline gondola-style ride and animal feedings, the best value is to add on the Total Adventure Package, or TAP.
TAP is all-inclusive with unlimited rides and giraffe and bird feeds available from mid-spring through early fall.
Your admission includes full access to all exhibits at the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens including keepers chats, demonstrations, and presentations.
White River State Park, 700 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN
This is a great stop if you have family members who are big fans of college sports.
Plan for around 90 minutes to explore two floors of exhibits at The NCAA Hall of Champions.
The first level has current team rankings, video highlights, and trivia challenges.
On the second floor, there are lots of interactive exhibits and hands-on sports simulators including a ski simulator.
Basketball fans of all ages will enjoy shooting hoops in a 1930s retro gymnasium.
This museum is especially inspiring and encouraging for student-athletes with dreams of playing sports in college.
Best Fun Free Things To Do In Indianapolis
If you havent visited Indianapolis for a while, you might not recognize the city. Downtown Indianapolis has been remade with terrific parks, gardens and museums, many of which offer free admission. Check out this list for 12 of the fun and free things to do in Indy.
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Once a sleepy capital town, Indianapolis is now a vibrant city with a beautiful downtown. It offers world-class attractions like the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Yet, its still affordable for families, particularly when you factor in all the free things to do in Indianapolis.
Just a few of the top things to do in Indianapolis include the Indianapolis Zoo, which boasts the incredible International Orangutan Center, free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year. Also free on MLK Day are the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and the Indiana State Museum. Here are 12 more of the fun free things that we recommend for your next visit.
Join our NEW .We promise to always tell you what we would tell our best friend — what works for kids, what doesnt and what you need to know before you go to have the Best. Family. Vacation. Ever. Our group of travel experts are ready to answer your travel questions!
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Trip Planning Details For An Indy Getaway
Summer, moderately warm and often humid, is the high season for visitors. Youll find bargain lodging on Airbnb, all around town, and Broad Ripple is a great neighborhood for families. The very convenient Downtown Indianapolis has a plethora of hotels, including all the major chains. Couples will find the high-style Le Meridien Indianapolis a convenient and comfortable choice, with 100 compact rooms. Another top pick is the Conrad Indianapolis, which offers 241 guest rooms, all with upscale amenities, loaners cribs and high chairs, a fitness center, indoor pool, spa, and sauna. On weekends, the rates really fall at convention center hotels downtown.
For another central hotel option, try the Downtown Indianapolis Hilton . Large family sized rooms are available with a separate bedroom for Mom and Dad, a pull out couch, and two bathrooms. A swimming pool and fitness center is on site. For kids, childrens menus, playpens, cribs, high chairs, and family packages are available. For added convenience, the Hilton is within walking distance to the Capitol building, Indianas charming canals, downtown area, kid-friendly activities, and museums.
Now that youre officially a Hoosier, see more low-cost and no-cost ideas on Indianapolis, visit Indianapolis Tourism for more information.
Eiteljorg Museum Of American Indians And Western Art
Source: flickr
What a fantastic museum for the whole family to enjoy! At this hands on venue, you can all experience the excitement of escaping to the West your kids can dress in authentic costume, hop into a stagecoach and pretend play in the General Store while learning all about how life once was. As well as the recreational part, the museum has an outstanding collection of Native American art and history together with a fabulous gift shop selling fascinating, attractive handcrafted tools, purses and clothing.
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The Riley Childrens Health Sports Legends Experience
You get two incredible experiences at one location. The Riley Childrens Health Sports Legends Experience is located at the Indianapolis Childrens Museum.
The complex is a sports lovers dream and fun for all athletic levels and ages.
Make sure that your kids wear close-toed shoes so that they can enjoy all of the areas for play.
Kids and adults will be inspired to get moving and engage in 12 outdoor sports experiences and 3 indoor experiences located on 7.5 acres.
If you are visiting the Childrens Museum of Indianapolis for the first time, make sure that you allow for a few hours to spend at the Riley Childrens Health Sports Legends Experience.
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Benjamin Harrison, who was elected President of the United States in 1888, died in Indianapolis in 1901. His house at 1230 North Delaware Street, with its original Victorian furniture, is open to the public. Benjamin Harrison’s sixteen room Italianate Victorian house, built in 1874-75, figured prominently in his campaign for the presidency.
Visitors can learn about Harrison’s skills as a lawyer, the cases he took before the U. S. Supreme Court, his reputation as a military leader of men, his conservation efforts, his expertise in foreign affairs and his expansion of the U. S. Navy.
This home of the 23rd President of the United States is also full of Harrison’s personal items. The home also hosts several special events throughout the year including a President’s Day celebration.
Address: 1230 N. Delaware Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Lockerbie Square Historic District Indianapolis Indiana
Noted for its beautifully preserved Italianate and Queen Anne style architecture, the Lockerbie Square Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of Indianapolis most famous historic regions. The Lockerbie Square Peoples Club manages the district, and they promote and inspire interest in the revitalization of the area.
Visitors can enjoy walking tours of the area, which include exploring twenty-five historic residences constructed between 1855 and 1930, as well as a few newer ones like the North Vermont Street Home. One of the famous buildings in the district is the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home, which was home to the famous poet for over 23 years and features a collection of elegant Victorian furnishings and architecture.
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The Learning Curve At Central Library
From story times to art programs, and even an area for teens only, the Learning Curve offers a unique blend of digital and traditional library materials and programming for youth ages 0-18. The interactive activities are aligned with academic standards and incorporate a variety of technologies to ensure a dynamic, hands-on learning experience.
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Best Things To Do In Indianapolis This Weekend
Indianapolis is the state capital of Indiana and plays host to the world-renowned Indy 500 motor race each May. Aside from big events and speeding race cars, Indy is blessed with plenty of green space, glistening waterways and remarkable memorials, making for a charmingly picturesque city. The city offers the truly an amazing Indianapolis Museum of Art. If youre traveling with kids in tow, youll definitely want to spend a few hours at the Childrens Museum of Indianapolis. The zoo, which is inside the verdurous White River State Park, is an extra good pick for families, as is a stroll along the Central Canal.
Indianapolis is an amazing vacation spot and if you are figuring out what to do on weekends then pack your bags and enjoy these ultimate things to do in Indianapolis:
Treasures Of The Earth
Treasures of the Earth turns your kids into Indiana Jones sidekick material. From a bumpy elevator ride to an archaeological dig, kids are put into the roles of adventurer and archaeologist and given mysteries to solve.
All ages will enjoy putting together the mummy sarcophagus and checking out the working archaeology lab.
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Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Located in the charming hamlet of Santa Claus in southern Indiana, this theme park/water park combo offers families a great getaway with all sorts of perks. Did you ever think a theme park would give away soft drinks? And not charge for parking? Use of inner tubes in the water park is freeand so is sunscreen! No wonder Consumers Digest magazine has repeatedly named Holiday World and Splashin Safari the Nations Top Value Park! And USA Today named Splashin Safari the best water park in the nation!
Attractions Near Me: Bluebeard Indianapolis In
Located in the historic Holy Rosary neighborhood in downtown Indianapolis, Bluebeard is a farm-to-table restaurant that serves a lunch and dinner menu of contemporary American cuisine. Set in a stylishly renovated 1924 factory warehouse, the restaurant features a cozy family dining room, an elegant bar, and an open-air courtyard for outdoor dining.
Lunch menus feature freshly made salads and snacks, charcuterie, and cheese selections while the dinner menu has special entrees such as hangar steak, frogs legs, and truffled egg toast. A special menu is served on Sundays and libations include handcrafted cocktails, craft beers, and local wines.
653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana, Phone: 317-686-1580
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Can You Pack Lunch At The Childrens Museum Of Indianapolis
Yes, you are permitted to bring your own food to eat at the museum Food Court area.
If you dont want the hassle of packing a lunch youll find plenty of options in the Food Court in the museum. There are also outside options at the Riley Childrens Health Sports Legends Experience.
Its helpful to have a food plan before you go so that you dont have to deal with meltdowns from hangry kids or adults.
Toddler Activities In Indianapolis
Exhibition halls, museums, zoos, water parks Indianapolis is a beautiful city that has it all! It is a perfect place to be with your kids and a virtual paradise for toddlers. Indianapolis offers everything active families love, including climbing, hiking, bowling, swimming, and cheering. Want to spend quality time with your kids or grandkids around Indianapolis and wondering where to begin? Your adventure starts here!
Here are 14 fun times for toddlers you dont want to miss whether you live in or are visiting Indianapolis.
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Walk Through The Festival Of Trees
Indiana Historical Society
Walk through a holiday forest featuring more than 80 elaborately decorated trees at this Indiana History Center event, held from November 13 to January 9. During the 2020-2021 season, the festival will take place both in person and virtually. It will include weekend visits from Santa, craft-making, light displays, and more. A Sugarplum Breakfast would normally be attended by familiar characters from “The Nutcracker,” but that has been canceled this season.
Fun Things To Do In Fishers
Since 1986 the Town Planner Calendar has been keeping families across America up-to-date about events and other fun things to do right in their hometown.
Delivered free of charge every December to millions of homes across America, our full-sized, full-color calendar is a time-tested and beloved tool for helping families stay organized. The large date blocks are not only loaded with lots of nearby events and fun things to do, there’s plenty of room for you to record your own family’s important events like birthdays, anniversaries, parties — anything you have planned — so everybody in the house can see them whenever they go to the fridge, out the front door, or wherever you choose to display it.
But there’s more! Every calendar is full of coupons from popular local merchants, so you can save money while supporting small businesses right in your hometown.
And don’t miss our beautiful full-color photography! Every month you’ll recognize a new photo from someplace close to home, submitted to us by a local photographer. If you’d like to have your own hometown photos included in our calendar, please contact your local publisher for more information.
If there’s something happening close to home that folks in your neighborhood need to know about, why not submit it to us today? Please note that publication of your event is subject to approval by your local Town Planner publisher.
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Garfield Park Conservatory & Sunken Garden
The oldest park in Indianapolis was started in 1873 and named in honor of President James A Garfield. George Edward Kessler, appointed as a landscape architect in 1908 and produced a formal design for the Sunken Gardens. The Conservatory overlooks the gardens as though it were a princely mansion.
- Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, IN 46203
- Visiting Hours: Opening times All year. Daily.
- Admission Charges: Admission to Sunken Garden is always free. Admission to the Conservatory is generally free except during special shows like Poinsettia & Holiday Trains or the Spring Bulb Show.
Fun Things To Do In Indianapolis With Kids
Indianapolis is known for being the capital of Indiana and The Racing Capital of the World but theres much more to Indy than that. From the largest childrens museum in the world to an impressive art scene, there are so many great things to do in Indianapolis with kids!
Here are our favorite things to do with kids in Indianapolis, plus places to dine, stay, and day trip!Itching to explore more in Indiana? Check out the top things to do in Indiana with kids.
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Harrison County Discovery Center
The Harrison County Discovery Center is a brand-new museum that will offer visitors a fully immersive experience of nature, history, and the word around us. Once at the museum, you can step into the Archivists office to explore the local history, caves, and nature. Come see how Corydon and Harrison County have changed through the years, and how we fit into their history and future.
Squire Boone Caverns Zipline Adventures
Looking for things to do with older kids in Southern Indiana? Adventure is out there when you soar through the air above the forest on a zipline at Squire Boone Caverns Zipline Adventures. Ziplining gives you a unique view of Indiana and is an experience you wont forget. Adult and childrens zipline adventures are available, with a miniature zipline also available for children aged 3 to 6. The facility features 6 canopy ziplines, and 1 swinging suspension bridge for a big thrill.
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Childrens Museum Of Indianapolis Details
- Food: An extensive food court is available along with an area of sweet treats.
- Lockers: If you want a safe place to stash your stuff, self-serve lockers are available.
- Tickets: Prices increase as the visit date approaches. Save up to 25% by buying general admission tickets at least two weeks in advance. Tickets start at $19.
See The Sights In White River State Park
White River State Park is a great place to escape from the fast pace of the city. Once in the park, you would be hard pressed to believe that you are in downtown Indianapolis.
White River State Park boasts expansive green spaces and is home to some of the city’s top tourist attractions, including Indianapolis Zoo, a baseball park, the Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, an Imax theater, NCAA Hall of Champions, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial. The Canal Walk along Central Canal is also part of White River State Park.
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