Weekend Itinerary: 12 Fun Things to Do in Indianapolis

We visited Indiana for a long weekend and found some fun things to do in Indianapolis, including kid-friendly activities! Us this post as a resource to plan your next trip there!

Things to Do in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is the perfect place to visit while taking a road trip from Chicago. It’s filled with history, outdoor spaces, and fun evening activities. We’ve were lucky enough to catch some special events like the Indianapolis BBQ Competition. Here are some more things that we spotted that will make a great weekend trip!

White River State Park

White River State Park is a vast green space in the middle of Indianapolis. It is home to many different events that are hosted in the city throughout the year, so be sure to check their city schedule to see if one is being held during your trip. This is also a great place to walk around and relax!

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is one of the top-rated attractions in the city! While it’s specifically for children, all ages will have so much fun here.

It’s the biggest museum of its kind in the world and is filled with multiple exhibits, a lot of which you can interact with. Be sure to check out the dinosaur exhibit, which is one of the museum’s most popular exhibits!

The Monument Circle

One of the best things to do in Indianapolis is visit Monument Circle. It’s also referred to as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument because that’s the main monument that’s situated here.

It was built in the late nineteenth century. Try to attend the light show held here for a memorable visit. Even young children will love the light show!

Newfields Art Museum

We love art and being outdoors. If you do too, head to Newfields. It is the best of both worlds.

This museum is brimming with fantastic art pieces, and there’s also an extensive outdoor garden filled with huge statues, fountains, and sitting areas.

Newfields is a true one-of-a-kind take on an art museum, and visiting there is one experience you won’t forget!

Indianapolis Arts Garden

While the Indianapolis Artsgarden sounds like an outdoor attraction, it’s indoors!

This beautifully structured building has tons of windows that let in natural light. The building is filled with sculptures, plants, and sometimes even live music.

A lot of city events are held here throughout the year, which is why it deserves a spot on this list of the best things to do in Indianapolis.

The Monon Trail

The perfect way to escape from city life while visiting Indianapolis is to walk the Monon Trail. We packed our bikes so that we could explore this trail.

It goes on for 27 miles and is paved, so even if you don’t bring bicyles you can easily bring a stroller or young children on the walk.

The trail went over many bridges and brought us up close to a lot of the more natural spots in the area.

The Indianapolis Canal Walk

Located downtown, we walked along the waterfront because it is close to downtown hotels and is a great outdoor activity for active individuals. The large underpass has giant murals and we passed by beautiful condos and apartments.

Some of the amenities along the way include bike rentals, boat rentals (pedal boat or kayak). Metered street parking is available along the canal.

Indiana State Museum

For a great learning experience, head to the Indiana State Museum. The museum is dedicated to all things Indiana and was even built out of Indiana construction materials!

They host a wide variety of events throughout the year. Check the website for coming exhibits.

The Mass Avenue Arts District

This funky area in Indianapolis dates back a few hundred years and is filled with a lot of the trendiest spots in the city. You can find great art galleries, theaters, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques.

Some of the top places to visit here include The Rathskeller, Basbeaux Pizza, and BRU Burger Bar.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Any fan of NASCAR will know about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Taking a tour here is one of the best things to do in Indianapolis!

This raceway is most well known for being host to the Indy 500 and is also the biggest raceway of this kind in the world. Tours are held throughout the year, and there’s also a museum.

Bad Axe Throwing

Of all the things to do in Indianapolis, this one is the most exhilarating! Axe throwing that has gained popularity in recent years throughout the United States.

it originated from traditions of axe throwing and has evolved into a modern recreational activity that combines skill, technique, and a dash of competitive spirit.

Tappers Arcade Bar

A fun activity in Indianapolis is to go Duckpin Bowling at Action Duckpin Bowl!

This is how people used to bowl in the 1930s, and this bowling alley has been pretty well preserved.

It’s a lot different than your average bowling experience! There’s also a bar that sells small eats and drinks.

Action Duckpin Bowling

Playing games at Tappers Arcade Bar is one of the best things to do in Indianapolis once the sun goes down.

They’re only open from late afternoon until midnight and feature tons of fun arcade games, including classic favorites like Pac-Man. Plus, there’s a bar so you can drink and have fun at the same time.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Indianapolis

Next time you’re wondering what to do in Indianapolis, just refer back to this great list!

Visiting Indianapolis would be a delightful weekend getaway from Chicago. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive and has a nice array of attractions and activities, especially if you love race cars.

All of these activities are excellent no matter what time you visit, as everything is open year-round. Have you been to Indianapolis? What attraction from this list do you most want to visit?