If Indianapolis brings to mind costly tickets for the Indy 500 or a Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium, you’re not alone. However, this city also anchors Indiana, a state known for its affordable cost of living.
Moreover, with dozens of public green spaces, an award-winning children’s museum offering free and discounted days, and inexpensive restaurants serving up Midwest mainstays, Indy is a genuinely budget-friendly destination.
Here’s how to have a good time in Indy without spending a dime.
Have a Family Day Out at White River State Park
Any no-spend day in Indianapolis should begin at White River State Park. This urban park is the perfect central place to meet friends for a picnic, read a book in the sunshine, walk the paved paths, or take in views of the city from a park bench. If you decide you want to spend some money, this downtown green space houses the TCU Amphitheater, Victory Field, and the Indianapolis Zoo.
Soak in the City Sights along the Canal Walk
You could spend the entire day exploring downtown Indy’s 3-mile Canal Walk, particularly in the summer. This popular walking and jogging path connects the Indianapolis Zoo, the NCAA Hall of Champions, White River State Park, and more.
Stop for photos at one of the art installations including Convergence, a 2005 mixed media sculpture, and The Herron Arch 1, a vibrant aluminum piece that’s 20 feet tall. Visitors regularly rent paddle boats and pay for gondola rides, but you can enjoy people-watching on the Canal Walk for free.
Catch the Light Show at Monument Circle
Smack-dab in the center of downtown Indy is Monument Circle, a brick-paved loop around the towering Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The steps leading up to the monument have become a popular meeting spot, photography backdrop, and lunchtime hangout among city residents.
Almost every night of the year, Monument Circle comes alive with a patriotic light show and a soundtrack by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Light show times vary seasonally, so check the website before your visit.
Explore or Relax at Indianapolis Art Center
The Indianapolis Art Center encompasses art galleries, a library, and the open-air ARTSPARK. The entire campus is free and open seven days a week. If you’re short on time, head straight to ARTSPARK, the 9.5-acre garden brimming with whimsical interactive sculptures. The tranquil space is perfect for exploring, picnicking, or spending an afternoon in quiet reflection. Don’t miss the Twisted House sculpture, which many visitors say feels like stepping into a fairy tale.
Play Free Games at Tappers Arcade Bar
Feeling nostalgic? Tappers Arcade Bar, down the road from Indy’s famed Milktooth restaurant, is packed with arcade games like Donkey Kong, Ms Pacman, and Frogger. It’s a 21 and up haunt that’s great for an affordable night out, and most games are free to play with the cost of a drink – alcoholic or not.
Get Lost in the Stacks at the Indiana State Library
The Indiana State Library building was constructed in 1934, but the library collection and genealogical records date back to the 19th century. This landmark makes for immersive infotainment during winter or on rainy days. Visitors can freely access genealogy resources, Braille book collections, and audiobooks and magazines designed for accessible reading. The library is open during standard business hours and is typically closed on weekends.
Improve Your Trivia Knowledge at the Rolls-Royce Exhibition
Got an aviation enthusiast in your travel group? Head to the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust Allison Branch. This educational exhibition includes a massive collection of Rolls-Royce aircraft engines. Interactive stations invite young visitors to touch various mechanical devices, while detailed explanations and informative staff members ensure that adults walk away with new aviation trivia. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
Find Your Groove at a Free Summer Concert
Every year, Indy Parks releases a schedule of free summer concerts across the city. These weekly community events often feature the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis dazzling the crowd with a blend of patriotic tunes, jazz, and even movie soundtracks. Check the website to find out where to catch the concert. Depending on the week, you might also find a free outdoor movie night or local band lineup on the agenda.
Wander Through History at the Historic Indianapolis City Market
The Indianapolis City Market is more than just a vibrant collection of local artists and food vendors. This market house, which opened in 1886, is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking through the maze of vendors allows visitors to absorb this slice of Indiana history.
Bike or Walk the Indianapolis Cultural Trail
Walkers, joggers, and cyclists love the Indianapolis Cultural Trail because it connects the city’s six cultural districts, including riverside Broad Ripple Village, arts-focused Mass Ave, trendy Fountain Square, and the historic Wholesale District. Indy’s cultural trail is a safe, fun way to explore different parts of the city in an afternoon or a full day.
Interact with Art at Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park
The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park sits on the 53-acre campus of Newfields, home of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The park is the only section without an admission fee, but it offers a wealth of artistic and natural exploration opportunities.
Like ARTSPARK, Fairbanks Park is full of giant art installations. Don’t miss Park of the Laments, a dark tunnel leading to a quiet garden full of 3,000 plants, or Funky Bones, the sculpture collection of fiberglass bones featured in John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars.
Enjoy Indy’s Best View atop the Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Why spend money on the elevator when you can climb the Soldiers and Sailors Monument’s 331 stairs for free? This iconic limestone memorial to Hoosier veterans has a free public observation deck offering a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the city.
Admire Military Artifacts at the Indiana War Museum
Inside the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is the Indiana War Museum, a free military museum with exhibits tracing the state’s military history from the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe to today. Military aficionados will appreciate exploring the museum’s collection of over 400 military flags.
Celebrate Literary Legends with Bookmark Indy
Indy is not just about cars and sports; its literary history is also rich. You can pick up some trivia on a self-guided book-themed scavenger hunt through the city. Pull up the interactive map to discover landmarks significant to authors like Kurt Vonnegut, John Green, and Mari Evans.
Visit John Dillinger’s Grave at Crown Hill Cemetery
Indy’s 555-acre Crown Hill Cemetery is the final resting place of famed bank robber John Dillinger, President Benjamin Harrison, poet James Whitcomb Riley, Colonel Eli Lilly, and thousands of others. Enter through the Gothic gates to explore many historic monuments and stones.
Express Yourself at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
Uniting champions of free speech and banned books, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (KVML) offers readers a chance to engage with first-edition copies of Vonnegut’s books, his typewriter, and even his doodles. The museum encourages guests to express their thoughts by utilizing a typewriter available for visitors to create their own mini manifestos.
While the KVML typically charges $12 admission for adults, savvy locals know that admission is free on the first Monday of each month. Active military members and their families also gain free entry from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day.
Snap a Selfie at an NDY Sculpture
Looking for a uniquely-Indy experience? The NDY sculptures around the city invite you to memorialize your visit by stepping in as the “I” in Indy.
You can find NDY sculptures at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis International Airport, or downtown at the corner of Mass Ave and Alabama St.
