Top 25 Attractions and Activities in Indianapolis, Indiana

One of Indianapolis’s major attractions is the exciting array of sporting events it hosts, including the renowned Indianapolis 500, the world’s largest single-day sporting event. Additionally, it serves as the headquarters for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Moreover, the city is notable for being the largest in Indiana and the second largest city in the American Midwest.

While I may not personally know all of its 2 million residents, it is reasonable to assume they appreciate the numerous thrilling sports events available at their doorstep. However, if your interests lean more towards arts and crafts, the city doesn’t disappoint; there are ample exciting options available as well! Let’s explore the best activities in Indianapolis.

1. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

This interactive children’s museum is the largest in the world and certainly merits a family visit. The five-level playground features a 43-foot vibrantly colored Dale Chihuly ‘Fireworks of Glass’ sculpture at its center, along with an antique carousel on the top floor!

Your children will delight in discovering the impressive collection of both adult and juvenile dinosaur fossils, learning about childhood in modern China, and enjoying the sight of the 16-foot-tall movie prop Bumblebee from the first Transformers film. With North America’s largest water clock and much more to see and learn, this promises to be an enriching day of exploration and excitement!

2. Indianapolis Motor Speedway

You find yourself in one of the most internationally renowned motor speedway capitals globally, offering a unique opportunity to take full advantage of it! This venue is the home of both the world’s largest and second-largest single-day sporting events, and it is large enough to fit Vatican City, Roman Coliseum, Rose Bowl, Yankee Stadium, and Churchill Downs within its 2.5-mile oval. Therefore, consider taking a shuttle excursion, pacing car, or IndyCar for a tour around it.

The venue attracts over 300,000 visitors each year for the Indy 500 alone! Families can enjoy visiting the Hall of Fame Museum, which preserves trophies, memorabilia, and winning cars from the last century of open-wheel racing!

3. Indianapolis Zoo

This remarkable 64-acre attraction includes a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden with an impressive array of 250 species comprising around 2,000 animals and 2,000 varieties of plants. The zoo’s White River Gardens features three acres of meticulously landscaped garden rooms along with a 5,000 sq ft conservatory.

Bring the family to immerse yourselves in understanding the animals’ natural habitats, cleverly modeled to reflect an African Savannah and Asian temperate forest, among others. Journey through the arctic to see polar bears, penguins, and other various animals! The on-site restaurants also offer a wide selection of food, ranging from burgers and hot dogs to gourmet treats and various beverages.

4. Conner Prairie

Only a 25-minute drive away, the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers spans 800 acres of picturesque wooded land, offering diverse indoor, outdoor, and historically themed experiences for the family to explore life in a genuine prairie town.

The interactive theater immerses visitors in the Civil War, and while moving through different eras and assisting the resident actors with their daily tasks, participants will genuinely feel as if they’ve traveled back in time. This offers an engaging historical lesson for the entire family!

5. Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens

This elegant National Historic Landmark is situated within the Indianapolis Museum of Art grounds and merits its own mention. It encompasses 26 acres of beautifully manicured gardens and includes the Lilly House, formerly the residence of J.K. Lilly Jr., a philanthropist and collector, now functioning as a museum.

Families will find ample opportunities to explore and appreciate the authentic furnishings that provide insights into Indianapolis history. In addition, lovely walking trails can be found on the grounds, particularly delightful in spring and summer when the flowering flora comes alive!

6. Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

This museum offers a fantastic experience for the entire family! At this hands-on facility, you can embark on an exciting journey to the West, allowing children to dress in authentic costumes, climb into a stagecoach, and partake in pretend play in the General Store while learning about historical lifestyles.

Apart from the engaging activities, the museum showcases an impressive collection of Native American art and history, along with an exceptional gift shop featuring fascinating, handcrafted tools, bags, and clothing.

7. Dallara IndyCar Factory

Visiting the Dallara IndyCar Factory is a must for any motorsport enthusiast in the family!

This venue comprises 20,000 sq ft of interactive, hands-on exhibits, allowing you to experience the thrill of a racing simulator or take a factory tour to observe skilled technicians handcrafting the Dallara IndyCar chassis! For a memorable keepsake of the day, have your picture taken with the extraordinary, speedy DW12!

8. Indiana State Museum

The Indiana State Museum vividly presents the narrative of the Hoosier state from prehistoric times to the present. Spread across three floors of Core Galleries, the diverse exhibits encompass Indiana’s art, culture, and science, with exterior artwork representing all 92 counties in a vibrant manner.

Children will particularly enjoy the multiple hands-on areas throughout the museum, providing them the chance to engage with real-life history! Conclude your visit with a delicious meal at the Farmers Market Café, highlighting local Indiana produce.

9. NCAA Hall of Champions

For an enjoyable outing for all college sports enthusiasts in the family, a trip to the NCAA Hall of Champions is an excellent choice!

This venue allows you to explore various collegiate sports played throughout the country (all 23 of them) and learn about the awards presented by the NCAA to individuals from 1970 to the present. Additionally, you can test your knowledge with sports-specific trivia, shoot hoops in a vintage 1930s gymnasium, and even experience a downhill skiing simulator for added excitement!

10. Duckpin Bowling

This intriguing site provides a unique spin on traditional bowling! Both children and adults will thoroughly enjoy this atypical bowling venue that features eight duckpin lanes, alongside a billiard table, all set within authentic 1930s furnishings.

Duckpin bowling is scored differently from regular bowling, and the pin action may not be as pronounced, but the scoring system is easy for everyone to comprehend. Enjoy a nostalgic experience with a meal and guided tour through this charming historic building before or after your game!

11. K1 Speed Indianapolis

Since you are already in the heart of American motorsport, it is logical to engage in some racing fun yourself! K1 Speed provides high-performance go-karts for both adults and children to enjoy on a professionally designed bi-level, 900 ft go-kart race track.

The venue also showcases an impressive collection of authentic racing memorabilia, a Pit Café snack bar, and a spacious lounge and gaming area, ensuring there is something enjoyable for everyone. The staff is exceptionally friendly and accommodating as well. Speeds can reach up to 40 mph, so brace yourself!

12. Lucas Oil Stadium

Whether your family consists of Colts fans or not, this multi-purpose stadium serves as an excellent venue for watching football games, attending concerts, enjoying a meal, and exploring various shops located within the stadium’s interior.

The stadium replaced the RCA Dome and had the honor of hosting Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, and it continues to be informally referred to as “The House That Manning Built,” despite Peyton Manning no longer playing for the Indianapolis Colts. The stadium is well organized, with ample assistance available if needed.

13. Monument Circle

This 284.5-foot neoclassical monument honors soldiers and sailors who served in the country. Surrounding the circle are intricately carved statues depicting their battlefield struggles, with a woman at the pinnacle holding a torch of victory symbolizing the fight for freedom for countless slaves.

If you visit during the winter holiday season, you can witness the 2,400 lights adorning the monument, making it one of the largest ‘trees’ in the world. Additionally, an intriguing Civil War museum is located at the base of the monument.

14. The Escape Room

This interactive game provides an engaging experience for the whole family, challenging your wit while racing against time! You will be secured in one of the creatively themed rooms with only 60 minutes to decipher clues, solve puzzles, and strategize your escape!

Among the perplexing scenarios are ‘Hoosier Hysteria,’ where a famous trophy has been stolen, KGB Interrogation, Art Gallery, Bank Heist, and Jail Break; all of these intriguing challenges guarantee an enjoyable time for everyone!

15. Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course

Become Tarzan for a day at this exciting interactive venue! Featuring five zip lines and approximately 40 treetop obstacles, you can swing from tree to tree through the forest canopy! Anyone aged 10 years and older can enjoy two to three hours of exhilarating adventure.

Prior to embarking on your journey, you will receive comprehensive training from the patient and knowledgeable staff, who ensure you are comfortable making all the right moves! Should you find any of the obstacles particularly challenging, alternative options are always available. It is genuinely a fun and thrilling experience for everyone!

16. Segway Tour

Experience a tour with a twist; glide around on a Segway! Utilize this innovative mode of transportation to explore White River State Park, the zoo, and the canal, and venture down to the Old Washing Street Pedestrian Bridge while enjoying various sights.

Whether this is your family’s first experience or you’re seasoned Segway users, your guide will ensure you spend time practicing on the machines until everyone feels completely comfortable. After receiving thorough training, you will proceed to explore the city with your friendly and experienced guide!

17. Indiana Medical History Museum

For any aspiring medical professionals or those simply curious about the history of medicine in the country, this is a remarkable venue to visit. Located on the grounds of the former Central State Hospital, the museum’s core is the Old Pathology Building, the oldest surviving pathology facility in the nation (also listed on the National Register of Historic Places).

Initially focusing on the physical causes of mental diseases, the hospital functioned until the 1960s before transforming into a museum. Its scientifically equipped interior remains intact, allowing visitors to explore the teaching amphitheater, laboratories for clinical chemistry, histology, bacteriology, as well as the autopsy room and anatomical museum showcasing preserved specimens.

18. Rhythm! Discovery Center

This interactive venue is fantastic for individuals of all ages, encouraging them to uncover their own personal rhythm! The Discovery Center is among the world’s premier percussion museums, featuring educational exhibits and interactive programs inspired by cultures worldwide.

It will particularly captivate anyone with a passion for drumming. As you traverse room after room of diverse drums while reading about the history of percussion, you will find soundproof rooms to unleash your musical creativity! Your children will truly cherish this experience—guaranteed!

19. Eagle Creek Park

Eagle Creek Park stands as the largest park in Indianapolis, centered around Eagle Creek Reservoir, encompassing nearly 1,400 acres of water and 3,900 acres of land. This vast space is perfect for a family day out, featuring numerous trails for hiking, running, and biking, as well as opportunities for fishing in the large lake or smaller pond, which will keep children entertained!

Bring a picnic—ample picnic tables are available—enjoy the day, and with a stroke of luck, you might even spot some of the park’s resident friendly deer!

20. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

An evening featuring outstanding live entertainment and delicious food—what could be better? The entire family can relish plays, professional Broadway shows, and acclaimed children’s theatre productions while simultaneously enjoying delectable hand-carved roast beef and exquisite desserts!

Beef & Boards serves over 155,000 theatergoers annually and is a widely cherished family venue. Additionally, should your young ones be too small to enjoy an entire evening’s performance, the venue also provides a Children’s Theater throughout the year suitable for kids over three—an excellent introduction to the arts and a gentle way to foster their interest in theater!

21. Indianapolis Museum of Art

The Indianapolis Museum of Art is situated on 152 acres of grounds and gardens, housing a permanent collection containing over 54,000 works of art, featuring American, African, Asian, and European pieces. Significantly, this museum is the eighth largest encyclopedic art museum in the nation and is certainly a venue worth visiting during your stay.

Of particular interest is the Indianapolis Star Family Studio, a complimentary, interactive space for families to explore, create, and engage with art in innovative ways. Be sure to take time to also explore the Oldfield-Lilly House and Gardens located within the museum’s premises.

22. Holliday Park

This park is a favorite among locals and encompasses 94 acres, featuring an arboretum, an abundance of fun trails for exploration, a playground for children, and a nature center offering programs for all ages. Gather your family for a picnic when weather permits (which is frequently the case), with numerous areas available for barbeques or simply pitch a blanket and unwind in the grounds.

Of particular interest are the intriguing stone features, referred to as The Ruins; in reality, they are not ruins but remnants of a New York skyscraper that was demolished and preserved as if they were genuine works of art!

23. Rocket Fizz

For candy enthusiasts or those simply enchanted by vibrant and artistic displays of candy and inventive bottled sodas, a visit to Rocket Fizz is a delightful experience.

This shop boasts an extensive selection of treats, including an array of classic candies and imported sweets from around the globe. If taffy is your preference, you must try some of the store’s unique flavors, such as maple bacon taffy and even tiramisu taffy. You may choose to purchase candy in boxes, bars, bags, or individual pieces (though I suspect you won’t stop at just one!).

24. Central Canal

Take the family for a tranquil stroll, bike ride, or even a gondola trip along the Central Canal. This picturesque area covers 250 acres of state park and features a stunning downtown skyline, abundant public art, lively cafes, and comfortable spots to relax and observe the ducks!

The Central Canal has undergone recent renovations and has flourished as a lovely quarter, often serving as a backdrop for couples exchanging their wedding vows amidst picturesque fountains and gardens.

25. Goose The Market

Whether you wish to indulge in a remarkable selection of deli products or procure some fresh meat and a platter to prepare and enjoy at home, Goose The Market is well worth a visit. This full-service butcher shop and specialty food and wine market takes pride in offering fresh, luxurious food that is utterly irresistible.

Have delicious sandwiches prepared right at the meat counter, selecting from locally sourced gourmet items such as duck confit, goat cheese, salmon pastrami, and much more. On hot days, you and your children can select refreshing gelato or iced tea from the deli!