Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Noblesville, Indiana

In just a couple of decades, the population of this suburban city located north of Indianapolis has exceeded 70,000.

Noblesville serves as the seat of Hamilton County, with its extensive history prominently displayed at the appealing central square, overshadowed by the Hamilton County Courthouse.

A museum housed in the historic Sheriff’s Residence and Jail serves to commemorate the history of Noblesville and its surrounding county, complemented by a variety of local shops and restaurants in the vicinity.

The White River flows along the western edge of the city, and its secure waters provide an excellent opportunity for canoeing, kayaking, or tubing during the summer months.

1. Historic Noblesville Square

While many areas of Noblesville are newly developed, the city boasts a history spanning over 200 years, which is evident in the square surrounding the Hamilton County Courthouse.

This monument, designed in the splendid French Second Empire style, was completed in 1879 and serves as the central point for a charming district filled with numerous locally owned businesses.

Historic Noblesville Square features shops specializing in jewelry, fashion, children’s wear, antiques, gifts, board games, and vintage clothing.

A diverse array of dining options is available, particularly on the north and east sides, offering breakfast, pan-Asian cuisine, frozen desserts, and Tex-Mex.

This square is also situated within the Noblesville Cultural Arts District, where organizations like Nickel Plate Arts facilitate numerous engaging events.

2. Ruoff Music Center

A significant attraction for many visitors to Noblesville is the largest permanent outdoor music venue, not only in the Indianapolis area but across the United States and even globally.

Since its opening in 1989, this expansive venue can accommodate nearly 25,000 spectators, with over 6,000 under a pavilion and an additional 18,000 on the extensive lawns that ascend in front.

The Ruoff Music Center’s season typically runs from early May through September, during which a stellar lineup of performers graces the stage.

Some notable acts over the last three decades include Frank Sinatra, Metallica, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Chicago. Attendees can enjoy a variety of local food trucks and craft beer at these events.

3. Forest Park

This valued 150-acre park situated along the west bank of the White River has a history beginning in 1925.

A highlight of the park is the Little Beauty Carousel, which was custom-built by the Allan Herschell Company in 1920 and installed in the park in 1996.

A summer essential at Forest Park is the Aquatic Center, featuring a heated Olympic-sized pool, a splash pad, zip line, zero-depth kiddie pool, climbing wall, and the popular Fast Freddie waterslide.

In addition to these amenities, Forest Park also includes a nine-hole executive golf course and a mini golf course, as well as standard park facilities such as tennis courts, a skate park, a grill, a picnic shelter, and horseshoe pits.

4. Nickel Plate Express

Forest Park also serves as the boarding point for excursions on the Nickel Plate Express, which captures the essence of the golden age of rail transport from the mid-20th century.

Operating on 12 miles of track between Noblesville and Atlanta at the northern edge of Hamilton County, this train runs from April to December, offering brunch and dinner trips along with seasonal excursions such as the Reindeer Ride Express and the Pumpkin Express.

Travelers will board the upper level of gleaming metallic Santa Fe El Capitan passenger cars, necessitating the ascent of a set of stairs to access the train.

5. Hamilton County Museum of History and Old Sheriff’s Residence

Situated on the southwest corner of the courthouse square is the historical Hamilton County Sheriff’s Residence and Jail, established in 1876.

This facility has witnessed many infamous individuals, including a teenage Charles Manson in the 1950s and Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon D.C. Stephenson, whose trial and murder conviction in 1925 dealt a significant blow to this organization in Indiana.

The building is presently managed by the Hamilton County Historical Society, allowing visitors to see the cells that once housed these notable figures.

The museum features compelling exhibits detailing the county’s 200-year legacy, while also preserving the elegantly decorated Sheriff’s residence styled in the Victorian fashion.

6. Potter’s Bridge

To the north of Noblesville, visitors can find a historic covered bridge, dating back to 1871. Located in the park of the same name, Potter’s Bridge is a Howe truss structure measuring 260 feet long and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991.

This is the only remaining bridge of its kind in Hamilton County and remains in excellent condition, having last undergone restoration in 1999.

Potter’s Bridge serves as a beginning point for a serene journey along the White River Greenway Trail, which will be explored further below.

7. White River Canoe Company

An excellent manner to experience the picturesque surroundings of Noblesville is along the West Fork of the White River, which is perfect for tubing and paddling activities during the summer season.

The White River Canoe Company provides a comprehensive selection of canoeing and kayaking options, with half-day excursions departing from various locations upstream from Noblesville, such as Rusty Oar and the White River Campground.

Additionally, full-day trips can be selected from as far away as Perkinsville, located 18 miles upstream, along with a special overnight camping experience.

The primary tubing option is a leisurely 3.5-mile journey back to the company’s livery from Potter’s Bridge, taking between 2.5 and 4 hours.

8. Morse Reservoir

On the northwestern outskirts of Noblesville lies a reservoir constructed in the 1950s on Cicero Creek, originally intended as a water source for Indianapolis.

The Morse Reservoir spans approximately 1,500 acres and is operated by the Indianapolis Water Company. During the summer months, a brief excursion to the delightful Morse Park & Beach located on the south shore is highly recommended.

This area features a welcoming sandy beach, operating from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

The beach is complemented by a newly established aqua adventure park, a boat dock and bathhouse, plus an array of amenities including an 18-hole disc golf course, volleyball courts, four shelters, a baseball/softball diamond, a playground, and a gaga ball pit.

9. Strawtown Koteewi Park

On the banks of the White River, north of Noblesville, lies Hamilton County’s largest park, a true hub of recreation year-round.

Encompassing more than 800 acres, Strawtown Koteewi Park is located on the site of a Native American settlement that thrived around 700 years ago.

An educational attraction exploring this historical context will be described in the next section. Additionally, visitors can explore the park’s woodlands, prairies, and wetlands along eight miles of trails, which include designated paths for horseback riding.

K-Trails Equestrian Adventures provides riding opportunities within the park, as well as pony rides for children under 7 years of age.

Furthermore, the park features an archery center, Koteewi Range, treetop ropes courses at Koteewi Aerial Trail Adventures, and in the winter, hosts Indiana’s only specialized snow tubing hill extending over 700 feet.

10. Taylor Center of Natural History

For those interested in the Native American heritage of Strawtown Koteewi Park, the Taylor Center of Natural History within the park serves as an informative archaeological exhibit.

Inside, visitors can view the findings from excavations in the park, featuring arrowheads, pottery shards, animal bones, and fascinating insights into the lives of the ancestral inhabitants of the area centuries ago.

Outdoors, the Koteewi Trace Exhibit presents a replica of the village, showcasing life-sized structures believed to have existed between the 13th and 15th centuries CE.

Additionally, visitors can explore a mock dig site on the grounds, enabling them to understand the scientific techniques employed to uncover the many artifacts left by the village.

11. Nickel Plate Arts

Located at 107 S 8th Street, the permanent gallery for Nickel Plate Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering cultural experiences in eastern Hamilton County while supporting local artists and arts organizations.

Nickel Plate Arts curates numerous exhibitions, workshops, performing arts shows, and regular events such as the First Friday, which features live music, art displays, and refreshments.

The gallery resides within the five-bay Judge Earl S. Stone House (1849), which is crafted in the Greek Revival architectural style and is considered the oldest structure in Noblesville. Anticipate the Gold Standard, Nickel Plate Arts’ annual juried exhibition showcasing local artwork, scheduled for November.

12. White River Greenway

The most effective way to appreciate some of Noblesville’s finest features without relying on a vehicle is via this 2.85-mile multi-use trail, which generally follows the riverbank.

The White River Greenway can be accessed downtown, directly behind the Hamilton County Courthouse.

From this point, the trail traverses the White River before heading into Forest Park, providing an advantageous pathway to attractions such as the carousel, Aquatic Park, and mini golf course during the summer months.

After passing through Forest Park, the greenway returns to the east bank, entering a serene linear park nestled within the river bend, ultimately leading you to Potter’s Bridge.

13. Russell Farms Pumpkin Patch

For autumn agritainment, Noblesville offers exceptional options. The Russell Family has owned this farm to the east of the city for over fifty years and has welcomed the public for weeks of seasonal festivities since 2002.

The pumpkin patch is a favorite among families, cultivating several varieties and allowing visitors to take a hay wagon ride to select their ideal pumpkin.

The country store is stocked with delightful products, including warm apple cider, apple butter, fudge, and charming fall decorations.

Additional activities include two corn mazes, a snack shack, live music, educational farm exhibits, and a petting zoo featuring miniature horses, pigs, boer goats, pygmy goats, and more.

14. Hamilton Town Center

Noblesville features an upscale outdoor mall located just a few minutes from the Ruoff Music Center.

Hamilton Town Center presents a captivating combination of shopping, dining, and entertainment across a network of walkable streets and alleys adorned with trees, flowerbeds, and benches.

Some of the retailers available include JCPenney, Loft, Old Navy, rue21, GameStop, Victoria’s Secret, Kay Jewelers, Claire’s, and American Eagle.

Dining options encompass Red Robin, Five Guys, and Qdoba, complemented by an Emagine movie theater nearby, ideal for family outings and romantic evenings.

15. Golf

Golf enthusiasts will find themselves well catered to in Noblesville, which boasts an abundant selection of public courses, including several managed by the local parks department.

Fox Prairie is a traditional-style course with rolling terrain, surrounded by mature trees and expansive greens.

The nine-hole course at Forest Park, established in 1927, is an ideal starting point for beginners due to its accommodating layout, affordable pricing, and lack of water hazards.

Also accessible to the public is the highly-rated Pebble Brook Golf Club, featuring a classic layout on one course (South Course) and a remarkable Scottish links design on another (North Course).

However, the standout course may very well be Purgatory Golf Club, a links-style layout that presents a significant challenge for all players.

This 18-hole par 72 course is officially the longest in Indiana, recognized for its tallgrass prairie rough, over 130 bunkers, and numerous risk-reward scenarios.