25 Fun Things To Do In Indianapolis

Indianapolis may be best known for fast cars, roaring engines, and the legendary Indianapolis 500, but there is so much more to do here than spend a weekend at the track. I’ve lived in the Indianapolis area for pretty much my entire life, and exploring Indy is actually where this blog began.

After graduating from college, I started seeking out new restaurants, events, neighborhoods, and fun things to do around my own city. That eventually turned into this blog, and more than ten years later, I’m still exploring and sharing my favorite finds. I’ve lived in some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, attended well over 10 Indy 500 races, cheered on the Colts and Pacers, tried hundreds of local restaurants and bars, and spent countless weekends playing tourist in my own backyard.

So when I tell you there are a lot of fun things to do in Indianapolis, I’ve had quite a few years to truly test that theory! Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or event, traveling with the kids, or you’re a fellow local wondering what to do this Saturday, these are the fun things to do in Indianapolis that I’d genuinely recommend.

Looking For Fun Things To Do In Indianapolis?

You’ve come to the right place! The city offers way more variety than you might expect, from racing and professional sports to museums, neighborhoods, parks, festivals, and some pretty unique activities. I’ve narrowed this guide down to experiences I think are actually fun, rather than simply listing every Indianapolis attraction I can think of. Some I’ve been doing for years, others are newer discoveries, and quite a few are places I continue going back to.

Is Indianapolis a Fun City?

Absolutely! Indianapolis gives you the variety of a city trip without feeling overwhelming. After a lifetime of living here, though, I think Indy is at its best when you venture beyond the obvious attractions. This list includes the neighborhoods I actually spend time in, events I look forward to every year, and activities I’d choose for my own weekend plans. That’s the Indianapolis I want you to experience!

The Ultimate List of Fun Things To Do In Indianapolis

Now for the fun part! I’ve rounded up my favorite things to do around Indianapolis, mixing classic attractions you shouldn’t miss with local experiences I’ve personally enjoyed and a few ideas that might inspire you to try something completely new.

Unique Things to Do in Indianapolis

Compete at Game Show Battle Rooms

If your group has even a slightly competitive side, Game Show Battle Rooms is SO much fun. We celebrated one of my brother’s birthdays here with a group of 12, split into two teams of six, and competed in three different game show-style challenges during our one hour rental. They serve drinks too, so we arrived early to grab one and socialize before the competition started. I loved that it gave us something to actually do together rather than another group dinner, and I’d definitely recommend it for birthdays, friend groups, or anyone ready to find out which of their friends takes fake game shows way too seriously.

Cost: We paid around $40 per person for our one hour experience.

Try Fowling at The Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis

Fowling combines football and bowling (get it?) into one very Indianapolis-feeling group activity: you throw a football at your opponent’s bowling pins and try to knock them all down first. I’ve played at The Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis, which has a huge indoor setup that makes this an especially fun option for a group outing, date night, or something different to do when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Good to Know: Fowling is easy to learn, so you definitely don’t need to be particularly good at football or bowling to play.

Go Duckpin Bowling

I actually like duckpin bowling way more than regular bowling! The balls and pins are smaller, games move pretty quickly, and Indy has two very different places where we’ve played. Pins Mechanical Co. in Bottleworks District is modern and lively with tons of food and drinks nearby, while Atomic Bowl inside the Fountain Square Theatre Building feels much more vintage and old-school Indy. I genuinely like both, so I’d choose based on the kind of night you want: Bottleworks for a buzzy night out or Fountain Square for something with a little more character (and maybe a cocktail at the Commodore afterward).

Cost: Weekend games at Pins are around $9 per person, while Atomic Bowl charges around $40 per lane per hour.

Play Games at an Indianapolis Arcade Bar

For a night of drinks and a little nostalgia (because who doesn’t need a little of that?) head to one of Indy’s arcade bars. We’ve been to both 16-Bit Bar+Arcade just off Mass Ave and Tappers Arcade Bar in Fountain Square, and they have pretty different vibes. 16-Bit feels more modern and has plenty of indoor seating plus a patio (we’ve even gone for Halloween!), while Tappers leans more retro with a great mix of old and newer games. Both also have plenty of pinball if that’s more your thing!

Good to Know: Most arcade games at both are free to play, though you’ll need quarters for some pinball machines, and both are 21+.

Go Thrifting Around Indianapolis

I’ve really gotten into antiquing over the last few years, and Midland Arts & Antique Market just outside Downtown has become one of my favorite places to browse. It’s a massive warehouse filled with individual vendor booths, and I’ve spent hours wandering through furniture, collectibles, vintage decor, and plenty of things I absolutely did not know I needed until I found them. Even if you aren’t looking for anything specific, half the fun is seeing what you stumble across.

My Tip: Give yourself at least two hours for Midland. It’s much bigger than it looks and very easy to lose track of time inside.

Get in on Indianapolis Sports & Racing

Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

There’s nothing quite like race day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I’ve attended well over 10 Indy 500’s plus plenty of events leading up to race day, and our tradition usually involves tailgating with a big group of friends before heading into the track. Nearly 400,000 people pack into the Speedway on race day, which is an experience in itself, but practice days are a great way to see the cars without quite that level of chaos. Outside race season, you can visit the Speedway Museum or even golf at Brickyard Crossing, where part of the course sits inside the track.

Cost: Indy 500 general admission tickets are typically around $50-$65, depending on when you buy.

Cheer on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium

Colts games have been a staple for me basically my entire life. My family was full of huge Colts fans growing up, and I still try to make it to at least one game every season. Part of the fun is making a whole day of it downtown: we’ll often stop at the Slippery Noodle Inn, just a block from Lucas Oil Stadium, for a drink or appetizer before kickoff, or grab lunch around Georgia Street. Then it’s off to the stadium, where the energy on game day is hard to beat, even if the Colts decide to test our patience that season.

Cost: Colts tickets can start around $50 and go up depending on the game, where you want to sit, and when you buy. A lot of people grab inexpensive seats and spend part of the game hanging out in the Bud Light Zone.

Catch a Pacers or Fever Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

We try to make it to at least one Pacers game every season, and lately we’ve added Fever games to our summer plans too! Gainbridge Fieldhouse is right downtown, there really isn’t a bad seat in the place, and the energy is SO good. Depending on the matchup, I’ve seen tickets start around $10, making this one of the more affordable ways to catch professional sports in Indy. Plus, being downtown means it’s incredibly easy to turn the game into a full night out with dinner or drinks before or afterward.

Budget Tip: Check different games before buying because ticket prices can vary quite a bit by matchup.

Watch the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field

Summer in Indy isn’t complete without at least a couple of Indians games at Victory Field. I usually make it to two or three each season, sometimes more, and there’s always so much happening beyond the actual baseball. Bark in the Park is a personal favorite because we get to bring our dogs along, but I’m also very invested in the Hot Dog of the Homestand, which gets toppings inspired by the visiting team or city and is always delicious. With tickets starting around $10, it’s an easy, affordable summer night downtown whether you’re a huge baseball fan or mostly there for the hot dogs. (No judgment from me!)

Don’t Miss: Check the promotional calendar before choosing a game. Themed nights and special events are half the fun.

Explore Indianapolis Museums, Arts & Entertainment

Spend the Day at Newfields

Newfields is so much more than a traditional art museum, which is probably why I’ve found myself back here for so many different occasions over the years. Beyond the Indianapolis Museum of Art, there are beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces plus seasonal events like Harvest Nights and Winterlights, both of which we’ve attended multiple times. We’ve even celebrated New Year’s Eve here, and their NYE party is still my favorite one I’ve ever attended in Indianapolis! Whether you come for the art, gardens, or a special event, it’s easy to spend a few hours exploring.

Cost: General museum admission is typically around $25 per person, while seasonal events and special exhibits vary.

See a Live Show in Indianapolis

For something different than another dinner-and-drinks night, check out one of Indy’s live shows. We went to Helium Comedy Club for Valentine’s Day and had such a fun night watching stand-up instead of doing the traditional romantic dinner. We bought a food and beverage package for around $125 that included our tickets, an appetizer, and a bottle of wine during the show. Helium brings in some pretty big names in comedy, but they also host weekly open mic nights where you can catch up-and-coming comedians.

Cost: Our Valentine’s Day package was around $125 and included two tickets, an appetizer, and a bottle of wine.

Visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

You really can’t talk about Indianapolis museums without including The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. It’s the largest children’s museum in the world, with interactive exhibits covering everything from dinosaurs and space to science, history, and cultures around the world. I’ve used to go all the time as a kid, and even planned our high school prom here which was a huge hit. There’s enough here to fill several hours, making it especially great for a rainy or cold day when you’re visiting Indy with kids. This is one of those major Indianapolis attractions I’d put near the top of a family itinerary rather than trying to squeeze into an already-packed afternoon.

Cost: Admission varies by date, but adult tickets are typically around $25-$35 and children’s tickets around $20-$30.

Spend a Day at the Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo is one of those Indy attractions I’ve been visiting basically my entire life. I have so many memories of going as a kid, and the famous dolphin show was always my favorite! It’s still a fun day out as an adult, with animals and exhibits spread throughout the zoo plus its location in White River State Park making it easy to explore more of downtown afterward. They also completely transform the zoo for seasonal events like ZooBoo around Halloween and Christmas at the Zoo during the holidays, giving you a reason to come back at different times of year.

Don’t Miss: The dolphin show was my childhood favorite and is still one of the experiences I’d make time for during a first visit.

Catch a Concert Around Indianapolis

I’ve seen concerts all over Indy, and one thing I love is how many different kinds of venues we have. Gainbridge Fieldhouse gets the big arena tours, Ruoff Music Center is a summer staple for major artists, White River State Park has outdoor concerts downtown, and smaller venues like The Vogue in Broad Ripple and HI-FI in Fountain Square are great for catching artists in a much more intimate setting. I’ve been to shows at all of them, and the venue can completely change the experience, so it’s always worth checking who’s in town while you’re here.

My Tip: Check the concert calendars before your trip. Between the downtown venues, Ruoff, Broad Ripple, and Fountain Square, there’s a good chance somebody is playing while you’re in town.

See Indianapolis Like a Local

Spend an Evening on Mass Ave

Mass Ave is my personal favorite area downtown for an evening of dinner and drinks, and it’s one of the places I take friends when I want to show them a fun side of Indy. It’s popular for a good reason. Start by wandering the independent shops and Bottleworks District, then make a night of it with cocktails at Ball & Biscuit, The Exchange, or Wiseguy Lounge before dinner at Bodhi (thank me later!). There’s always something new popping up along Mass Ave, but these are a few of the spots I find myself going back to again and again.

My Pick: If I had to choose one combination, I’d do cocktails at Ball & Biscuit followed by dinner at Bodhi. OR for my favorite way to end the night, grab drinks at Wise Guys and a pizza from Goodfellas to go.

Discover Fountain Square

Fountain Square is one of Indianapolis’ most eclectic neighborhoods, filled with local restaurants and bars, vintage shops, live music, art, and some pretty unique entertainment. We’ve spent plenty of evenings here, and several of my favorite activities on this list are actually in the neighborhood. Play duckpin at Atomic Bowl or arcade games at Tappers, then stick around for dinner and cocktails nearby. I love that you can plan an entire night in Fountain Square without needing to bounce around the city, and its quirky, slightly retro personality makes it feel distinctly Indy.

My Tip: Atomic Bowl + dinner and drinks is an easy Fountain Square night out, or swap bowling for Tappers if arcade games are more your speed.

Explore Broad Ripple

Broad Ripple is one of Indianapolis’ liveliest neighborhoods, filled with local restaurants, shops, coffee shops, bars, nightlife, and outdoor recreation along the White River. I lived right next to Broad Ripple after college and spent a lot of my early 20s exploring the area, so it will always feel a little nostalgic to me. It’s still one of my favorite neighborhoods for wandering the shops, grabbing something to eat, or meeting up for drinks, and Broad Ripple can really be whatever kind of outing you want it to be: coffee and shopping during the day, dinner and drinks at night, or a little bit of everything if you’re making a full afternoon of it.

My Tip: Don’t save Broad Ripple just for nightlife. Go during the afternoon when the shops and restaurants are open, then stick around for drinks if you want to see both sides of the neighborhood.

Get Outside at Indianapolis Parks & Outdoor Activities

Explore Eagle Creek Park

Eagle Creek Park is a huge city park on the northwest side of Indianapolis that honestly feels more like a state park once you’re inside. We’ve taken our dogs here to hike the trails, but we’ve also experienced the more adventurous side of the park with Go Ape! ziplining through the trees. There are miles of trails, water activities, and plenty of space to explore, and it’s especially stunning when the leaves change in the fall. It’s one of my favorite places to get outside and feel like you’ve escaped the city without actually leaving Indianapolis.

My Tip: Visit Eagle Creek in the fall if you can. The changing leaves make an already beautiful park even better!

Explore the Downtown Canal Walk

The Indianapolis Canal is one of my favorite places to walk downtown, especially because there’s so much to see and do along the way. The Canal runs through White River State Park and passes several museums and attractions, including the Indiana State Museum, Eiteljorg Museum, NCAA Hall of Champions, and Indiana Historical Society, plus restaurants and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the downtown views. I’ve walked it more times than I can count, but one of the most fun ways I’ve experienced the Canal is actually from the water! I’ve rented both a pedal boat and a kayak, and there’s something so fun about paddling around right in the middle of downtown Indianapolis.

My Tip: Don’t just walk the Canal and leave! Give yourself time to stop at the museums, restaurants, and other attractions along the way. It’s also a great starting point for exploring more things to do in downtown indianapolis.

See the Ruins at Holliday Park

Holliday Park is perfect for outdoor activities in Indianapolis! It has wooded trails, gardens, and plenty of green space, but the historic Ruins are what really make this Indianapolis park stand out. They’re such a unique backdrop that I’ve actually done a couple of Halloween photoshoots here, and it’s also a popular spot for family photos. We come back in the winter too, when the area around the Ruins transforms with an outdoor ice rink. I love that there’s something different to experience depending on the season rather than this being just another place to go for a walk.

Don’t Miss: The Ruins are the most unique part of the park and definitely worth seeking out, even if you only have time for a quick visit.

Hike Fort Harrison State Park

Fort Harrison State Park is one of our go-to places when we want to hike without driving outside Indianapolis. We get an annual park pass and bring our dogs here regularly since the trails are super dog-friendly! There are wooded hiking trails as well as paved paths that are great for walking or biking, so you don’t have to be an avid hiker to enjoy the park. We’ll sometimes just walk the paved loop to get some scenic steps in, and fall is my favorite time to visit when the trees are changing colors.

My Tip: If you live nearby and plan to visit more than a few times, look into the annual Indiana State Parks pass. We get one every year and definitely put it to use!

Rent a Boat on Geist Reservoir

Renting a boat on Geist Reservoir has become one of our favorite summer traditions, and we’ve done it every summer for the last few years! We rent through Geist Marina, where you basically just show up, go through a quick tutorial on operating the boat, and they handle the rest. Our rentals have cost around $500 plus fuel, so it’s especially reasonable when you split the cost with a group. We’ve done it for Fourth of July plans and regular summer days, and I love that we get the fun of having a boat for the day without any of the year-round responsibility of actually owning one.

Cost: Our Geist boat rentals have been around $500 plus fuel, which we typically split among the group.

Experience Indianapolis Events & Festivals

Celebrate the Month of May in Indianapolis

If there’s one time of year when Indianapolis really comes alive, it’s the Month of May. The weeks leading up to the Indy 500 are packed with events, starting with the Mini-Marathon and continuing with the 500 Festival Parade, track events, and one of my personal favorites, Rev. Held right at the Speedway, Rev is a fundraiser benefiting IU Health trauma and critical care programs that brings together local restaurants, drinks, entertainment, and racing in one huge event. I’ve experienced the Month of May festivities for years, and if you want to understand just how big racing culture is in Indy, this is the time to visit.

My Pick: Rev is my favorite event leading up to race day and such a fun way to experience the Speedway outside of the race itself. Just make sure you plan ahead and get tickets the day they go on sale, because they sell out fast.

Spend a Day at the Indiana State Fair

The Indiana State Fair is an August tradition for us, and we make it out to the fairgrounds pretty much every year. Located about 15 minutes north of downtown, it has all the classic fair staples like carnival rides, live animals, concerts, exhibits, and, most importantly to me, so much food. I’m always looking for the unique food options each year, but you’ll also find classics like giant turkey legs, fried everything, and Indiana’s beloved pork tenderloin sandwich. You can easily spend most of the day wandering the fairgrounds, eating your way through the vendors, and checking out whatever events are happening that year.

My Tip: Come hungry! Trying the different fair foods is genuinely one of my favorite parts, and there are always new creations added each year.

Celebrate the Holidays in Indianapolis

Indianapolis goes all out for the holidays, with Christmas markets, light displays, and seasonal events happening throughout the city. One of my personal traditions is the Festival of Trees at the Indiana Historical Society downtown, where the building fills with dozens of creatively decorated Christmas trees. There’s plenty more to make a whole holiday weekend out of too, including the Circle of Lights on Monument Circle, Christkindlmarkts around the Indy area, Christmas at the Zoo, and Winterlights at Newfields. I’ve done so many of these over the years that I put together a separate guide to Things To Do in Indianapolis During the Holidays with all of my favorites.

My Pick: Festival of Trees is one of my favorite annual traditions and a great indoor option when Indianapolis winter weather isn’t cooperating.

After living in the Indianapolis area my entire life, I still find new fun things to do here all the time. That’s one of my favorite things about Indy! Between the big-name attractions, local neighborhoods, annual traditions, and more unique experiences, there’s always something worth adding to your weekend plans.

Of course, no day exploring Indy is complete without something good to eat. Check out my guide to the Best Restaurants Indianapolis has to offer for some of my favorite places to grab brunch, dinner, drinks, and everything in between.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’ve lived here for years, I hope this list helps you find something new to experience in Indianapolis!