Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of America’s premier sports towns, featuring the Super Bowl-winning Colts of the NFL, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Notre Dame football, and the Indy 500. Of course, sports aren’t the only thing worth experiencing in this great American city! There are museums, parks, gardens, and even a Presidential site!
If you’re planning to visit The Hoosier State or move to Indianapolis, the information below should be a slam dunk! It’s a list of the best things to do in Indianapolis, brought to you by SecurCare Self Storage, the Indy storage experts. Read on to discover all there is to do and see in Indy and enjoy your visit!
Top Outdoor Activities in Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis has a wide range of fun, exciting, and interesting outdoor activities with something for everyone! The family-friendly activities in Indianapolis, IN, below are perfect for an afternoon of adventure or memory-making!
1. Connor Prairie
History mixes with outdoor fun at Connor Prairie! The interactive theatre, for example, dives deep into the Civil War and its causes. As you and the family walk around the 800 acres, you’ll meet and greet real folks going through “daily life” in the 1800s!
2. Eagle Creek Park
The largest public park in Indianapolis, Eagle Creek Park, is almost 1,400 acres of beauty, nature, and incredible trails! There’s a lake for fishing and picnic areas for relaxing and having a bite to eat. It’s all centered on Eagle Creek Reservoir and is a great place to visit in the fall when the leaves change colors! Plus, there are tame deer all over the park. (Just don’t feed them.)
3. Holliday Park
At only 94 acres, Holliday Park isn’t the biggest park in Indianapolis, but it has lots of excellent trails to explore and a beautiful arboretum, too! However, the park’s most intriguing part must be “The Ruins,” the remains of a skyscraper from New York City that was demolished years ago! What a sight!
Top 15 Restaurants in Indianapolis, IN
There are too many fantastic restaurants in Naptown (aka Indianapolis) to list them all here, but we’ve done our homework to bring you some of the best!
- The Cake Bake Shop
- Sangiovese Ristorante
- Root & Bone
- Half Liter BBQ & Beer Hall
- Convivio
- Fat Dan’s Deli
- Napolese Pizzeria
- Ale Emporium
- Rize
- Yats
- Caplinger’s Fresh Catch
- Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar
- Chapati
- Ripple Bagel and Deli
- Paco’s Taqueria
Exciting Family-Friendly Activities in Indianapolis, IN
Many of the attractions in Indy are fit for families, but the 2 below are standouts!
1. Go Ape Zipline Indianapolis
If exploring the forest around Indy sounds fun (hint: it is!), Go Ape Zipline Indianapolis will be a hoot! They’ve got 40+ treetop obstacles and 5 fantastic zip lines that will have you sailing through the canopy like a monkey’s uncle (or aunt). One thing to note is that kids must be 10 years or older to enjoy these thrills.
2. Take a Gondola Trip on Central Canal
This activity in Indianapolis is unique and fun. The Central Canal was made to connect the Wabash and Erie Canals to the mighty Ohio River. Today 3.4 miles of the canal have been turned into the Canal Walk with beautiful paths you can walk and bike, along which you’ll find cafes, gorgeous views of the city, and plenty of spots to sit and enjoy your day!
Unique Attractions in Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis boasts several unique attractions that are interesting, intriguing, and worth experiencing at least once.
1. Monument Circle
Honoring the sailors and soldiers who have served the United States, Monument Circle in Downtown Indy is a tribute to their sacrifices. It’s also decorated beautifully during the holidays and puts everyone that sees it in the holiday spirit. Many events are also hosted at the location, making it worth several visits yearly!
2. NCAA Hall of Champions
Do you love college sports and the NCAA for all the action and excitement? If yes, the NCAA Hall of Champions will be a treat! It features the 23 colleges that are part of the NCAA and some of the top athletes who have played for them since 1970! There’s also trivia, a 1930s gym where you can shoot basketballs, and even a downhill skiing simulator that’s an absolute blast!
3. Dallara IndyCar Factory
Have you ever wondered how the amazing cars of the Indy 500 are produced? If so, the Dallara IndyCar Factory is for you! It’s over 24,000 square feet of exhibits, hands-on displays, and even the chance to drive with a pro driver!
How is the Shopping in Indianapolis, IN?
Like many big American cities, Indianapolis offers a wide range of shopping opportunities. From massive malls to tiny boutiques, if shopping is your pleasure, you’ll be pleased while visiting or living in Indy! We’ve listed the 10 best places to shop below! By the way, many of these locations also offer events, activities, and more to enjoy!
- The Fashion Mall
- Circle Center
- The Shop Indy
- Castleton Square
- Clay Terrace
- Carmel Arts & Design District
- Irvington
- Mass Ave
- Fountain Square
- Broad Ripple Village
What’s the Weather Like in Indianapolis, IN?
With a comfort index of 8.6/10, summertime in Indianapolis is phenomenal! It’s dry, warm, and pleasant, thus perfect for enjoying the outdoors. During winter, Indy does get its fair share of severe cold, snow, and ice. The best time of year to visit Indianapolis is from May through the end of September, although in October, the changing leaves are a treat! If you visit from November through March, bring warm clothes!
Let SecurCare Help You Store Your Belongings Safely and Securely in Indy!
Looking for storage units in Indianapolis to store your belongings safely? If so, SecurCare offers Indianapolis storage that’s safe, secure, and affordable. We also offer temperature-controlled storage units and a wide variety of sizes to fit every storage need. If you’re unsure how to store things correctly, look at our excellent list of self-storage tips. Also, to choose the correct storage unit, make sure you check out our storage unit size guide. When ready, you can reserve your Indianapolis storage units online in mere minutes. No deposit is necessary, and our month-to-month rentals ensure you’ll never get stuck in a long-term rental contract!