100+ Things to do this Summer around Indianapolis

May 28, 2024

Warm weather, the promise of longer days, and plenty of opportunities to explore Indianapolis. Never hear your kids say, “I’m bored,” ever again. To get your family’s summer started on the right foot, check out our official list of 100 things to do in and around Indy this summer! Looking for free activities? Check out our guides to 50 Free Activities in Indianapolis for Summer 2024.

Related Article: Fun Activities for $5 or Less in Indianapolis

100+ Things to do this Summer around Indianapolis:

Cool Off in the Water

Float in one of Indiana’s natural lazy rivers.
Visit your favorite splash pad.

The Splash Pad at Westermeier Commons at Central Park
Explore a lake or river by canoe or kayak.
Or try renting a motorboat at a nearby lake.
Plan a day of swimming or splashing fun at one of these great destinations.
Road trip to one of Indiana’s best waterparks.
Take a Swan Pedal Boat out on the canal.
Visit a local aquatic park:
Soak up the sun at a local beach.
Go fishing.
Enjoy swimming and a movie during Flix and Float at Forest Park Aquatic Center.
Enjoy a day on the water at Geist, Morse, or Eagle Creek Reservoir.
Sign up for a free paddle board yoga class on the canal.

Explore the Outdoors

* indicates a free activity

Soar through the treetops on a zip-lining adventure.
Visit your favorite Indy-area farmer’s market.
Enjoy a picnic and adult beverages at the family-friendly Daniels Winery.
Family-Friendly atmosphere at Daniel’s Vineyard
Do a self-guided tour of Traders Point Creamery. Then, indulge in ice cream afterward.
Go strawberry picking at one of these local farms.
Take in the fresh air on one of Indianapolis’ hiking trails. *
Take a ride on the new Nickle Plate Express railbikes.
Try out a new sport at the Riley Sports Legends Experience at the Children’s Museum.
Take a stroll around Downtown Indian apolis and discover something new about our city.
Play a family game of ping pong, shuffleboard, corn hole, or bocce ball at Midtown Plaza Carmel. *
Learn something new on a tour of Strawtown Enclosure, a Native American village that was inhabited over 700 years ago. *
Pack a picnic and enjoy a magical day at The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens. *
The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens.
Walk around the ArtsPark at the Indianapolis Art Center. *
Learn about agriculture at AgriPark in Fishers. *
Explore the Treetop Outposts at Conner Prairie.
Speaking of trees, play in the treehouses at Flat Fork Creek Park in Fishers. *
Flat Fork Creek Park
Meet and greet alpacas at Heritage Farm.
Discover nature and art at The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. *
Have an archeologist adventure at River Road Park. *

River Rock Road
Explore Butler University’s Holcomb Gardens. *
Go for a horseback ride.
Explore Marian University’s EcoLab. *
Go for a hot air balloon ride at Conner Prairie.
Go fishing with the family. *
Shoot a bow and arrow at Strawtown Koteewi Park.
Buckle up those helmets, and explore one of these Indianapolis bike trails. *
Tackle Strawtown Koteewi Park on horseback with K-Trails Equestrian Adventures.
Hop on the saddle for a guided trail ride through Fort Harrison State Park.
Hang out around the campfire during Cool Creek Campfires series.
Cool Creek Campfires series

Experience a Summer Concert

* indicates a free summer concert series

Cool Creek Concert Series
Concerts on the Canal at the Indiana Historical Society
Symphony on the Prairie
Mallow Run Winery Picnic Concert Series*
Jams at the Junction*
Rock the Ruins at Holliday Park
Rock the Ruins at Holliday Park
Fishers Parks Community Concert Series *
Animals and All That Jazz
Noblesville Summer Concert Series
Summer Concert Series at Clay Terrace *
Summer Concert Series at Clay Terrace
Free Summer Concert Series at Murphy Aquatic Park*
Free Family Concerts at Lions Park *
Whitestown Summer Concert Series *
Greenwood Summer Concert Series *

Visit a Local Playground

Visit one of the coolest playgrounds in the Indianapolis area.
West Commons Playground
Plan a day trip to a road trip-worthy playground.
Stay clean at one of Indy’s mud free playground.
Ride the zipline at the Nature Adventure Playground.
Spend a rainy day at an indoor playground.
The Commons indoor playground in Columbus

Catch an Outdoor Movie

* Indicates free movie series

Newfields Summer Nights Film Series
Newfields Summer Nights Film Series
Movies at Midtown *
Brownsburg Parks and Recreation – Movie’s in the Park*
Head to the drive-in theater for a classic summer night.

Have Summer Fun Without the Sun

Sign up for a summer reading program at your local Indianapolis Public Library branch.
Discover nature inside at a central Indiana Nature Center.
Holliday Park Nature Center
Take your trip to the movie theater to the next level by renting it out for a private screening (It’s easier than you think!)
Dust off your bowling shoes! Kids Bowl Free in Indianapolis all summer long.
Catch a $1 summer movie at Regal Cinemas.
Plan a trip to one of these 8 unique Indianapolis Museums.
Check out the Indiana State Police Museum, a secret east side favorite.
Spend the day taking selfies at the Selfie WRLD Selfie Museum.
Take the family for a round of Duckpin bowling in Fountain Square.
Duck Pin Bowling at Action & Atomic Duckpin Bowling
Discover a new artist at Harrison Center’s Reimagined Community Art Space.
Join the Franklin Skate Club’s Kids Skate Free program.