Indiana Beach has a surprisingly inexpensive reason to head about 90 minutes north to Monticello this fall. During Boardwalk Days, admission is $5, and that $5 comes with $5 in Crow Cash, the park’s ride and game credit, to spend once you’re inside.
There’s one important distinction before families load up the car: This is not a $5 unlimited-rides ticket. Boardwalk Days is a limited-operation version of Indiana Beach with select rides, games, restaurants and shops open. Boardwalk rides cost $5 each and Kiddieland rides cost $3 each.
Boardwalk Days runs Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 3 through Nov. 1, five bonus weekends after Indiana Beach’s regular season wraps up Sept. 27. The park is billing it as a throwback for its 100th anniversary season.
Related Article: Find more fall fun around Indianapolis
How the $5 Boardwalk Days deal works
Admission is sold at the gate only, so there’s nothing to buy ahead of time. Pay $5 at the North Gate and you get $5 in Crow Cash to put toward rides or games.
Boardwalk rides are $5 each, and Kiddieland rides are $3 each. Additional Crow Cash is sold during the visit at arcade kiosks, Frankenstein’s Castle, Fascination and Boardwalk Gifts.
In other words, each $5 admission gets one person through the gate with $5 to spend once inside. How inexpensive the rest of the day stays depends on how many times the kids want to ride. Anyone familiar with children and amusement parks can probably do that math.
Which Indiana Beach rides are open during Boardwalk Days?
Indiana Beach plans to run a decent-size lineup during Boardwalk Days, though the park notes that availability and ride rotation can change because of weather.
The scheduled lineup includes:
- Shafer Queen
- Scrambler
- Paratrooper
- Music Express
- Air Crow
- Sea Dragon
- Falling Star
- Frankenstein’s Castle
- Sky Ride
- Zero Gravity
- Kiddieland
- Hurricane
- Bumper Cars
- Tilt A Whirl
- Den of Lost Thieves
- Antique Autos
- Spackman Express
Because this is a limited-operation event rather than a regular operating day, families going specifically for one ride should check the official Boardwalk Days page before leaving home.
Food, arcades and Boardwalk games are part of the day, too
Boardwalk Days isn’t limited to rides. Indiana Beach lists several familiar food stops as part of the event, including Pronto Pup, Funnel Cake Factory, Blue Jay Cafe, Dippin’ Dots, Indiana Beach Bakery and Papa Geno’s Skyroom.
Several arcades and games are scheduled to operate, including Skeeball, Fascination, the North Arcade, Game Barn, Boardwalk Games, Castle Arcade, Gallery of Ghouls and Pinball.
Papa Geno’s Skyroom takes reservations during Boardwalk Days, and Indiana Beach encourages them for families planning to add a sit-down, family-style Italian meal to the visit.
2027 season passes include Boardwalk Days
Families planning to ride quite a bit have another option. A 2027 Indiana Beach season pass includes free admission and unlimited rides during all five Boardwalk Days weekends, plus unlimited visits during the 2027 season.
New 2027 passes are $69.99 per person and work immediately, so a pass bought now also covers the remaining regular-season weekends through Sept. 27. Current passholders can renew for $64.99 through Sept. 21. Frankenstein’s Castle is not included with the season pass during Boardwalk Days, and Bring A Friend tickets are not valid for the event.
For a family planning one casual afternoon and a few rides, the $5 admission option keeps the commitment low. For more inexpensive outings closer to Indianapolis, see our guide to activities for $5 or less in Indianapolis.
Plan your visit: Boardwalk Days at Indiana Beach
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 3–Nov. 1
Saturday hours: Noon–8 p.m.
Sunday hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
General admission: $5, includes $5 in Crow Cash
Boardwalk rides: $5 each
Kiddieland rides: $3 each
Parking: Free, enter through the North Gate
Address: 5224 E. Indiana Beach Rd., Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: 574-583-4141
Website: indianabeach.com/boardwalk-days
Ride availability and operating rotation are subject to change because of weather.
