Indianapolis is a beautiful city, especially when you know where to look. There are many outdoor and indoor gardens around the area to explore, and they’re the perfect place to spend an hour or two with kids. Whether you’re looking to connect with nature, learn about native Indiana plants, or just have a fun family outing, you’ll want to check out one of these seven gardens in and around Indy.
Coxhall Gardens
- Location: 11677 Towne Rd, Carmel
Elegant is one word that comes to mind when thinking about Coxhall Gardens in Carmel. The 125-acre garden is filled with beautiful flowers, water features and lovely spots to sit and enjoy nature.
But the highlight of Coxhall Gardens for families is the Children’s Garden. In this cute outdoor space created for pint-sized folks, you’ll find:
- raised garden beds filled with flowers and plants
- an outdoor classroom
- a Butterfly Garden, with plants that were chosen for their ability to attract pollinating insects
- a Butterfly Village, made up of several playhouses with various themes, including a grocery store and a restaurant
- a rainbow-colored path that winds through native plants
While you’re exploring Coxhall Gardens, make sure to keep an ear open for the chime of the 90-foot twin bell tower, which plays a song every hour, on the hour.
Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens
- Location: 2505 Conservatory Dr., Indianapolis
If you’re looking for an indoor botanical garden in Indianapolis, Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens is it. Enjoy being surrounded by hundreds of plants and flowers in the warm indoor botanical garden, where admission is only $4 per person, and kids 2 and younger are free.
At Garfield Park Conservatory, you’ll find a pleasantly humid hothouse full of all types of plants and flowers, waterfalls, koi ponds and other lovely things surrounding you (like butterflies!). There are also benches placed all around, in case you want to just sit for a while and take in the beauty.
Outside in the three-acre Sunken Gardens, you’ll find areas like a sensory garden, a children’s garden (with activities happening throughout the week for families), ponds and other water features, and lots of paved paths to stroll along.
Holcomb Gardens
- Location: Garden Road, on the campus of Butler University
Located on the Butler University campus, Holcomb Gardens is an Indianapolis hidden gem. This is the perfect place for flower lovers to explore, especially during the late spring and early summer season, when the flowers (especially peonies) are bursting with color.
Holcomb Gardens is accessible via a pedestrian bridge from the Canal Towpath, or by driving onto the campus. In addition to thousands of trees, shrubs and other native flora of the Central Indiana region, you’ll also find:
- a lake
- waterfalls
- a garden house
- a gazebo
- benches inscribed with quotations by famous poets and philosophers
- small creeks and ponds full of koi fish
- rocks to climb
- paths to follow
- lots of shade and trees
- wide, open spaces to run around
Kawachinagano Japanese Garden
- Location: One Civic Square, Carmel
Did you know that there’s a Japanese garden in Carmel? Kawachinagano Japanese Garden is a serene oasis in the middle of the city. The garden is located just off the Monon Trail, so it’s easily accessible via bike.
The garden incorporates traditional Japanese gardens, showcasing features such as a gateway leading to a garden path. This path wraps around a pond filled with koi fish and lily pads. Visitors will also see sculptures all around the park, including sculptures of cranes (a symbol of happiness and youth) and lanterns. There are benches that face the pond, where visitors can sit and watch the koi swim and geese gather.
If you visit during the spring, you’ll be treated to a burst of vibrant color from the pink, delicate cherry blossom flowers that bloom from the trees.
Oldfields: Lilly House and Gardens at Newfields
- Location: 4000 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis
Sometimes referred to as “Oldfields,” the Lilly House & Gardens at Newfields is considered a National Historic Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At Oldfields, you will find the historic house of the J.K. Lilly Jr. family, as well as 26-acres of beautiful gardens.
Free guided walks through the gardens are offered April through September on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. Tours meet at the main visitor entrance to Lilly House.
Related Article: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields
The Sky Farm At Eskenazi Health
- Location: 720 Eskenazi Ave., Indianapolis
This one is a bit unusual, but super fun! Go up the elevator to the 7th floor of Eskenazi Hospital, and you’ll find the Sky Farm, a 5,000 square foot urban farm and garden on the rooftop of the hospital. The Sky Farm is a space where the community can learn how food is grown, pick their own produce, and learn how to cook healthful meals. It’s also a really neat place to just sit and enjoy a nice day. The garden has 25–30 different produce crops and flowers, as well as a beehive on the premises.
White River Gardens
- Location: 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
The White River Gardens used to be a separate destination next door to the Indianapolis Zoo. Now, the garden is part of the Zoo’s new guest entry experience. So in order to visit, you’ll need to purchase admission to the Zoo.
The 3.3-acre White River Gardens includes the Hilbert Conservatory, a 5,000 square-foot tropical oasis inside a glass building, where you’ll be surrounded by beautiful plants, butterflies and the sound of water falling from the multiple water features.
Outdoors is the DeHaan Tiergarten, a garden with many paths that wind around, allowing visitors to get an up-close look at the garden and plants.
