The summer months in Indy are chock-full of festivals and concerts, fairs and farmers markets. While you can’t go wrong when it comes to choosing how to spend those school-free days, here are eight outings we recommend adding to your must-do list.
8 Must Do Indianapolis Summer Activities:
Pile on the whipped cream at the Strawberry Festival on the Circle.
Every year strawberry lovers descend on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument for the annual Christ Church Cathedral Strawberry Festival on the Circle. More than six tons of strawberries and 18,000 homemade shortcakes will be served to over 20,000 visitors. Indulge yourself in “The Works,” which includes traditional strawberries, ice cream and whipped topping on a shortcake biscuit for $7. Head out early – sundaes are served while supplies last and are cash only.
Location: Monument Circle, downtown Indianapolis
Dates: Thursday, June 14, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cycle the day away at the Indy Criterium Bicycle Festival.
The IU Health Indy Criterium is more than just a cycling race – it is a celebration of all things bicycling in our community! Kids will love the interactive PNC Kids Zone that is packed with activities from spin art and a rock-climbing wall to face painting and the Riley Children’s Health bicycle safety obstacle course. Family, kids and junior races get everyone in on the action. Best of all – it’s free!
Location: Monument Circle, downtown Indianapolis
Date: Saturday, July 14, see website for schedule, www.indycrit.org
Enjoy the classics under the stars at Symphony on the Prairie
From Michael Jackson to the Beatles, Whitney Houston to the music of Star Wars, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra brings your favorite music to life at the Conner Prairie Amphitheatre all summer long. It’s the perfect place to meet friends and family for a fun and relaxing night out. Bring your own food and drinks or purchase concessions on site. And make the night extra special by tacking on a Symphony on the Prairie Balloon Voyage!
Location: Conner Prairie, Fishers
Dates: Select days, June 15 – September 2
Cheer on the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field
There is never a dull moment at Victory Field! Not only will you experience all the fun that goes along with cheering on the home team, there are also a number of themed events to keep the kids entertained – from Marvel Superhero night to the LEGO Let’s Play tour. And specials like Kids Eat Free Sunday and 2-for-1 Tuesday, make an outing to Victory Field a bargain for the whole family.
Location: Victory Field, downtown Indianapolis
See website for home game schedule, www.indyindians.com
Watch the Macaques in action at the Indianapolis Zoo
New this summer, the brand new Long-Tailed Macaque exhibit at the Indianapolis Zoo is sure to delight visitors of all ages. Long-tailed macaques are the only macaques that swim throughout their entire life and you can catch them in action at their new home inside the Oceans Exhibit that features pools surrounded by grassy areas as well as a few raised platforms that extend over the water. And be sure to check out all the fun happening at the Zoo this summer, like the Zoolapalooza and Animals & All That Jazz concert series.
Location: Indianapolis Zoo, downtown Indianapolis
See website for hours and ticket prices, www.indianapoliszoo.com
Curb your sweet tooth at the Ice Cream Social on the Circle
What better way to celebrate National Ice Cream Month than to watch more than 30 celebrity scoopers dishing out gigantic ice cream sundaes? And that’s just the beginning. Enjoy face painting, a photo booth, the Pacers Fan Van, live music and a scavenger hunt. Meet Molly and her calves from Purdue Dairy Sciences and mascots from Indy Eleven’s and Indy Fuel.
Location: Monument Circle, downtown Indy
Date: Friday, July 13, 11:00 am–2:00 pm
Get under the Big Top at the Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair returns this year with mouthwatering food, Midway rides, farm animals and an exciting new addition – a single-ring, world-class circus! Located on the north side of the Fairgrounds, step into the big top for one of three free shows per day showcasing a variety of world-famous performers, including Bello Nock, the International Circus Superstar. This year’s fair is dubbed “The Greatest 17 Days of Summer” – and for good reason!
Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis
Dates: August 3-19, see website for schedule
Try all 12 sports at the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience
Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors and explore the new Sports Legends Experience at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. With 12 outdoor sports experiences, 3 indoor sports exhibits and the 60-foot tall Children’s Museum Guild’s Tree of Sports, it is easy to spend an entire day diving into all that this new addition to the museum has to offer. Be sure to make time to head indoors for a visit to the newly opened Hot Wheels Race to Win and DC Super Heroes: Discover your Super Powers exhibits.
Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
See website for hours and special guest appearances by the sports legends www.childrensmuseum.org
The summer days, while seemingly endless in the early weeks of June, will quickly fly by. Don’t let them slip away without giving at least a few of these must dos a try!
