Are you ready to explore Indianapolis without breaking the bank? Get ready to embark on an adventure filled with excitement, discovery, and unforgettable memories! Get ready to be amazed as we unveil 75 incredible things to do in Indianapolis that won’t cost you more than $5!
These budget-friendly gems are perfect for everyone, whether you’re an Indy native or just passing through. So, why not make your next outing unforgettable without burning a hole in your wallet?
For more free fun, check out our list of free things to do in Indianapolis with kids or free Indianapolis events this month.
The list below opens up many possibilities for fun activities for $5 (per person) or less in Indianapolis!
*Great deals just over $5/person
Summer Time Activities
- Try for a turkey with Indy’s Kids Bowl Free Program! Children participating must register online beforehand. Free
- Pack a picnic for the Concerts on the Canal. Free seating in the lawn.
Concerts on the Canal - Catch a $2 summer movie at Regal Cinemas.
- Make a splash at an Indy Park pool. Prices vary by location, all under $5/person.
- Gather around the campfire at Cool Creek Nature Center for their weekly themed Cool Creek Campfire series. Free
- Swim and listen to great music during The Summer Concert Series at Murphy Aquatic Park. Select days this summer. Free
- Catch a movie and take a dip in the pool during Flix and Float at Forest Park Aquatic Center. $5/person.
Flix and Float at Forest Park Aquatic Center. - End your day at the water park during twilight hours at Gill Family Aquatic Center. $3.50 for admission 4 pm-close.
- Cool off at your local splash pad. Most locations are free.
- Head downtown to the Indiana State Museum for weekly Canal Nights. Themes change weekly, and guests can expect fun hands-on activities. Free
- Splash around at Morse Beach in Noblesville.* $6 per person.
- Practice yoga on the farm together as a family. Free yoga every third Thursday, May through September, at Fishers AgriPark.
- Attend a free summer concert.
- Battle it out during a thrilling Nerf Battle Event at monthly at Pecar Park. Free, $2 to borrow a Nerf gun.
- Catch a $6 summer movie at Studio Movie Grill.*
Year Round Deals
- KidCity Indoor Playground- $5/child
- Indy Island Family Aquatic Center – $5/child; $6/adult
- Have donuts and a family game night at Doughnuts & Dragons. Games are free, and donut prices range from $1.50-$2.75.
Indy Island - Garfield Park Conservatory – general admission: $3/person; special events: $5/person or $12 per family
- Upcoming special events:
- Bonsai Show – June 3-4
- Upcoming special events:
- A self-guided tour at Trader’s Point Creamery – $3
- Ride the “Little Beauty” Carousel at Forest Park.- $2 (Weekend Apr, May, Aug, Sept, Oct.; daily June-July.)
- Catch a family-friendly movie on the lawn at Movies at Midtown. Free screenings are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
MOVIES at MIDTOWN - Learn about space at the Carmel Planetarium. Once a month, the planetarium is open to the public for evening shows. $3 for children & students, $5/adult
- NCAA Hall of Fame – Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids and seniors
- Family Fun Night at Skateland – Tuesday nights from 6-9 pm – $5 admission
- Early bird bowling at Royal Pin Bowling – Sunday mornings 9 am-noon – $2.75/game
- First Thursday Night at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – First Thursday of the month from 4-8 pm – $6/admission
- Free first Thursday at Newfields – First Thursday of each month – Free
- George Washington Community School Pool. Free for children under 2; $2 for children 3-17; $3 for adults.
- Rent bikes through the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare. $1 to ride, plus 15 cents per minute. That’s almost a half-hour of fun for $5!
- Catch a discount movie at Flix Brewhouse for only $5.25 all day on Wednesdays.
- Indoor playground at the Broad Ripple Family Center – $2
Broad Ripple Family Center Playground - The Sensory Room located inside the family center at Rhodius Park – $3
- Open Family Swim at Goldfish Swim School – $5 per person with a max of $15 per family.
- A self-guided tour at Wolf Park – $5/person
- Attempt the Lazer Maze at Glowgolf – $5 for 4 games
Lazer Maze at Glowgolf - Laser Lag at Bowl 32 – $5/game
- Explore Eagle Creek Park – Park admission is $5/car for Marion County residents; $6/car for out-of-county
- Weekend public tour at Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium – $5 for children and students under 18 and $8 for adults.
Everyday Free Activities
- Find when to visit local museums with our Free Museum Days guide.
- Have an adventure at one of the 10 coolest playgrounds in Indianapolis.
- Take in the fresh air on one of Indianapolis’ hiking trails.
- Play a family game of ping pong, shuffleboard, corn hole, or bocce ball at Midtown Plaza Carmel.
- Free Indoor Playgrounds:
- Rent a free Nature Exploration Backpack from Fishers Parks.
- Learn about agriculture at AgriPark in Fishers.
- Create a masterpiece at Ignite Art Studio and Makerspace in Fishers.
- Explore the trails and wetlands at Marian University’s EcoLab.
The EcoLab at Marian University - Ride the zip line at the Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion.
- Explore The Learning Curve at Central Library.
- Learn about Indiana’s woodlands at the Cool Creek Nature Center.
- Climb away on the Treehouses at Flat Fork Creek.
Flat Fork Creek Park - Have an archeologist’s adventure at River Road Park. This one-of-a-kind park includes features you’ll see nowhere else around Indy.
- Take a family bike ride on one of our favorite bike paths in Indianapolis.
- Meet the live animals that reside at the Pecar Park Nature Center.
- Explore Indianapolis in the form of a scavenger hunt.
- Work out as a family at the Colts Fitness Park.
- Stroll the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens, one of Indy’s most beautiful parks.
The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens. - Visit the interactive and fun Holliday Park Nature Center.
- Grab your frisbee, and head to one of these local disc golf courses.
- Walk around the ArtsPark at the Indianapolis Art Center.
- Take a stroll along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
- Head inside to one of these 10 places to play inside for FREE.
- Visit the Kawachinagano Japanese Garden in Carmel.
- Discover the world of Geocaching as a family, and explore Indianapolis in a whole new way.
- Create your own bath bomb at Buff City Soaps. Free with purchase from the shop.
- Spend the day watching traffic go by at The Idle. Benches are set up to watch traffic at the intersection of I-65 and I-70.
- Discover Grand Junction Plaza, a newly opened space in downtown Westfield.
- Scope out The Carmel Fire Buffs and Fire Department Museum. Donations at the door are appreciated.
- Discover Indiana flora and fauna at the Zionsville Nature Center.
- Did you know the Monon Trail stretches through Indy for 26 miles? Get the family outside on bikes, blades, or by foot and enjoy one of Indy’s local treasures!
- Climb on Funky Bones at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.
Funky Bones - Climb to the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the Circle.
- Browse our free things to do this month calendar for even more ideas!
- Stuck at home? Here are 70 Activities to try anytime!
