After a long winter, families are ready to get back outside. Here are some great local places to enjoy the outdoors!
The Children’s Museum
Spring means that the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience at The Children’s Museum opens for the season! Enjoy a fun outdoor space to learn about sports history, test your physical fitness, and run, drive, jump, putt and play while learning how to stay happy, healthy and safe.
The Indianapolis Zoo
After a long winter, we could all use a little xZOOberance! Celebrate spring at the Zoo with fun activities running from 12-4 p.m. every Thursday-Sunday, through April 14. During xZOOberance, Bicentennial Pavilion will be buzzing with live music and dancing, spring-centric art and lots more.
Indianapolis Indians
Go to Victory Field on April 2 for the Indianapolis Indians season opener for baseball and fireworks! If the temperature is below 60 degrees at first pitch, all fans in attendance receive a ticket to another April home game of their choice.
Conner Prairie
Springtime is a great time to explore the outdoor grounds at Conner Prairie. Meet and greet baby animals, play at Treetop Outpost with its 30-foot suspension bridge and prairie lookout, and explore the habitats of the animals that call the park home with Discover Habitat, Conner Prairie’s newest outdoor experience.
White River State Park
White River State Park offers nine different attractions — including Indiana State Museum and Eiteljorg Museum — across 250 beautiful acres in downtown Indianapolis. All are a must-do! But the park itself is a great (and free) way to enjoy the outdoors. Stroll along the Indianapolis Canal Walk, which runs through the park, or rent a paddle boat or kayak to float along the canal.
Nature Playgrounds
It’s no secret that Indianapolis is home to many beautiful playgrounds, but these natural ones stand out for their unique design — bringing you closer to nature.
- Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion: This playground is truly a hidden gem and is the only public park in the area with a zip line!
- Prather Park: Little archeologists, history buffs and dinosaur lovers: We have the perfect park for you! Prather Park in Carmel is a one-of-a-kind park that includes features you’ll see nowhere else around Indy.
- The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens: This beautiful park, located on the west side of Carmel, is a magical hidden gem, and it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a more analog park experience for kids.
- River Heritage Park: From the parking lot, you might miss the second playground that takes place within the wooded trail.
The Monon Trail
Enjoying a walk or a family bike ride on the Monon Trail is a sure way to know spring is here. The Monon Trail is 18.1 miles long and stretches from Downtown Indy, all the way up to Sheridan. You will find some of Indy’s best local shops and restaurants along the trail. Here are a few of our favorite family-friendly spots to get a quick treat:
- Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream: 210 W. Main St., Carmel
- BRICS (Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station): 901 E. 64th St, Indianapolis
- Canal Creamery: 6349 Guilford Ave., Indianapolis
- Just “Pop” In!: 6406 Cornell Ave, Indianapolis
Newfield’s Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park
This 100-acre park is free to access and open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Families can enjoy nature while playing on the unique playground features or while jumping on the one-of-a-kind Funky Bones by Dutch artist Atelier Van Leishout.
Playgrounds
Enjoy some spring weather at one of Indianapolis’s top playgrounds! Here are a few of our favorites we can’t wait to hit this spring break:
- Colts Canal PlaySpace: Located in downtown Indy on the north end of the downtown Canal Walk.
- Hummel Park: This Plainfield park is where natural beauty and recreation come together. The park has multiple playgrounds, expansive green space, an amphitheater and creeks that flow throughout the property.
- Lawrence W. Inlow Park: This Carmel park is sectioned into three separate playgrounds, each with fun and different things to enjoy.
- Holliday Park: A family favorite located right in the middle of Indianapolis. This classic park spans over 94-acres and has everything a family needs for a perfect spring day at the park.
- Old City Park: Located in the heart of downtown Greenwood. The centerpiece of the playground is the 20-foot cube tower. The play tower is the first of its kind in Indiana and one of only three in the country.
