Things to Do in Indianapolis in the Spring

Things to Do in Indianapolis in the Spring

The sun is shining and birds are chirping - it’s springtime in Indy and if you’re like us, you’re ready to get out of the house! Whether you’re looking for the best things to do in Indianapolis during spring break or simply want some ideas for things to do in Indianapolis in the spring, read on to discover our favorites, and don’t forget to share yours in the comments below! 

Does springtime have you considering a move? Our Indianapolis real estate specialists at CENTURY 21 Scheetz can help with that, too. Find an office near you or contact us today to discuss your Indianapolis home buying or selling needs.

Top 30 Things to Do in Indianapolis this Spring

1. Visit the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum  - ready to be explored by, and full of fun for all ages. Don’t miss the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience, an interactive, immersive park, playground, and museum all wrapped into one! The area features indoor and outdoor spaces and exhibits, all geared to explore and expose visitors to the love of sports and athletics in a safe, educational, and fun environment. Also not to be missed is the Dinosphere, an updated version of the long-running exhibit about all-things-dinosaurs. You’ll feel like you’re in prehistoric times in this exhibit, which is sure to awe and amaze little ones and their caregivers. Consider purchasing tickets in advance! Learn more about the Dinosphere here.

2. Explore the Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo is one of our favorite places and really, what’s not to love? If you’re planning on visiting the Indianapolis Zoo this May, make sure to check out the new Kangaroo Crossing, the zoo’s first dedicated kangaroo exhibit since 2009, for an up-close experience with these amazing marsupials.

3. Learn About Wolves at Wolf Park

Explore Wolf Park, a 70-acre non-profit park and educational center located about an hour from Indianapolis. At Wolk Park, visitors can see and learn about wolves, foxes, bison, and other animals. Make a reservation before going! Learn more about Wolf Park here.

4. Check Out Midtown Plaza in Carmel

Midtown Plaza in Carmel is a vibrant area where you can go to dine, play, shop, explore, and relax. Play a game of cornhole at the outdoor game space, get coffee at Java House Coffee bar, grab lunch and a drink at Fork and Ale House or Sun King Spirits, and buy yourself a gift at Penn and Beech Candle Co. Midtown Plaza holds regular events so check out their Facebook page to see what’s going on.

5. Explore River Road Park

River Road Park is a 62-acre park with something for everyone, located in Carmel, Indiana. The playground is especially unique, with sandboxes filled with artifacts you can dig up, rock climbing structures, accessible play spaces, and a beautiful design. The park also features trails, green spaces, fields, a boat launch, and much more.

6. Climb the Treehouses at Flat Fork Creek Park

Flat Fork Creek Park is a must-visit attraction in Fishers, Indiana. Fishers’ newest park includes five miles of trails, a fishing pond, treehouses, and mountain bike trails for all levels. 

7. Dive in at the Indy Island Family Aquatic Center

Swim, splash, slide, and play at Indy Island at Raymond Park, a family-friendly aquatic center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Check out their Facebook page for updated information, such as hours of operation and special events.

8. Visit the Carmel Planetarium

Visit the Carmel Planetarium, located at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, and run by the Carmel Clay School District, to learn about astronomy. Follow the Carmel Planetarium on Twitter to find out about upcoming show dates and times.

9. Walk through the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens

Coxhall Gardens is a hidden treasure in Carmel, Indiana. This huge, 125-acre park includes twin 90-foot tall bell towers, a recreation lake, and a magnificent children’s garden with several unique attractions you could spend days exploring, like tiki huts, echo walls, and peek-a-boo hills. Coxhall Gardens also offers facilities that can be rented for events such as birthday parties. Learn more about Coxhall Gardens here. 

10. Milk a Cow at Trader’s Point Creamery

Trader’s Point Creamery in Zionsville, Indiana is an experience - visit the creamery to learn how to milk a cow, admire their historic barns, dine on farm-fresh cuisine at their restaurant, or shop for treats to take home at their farm store. You can even do yoga at the farm! Learn more about Trader’s Point Creamery here.

11. Explore ARTSPARK at the Indianapolis Art Center

The Indianapolis Art Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a haven for creative expression, art, and inspiration. There’s so much to see and do at the Indianapolis Art Center, including exploring ARTSPARK, a 9.5 acre sculpture park, and attending events such as the Broad Ripple Art Fair, happening on May 14th and 15th.

12. Visit Newfields for Art, Flowers, Architecture, and Beer

Newfields is a nature and art center in Indianapolis, Indiana, but it’s also so much more. Events, programs, buildings, and more make Newfields one of the most popular attractions in Indianapolis. Lilly House, a National Historic Landmark and exemplary example of a 20th century country estate, founded by the Landon family in 1907 and nestled in Newfields’ gardens, is one of our favorite places to explore. Newfields’ spring exhibit, Spring Blooms, runs from March 26th through May 15th and features more than half a million flowers. Their Beer Garden has also reopened and is a great place to grab a beverage before or after wandering through the flower gardens. Feast your eyes and quench your thirst at Newfields this spring!

13. Stroll Along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail

The 8-mile Indianapolis Cultural Trail offers options to walk, bike (check out the Pacers’ bikeshare!), play, and more. Dotted with beautiful art and featuring events like the Live at the Orange Bridge spring concert series, which started April 1st, there’s something for everyone along this relatively new and deeply treasured space in Indy.

14. Admire the Kawachinagano Japanese Garden in Carmel

South of City Hall in Carmel, Indiana, is the Kawachinagano Japanese Garden, a must-see collection of gardens, walkways, and sculptures that’ll make you feel a world away from it all.

15. Visit AgriPark in Fishers

The Fishers AgriPark reopens for the season on May 3rd. As a 33-acre urban farm, AgriPark serves to educate and delight visitors of all ages, teaching them about farming, while providing play spaces, pick-your-own gardens, a mud kitchen, and seasonal attractions like a corn maze and pumpkin path in the fall.

16. Attend a Free Concert at Daniel’s Vineyard

Daniel’s Vineyard is a winery and event venue in McCordsville, Indiana. Check out their Summer 2022 concert lineup on their Facebook page.

17. Tour Strawtown Koteewi Park, a Native American Village

Strawtown Koteewi Park is the largest park in Hamilton County, Indiana, stretching 800 acres and featuring miles of multi-use trails, a variety of activities, and a natural history center that preserves Native American history. Pronounced ko-TAY-wee, Koteewi means “fire” and possibly “prairie” in the Miami-Peoria language and the park pays homage to those roots in the Taylor Center of Natural History.

18. Visit the Zionsville Nature Center

The Zionsville Nature Center is part of the Youth Services Department at the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library in Zionsville, Indiana. Their program calendar includes fun, engaging events like Toddler Trek, and exhibits within the Nature Center introduce visitors to Indiana habitats and wildlife like turtles, snakes, and more.

19. Explore The Learning Curve at Central Library

The Indianapolis Public Library’s Central Library location is an amazing resource for greater Indianapolis area residents and visitors. The Learning Curve is a high-tech, hands-on area designed for kids, teens, and their caregivers, and is not to be missed!

20. Climb on Funky Bones at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park

The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park is located at Newfields in Indianapolis, Indiana. There are so many things to enjoy in the park, including a 35-acre lake, beautiful sculptures, and the largest pollinator meadow, as well as special events like Newfields’ flower show, Spring Blooms, and beer garden. One of our favorite attractions is the collection of 20 fiberglass bone sculptures called Funky Bones. Designed by Dutch artist Atelier Van Leishout and made famous by John Green’s novel The Fault in Our Stars, and the 2014 movie of the same name, Funky Bones is a must-see. Take a picnic, bring a book, or simply come to enjoy Funky Bones.

21. Enjoy the Monon Trail

The Monon Trail is a rails-to-trails paved path spanning 25-miles through Central Indiana to downtown Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The Monon Trail starts in the town of Sheridan, Indiana and connects south through Westfield and Carmel, Indiana. You can access the trail from several locations and there’s a lot to do on and near the trail. If you’re nearby (or plan ahead), BRICS: Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station in the Broad Ripple neighborhood of Indianapolis and Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream in Carmel are absolutely worth a stop!

22. Visit the Colts Canal PlaySpace

Check out one of Indianapolis’ newest playgrounds and the first playground in downtown Indianapolis, Colts Canal PlaySpace. You won’t be disappointed you did!

23. Spend a Day at Eagle Creek Park

Eagle Creek Park is one of the top 10 largest municipal parks in the United States, consisting of 3,900 acres of woods, meadows, and ponds, and a 1,300 acre reservoir. There’s so much to do in Eagle Creek Park, but it’s also a great place for doing nothing at all. Consider participating in the Kids Fishing Derby on June 4th!

24. Visit the NCAA Hall of Champions

The NCAA Hall of Champions is home to an extensive collection of artifacts, trivia challenges, and interactive exhibits like sports simulators all designed to showcase the 24 NCAA sports and what it takes to compete in them. Learn more about this one-of-a-kind attraction in Indianapolis here.

25. Learn How Things Are Made at the Indiana State Museum

Inspired by the factory tour segments from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the How People Make Things exhibit at the Indiana State Museum offers hands-on activities that are fun and educational for everyone. The exhibit is open through May 15th. Learn more about the exhibit and the Indiana State Museum here.

26. Channel Your Inner Child at Conner Prairie’s Treetop Outpost

Conner Prairie is one of the most popular attractions in Indianapolis and one of our favorite areas in Conner Prairie is the Treetop Outpost, a four-story treehouse complete with sandboxes, playspaces, a suspension bridge, a nature walk, and so much more. Learn more about this amazing place, open from April through October, here.

27. Explore the Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion

There’s no shortage of parks and play spaces in Carmel, Indiana, and we think one of the best playgrounds in Carmel is the Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion.

28. Spend a Day at Quaker Park in Westfield, Carey Grove Park in Carmel, or Holliday Park in Indy

There are so many amazing parks and play spaces in greater Indianapolis that we have a hard time picking favorites. And these three are not to be missed! Learn more about Quaker Park in Westfield, home to one of our favorite splash pads, Carey Grove Park in Carmel, home to a first-of-its-kind musical playground, divided into sections for older and younger kids, and Holliday Park, a huge 94-acre city park in Indianapolis featuring a must-see playground, Nature Center, hiking trails, and beautiful river banks.

29. Take a Trip to Natural Valley Ranch in Brownsburg

Horse lovers should definitely visit Natural Valley Ranch in Brownsburg, Indiana, conveniently located close to Brownsburg, Avon, Plainfield, Danville, and Indianapolis. With trail rides, riding lessons, camps, and birthday parties, Natural Valley Ranch appeals to all riding abilities and is sure to be a memorable experience.

30. Zipline with Edge Adventures in Noblesville

Koteewi Park is the original location of Edge Aventures and is a short drive from Indianapolis, in Noblesville, Indiana. Visitors to this aerial park can explore five treetop trails consisting of sixty different challenges and ziplines. The park opens on April 30th. Learn more about Koteewi Park and Edge Adventures here.

BONUS: Top 10 Things to Do in Bloomington and Southern Indiana

If you’re in Southern Indiana, or want to make the short drive from Indianapolis to explore other parts of the state, we have something for you too! Check out our top things to do in Bloomington, Indiana below, as well as some other fun things to do in Indiana this spring.

1. Explore the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD)

The Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD) covers 60 city blocks in downtown Bloomington, and calls dozens of galleries, performing arts venues, parks, hotels, restaurants, and bars home. Plan to spend at least a few hours here as there’s so much to do and see!

2. Admire the Art Collection at the Eskenazi Museum of Art

The Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University is home to a vast art collection within an iconic building you’re sure to want to spend hours exploring. See art from antiquity to modern times, including many famous renaissance, impressionist, and contemporary pieces.

3. Learn Something New at the WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology

The WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology is an interactive science museum that’s fun for all ages. WonderLab is located on the B-Line Trail in the heart of the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD). Explore exhibits, take a break in the WonderGarden, and remember to save time to stroll the B-Line after your visit.

4. Explore McCormick's Creek State Park

There’s so much to do and see at McCormick's Creek State Park in Spencer, Indiana. We recommend fishing in the White River, taking a guided trail ride or pony ride at the Saddle Barn, and jumping into the Olympic-size swimming pool at the Recreation Center after getting your wiggles out at the playground.

5. Laugh Until Your Belly Aches at The Comedy Attic

The Comedy Attic is a staple of Bloomington. This comedy venue and bar (they have food too!) is open to ages 17+ and typically features three events a week, open mic on Thursdays and shows on Fridays and Saturdays. Get more information on upcoming shows or signing up for open mic night on their website.

6. Dance the Night Away at The Bluebird

The Bluebird is a historic music venue and club in Bloomington, Indiana featuring everything from cover bands and emerging acts to headliners and karaoke nights.

7. Spend a Day (or More!) at Monroe Lake

Monroe Lake, also called Lake Monroe, is actually a reservoir. It is located about six miles (approximately 10 minutes) south of Bloomington, Indiana and is the largest body of water located entirely in the state of Indiana. Plan a day trip, or even multiple days, so you can boat, swim, hike, camp, and more. Monroe Lake has three public beaches, which are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day: Fairfax State Recreation Area, Paynetown State Recreation Area, and Hardin Ridge Recreation Area. This beautiful paradise is home to amazing wildlife and is a must-see for Hoosiers and out-of-state visitors alike.

8. Raise a Glass at Oliver Winery

Oliver Winery is the oldest and largest winery in Indiana, located ten minutes north of Bloomington, Indiana. Check out their website for upcoming events and to make reservations for wine tastings (reservations are strongly recommended!). They also offer self guided flights and we recommend planning time to explore their beautiful gardens.

9. Make Plans to Attend an Indiana Festival

This summer, most Indiana festivals are back and in action. With so many festivals to choose from, you’re sure to find something for everyone. We’re looking forward to the 500 Festival Kickoff to May (500 Festival) and Broad Ripple Art Fair in Indianapolis, and the 40th Annual Taste of Bloomington in Bloomington. For a comprehensive list of festivals in Indiana this spring and summer, check out this website.

10. Explore Bloomington’s Historic Buildings

Tour the Indiana University campus’ gardens and admire the architecture, visit the Wylie House Museum and gardens, stroll through the center of Bloomington to admire the Monroe County Courthouse, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and walk, run, stroll, or bike down the B-Line Trail to glimpse some of Bloomington’s beautiful murals and other historic buildings.

There’s so much to do in Indianapolis, Bloomington, and throughout Indiana year-round and we have to say, spring is definitely one of our favorite times of the year. With so much to explore, inside and out, we hope you get a chance to discover old favorites and new ones. Give us a call at 888-646-6961 if you have questions about any of greater Indianapolis’ towns or neighborhoods. Each area has its own unique vibe and there are lots of things to do throughout Indianapolis and its suburbs.

If you’re looking for a new home in Indianapolis, or want to know how much your Indianapolis home is worth, we can help with that too. Find a CENTURY 21 Scheetz office near you or connect with one of our Indianapolis real estate specialists today to discuss your Indianapolis real estate goals.