Things To Do in Indianapolis With Kids

Everyone knows that Indianapolis is the home to the Indy 500, you know, one of the biggest car racing meets in the country. However, you do not have to be a race fan to appreciate this beautiful and family-friendly city. There are tons of attractions and activities to keep everyone in the family happy and having a good time all week long. Here are our favorite things to do in Indianapolis with kids.

Outdoor Attractions in Indianapolis

White River State Park is America’s only urban cultural state park. This is such a cool park: you really have to see it in person to appreciate it. They hold a concert series and many festivals, including The Taste of Indiana. The foodie in your family will especially love this place.

Now that we’ve really raved about White River State Park, Eagle Creek Park is another great one to check out with the kids. Eagle Creek is one of the largest city parks in the country. Home of the Go Ape Treetop Adventure, you’ll find everything from hiking trails to beaches. There is truly something for everyone here. If you love the water, this is the place for you, with everything from kayaks to sailboat rentals.

Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball team, is a great stadium to watch a game and do it at an affordable price. But seriously, who doesn’t love a good baseball game? Hot dogs and peanuts? An excited crowd? Even if you’re not a huge fan of the sport, there’s something for everyone here.

Central Canal offers gondola rides, pedal boats, and bicycles of all types for rent. The canal is 1.5 miles long and runs along many Indianapolis attractions. There are also two restaurants at the north end. The kids have fun walking along the canal, and you can also rent one of the boats if you want to experience the canal by water. Pedal boats are a workout, but so much fun!

Holliday Park is a great playground for children. You can also find hiking trails and green spaces for a picnic and the Nature Center is huge! There are several feeding stations for feeding the birds. If you’ve got kids who are obsessed with birds of all kinds, like mine, this is perfect.

Kids Attractions in Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Zoo is one of the best in the country. You can touch a shark or watch a dolphin show at the pavilion, which we all love. Those water mammals are amazing! Get up close while feeding the giraffes… Just watch out for those tongues! Exploring the five different areas of the zoo will be fun for the whole family. The zoo also has an awesome Orangutan exhibit, and the wilds will love it.

Hit the museums while you’re in town! The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is home to one of the largest displays of juvenile and family dinosaur fossils in the world. If your kids are as obsessed with dinosaurs as others, this is one spot you won’t want to miss. It is known for its hands-on exhibits. Learn about everything from Egypt to World War II. Tons of fun to be had here.

And don’t miss Rhythm! Discovery Center – it’s not your typical museum. The Discovery Center holds interactive exhibits that test your percussion ability and knowledge. It has a unique display of rare percussion instruments from many different cultures. Thursday they have extended hours. During the evening hours on Thursday they hold a family drum circle. This is perfect for the little rock star in your life.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the most famous racetracks in the world. If you are lucky enough to visit during racing season, there is no shortage in things to do. The two biggest races held here are the Indy 500 and the Brickyard. Even if you’re not much of a race fan, it is so much fun and your little racers will love watching the cars. Just make sure you bring earmuffs because it’s loud! Also, check out the museum which holds restored race cars including the 1911 race winner.

Fastimes Indoor Kartingboasts a bi-level track with speeds up to 40 mph. There is a minimum height requirement of 53 inches, so this is definitely better suited for older children. If you have older kids, they will have a blast here!

Need a kid-friendly place to eat? Head to The Old Spaghetti Factory. They have an amazing kids menu and it is definitely a family tummy pleaser. It doesn’t get much better than eating spaghetti in a railroad car. The best part? The endless warm garlic bread that magically appears on the table. Italian is our favorite, so this restaurant is at the top of our list.

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