Make the Most of 2024: The Indianapolis Fall Bucket List
Ok Fall season girlies, we know it's your favorite time of year - time to whip out the bucket list and start checking off your favorite things to do in Fall.
Apple cider slushies, spooky corn maze walks, local beer, and hayrides galore? Grab your PSL, favorite flannel, and let’s go - we’re breaking down 50 ways to enjoy Fall in the Indianapolis area thru the end of October.
50 fun activities to do this Fall in Indianapolis:
Visit a haunted house.
There are so many to explore in central Indiana, but scroll this list for those near Indy.
Catch an Indiana Fever game before the season ends, bc hellooooo Caitlin Clark).
Go to Beasley’s Orchard in Danville for cider slushies, apple cannons, pumpkin picking, and all the family-friendly activities plus Instagrammable pics you could want.
Don’t miss The Children’s Museum Guild’s Haunted House (open October 10-31).
Take a hike thru the fall foliage: Get an Indiana State Parks pass for access to all parks thru the end of 2024.
Don’t lose your head: The annual Conner Prairie Headless Horseman Festival returns on October 3rd.
Go for the Midway Experience with rides and activities, watch a Sleepy Hollow marionette show, and of course, encounter the Headless Horseman on a hayride.
Speaking of hayrides, book one! We’re obsessed with these haunted hayride options, especially at Hanna Haunted Acres. Need something not so spooky? We love the options at Indy Parks’ Southwestway Park.
Greet the ghosts and gourds at Newfields Harvest Nights (open September 29-November 2).
Check out a local outdoor farmers’ markets for a few Fall treats, live music, and local food vendors before they pack up (or head inside) for Winter.
Break out the fall decor. (Go ahead, we know you want to.)
Order a weekly Fall bouquet - or take friends to a workshop - at Fishers Flower Farm.
Catch a final Fall show at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park. Benson Boone or Ray Lamontange anyone?
Join theCityMoms.
Our free membership includes connections to other moms and fun Fall activities like our Glo&Go event with Face Foundrie.
Enjoy Friday Night Lights football with the whole family at a local high school.
Shop the Conner Prairie Apple Store for delicious hand-dipped caramel apples to take home.
Order a pumpkin ale at one of our local breweries (we love the one at Bier Brewery and their new Noblesville location).
Try a Fall-inspired coffee or tea latte.
We’re partial to the Iced Pumpkin Pie Macchiato at Falls Perk Coffee in Pendleton or the White Chocolate Great Pumpkin at Fields Coffee Co of Danville.
Go to a Colts football game.
Snag a new Fall sweater or flannel at Blue Peppermint Boutique of Fishers for your Fall day 'fit.
Head to a pumpkin patch. (Psst: These are our faves.)
Explore Hendricks County - here are 13 things to do there for Fall.
Dress up for the Indianapolis Zoo’s Zoo Boo, running September 25-October 31.
Get ready for Taylor.
As in the Taylor Swift. Her Eras Tour sweeps into town November 1-3 and while tickets are sold out, there are plenty of events happening to enjoy.
Go on a family adventure and road trip! Here’s a list of Midwest road trips perfect for Fall break.
Oktoberfest yourself (yes we just made that a verb). We love the Columbia Club or the downtown Athenaeum’s Annual Germanfest celebrations.
Set up a tailgate! Here are a few foods to try, and here’s a list of must-have accessories.
Snag a sweet or savory Fall-inspired pastry from a local bakery like Cafe Babette and Bake Sale Indy.
Go for a Fall trail ride by horseback with Natural Valley Ranch in Brownsburg.
Host a family movie night.
Show all of the classic Halloween films. Use our EXCLUSIVE Hulu link and receive your first month for free!
Enjoy the Dia de Muertos celebration at the Eiteljorg Museum.
Catch a show with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Take a spooky tour thru Crown Hill Cemetery.
Or better yet - do the special walking ghost tour thru Irvington which shares stories of H.H. Holmes and a possible sighting of Abraham Lincoln after his funeral train passed the neighborhood.
Take your date for a fun Fall night out.
Need inspo? Here are our 50 Best Date Ideas in Indianapolis.
Explore a new place on your must-see list. Mine includes The Cavity Factory in Fountain Square and Hattie’s Coffeehouse of Whitestown.
Grab girlfriends for Fall-scented candle pouring at Penn + Beech, or any of these fave friend-date ideas!
Or pickup one from local artisan Primrose Candle - give us the Resting Witch Face combo any day.
Put the annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival on your calendar (October 19-26) for a street fair packed with local vendors, vampire fun run, and other traditional activities..
Shoot archery or go ziplining at Strawtown Koteewi Park in Hamilton County.
Ride the railbikes at the Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville.
Play around at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
And visit the outdoor Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience® before they close for the Winter!
Walk thru Fall foilage in the forest - our two favorite spots are Fort Harrison State Park and Indy Parks’ Eagle Creek Park.
Venture up to Indy Scream Park in Anderson. Scroll this post for info.
Watch Beetlejuice at the drive-in. Tibbs Drive-In Theatre that is.
46. Pop in to the new Rivet Coffee in Zionsville.
Bonus: Their pumpkin chai is perfect for sipping in the adjacent Ducati showroom.
47. Take the littles to the sweet play yard at Tuttle Orchard. Browse the Farm Store when you’re done.
48. Host a family chili cook-off.
49. Road trip to Fair Oaks Farms for their Harvest season fun like Oktoberfest, picking your own apples, live music in the orchard, a pumpkin patch opening in late September, hotel packages to stay onsite, and tons more Fall family fun.
50. Craft your own signature fall bev - like mulling your own variety of wine - with this easy recipe.
