100 Things To Do This Summer In Indianapolis
DISCLAIMER: Look, we’re smitten kittens with Conner Prairie to begin with - the outdoor spaces, the year-round programming, that splash pad (literal heart eyes over here). But you should also know that Conner Prairie sponsored our 100 Things To Do This Summer in Indianapolis, and we’re sure glad they did. Now read on, reader bc there’s so much to do this Summer in Indy.
Our CityMoms asked and we will always deliver… enter this enormous list of 100 things to do this Summer in Indianapolis.
Skip the Google scroll and bookmark this for all of the “we’re bored” days!
100 things to do this Summer in Indianapolis
Indoors
Sign up for the Kids Bowl Free summer bowling program.
Snag big discounts at select Indy’s favorite attractions thanks to Visit Indy’s Indy Attraction Pass.
Beat a rainy day indoors with this list of best places to play.
Kick off (or tip off?) the season with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
Race into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and take a tour of the track.
Investigate the Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum.
Try a new fitness class (Bonus: Some even have childcare!).
Pop into a cat cafe for snuggles.
Visit the Eiteljorg Museum and check out the Family Experience Area. (First-timer? Peek our guide!)
Rent out a local theatre for friends and family.
Get tons of ideas in our 1-minute Summer Fun Challenge with Indy Now.
Check out these special events at The Children’s Museum just for the summer!
Pick up a new plant at a local plant shop (maybe The Botanical Bar!). (Here are some tips.)
Visit North Mass Boulder, a one-of-a-kind climbing gym + co-working space in downtown Indy.
Check out the NCAA Hall of Champions.
Go duckpin bowling in Fountain Square.
Sign up for the Summer Reading Program at your local library.
Peek the Indiana State Police Museum.
Visit the Indiana State Museum and check out the new Amazing Pollinators exhibit with the kids.
Join theCityMoms (it’s free!) and get access to unique indoor events and play dates for the summer!
Outdoors
21. Don't miss the Indiana State Fair.
22. Splash, float the lazy river, or spill down waterslides at Plainfield’s Splash Island.
23. Listen to tunes and peek your favorite species at the Indianapolis Zoo’s Animals and All That Jazz summer series.
24. Explore 7.5 acres of outdoor sports at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience. Ride the new Centennial Wheel while you’re there.
25. Catch a show on the lawn (or stunning amphitheater) at White River State Park.
26. Take a crew for the NASCAR Cup Series 400 at the Brickyard in July.
27. Hit up a local splash park or spray pad.
28. Play pickleball. Here’s a list of our favorite Indy Parks courts.
29. Try a new mini-golf course.
30. Scout our 2025-2026 Colts team at the Indianapolis Colts Training Camp.
31. Join the YMCA for the Summer - access to all their area pools, fitness facilities, and (ahem) childwatch centers.
32. Speaking of the Y, sign the kids up for swim lessons!
33. Peruse the history inside Crown Hill Cemetery.
34. Take in the sights and sounds of the farm at Traders Point Creamery.
35. Rent bikes from the Indianapolis Pacers Bikeshare and ride the Cultural Trail.
36. Try horseback riding at Fort Harrison State Park.
37. Go creek stomping. Marott Park is a fave!
38. Grab your catcher's mitt for a night with the Indy Indians.
39. Do a drive-in movie at Tibbs Drive-In.
40. Plan a visit to the Feast of Lanterns.
Local Parks
41. Peek the brand-new playground, zipline, and bird-watching center at Grassy Creek Park.
42. Dive into your favorite outdoor pool. (Hint: Indy Parks has plenty worth exploring!)
43. Peruse the Fishers’ 33-acre urban farm, AgriPark.
44. Do a drive-by of the coming-in-2026 nature-based theme park SkyView in Sheridian.
45. Try ziplining at Eagle Creek Park's Go Ape!
46. Go geocaching.
47. Enjoy a walk through Holliday Park. (First time? We’ve got tips.)
48. Ride the carousel at Forest Park in Noblesville.
49. Rent a kayak at Frank’s Livery, onsite at Riverside Adventure Park.
50. Take a walk through Fort Harrison State Park.
Day Trips
51. Check a visit to Indiana State Parks off your list.
52. Venture out for one of these 12 great day trips for families in Indiana.
53. Visit the Wonderlab in Bloomington.
54. Tour the Miller House and Garden in Columbus.
55. Set up your beach towel at Indiana Dunes National or State Park.
56. Hike scenic trails and see the waterfall at one of REI’s favorite spots, Anderson Falls.
57. Spend the day discovering Fair Oaks Farms with tours, great food, live music, and more.
58. Peek the caves in Southern Indiana.
59. On your way home, stop in at Holiday World and Splashin Safari.
60. Visit the abandoned Rose Island amusement park at Charlestown State Park.
... at Conner Prairie Historic Park in Fishers
New to Indy or planning a visit? Conner Prairie is an interactive history museum in Fishers, Indiana, where visitors can explore life in the 1800s through hands-on exhibits and outdoor experiences. From historic Prairietown to a real hot air balloon ride, it's a fun way to learn about Indiana’s past.
61. Step into the Story with live demos, fun in Prairietown, a ride on the Balloon Voyages and all the everyday fun you can handle.
62. Explore Indiana’s first forest therapy trail, designed to help you disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature. (Yes, it’s kid-friendly!)
63. Visit the new Promised Land as Proving Ground cabins and cultural center. We talk about it here!
64. Save the date for the Conner Prairie Sunflower Field, blooming in mid- to late-July.
65. Secure a sitter for History on Tap, a 21+ craft beer festival where guests can sample local brews, enjoy live music, and more.
Just for grown-ups
66. Take the Handlebar Indy pedal bar for a spin downtown. Then hang at The Hangar after.
67. Enjoy an adults-only night at The Monon Waterpark Monon Mixers.
68. Treat yourself like the VIP you are with exclusive bites and bevs, air-conditioned restrooms (um, yes, please), and more while you Rock the Ruins with artists like Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers.
69. Or, catch a show from the newly-released lineup by Forty5 Presents and Broad Ripple Park. Bonus: the Drive By Truckers are coming.
70. Have the ultimate night out at Conner Prairie with Symphony on the Prairie by reserving a seat in the Sunset Lounge. Here are discount tips you don’t want to miss!
Eat or Drink
71. Visit a local farmers’ market.
72. Indulge in ice cream from your fave local stop.
73. Dine-in (or out!) at The Garage Food Hall at Bottleworks.
74. Stop in to the annual Strawberry Festival on the Circle in mid-June - preorders are now open! (Here are some recipes to try with your strawberries, too!)
75. Pick a local standby and visit: Mama Carolla’s, St. Elmo’s, you get the drift.
76. Carry out an iced drink from Provider Coffee.
77. Or try one of the 73 local roasters + crafters featured in Indy Monthly.
78. Finally, understand the fuss over The Yard at Fishers District.
79. Enjoy bites on the back patio at Big Lug or Half Liter BBQ.
80. Go (straw)berry picking at one of these Midwest farms.
With Friends
81. Go for a mini staycation at Hotel Carmichael - here are a few reasons why.
82. Thrift shop at one of our fave secondhand Indy stores.
83. Book the ultimate spa day at the Conrad Hotel (get a sneak peek of this exclusive space here).
84. Grab the girls for a night out at the Symphony on the Prairie - Whitney Houston Tribute night anyone?
85. Catch a “pop-show” at the ISO.
86. Enjoy an outdoor evening of cinema at Newfields.
87. Pour candles at Penn & Beech downtown, in Fishers, or in Carmel.
88. Go for massages at Massage Heights.
89. Let Indy Spot Picnics set up an adults-only picnic.
90. Enjoy vineyard views at Daniel’s Vineyard.
See what’s new…
91. Set up a hammock at one of the new White River stands. (We did!)
92. Explore the new Giant Tortoise exhibit at the Indianapolis Zoo.
93. Dance the night away at the Vogue’s newest music venue, The Turntable.
94. Peek one of the latest spots from Cunningham Restaurant Group - we’re loving Shindig Indy.
95. Snag a Kids Membership from the Eiteljorg Museum for only $25.
96. Go for a railbike ride on the Nickel Plate Trail.
97. See the newly-reopened Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum after a stunning, 18-month renovation.
98. Day trip with the White River Canoe Co.
99. Grab a delish pot pie to go from Pots and Pans Pie Co’s newest Monon stop, The Clubhouse.
