12 Best Fun Free Things to Do in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is the 16th largest city in the U.S. and one of the Midwest’s famously friendly cities. The capital of Indiana, Indianapolis plays host to many conventions and sporting events, most notably the Indianapolis 500, the Indycar race held each year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There are enough free and fun things to do in Indianapolis with kids to make it an affordable family vacation destination.

Free Things to Do in Indianapolis with Kids

Indianapolis has remade its downtown into a hub of activity. If you haven’t visited Indy for a while, you might not recognize the city, and all the new fun things to do, including many free things to do with kids. Even some world-class Indianapolis attractions offer free admission on certain days during the year.

Just a few of the free things to do in Indianapolis include the Indianapolis Zoo, which boasts the incredible International Orangutan Center, free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year.  Also free on MLK Day are the terrific Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and the Indiana State Museum.

1. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Hands down, this is one of the world’s best children’s museums. While kids under 2 are always free, families can take advantage of free admission each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day,  Presidents Day, Fiesta Familia, and Christmas Eve. On the first Thursday of each month, admission is a discounted $5 from 4-8 pm. As an added bonus, parking at the museum is always free.

TravelingMom Tip: Buy your tickets online in advance to ensure you get a spot before it sells out.

Read More: What’s New at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

2. Indianapolis Artsgarden

This glass-enclosed structure attached to Circle Centre Mall hosts more than 250 free activities, including dance performances, storytelling, visual art exhibits, musical performances, films, lectures, readings, fairs, and festivals.

The Artsgarden also houses the Cultural Concierge, a centralized source for free maps, ticket information, visitor guides, and directions for Indianapolis arts events. This seven-story-tall glass structure is suspended 17 feet above the intersection of Washington and Illinois streets. Don’t miss a chance to stroll through. Even if there is no performance, it’s a peaceful spot to rest during a busy day exploring the city.

3. Indianapolis Art Center

Home to many local artists, this center houses over 50 art exhibitions in six art galleries, 8 exhibition spaces, 13 state-of-the-art studios, a 224-seat auditorium, a library, a gift shop, a riverfront deck and stage, and sculpture gardens. The center sits stretches 9.5 acres along the banks of the White River. The building itself is a work of art, designed by world-renowned architect Michael Graves. The Indianapolis Art Center is open 7 days a week and entrance is free.

4. Free Summer Concerts 

The Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis and Indy Parks present free Pops concerts every summer. The concerts include a mix of patriotic songs, jazz, light classical, movie themes, and operetta. All concerts begin at 7 pm and the parking is also free.

Indianapolis Concerts on the Canal are offered on Thursday nights from 6-8 pm throughout the summer with free seating on the grass. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic dinner to keep the event free. Or buy food from the Stardust Terrace Café.

Indy Parks also hosts free movie nights, and all of these together create a fun summer of free things to do in Indianapolis with kids.

5. Indianapolis City Market

This public market offers free concerts on the first Friday of the month and hosts a farmers market on Wednesday mornings from May through October.

6. Walk, Bike or Run the Cultural Trail

The 8-mile $63 million Cultural Trail in downtown Indianapolis connects the city’s Cultural Districts. It’s a great way to explore the city. As a bonus, it’s flanked with $26 million in public art. Or just take a stroll along the 3-mile Canal Walk in downtown Indy. This is a great way to get outdoors, breathe in the fresh air, and it’s also one of the many free things to do in Indianapolis.

TravelingMom Tip: Download this file for a self-guided tour before you go.

7. War Memorials

Many of Indy’s monuments and memorials to fallen veterans are free. The USS Indianapolis was one of the worst at-sea naval disasters in history. But it also played a pivotal role at the end of World War II; it was the last U.S. ship to sink.

Visit the memorial, on the east bank of the Central Canal downtown. At the Indiana World War Memorial, step inside the Shrine Room. It’s stunning and emotional, packed with incredible stories and history.

8. Workout Wednesdays

9. Soldiers and Sailors Monument and Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum

 Sitting on Monument Circle, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is Indiana’s official memorial to the Hoosiers that served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Frontier Wars and the Spanish-American War. It stands 284 feet, 6 inches high, only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.

The observation deck at the top offers 360-degree views of the city skyline from 275 feet up. Getting to the top is free if you’re willing and able to climb the 331 steps. If you prefer a ride, spend $2 to take the elevator most of the way, and then climb the final 31 steps. The elevator ride is always free for veterans.

The Monument is closed on all national and state holidays except for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum on the lower level of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument explores the impact of the Civil War on the people of Indiana.

What are your favorite free things to do in Indianapolis with kids? Share with us in the comment section below.

Want more free fun things to do in all 50 states? Read more here.

Updated 10/27/19 by Diana Rowe.