What to do in Indy for vacationers (Indianapolis, Fishers: rent, restaurant)

[Hoosier]

We are headed to Indy to visit family and looking for some fun things to do with our kids, outside of visiting with family. Kids ages are 9 - 14. I was thinking of the Speedway museum and a ride around the track. We love outdoor and indoor activities.

[missik999]

The Children's Museum is rated among the best in the world. The zoo is very nice as well.

[msamhunter]

Originally Posted by Dad_loves_to_cook

We are headed to Indy to visit family and looking for some fun things to do with our kids, outside of visiting with family. Kids ages are 9 - 14. I was thinking of the Speedway museum and a ride around the track. We love outdoor and indoor activities.

If u r headed here now there"s the marion county fair, indy air show, dishers freedom fest. A liitle south the taste of bloomington going on. Ims is a nice visit or make a trip to the zoo or Indianapolis childrens museum. U can take a trip out to eagle creek or do a little racing at fast times. A day like today you will find a lot of people hanging out on the canal.

[Colts]

For outdoors stuff, Eagle Creek Park is awesome. It functions like a state park, but it's actually a city park. I think it's one of the largest city parks in the country.

Hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, beaches, bird watching, you name it. Plus, they have top notch indoors activities like the Nature Center.

[thefallensrvnge]

A nice day could be a walk along the canal (you can rent paddle boats to ride in if you want), and then a stop to the Indiana State Museum (which is right on the canal). The price is around $5-7 dollars for admission. Loved it. It has tons of exhibits for kids and adults.

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by thefallensrvnge

A nice day could be a walk along the canal (you can rent paddle boats to ride in if you want), and then a stop to the Indiana State Museum (which is right on the canal). The price is around $5-7 dollars for admission. Loved it. It has tons of exhibits for kids and adults.

Where is the canal located? Downtown? Love all the ideas. Eagle Creek sounds like a good time too.

[rrah]

I don't know if it's still around, but my H and kids rented Segways near the State Museum about 4 years ago and took a tour of the canal area on the Segways. You can also rent bikes nearby. It was all in White River State Park, near the visitors center I think.

[hapaleeretired]

If by chance you'll be here during the Indiana State Fair put it at the top of your list.
Another thing I recommend to outdoors lovers is: Exotic Feline Rescue Center

[thefallensrvnge]

Originally Posted by Dad_loves_to_cook

Where is the canal located? Downtown? Love all the ideas. Eagle Creek sounds like a good time too.

Yep! The canal is right behind the Capitol building. Probably a 10-15 minute walk from The Circle. It makes for a nice walk (or ride). One end of the canal has a couple of museums while the other had a restaurant called The Creation Cafe. Haven't tried it myself, but it could be worth a shot!

Here's some info about the canal: http://www.indycanalwalk.org/

[ischyros]

A lot of great ideas already mentioned. I'll also throw in Conner Prairie in Fishers, which is an interactive history park that lets you see and experience life in Indiana in the 1800s. It's a mix of indoors and outdoors and the only museum in Indiana that is a Smithsonian affiliate. If you're around on July 2, 3, 4 they have a lot of activities going on for the 4th including a concert of patriotic music by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and nightly fireworks show those 3 nights. I also like the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It's one of the largest in the country. The kids may not enjoy the museum itself but across the canal is the sculpture park, which kids do seem to enjoy. It's all free as well (including the museum) except parking, though you can still park for free near the greenhouse. So you can try the museum and if the kids aren't into it, you can leave and not waste any money.