No matter the season, there’s always something happening in the Indianapolis region! Whether you’re looking for outdoor fun or cozy escapes, Indy is the ideal spot to enjoy all four seasons—with an incredible mix of activities that cater to every interest. 

From springtime blooms and sunny days to fall foods and snowy winter festivities, this guide is packed with all-weather activities and timely ideas for your seasonal bucket list. Trust me, you won’t want to miss these Indy favorites while they’re still in season! 

🌸 Spring Things to Do in Indy

As the city shakes off winter, springtime in Indianapolis is full of fresh flowers, outdoor adventures, and fun ways to embrace the warmer weather. Plus, it’s the beginning of patio season, and that means lots of porch parties and weekend grilling as the city comes alive for the Month of May and celebrates all things Indy 500. 

1. Admire the Cherry Blossoms at White River State Park 

Early April is the best time to take a scenic stroll and enjoy the delicate pink blossoms in bloom at White River State Park! These cherry blossom trees were gifted to Indianapolis directly from Japan to celebrate the friendship between our communities—and welcome spring to the city each year.   

2. Hike at Fort Harrison State Park

This 1,700-acre state park used to be a military base in Lawrence. But now, Fort Harrison is one of the best hiking spots in the region with miles of trails and beautiful scenery when everything starts to bloom. 

3. Bike Along the Monon or the Cultural Trail

There’s no better way to explore new neighborhoods while enjoying the weather! You can rent a Pacers Bikeshare bike, tour downtown Indy on the winding Cultural Trail, and ride the Monon up north to Broad Ripple, Carmel, and beyond. 

4. Attend the Indianapolis 500 Festivities

From the 500 Festival to Carb Day, the Indy 500 is an iconic part of Indianapolis culture and a can’t-miss annual event. All month long, you can experience concerts, festivities, and more—all building up to the big race itself. Kick off the month with a mini-marathon and finish out with the largest single-day sporting event in the world! 

5. Explore the Gardens at Newfields 

Newfields offers a unique blend of art and nature that’s perfect for any weather. Enjoy the stunning springtime floral displays in their historic gardens, or simply stroll inside to see incredible works of art in one of the top museums in the country.

6. Visit the Farmers Market on Monument Circle

From Irvington to Garfield Park, a lot of Indy neighborhoods have their own markets filled with fresh fruits and veggies. But there’s only one Original Farmers Market! Grab goods and groceries from local vendors that bring high-quality ingredients and foods right to Monument Circle.

7. Take a Pottery Making Class 

Spring is the time to start exploring new places and creating new things! From Fountain Square Clay Center to the Indy Art Center, there are loads of incredible ceramics studios around town where you can take a class and get crafty this season. 

8. Explore the Amazing Architecture in Columbus, Indiana

Known as the Athens of the Prairie, Columbus is internationally renowned for its world-class art and architecture. As soon as the weather warms up, I recommend taking one of the city’s architecture tours, so you can see these modern marvels firsthand.  

☀️ Summer Things to Do in Indy

With long sunny days and warm evenings, Indy summers are packed with festivals, outdoor concerts, and refreshing experiences. So, sit back, grab a drink, and spend your summer outside in the sunshine with these family-friendly activities! 

1. Dine on a Restaurant Patio

Hoosiers love a good patio, and this season always sees diners out in full force—ready to enjoy a sunset dinner. Stop and savor the sunny day at the numerous restaurants on Mass Ave, in Midtown Carmel, and along the Monon in Broad Ripple. 

2. Kayak Down the White River

Summers are made for spending time on the water! Businesses like Frank’s Livery will rent you kayaks and canoes, so you can easily start your next adventure. Enjoy cooling off as you float down the river, while experiencing the city skyline in a whole new way. 

3. Watch a Movie at Tibbs Drive-In 

Tibbs is one of the last drive-in theaters in the Indy region, and there’s nothing else quite like it. It’s one of my favorite summer date night spots, and the atmosphere captures that perfect nostalgic feel. Bonus points: bring your own snacks and drinks to take your movie night to a whole new level!

4. Jam at Rock the Ruins 

Live music is a summer must-have, and Rock the Ruins is one of the hottest concert series in town. These outdoor concerts are hosted down at Holliday Park, and they’re a great way to get together with friends and see some of your favorite artists.

5. Explore the Indianapolis Zoo 

There’s nothing like exploring the zoo during the summer, and Indy’s lucky to have one of the best and largest zoos in the country! You can spend a whole day petting sharks, searching for butterflies, and admiring animals from the African savanna.

6. Attend an Indians Baseball Game 

Summer is also baseball season. The Indianapolis Indians are our local minor league team, based out of Victory Field. And with fireworks on Fridays, Character Days for the kiddos, and even $1 Hot Dog Days, they definitely make every game a must-do experience! 

7. Visit Symphony on the Prairie 

Conner Prairie is already one of the coolest outdoor museums in the country, inviting kids to immerse themselves in American history. But in the summer, they also host an incredible outdoor concert series, including regular performances from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. These annual concerts are a local favorite and a can’t-miss tradition for any live music lover. 

8. Splurge on Ice Cream at Frosty Boy Drive-In 

Ice cream is a classic summer treat. But every now and then, you deserve to indulge in the best of the best! The Frosty Boy in New Palestine is an old-fashioned drive-in ice cream shop that opened back in 1976—and their one-of-a-kind Frosty Pops are absolutely worth the drive. 

9. Get a Dirty Soda at Twisters Soda Bar 

Need to beat the heat? Try quenching your thirst with a fun, flavored soda from this unique spot in Pendleton. As you might guess from the name, they serve up interesting twists on classic sodas and even let you create your own!

🍂 Fall Things to Do in Indy

Autumn in Indianapolis means crisp air, colorful leaves, and plenty of cozy activities to celebrate the season. From pumpkin picking to cider drinking, one of the joys of living in the Midwest is that harvest time comes with bushels of fresh fruit and delicious fall-flavored treats. 

1. Pick Apples at Tuttle Orchards 

This family-friendly orchard is a great place to pick apples for a fall recipe, take home a pumpkin for carving, or snag a bouquet of flowers you hand-cut yourself! Their farm store also offers a variety of locally-sourced goods, so be sure to pick up a pack of sparkling apple cider on your way home!

2. Attend Harvest Nights at Newfields 

In October, Newfields transforms their gardens into a haunted Halloween spectacular. This annual event is one we never miss because the atmosphere is perfect for a spooky (but not scary) stroll, enjoying the pumpkins and lights while sipping on fall-themed ciders. 

3. Take a Trip to Brown County for Peak Fall Colors 

Every Hoosier knows that the best place to go leaf peeping in the fall is Brown County State Park. It’s only an hour away from Indy—with nearly 16,000 acres of woodland just waiting to change color. While you’re in town, stop by Hard Truth for lunch and get a taste of their locally distilled spirits.  

4. Sip a Fall-Flavored Coffee Flight

Looking for the ultimate fall coffee experience? Find a friend who shares your love of caffeine and try a coffee flight packed with pumpkin spice and other fall flavors! Just keep an eye on social media to see when local cafés like Best Friends Coffee & Bagels drop their next flight. 

5. Visit a Haunted House 

From Indy Scream Park to Hanna Haunted Acres, Indy has some of the scariest haunted houses in the Midwest! These Halloween frights make for a classic fall date night or a fun way to spend some spooky time with a group of friends.

6. Sip Cider at Urban Apples

This spot crafts the perfect cider every time! Urban Apples is a family-friendly cidery in Westfield that serves up everything from cider donuts to homemade root beer. Step into their barn speakeasy, enjoy one of their many events, and sip on an alcoholic cider slushie to celebrate the season! 

7. Celebrate Oktoberfest at a Local Brewery

Raise a stein and enjoy seasonal craft brews at your local beer garden! Indy is home to classic spots like the Rathskeller Restaurant, which offers authentic German cuisine and imported beers. Their annual GermanFest is one of the best, and you will not want to miss the weiner dog races.  

8. Get Involved with IndyVolved

IndyVolved is a great way to learn about local nonprofits and start getting involved in the community. Each year, IndyHub invites over 100 organizations to come together and talk about their programming, so you can easily explore new ways to volunteer and give back to our neighbors. 

9. Attend the Franklin Fall Festival 

This annual fair in Franklin, Indiana, lets you celebrate the best of fall with crafts, fireworks, food, and lots of family fun. Kick off the festivities with a parade and stay to enjoy the live music and hay rides!

❄️ Winter Things to Do in Indy

From ugly sweaters to cozy hot chocolates, Indy winters are full of snowy, seasonal charm. Hoosiers love getting into the holiday spirit with bright lights, festive foods, and other family traditions that bring some much-needed warmth to our coldest days. 

1. See the Circle of Lights

To kick off the holiday season, Monument Circle transforms into a brilliant Christmas tree—with colorful lights adorning the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Brave the cold at the annual Circle of Lights celebration the day after Thanksgiving to watch them “flip the switch” and light up the circle for another year!  

2. Ice Skate at the Westfield Ice Ribbon 

Ready to lace up and hit the ice? This unique ice rink carves a looping path around the plaza, so you can glide through the outdoors and enjoy a true winter wonderland. Afterwards, warm up with a tasting flight at West Fork Whiskey! 

3. Visit Winterlights at Newfields 

One of Indy’s most beloved traditions is the breathtaking Winterlights celebration at Newfields. This holiday light display features 1.5 million lights throughout the gardens, as well as festive snacks, crafts, and activities for all ages. 

4. Cozy Up in an Igloo at a Rooftop Bar 

In my opinion, this is the perfect way to spend a girl’s night out during the winter! Just warm up inside a heated igloo and enjoy sipping on delicious handcrafted cocktails in temperature-controlled comfort. Lots of local bars have debuted their own igloo experiences, so take your pick from places like The Prewitt, Field Brewing, Upland Brewing, and more.

5. Watch the Yuletide Celebration at the Hilbert Circle Theatre 

Every year, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra celebrates the spirit of the season with their show-stopping Yuletide Celebration, featuring performances from decked-out singers, dancers, and our own exceptional orchestra. Experience the magic for yourself and see why so many Hoosiers make this an annual family tradition!

6. Explore the Carmel Christkindlmarkt 

Consistently ranked one of the best holiday markets in the country, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt gives you a glimpse into Europe with authentic German gifts, food, and mulled wine. Try ice skating over at Carter Green and then treat yourself to a hot cocoa while eating your way through the market! 

7. Line Dancing at 8 Seconds Saloon 

Need a good way to stay active without shivering from the cold? Warm up with a fun night of country dancing in Indianapolis! Every week, 8 Seconds Saloon offers free dance lessons that teach you the basics of line dancing. 

8. Skiing and Snowboarding at Perfect North Slopes

Who knew Indiana had a ski lodge? This one is technically outside of the Indy region, but it’s only about an hour and a half away from Indianapolis! So, if you’re a winter sports lover looking for an adrenaline rush, just head down to Perfect North and spend your day on the slopes!