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White River State Park brings together museums, sports, and nature in Indianapolis.
White River State Park is a place that truly has it all. Where else can you listen to live music, explore a history museum, or catch a baseball game—all in one place? The White River State Park spans 250 acres and is the only cultural urban state park in the country. Within the park, you can explore some of Indianapolis’ most popular attractions or simply wander the grounds, admiring the river.
For nature lovers in the city, the park offers sprawling greenspaces and outdoor scenery right in the center of Indianapolis. You can always see people out and about, enjoying nature when the weather is nice! Local residents often use the park as a convenient, beautiful gathering place to meet up with friends and family. And throughout the year, the park hosts countless community events—from 5K Runs to music festivals.
Best of all, White River State Park makes it easy to explore every acre of their enormous park grounds. They offer many onsite rental options to help you get around. So, you can cruise through the park on a bicycle, an electric scooter, or even pedal boats and kayaks on the water! And because the park is so close to downtown, it’s walkable and easily accessible on foot.
Photo courtesy of Visit Indy
Enjoy live music and stunning views at The Amphitheater at White River State Park.
Nothing says summer more than packing up your lawn chairs and heading out to an outdoor concert on the lawn! The Amphitheater at White River State Park is a premier concert venue that hosts a variety of musicians and performers. Their stage has featured local musicians as well as big-name artists like Post Malone, Goo Goo Dolls, and even Kidz Bop.
Each year, residents flock to White River State Park for live music and summer fun during their outdoor concert series. You can either sit near the stage or spread a blanket across the lawn for a night under the stars. And with breathtaking views of the downtown skyline, the park is a beautiful place for an unforgettable night.
Photo courtesy of Visit Indy
Create lasting memories for the whole family at White River State Park.
Whether you’re a sports lover, history buff, or nature enthusiast, White River State Park has something for the entire family. Between the trails and towering trees, you’ll find world-class attractions right on the park grounds. And with so many places to explore, you can visit the park again and again and always experience something new!
One of the park’s biggest attractions is the Indianapolis Zoo, which encompasses 64 acres of plant and animal wildlife. As you cross over the White River, you can almost hear the roars and chirps of the 1,400 animals that call the zoo home! The Indianapolis Zoo gets you up-close and personal with wild animals while educating you on conservation and sustainability. Visitors to the zoo especially enjoy their one-of-a-kind exhibits, like the underwater dolphin dome and the award-winning orangutan center.
For the sports lovers, you can throw on your baseball cap and gear up for an action-packed night at Victory Field! The ballpark is home to the Indianapolis Indians, our city’s Minor League Baseball team, so you can easily catch a game, complete with everything from home runs to hot dogs!
Before the first pitch, you can also visit the NCAA Hall of Champions, a museum dedicated exclusively to college sports! Located just north of Victory Field, the Hall of Champions is available on the park grounds, right next to the NCAA’s National Headquarters. This museum immerses you in the history of collegiate athletics with trivia challenges, sports artifacts, and interactive exhibits. You can even test your skills with sports simulators and hands-on activities in their retro-style gymnasium!
Spend a day out at the museums exploring art and history.
Right next door to the NCAA Hall of Champions, the White River State Park is home to two nationally renowned museums: The Eiteljorg Museum and the Indiana State Museum.
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is the only museum of its kind in the Midwest. This must-see museum is filled with historic cultural artifacts that tell the story of America’s past, as well modern artworks from Native American artists. Their contemporary Native art collection is one of the best in the world, and they actively support and promote Native artists across North America.
Then, if you’ve had your fill of art, you can tour the Indiana State Museum, which celebrates everything from science to architecture in the context of Indiana’s fascinating history. The museum offers hands-on exhibits and activities to teach you and your family about geology, paleontology, and natural history. And after a long day of learning, you can wind down at their state-of-the-art IMAX Theater, which offers thrilling 3D movies and Hollywood films.
Throughout the park, you can also encounter public art scattered across the area! The park offers a variety of permanent public art pieces as well as some rotating featured artworks. Every piece has a unique story to tell, keeping visitors occupied for hours!
White River State Park truly offers something for everyone.
To put it simply, White River State Park offers one-of-a-kind experiences that you can’t find anywhere else in the world! There are countless things to do here in Indianapolis, but this park is especially unique because it houses all of these popular attractions on one beautiful campus. You may come here to visit one of the museums, but before you know it, you’ll be exploring the trails or staying for a late-night concert. And with downtown Indy just a short walk away, you’re never far from the city’s finest restaurants, shops, and hotels.