Best hikes around the Circle City

Monon trail covered in leaves and surrounded by trees changing colors

Leaves changing color on the Monon Trail | Photo via @dustonmyshoes

Whether you’re feeling like a casual city stroll or a rigorous nature trek, there’s a hiking trail for you in Indy.

For the urban rambler:

This paved city trail is great for biking + even better for making pit stops. Along its 20+ mile path, you’ll find anything from a bicycle shop to the Indianapolis Art Center, with plenty of brews + booze in between.

Pro tip: If you’re hiking the trail this weekend, stop in at Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station (BRICS), where they’re having their annual Cider Press. 🍦

With Halloween on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to stop by Irvington on this east side trail. The neighborhood goes all out, so pay attention to their Halloween Festival calendar, which has events all month long.

Got an appetite after all that exercise? A bar called Strangebird, a bakery called Landlocked + a burger joint called Heartbreaker are all conveniently located on the trail.🍴

Funky bones art sculpture outside at 100 Acres

Funky Bones at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park | Photo via @thetravelxblog

For the nature wanderer:

For $5 admission, you have access to more than trails at Eagle Creek. Here, you can hit the Ornithology Center for some bird watching. Think owls are a hoot? Plan your trip for this weekend, when they’re hosting their annual Owl Fest. 🦉

Pro tip: Bring your rod alongfishing is permitted in the Eagle Creek Reservoir + Lilly Lake. 🎣

This park — aka 100 Acres — is part of Newfields’ campus + has a little bit of everything. Wooded trails, a swingset, a basketball court, and a lake surround several contemporary art installments. And don’t worry, this park is free to enjoy every day of the week.

Attention bookworms — This park features Funky Bones, the sculpture made famous by Indy author John Green in his novel, “The Fault in Our Stars.” 📖

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