If you’ve ever wanted to take a look inside some of the beautiful houses on your block (without being arrested), you might be interested in embarking on one of Indy’s many home + garden tours.
How do they work?
No, you don’t just let yourself in. Typically, you’ll purchase your tickets in advance online or at one of the tour stops. Proceeds from the tours tend to go back into the community in some way, whether it’s to preserve the Benton House in Irvington or to support efforts to activate + revitalize the area. From there, you’ll usually be free to roam in and out of the participating homes, which should be marked.
You can find this home at 5706 E. Michigan St.
Photo via Benton House
In the coming weeks
Now that you’ve got the 411, here are a few tours to get you started:
The 49th Annual Irvington Tour of Homes | Sun., Sept. 18 | 12-5 p.m. | $15+ | This six-stop tour is the biggest fundraiser for the Historic Benton House.
49th Meridian-Kessler Home Tour | Sat., Oct. 8- Sun., Oct. 9 | 7-10 p.m. | $25+ | This home tour was founded in 1973 + kicks off with a party.
In the distant future
If you’re a planner like us, here are a few other places that offer annual tours (subject to change):
Midtown Holiday Home Tour | Sometime in November | Time + price TBD | You’ll have the chance to peek into three homes decorated for the winter holidays by local designers.
Cottage Home Neighborhood | Sometime in May | Time + price TBD | Get an inside look at up to 15 different homes + gardens, plus artists painting the houses in real time.
Woodruff Place | Sometime in June | Time + price TBD | Last year, it hosted seven homes + three gardens, as well as porch parties, live music, and a vintage fashion show.
Indianapolis Garden Club Garden Walk | Wed., June 7, 2023 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | See five lovely gardens around the Indy area — rain or shine.