If all else fails, you + your date could dance next to the fountain in Fountain Square. | Photo via @kristiswangophoto
We gave ourselves a $30 budget and found some great local date ideas so you can fall in love with Indy — and that special someone.
🥾 Take a hike Lace up + enjoy that crisp fall air with an active day in the park. There’s plenty to explore with 16+ miles of trails. Don’t forget the snacks and drinks for a picnic break by the water. Admission to Eagle Creek Park is just $5 for Marion County residents or $6 for out-of-county residents. In October, the park is open from 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
💃 Get into the swing of things Put on your dancing shoes + practice your moves. For $14, you and your boo can get some swing dancing lessons from Naptown Stomp at the Fountain Square Theatre Building. Beginner lessons take place every second and fourth Friday from 7:30-8:30 p.m.Pro tip: Stick around and enjoy live music afterwards from 8:30-11:30 p.m.
🎥 Watch a movie under the stars Pull up + grab some popcorn. Catch a new release or an old classic at Indy’s only drive-in. Tickets are $11 each,so that’ll run you about $23 with enough cash left for some snacks at the concession stand. Tibbs Drive-In is typically open through late October, so stop by while it’s still in season.
🎳 Play the game of love If you’ve got an old school love, hit up First Fridays at The Murphy Art Center in Fountain Square and play some classic arcade games at PinVault for $5 per person. It’s open from 7-11 p.m. every First Friday of the month. If you and your date are feeling sporty, you can play a combo football bowling game at Fowling Warehouse. It’s just $12 per person for unlimited open play. Pro tip: You can bring your own food for fuel.
Indy Summer Farmers Market | Wed., Sept. 28 | 4-7 p.m. | Chase Legacy Center, 727 N. Oriental St. | Cost of purchase | Shop Indiana’s best local produce, artisan food, and treats. 🍅
Thursday
IMPD Downtown District Community Day | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Georgia Street | Free | Get to know the officers, learn more about companies downtown, and receive safety prevention information. 🚓
Friday
FACE Gala for Dogs | Fri., Sept. 30 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | FACE Low Cost Animal Clinic, 1505 Mass Ave. | $25+ | Enjoy a night of live music, food, drinks, and activities for dogs — plus contests, prizes, and all things dog-centric. 🐶
Saturday
Down Syndrome Indiana’s Buddy Walk | Sat., Oct. 1 | 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Celebration Plaza, 801 W. Washington St. | Registration rate varies | Go on a walk with family + friends and take part in the largest fundraising and advocacy event for Down Syndrome Indiana. 👟
Sunday
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans | Sun., Oct. 2 | 1 p.m. | Lucas Oil Stadium | $64+ | Can the Colts keep it going after the team’s home victory last weekend? 🏈
Underground Sound: Open Mic Showcase | Sun., Oct. 2 | 8-11 p.m. | HI-FI Indy & HI-FI Annex, 1043 Virginia Ave. | $15+ | Enjoy open mic sessions, food, vendors, live art, and sounds By DJ Cleopatrah. 🎤
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
Big Woods is coming to the Fashion Mall at Keystone. The restaurant is getting ready for its grand opening on Sat., Oct. 8, which comes after its parent company recently opened a Hard Truth Distilling Co. location inside the mall. This new restaurant location will seat ~100 guests + debut some new menu items. 🍽️
Coming Soon
Out with the old, in with the new. Lou Malnati’s is planning to open a location at the site of former Aurelio’s Pizza at 13147 Parkside Dr., just off State Road 37 in Fishers. This will be the pizza chain’s sixth central Indiana location with one in Carmel + Greenwood, two in Indianapolis, and one close to opening in Avon. 🍕 (IndyStar)
Community
A Carmel Clay Park got some big upgrades yesterday. Meadowlark Park at 450 Meadow Lane now has a new playground, four pickleball courts, and picnic and shade shelters. The $3.5 million renovation also included native plant restoration, repairs to the boardwalk, bridge and trails + added WiFi and security devices. 🛝 (WISH)
Sports
A new streaming service by Bally Sports (Bally Sports+) will allow at-home fans to watch the Pacers + Indiana Fever live. The regular rate for the service is $19.99/month or $189.99 for a year subscription. 🏀 (WTHR)
Festival
The 31st annualHeartland Film Festival kicks off on Thurs., Oct. 6 and runs through Sun., Oct. 16. You can catch 100+ independent films at six Indianapolis-area theaters. “More Than Corn” is one of a handful of Indiana Spotlight Films being featured in this year’s festival. 📽️
Award
LiftOff Creamery — an aviation-themed ice cream shop on the Old Northside — was recognized with the city’s first Vendor of the Month award from the Indianapolis Office of Minority and Women Business Development. The shop at 111 E. 16th St. scoops up ice cream, desserts, and shaved ice. 🍦 (Indianapolis Recorder)
Seasonal
Spooky season is upon us — which means ZooBoo is returning to the Indianapolis Zoo + this year with new attractions, characters, and activities for 21 days of spooktacular fun. ZooBoo begins Wed., Oct. 5 and runs every Wed.-Sun. until Oct. 31. Get more info + tickets. 👻
National
Indiana Task Force 1 — specializing in search + rescue efforts — has been deployed in support of Hurricane Ian, which is heading toward Florida. The team will consist of 45 personnel and six support members. It was scheduled to depart at 10:30 a.m. yesterday and headed to Alabama for staging. ⛑️ (CBS4)
Number
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The production features 14 songs, 10 characters, three actors, and a band. | GIF via Phoenix Theatre
Tick, tick... BOOM!
That’s the name of the musical production set to open at the Phoenix Theatre (712 N. Illinois St.) Fri., Sept. 30-Sun., Oct. 30.
The autobiographical musical portrays the story of a composer + the sacrifices he made to achieve his big break in theater.
Local podcast Voices of Indy (you may recall that we told you about this new local podcast back in April) sat down with the cast of the production to discuss its upcoming run. The cast talks about their backgrounds, the impact of working on a musical like this, as well what it’s like to work with a small cast. Listen here.
Pro tip: You can be among the first to see the show this Thurs., Sept. 29 for Preview Night. All tickets are $25.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Nicole.
Editor’s pick: Another date idea is try your hand at duckpin bowling at Pins. Pro tip: Night owls can get half off bowling after 11 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. If you and your date want to fuel up beforehand, grab a bite at The Garage Food Hall.
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