Eagle Creek Park’s Lily Lake is a great spot for a picnic when you’re ready for a break. | Photo via @freezeframe56
Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, Indy features 200+ parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.
Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are some of the Circle City’s best:
Good for hiking
Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W. 56th St.
This is one of the nation’s top 10 largest municipal parks + consists of 3,900 acres of woods, meadows, and ponds and 1,300 acres of reservoir. You can hike, fish, go out on the water, visit the bark park, check out the ornithology center, or embark on a Go Ape Treetop Adventure.
Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N. Post Rd.
Fort Harrison is a great park to visit year round, and especially in the winter because it features one of the biggest sledding hills in the area. The 1,700-acre park features walking and jogging trails, picnic sites, fishing access to Fall Creek, and two national historic districts.
Good for the family
We’re looking forward to springtime walks at White River State Park.
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Photo by @bszweda
White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St.
With 250 acres, the canal, and multiple attractions like the TCU Amphitheatre, The Indiana State Museum + access to the Eiteljorg Museum, Victory Field, and the Indianapolis Zoo, this park located in the heart of downtown provides fun for the whole family.
Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Dr.
Known as the city’s “oldest multi-use greenspace,” this 128-acre park offers a 10,000-sqft tropical conservatory, three-acre sunken garden, and a children’s garden.
Good for dogs
Broad Ripple Dog Park, 1426 Broad Ripple Ave.
The Broad Ripple bark park is a great place for dogs to get off the leash, run around, and socialize. While you’re at the dog park, you can also walk around Broad Ripple Park, enjoy activities on the White River, dive into the pool, or visit the Family Center.
Paul Ruster Park, 1313 S. Post Rd.
A large portion of this park is a dog park area featuring two large fenced-in areas with benches, dog ramps, and jump bars. The park also has large wooded areas with a couple of trails for casual hiking or a walk with the pooch.
Ready to visit these local parks but don’t know where to start? We’ve created this handy map so you can find all of these featured parks.
Women’s Networking Dinner Event: Pitch Your Business over Dinner | Tuesday, April 18 | 6-7:30 p.m. | VIP Center for Business Women, 3755 N. Washington Blvd., Indianapolis | $30 | This is the perfect opportunity to share about your business with an interested audience and hear what other women are working on over dinner.
Wednesday, April 19
Dueling Pianos | Wednesday, April 19 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Feinstein’s At Hotel Carmichael, 1 Carmichael Square, Carmel | $15-$25 | Dueling pianos is the show where the audience takes control — you pick the song, artist, genre, and era + they play it.
Rosé Soiree Derby Style | Wednesday, April 19 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The HC Tavern + Kitchen, 9709 E. 116th St., Fishers | $65 | Indulge in the latest rosé wines and dress up in derby style attire at this elegant event, perfect for wine enthusiasts.*
Thursday, April 20
The Parks Alliance Earth Day Clean-Up | Thursday, April 20 | 3-6 p.m. | The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis, 3001 N. White River Parkway W. Dr., Indianapolis | Free | Celebrate Earth Day + help clean up litter on the White River Trail, Riverside Adventure Park, and along the White River.
The Perfect Pair | Thursday, April 20 | 6-8 p.m. | Ten Hands Social Bar & Eatery, 241 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $40 | This interactive class will teach you how to make your own brick oven pizza and enjoy your creation paired with local craft beers.
Friday, April 21
Stroller Club | Friday, April 21 | 10-11 a.m. | Tuggle’s Gifts and Goods, 1029 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis | Free | Join Fountain Fletcher District for its monthly Stroller Club walk, where you’ll grab coffee and a treat, and then head out on a walk to socialize and bond with neighbors.
Celebrate the warmer weather by enjoying a meal on the patio of your favorite restaurant. | Photo by Dave Pluimer
The sun is out and about, and so are we — it’s patio season, INDY. Excited about sitting outside at your favorite restaurants for brunch, lunch, and happy hour? Here’s a roundup of a few of our fave outdoor spots:
The HC Tavern + Kitchen: The stunning second-level terrace overlooks the Yard at Fishers District.
Harry & Izzy’s: This Northside restaurant boasts a wraparound patio overlooking the White River.
The Columbia Club is looking to make some upgrades worth $10 million. It’s drafted plans for a new indoor-outdoor space on its roof overlooking Monument Circle. Plans call for a 1,500-sqft outdoor deck with seating and a 1,600-sqft indoor space with a small kitchen, bar and table seating for another 50 people. (IBJ)
A developer is proposing a $75 million project north of 116th Street along the Nickel Plate Trail that would include two six-story buildings with 101 condos, a four-story building with 87 apartments, and a four-story building with 41 townhouses. The proposal will be presented to City Council Monday. (IndyStar)
Traffic
The ramps from I-69 northbound to 82nd Street + from 82nd Street to I-69 northbound were scheduled to close last night until late this year. Single-lane closures are also expected overnight through Friday on I-465 eastbound/southbound near the express lane to move the barrier wall. (IndyStar)
Biz
Popular chicken wing spot Keystone Sports Review is planning to relocate to the former music venue Birdy’s Bar & Grill on 71st Street before July. The new space will be bigger, allowing 30 more customers to be seated compared to the current location. It will be replaced by a Take 5 Oil Change. (IBJ)
Closed
Portions of a Speedway Kroger store have closed after a report of “rodent activity.” The store at 5718 Crawfordsville Rd. was inspected by the Marion County Public Health Department + three aisles, the bakery, and deli were ordered to close until passing another inspection and approval from the health department. (WTHR)
Travel
What trip would be worth leaving Indianapolis? For City Editor Nicole, it’s both Puerto Rico and Hong Kong — to experience both places her parents are from. Sign up for Going to get notified when flight prices drop so you can book your dream trip and feel great about it. Join for free.
Shop
This wedding season make sure to shower the happy couple with the perfect gift. Our online store (Six & Main) features presents such as dinner napkins by Willow Ship and celebratory cards by Joy Paper Co. Start shopping.
Watch
🕯️ For the plot
See a classic murder by Candlelight Theatre
Candlelight Theatre presents a trilogy of one-act plays based on the writings of three of the most celebrated masters of mystery. | Photo by Candlelight Theatre/Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
On April 21-22 and April 28-29 at 8 p.m., expect a night of suspense during the one-act play based on the writings of Agatha Christie, Shirley Jackson, and Edgar Allan Poe.
Watch the following stories unfold in different rooms of the former home of President Benjamin Harrison:
The back parlor sets the stage for “In Memoriam,” based on Agatha’s “And Then There Were None,” where five guests are invited to a secluded island for a party. They soon learn that they are trapped there by a sinister host who has revenge in mind.
In the dining room, Shirley’s “The Summer People,” comes alive when a holiday couple visiting an idyllic New England town decides to extend their vacation a bit longer. Unbeknownst to them, they have violated a sacred taboo.
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” has been adapted for a chilling play in the master bedroom, telling the bizarre story of Sir Roderick Usher who has become increasingly possessed by his house.
I recently moved to the near west side and have been looking for a dog park nearby. During my research, I found out about nearby The Dog Park at Immanuel and am looking forward to checking it out. On Sunday, April 30 from 1 to 3 p.m., the park is hosting free public park hours for non-members.
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