If all else fails, you + your date could dance next to the fountain in Fountain Square. | Photo by @kristiswangophoto
Need an evening of romance without breaking the bank? We gave ourselves a $30 budget and found some great local date ideas to help you can fall in love with Indy — and that special someone.
Take a hike
Lace up + enjoy some fresh air with an active day in Eagle Creek Park. There’s plenty to explore with 16+ miles of trails — just don’t forget to bring along snacks and a Circle City kombucha or an Ash & Elm cider for a picnic break by the water. Admission to the park is just $5 for Marion County residents or $6 for out-of-county residents.
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 to 8:30 p.m. Pro tip: Stick around and enjoy live music afterwards from 8:30 to 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 you’ll have extra cash left for some snacks at the concession stand. Tibbs Drive-In is typically open from March through late October.
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 to 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.
Fishers Blood Drive | Tuesday, June 11 | 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sun King Brewery, 9713 District N. Dr., Fishers | Free | Set an appointment, bring a friend, and roll up your sleeves for a great cause.
Looking for Mr. Wright | Tuesday, June 11 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St., Carmel | Free | Join Brown County artist + author Jeff Hagen for storytelling and casual conversation about Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence on architecture.
Wednesday, June 12
Donny Osmond: “Direct From Vegas” | Wednesday, June 12 | 8 p.m. | Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis | $53-$181 | Enjoy songs from this seasoned entertainer and Vegas staple — $1 per ticket will go to City of Hope.
Thursday, June 13
Build N Brew: A LEGO Building Contest | Thursday, June 13 | 6-9 p.m. | Metazoa Brewing, 140 S. College Ave., Indianapolis | $15 | Gather a team of three to six members and unleash your creativity in the ultimate LEGO building showdown.
Friday, June 14
Children’s Constitutional Convention | Friday, June 14 | 2-3 p.m. | Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $5 | Children in grades four to seven can put themselves in the shoes of the delegates who created Indiana’s Constitution at this recreation.
Westfield leaders just released an eight year, $186 million plan for updating its infrastructure, including roads, parks, roundabouts, and trails. Get the breakdown of proposed projects and timelines. (IBJ)
Traffic
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works is allocating $46.5 million to convert eight one-way streets in downtown Indy into two-ways, and it wants your feedback. Submit your comments. (WISH)
Edu
Purdue University approved plans for the first new building on its Indy campus. The $187 million, 248,000-sqft facility will include classrooms, labs, a dining area, and dorms to accommodate nearly 500 students. (Mirror Indy/WISH)
Coming Soon
BJ’s Wholesale Club broke ground on a new location at 14400 Lowes Way in Carmel. The site will also include a gas station so customers can knock out their grocery shopping and fuel up all in a single stop. (The Reporter/WISH)
Arts
Yesterday, we told you about a 66-ft steel replica of the Eiffel Tower going up on Georgia Street in celebration of the US Olympic Swim Trials — and over the weekend, installation began. Take a peek. (WTHR)
Announced
After his show at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in April sold out, comedian Katt Williams is returning to an even bigger venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tickets for the Friday, April 18 show go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 14 at 10 a.m.
Sports
Coming up for Indiana basketball: The biggest recruiting weekend ever. Find out what to expect with the Locked On Hoosiers podcast.
Plan Ahead
You’re invited to the Concert Under the Stars series at The Alexander. Set against the backdrop of the city’s skyline, immerse yourself in an enchanting evening of live performances beneath the twinkling stars. From jazz to pop, this year’s lineup promises to captivate audiences of all tastes. See the full schedule.*
Wellness
Looking for a game-changing night of sleep? Fall asleep + wake up rested with Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Sleep Gummies. Get 30% off a $55 minimum purchase with code CBDSLEEP30.*
Finance
Expert tip: During economic times like these, balance transfers can really make a difference. By simply transferring your existing credit card balances to this card, you’ll give yourself 18 months to pay it off — without interest. (Bonus: Earn 2% cash back on everyday purchases while you’re at it.)*
Holiday
Commemorating Juneteenth
Commemorating Juneteenth in Indianapolis
The Juneteenth Foodways Festival is back for its second year at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. | Photo by INDYtoday team
Juneteenth (which is next Wednesday) is a federal holiday that celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation’s enforcement and the liberation of the remainder of enslaved people, both in Texas and throughout the newly reformed United States. We’ve rounded up all the free local events you can attend to observe the occasion around Indy.
Friday, June 14
3rd Annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival | 3:30-8 p.m. | Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware Ave., Indianapolis | Explore the story of White House Chef Dolly Johnson and sample food from local Black-owned businesses.
Saturday, June 15
Indy Juneteenth Celebration | 10 a.m. | Celebration Plaza, 801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | One of the country’s largest Juneteenth festivals celebrates its seventh year with a parade, live performances, food, and local vendors.
Juneteenth and Jazz Community Celebration | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Take part in live performances, artistic activities, and delicious local food.
Here’s another free summer date night idea for you: Head down to Lugar Plaza or the Canal for the Indianapolis Cultural Trail’s Summer Series. From yoga to food trucks to Latin Nights and beyond, there are tons of free events for you to choose from depending on your date’s interests.
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