101 Family Day Trips and Staycation Ideas Around Indianapolis
Remember, it's always best to follow each link to get details about your visit directly from your destination, since some places operate seasonally or by reservation, as well as to check each venue's COVID requirements (masks, limits, social distancing).
Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from Indianapolis. Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun!
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Explore Gardens and Sculpture Parks
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Coxhall Gardens |
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Garfield Park |
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Dollie's Lavender Farm |
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Willowfield Lavender Farm |
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The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park |
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Artspark |
Get Wild on a Hike
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Morgan-Monroe State Forest |
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Vandalia Trail |
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Pennsy Trail |
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Nebo Ridge Trail |
Time Travel Today
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Indiana Historical Society |
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Indiana War Memorial Museum |
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Indiana Medical History Museum |
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Conner Prairie |
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Levi Coffin House |
Make Life a Beach
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Eagle Creek Park Swimming Beach |
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Morse Park and Beach |
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Monroe Lake |
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Indiana Dunes |
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Deam Lake |
Splash into Some Water Fun
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Splash Island |
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The Waterpark |
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Freedom Springs |
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Forest Park Aquatic Center |
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Splash House |
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Big Splash Adventure |
Spend the Day at a Museum
Explore These Cities
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Franklin |
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Noblesville |
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Terre Haute |
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Muncie |
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Fort Wayne |
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Santa Claus |
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Chicago |
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Evansville |
All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Boats!)
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Indianapolis Rowing Center |
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Grissom Air Museum |
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Nickel Plate Express |
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum |
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National Model Aviation Museum |
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Cave Country Canoes |
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Hesston Steam Museum |
Grow Some Fun at the Farm
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Hunter's Honey Farm |
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Kelsay Farms |
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Tuttle Orchards |
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Traderspoint Creamery |
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Dollie's Farm |
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Piney Acres |
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The Farm at Prophetstown |
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Stuckey Farm Orchard and Cider Mill |
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Fair Oaks Farm |
Play Ball!
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Indiana Fever |
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Indiana Pacers |
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Indianapolis Colts |
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Indy Fuel |
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Indy Eleven |
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Indianapolis Indians |
Treat Yo' Self
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Rocket Fizz |
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The Best Chocolate in Town |
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Abbott's Candies |
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Brics |
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Wyliepalooza |
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Graeter's Ice Cream |
Connect with Nature
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Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens |
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Holliday Park |
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Daubenspeck Nature Park |
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McCloud Nature Park |
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Fort Harrison State Park |
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Coxhall Gardens |
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Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge |
Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks
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Greatimes Family Fun Park |
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Indiana Beach |
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Stricker's Grove |
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King's Island |
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Holiday World |
Talk to the Animals
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Columbian Park Zoo |
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Oinking Acres Farm Rescue and Sanctuary |
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Wolf Creek Habitat & Rescue |
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Nine Lives Cat Cafe |
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Indianapolis Zoo |
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Wolf Park |
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Fort Wayne Children's Zoo |
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Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden |
Explore the Globe Close to Home
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Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art |
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Freetown Village |
Let's Go Chasing Waterfalls
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Cataract Falls |
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McCormick's Creek |
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Clifty Falls |
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Glen Helen Nature Preserve |
Get Active Indoors
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Zip City |
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The Park |
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Sky Zone |
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Skateland |
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Roller Cave |
Challenge Yourself
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Breakout Games |
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Climb Time Indy |
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SportZone Indy |
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Go Ape! Zipline & Treetop Adventure |
Shop Your Heart Out
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Kids Ink Children's Bookstore |
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The Toy Pit |
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Kits & Kaboodle Classic Toys |
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Castleton Square |
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Circle Centre Mall |
Limiting our list to 101 ideas meant some great destinations may have been left off the list - if there is something you’d like to see added, share it with us on Facebook!
Most of these destinations are within an hour from downtown Indianapolis. For those that are a bit farther away:
= Less than 1 hour away
= 1 to 2 hours away
= 2 to 3 hours away
= Just over 3 hours away