101 Family Day Trips and Staycation Ideas Around Indianapolis | Kids Out and About Indianapolis

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!

KidsOutAndAbout is America's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! If you don't already receive our free weekly e-newsletter, sign up today to make sure you're in the know about free stuff, festivals, classes, camps, vacation ideas, and all the best events near you!

Explore Gardens and Sculpture Parks

  Coxhall Gardens
Garfield Park
Dollie's Lavender Farm
Willowfield Lavender Farm
The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park
Artspark

 

 

Get Wild on a Hike

  Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Vandalia Trail
Pennsy Trail
Nebo Ridge Trail

 

Time Travel Today

  Indiana Historical Society
Indiana War Memorial Museum
Indiana Medical History Museum
Conner Prairie
Levi Coffin House

 

Make Life a Beach

Eagle Creek Park Swimming Beach
Morse Park and Beach
Monroe Lake
Indiana Dunes
Deam Lake

 

Splash into Some Water Fun

Splash Island
The Waterpark
Freedom Springs
Forest Park Aquatic Center
Splash House
Big Splash Adventure

 

Spend the Day at a Museum

  Imagination Station
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Muncie Children's Museum
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Rhythm! Discovery Center
Museum of Miniature Houses
Indianapolis Art Center
Howard Steamboat Museum

 

Explore These Cities

  Franklin
Noblesville
Terre Haute
Muncie
Fort Wayne
Santa Claus
Chicago
Evansville

 

All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Boats!)

  Indianapolis Rowing Center
Grissom Air Museum
Nickel Plate Express
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
National Model Aviation Museum
Cave Country Canoes
Hesston Steam Museum

 

Grow Some Fun at the Farm

  Hunter's Honey Farm
  Kelsay Farms
Tuttle Orchards
Traderspoint Creamery
Dollie's Farm
Piney Acres
The Farm at Prophetstown
Stuckey Farm Orchard and Cider Mill
Fair Oaks Farm

 

Play Ball!

  Indiana Fever
Indiana Pacers
Indianapolis Colts
Indy Fuel
Indy Eleven
Indianapolis Indians

 

Treat Yo' Self

  Rocket Fizz
The Best Chocolate in Town
Abbott's Candies
Brics
Wyliepalooza
Graeter's Ice Cream

 

Connect with Nature

Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens
Holliday Park
  Daubenspeck Nature Park
McCloud Nature Park
Fort Harrison State Park
Coxhall Gardens
  Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

 

Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks

Greatimes Family Fun Park
  Indiana Beach
Stricker's Grove
King's Island
Holiday World

 

Talk to the Animals

  Columbian Park Zoo
Oinking Acres Farm Rescue and Sanctuary
Wolf Creek Habitat & Rescue
Nine Lives Cat Cafe
Indianapolis Zoo
Wolf Park
Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden

 

Explore the Globe Close to Home

  Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Freetown Village

 

Let's Go Chasing Waterfalls

Cataract Falls
McCormick's Creek
Clifty Falls
  Glen Helen Nature Preserve

 

Get Active Indoors

Zip City
The Park
Sky Zone
Skateland
Roller Cave

 

Challenge Yourself

Breakout Games
Climb Time Indy
SportZone Indy
Go Ape! Zipline & Treetop Adventure

Shop Your Heart Out

  Kids Ink Children's Bookstore
The Toy Pit
Kits & Kaboodle Classic Toys
Castleton Square
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