Outdoor Fun in Indianapolis During the Winter
For some people, getting outdoors during the winter months is a no-brainer, but for the rest of us, we need a reason, a lure into the great outdoors. Winter in Indy brings plenty of ways to enjoy the season outdoors. From gliding across local ice rinks and sledding down snow-covered hills to exploring festive Christmas markets and trying your hand at cross-country skiing, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of the cold weather. Whether you’re after a classic winter pastime or something a little unexpected, Indy’s mix of activities offers a fresh reason to bundle up and head outside. If you're looking for opportunities to play outside in Indy, here's a whole list of ideas for you!
Ice Skating in Indy
Ice skating in Indy is a simple winter favorite. Local rinks around the city offer an easy way to get outside, enjoy the season, and spend time with friends or family. Insider tip: check in at the QR codes located at each rink through December 31 to earn prizes with the Holiday Adventure Pass.
BYO Sled for These Sledding Hills
Indiana may be flat, but we have some serious sledding hills! There are many places around Indy to hit the mini slopes with your own sled, but my local favorite is at Fort Harrison State Park. Indy Parks, our local parks and recreation organization, keeps an updated list of city park sledding hills.
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
If you have your own pair of cross country skis or snowshoes, Indianapolis has beautiful spaces for you to trail through. Eagle Creek Park is a local favorite for trekking with snowshoes and cross country skis. Northwestway Park and Southeastway Park are also designated locations for cross-country skiing.
Take an Art Stroll
There's no shortage of special places to walk around and see art in Indianapolis. The best part about the winter months is the change it brings to the art work -- new lighting, new surroundings and sometimes the shiny slickness of ice or the glitter of snow. Visit the Cultural Trail Public Art Collection for a fun look at public art spaces. The Indianapolis Art Center has 12 acres of beautiful outdoor art that you can see as you traverse the paths and wind your way through this hidden gem just north of downtown Indianapolis. If you're looking for a little hike that will likely put you in the path of wildlife and definitely bring you in contact with sculptures and other art pieces, you'll want to wander around at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields.
Veal's Ice Tree
This amazing ice sculpture is unlike any other in the world. For sixty years the Veal family has been creating a structure made by spraying a mist of water atop a base of wood scraps and tree branches. The result is a giant ice tree that looks like it came straight out of the movie Frozen. For this stunning masterpiece to be created, outdoor conditions must be just right - many days of below freezing temperatures in a row.
No matter why you like being outside during the winter, Indianapolis has some pretty great reasons to stay outside, even when it gets cold.
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