Free Things To Do in Indianapolis

Visit Monument Circle for Shining a Light, a seasonally themed light show and a nightly Signature Salute. The show is synchronized with an Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra original score that pays tribute to the iconic Monument

Relive your youth and take in the great outdoors at one of Indy's 211 city parks. From Eagle Creek Park on the northwest side of the city, with its expansive reservoir and crisscrossing nature trails, to Highland Park, with one of the most beautiful sunset views of the city, there’s something for everyone with Indy Parks. Pickup takeout from your favorite restaurant for a summer picnic, or dust off your frisbee and take advantage of the wide-open spaces.

In what used to be an old car factory, the Stutz building now hold many businesses including the free car museum! Check out showcased cars including a 1914 Stutz Bearcat, a 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi Boxer, and other vintage cars. 

There are lots of options for places to visit on First Friday, a monthly celebration of visual arts in Indy. First Fridays at the Murphy Art Center in Fountain Square have free monthly shows by up-and-coming bands as well as new visual art installations each month. Or, stroll through historic Old Northside neighborhood and visit the Harrison Center. You'll meet a collection of local artists working with an array of mediums while exploring an expansive and eclectic gallery space. Each month celebrates a different theme - so you will always have a new experience when you tour the center. 

Discover the pulse of excitement at Bicentennial Unity Plaza, adjacent to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Supported by the Lilly Endowment, experience interactive sculptures, and for a fee, enjoy ice skating this winter at the basketball court-turned-ice-skating rink. The Plaza is a vibrant hub for community events and activities throughout the year.

Indianapolis devotes more acreage than any other U.S. city to honoring our nation’s fallen, and is second only to Washington, DC, in the number of war memorials. Discover the monuments, memorials, and patriotic spirit of Indy that every visitor should experience. 

On the first Thursday of every month, Newfields offers free general admission to view its collection of over 54,000 works. Newfields is one of the 10 largest and 10 oldest art museums in the nation, featuring a wide variety of pieces spanning over 5,000 years.

Surrounding the exterior walls of the Indiana State Museum is a collection of etched designs to represent each county in the state of Indiana. Journey to White River State Park, and see if you can spot each county.

Perfect for the warmer days of the year, these 100 acres of the Newfields campus have surprises around every corner. Outdoor art installations, such as Funky Bones, pair with natural beauty to create the afternoon of a lifetime – completely free.

Declare your love for Indy to the world, and be the “I” in Indy. All you have to do is:

• FIND: See the list of NDY sculptures here.
• STAND: Find the foot prints and become the "I" in Indy.
• SNAP: Kindly ask someone to take your picture.
• SHARE: Post to your favorite social network with hashtag #LOVEINDY

The Monon is the rail trail that started it all. The trail extends out of downtown and runs through Mapleton-Fall Creek, Meridian-Kessler, Broad Ripple, and Nora. The northern stretch is called the Monon Greenway and stretches north to Carmel and Westfield. The Monon is one of the busiest urban greenways in the country and offers connections to the Fall Creek Trail, Canal Towpath, and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

Crown Hill Cemetery is a favorite destination for Indianapolis visitors and locals alike, earning Trip Advisor’s “Certificate of Excellence” from visitor reviews! Founded in 1863, it’s the nation’s 3rd largest cemetery with 555 acres of beautiful rolling hills and is located across the street from Newfields. Thousands visit to take an award-winning guided tour, enjoy the peaceful beauty, sculptures, and trees, as well as to exercise, picnic, and study the history of the 200,000+ people buried there. Notables include President Benjamin Harrison, poet James Whitcomb Riley, Col. Eli Lilly, three U.S. Vice Presidents, and numerous others, including the infamous bank robber John Dillinger.

Scout for four larger-than-life murals along Massachusetts Avenue, in the first cultural district of the city. Look up to entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, Pacers star Reggie Miller, author Kurt Vonnegut, poet Mari Evans, Holocaust survivor and forgiveness advocate Eva Mozes Kor, and world-renowned cyclist and racial advocate Major Taylor as you stroll along Mass Ave to explore the shops, restaurants, and bars.

Take a walk, run, or bike ride down the internationally acclaimed 8-mile long Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The trail travels from Fountain Square to White River State Park to Mass Ave and connects to the Monon Trail and is perfect for a stroll anytime during the day. Explore the city and learn about the culture of Indy one trail at a time.

Indiana Humanties' citywide adventure celebrates the literary legends that came out of the Circle City. With an interactive map at BookmarkIndy.com and physical markers at each geographic location, you'll be led through a tapestry of landmarks throughout the city on the self-guided tour. Visit key points of inspiration for authors like Mari Evans, Kurt Vonnegut, John Green, Booth Tarkington, and more. 

Right along the Monon Trail in Broad Ripple lies the Indianapolis Art Center, where you can find sprawling gardens and unique works of art nestled right along the White River. The gardens are free to access and explore. See if you can spot the Twisted House sculpture in the ArtsPark, a fairytale-like garden designed by Indiana native and renowned architect Michael Graves. 

Throughout the year, the city is full of free events for community members and visitors to come together. Watch a free movie on the American Legion Mall or go to a free concert in the park. Explore our Events calendar and keep an eye out for those free activities and events!