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10 Things for Families to Do in Indianapolis

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Traveling to a new city can be a lot of fun for families. There's always a variety of things to do, see, and explore. The problem is, if you don't plan carefully, you may not find some of the best sights to see until you're ready to leave. For anyone thinking of paying a visit to Indianapolis, Indiana, there are a number of sights that are perfect for families.

There are of course a number of special events planned at any given time of year. From the State Fair to NBA/NFL and other sporting events, to theater, concerts, and much more. However, some of the sights are available year round.

Certainly a walk around downtown Indianapolis will let the family see a number of memorials, gardens, and the various government buildings, restaurants, stores and so forth. They may also come upon the canal where paddle boats can be rented.

For an afternoon indoors, there are also many museums of interest. The NCAA has a museum and of course there is the Indiana State Museum as well. However one of the highest rated museums is the Indianapolis Children's Museum which is perfect for kids 12 and under, although adults and older children would enjoy a visit as well. It's a highly interactive experience for everyone.

For those who love auto racing, a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is a must as well. Of course if you visit during a race month, time should be set aside to watch practice or qualifying. Another specialized museum is the Eiteljorg Museum which focuses on the history of American Indians and features western art as well. Near this campus, visitors will also find a 3D theater and other attractions such as the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens.

Of course Conseco Fieldhouse hosts basketball games, concerts, and more while Circle Center in the heart of downtown provides plenty of shopping and some nice views of the downtown area.

Butler University has a nice campus where families can enjoy the gardens, listen to the Carillon Bell concert, or view the night sky at the observatory.

For a more active day, families visiting Indianapolis can bicycle, skate, or walk the Monon Trail. It runs from the far north side in Carmel to the downtown area and hooks up with a number of other trails. It connects with the canal trail in Broad Ripple which will take visitors past the Indianapolis Museum of Art as well as Butler University. Stopping by to see the the Lilly Gardens and to tour the historic Lilly mansion is worthy of a few hours.

There are of course many parks in Indianapolis. Holiday Park on the north side offers a great playground. Fort Harrison State Park is on the north east of town for those who want to do some fishing, horseback riding, or hiking. Even if your visit is in the winter, the sledding hill should be of interest to kids.

Another final recommendation would be Conner Prairie. Kids and parents can discover what prairie life was really like in this recreated village. In the summer, the outdoor evening concerts provided by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra are memorable.