Best Parks In Indianapolis To Explore

Enjoy nature at its best with these parks in Indiana‘s capital. Many factors go into what makes a good park: Scenery is definitely one, as is peacefulness, safety, and beautiful old trees and history. These parks offer all of these and more. They are child friendly, pet friendly, and some even have pools to cool down in on those hot days when the outdoors seem unbearable.

1. Riverside Regional Park

Park

Just five miles from downtown Indianapolis is Riverside Regional park. The South Grove golf course meets the park at its south side and the White River is to the park’s west side. A few of the park’s 14 amenities include a gymnasium, picnic shelters, a basketball court, an outdoor pool, a boat launch, and more, to ensure that everyone can stay active both indoors and outdoors during all seasons. Arts and crafts activities are hosted in a crafts room, built especially for children who are too small to play on the slides or in the pool.

2. Eagle Creek Park

Park

As one of the largest city parks in the United States, Eagle Creek Park has 1,400 acres of water and 3,900 acres of incredibly picturesque trees and and greenery. Visitors of the park will always have an activity to participate in because there are over 15 facilities to choose from that range from their pistol range, which acts as the training grounds for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, to their Earth Discovery Center, which offers group packages for families and field trips for schools and scouts. This center even has live exhibits of native reptiles, amphibians, and fish along with displays of insects, plants, and information about the history of the area.

Park office hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Bethel Park

Located in downtown Indianapolis is Bethel Park which is often referred to as one of Indianapolis’ finest facilities. It is not like usual parks that are only focused on physical activity, but there are also amenities and rooms like the computer room, game room, and the community, which holds after-school programs as well as events for families and churches. Other facilities include the horseshoe pits, baseball diamond, playground, a football field, and a swimming pool. So no matter what you or your children are interested in doing, Bethel Park is sure to have it so that no one is left out of having a good time.

2850 Bethel Ave, Indianapolis, IN, +1 317 327 7480

3. Perry Park

Forest, Park

Perry Park

Located on the south side of Indianapolis is the ultimate park for indoor and outdoor activities. Perry Park has in indoor hockey rink that is the size of NHL rinks, and an aquatic center that can be used for ice-skating, hockey, swimming lessons and leisurely swimming respectively. If you decide to participate in activities outside, there is a soccer field, a basketball court and four tennis courts. Whether you are running to kick the soccer ball or shooting three pointers on the basketball court, there are still two shelters to rest at with a roof to cool down under without having to leave the beautiful scenery that the outdoors has to offer.

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs, Sun 3pm-5pm, Fri 3pm-5pm and 6pm-8pm, Sat 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm

451 E Stop 11 Rd, Indianapolis, IN, +1 317 865 1833

Trees | © LoggaWiggler/Flickr

4. Fort Harrison State Park

Park

In the winter season, you may find yourself unwilling to head outside into the cold. However, Fort Harrison Park have some of the biggest sledding hills in the area and are safer and cheaper than going to a resort to experience fast winds while sliding down a hill topped with snow. This park is suited to all seasons, but it is always a comfort to know that a park in Indiana openly lets people sled down their hills without complaint.

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