Published June 1, 2025
It’s summertime, which means longer days, warmer weather, and spending as much time outside as possible! But living in a city like Indianapolis means that stepping outside doesn’t always result in being immediately surrounded by nature and greenery. The good news is that Indianapolis has Indy Parks, an organization that provides Indy residents and visitors with free or low-cost access to 218 public parks, 132 playgrounds, and 53 miles of trails. With fun and varied activities like getting playtime in at the playground, spending time at the pool, exploring nature centers, walking, biking, and more, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy this summer! Here are just some of the things to check out at Indy Parks this summer.
Become an Explorer at Holliday Park
Trails! Nature! Ruins! Holliday Park has it all. One of the oldest parks in Indianapolis, Holliday Park has 94 acres of green space with 3.5 miles of wooded trails that go through ravines, natural springs, wetlands, and even past the White River. See local wildlife and flora on your stroll, and then learn all about them at the 13,000 square foot Nature Center.
Arguably the most exciting part of Holliday Park (aside from the playground, which is under construction until later this year and is very much worth checking out when it’s complete) has to be the Ruins that sit in the park. Made up of three massive statues that were originally part of a New York City skyscraper called the St. Paul Building, the statues were relocated to Holliday Park when the building was torn down in the 1950s. Over the next 20 years, the original facade of the St. Paul Building was rebuilt in Holliday Park by using pieces from historic buildings in Indianapolis. To make The Ruins more interactive, they also have a children’s water table, a shimmer fountain, and plenty of benches and gardens, making it the perfect place to picnic and relax.
Holliday Park is free to visit and is open from dawn until dusk. Click here to learn more.
Get Lost at Eagle Creek Park
Eagle Creek Park is not just one of Indianapolis’ biggest parks, it’s one of the biggest in the whole country! With a forest of more than 3,900 acres, plus the Eagle Creek Reservoir, you can hike, bike, boat, fish, swim—and you might even catch a glimpse of a bald eagle.
For the members of your family that want to learn everything there is about nature, there are two nature centers: the Earth Discovery Center offers nature hikes, free drop-in nature programs, summer day camps, art shows, live animal ambassadors, and more, while the Ornithology Center has exhibits and observation areas that get you up close and personal with the birds that call Indiana home.
Whether your family wants to spend time getting lost in the woods, swimming at Eagle Creek Beach, or becoming experts of Indiana wildlife, Eagle Creek Park is the perfect place to spend a summer day.
If you drive to Eagle Creek Park, admission costs $6 for Indy residents, and the park is open from dawn until dusk. Click here to learn more.
Walk, Bike, or Blade the Monon Trail
Whether you want to get outside for 5 minutes or 5 hours, the Monon Trail is a go-to for walking, biking, and rollerblading. 20 miles long, this paved path starts at 10th Street in downtown Indianapolis (where it connects to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail), and runs north through the whole city all the way up into Hamilton County. Before opening in 1999, the Monon Trail actually used to be the path of the Monon Railroad, which ran through the whole state of Indiana and connected Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville.
One of the coolest things about the Monon Trail is that it winds its way through multiple different neighborhoods and parks, like the Martin Luther King Jr. Park, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and Broad Ripple Village, giving you a great mix of natural and urban scenery and fun places to stop on your trip. So break out your sneakers, bikes, and rollerblades and see the sights of Indianapolis in a one-of-a-kind way!
The Monon Trail is open from sunrise to sunset. Click here to see a map of the Monon Trail and plan your adventure.
Find Your Community at Brookside Park
Brookside Park is another historic Indianapolis park, first opening in 1898. Located fewer than five minutes from downtown Indy, this beautiful park has 108 acres of rolling wooded green space, plus a wide variety of recreational activities. Grab your friends and family for a round of disc golf or a game of basketball, host a picnic, or try out either of their two brand new playgrounds. Also, be sure to check out all the fitness, arts, swimming, and nature programs they offer through their 20,000 square-foot Family Center, many of which are free or low-cost. Check out their current programs here.
Brookside Park is open from dawn until dusk. Click here to learn more about Brookside Park.
Get Artsy at Garfield Park
With more than 122 acres, Garfield Park is the oldest park in the city. It opened in 1873 and has an Arts Center, Aquatic Center, Conservatory and Sunken Garden, Family Center, and Arts Center—it really has it all!
For the artsy members of your family, the Arts Center has rotating art exhibitions on display and hosts a variety of art classes and events. They also host The Garfield Park Art & Music Festival (GPAMF) every year, which is an outdoor festival celebrating the art, music, and culture of Indianapolis. Scheduled this year for Saturday, September 27th, from 4–9 pm, the festival is free and open to everyone. Learn more about GPAMF here.
While you’re at Garfield Park, make sure to check out the Garfield Park Conservatory, too—it’s been known for its magnificent greenhouses since 1895. At one point in time, it even had a zoo with animals like monkeys and bears! These days, the Conservatory hosts many free and low-cost programs, like classes on taking care of plants and gardening, as well as story and craft time for preschoolers. Learn more about the programs and events at Garfield Park Conservatory here.
The different centers at Garfield Park have different locations and may have different hours. Click here for the full list of addresses.
Remember History at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park is a great place for families who love to learn about history and culture. At the south end of the park, there’s the Landmark for Peace Memorial, which features both Dr. King and Robert Kennedy, who made an historic announcement to Indianapolis residents on April 4, 1968, about the assassination of Dr. King.
In addition to being a monument to an historic moment in our city’s and our country’s history, MLK Park also offers fun recreational activities for the whole family. With a pool, playground, and basketball court, you can be sure that your day at the park will be entertaining as much as it is educational.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park is free to visit and is open from dawn until dusk. Click here to learn more.
Take a Dip at One of the Indy Park Pools
There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than taking a dip in the pool, and fortunately, Indy Parks has you covered! With six indoor pools and 15+ outdoor pools all around town, it’s never been easier to grab your swimsuits and cool off. Fan favorite pools include the Garfield Park Aquatic Center with a kid-friendly pool and one with water slides and swimming lanes; the Franklin Aquatic Center with a 190-foot water slide, 16 interactive play features, and a zero depth pool (perfect for younger kids!); and the Monon Community Center & Waterpark with water slides, a lap pool, a climbing wall, and an indoor pool.
Admission and hours vary for each pool and splash pad. Click here to see all the pools and splash pads near you.
Spend the Afternoon at the Nearest Playground
Is there anything better than swinging on swings or sliding down slides? With 132 playgrounds to choose from across Indy, make it a game to see how many you can visit this summer. You may even find a new favorite! Click here to find your nearest playground.
Life Is Better Outside in the Summer
With the number of parks, playgrounds, and trails here in Indy, there’s a whole world outside for you and your family to explore. Click here to see the full list of parks and programs at all Indy Parks and be sure to get outside this summer!
Tags: family-friendly activities, Indy Parks, summer activities, summer in Indy