3 Fantastic Outdoor Parks in and Around Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis, Indiana is a bustling metropolitan hub, but despite that, a surprising number of welcoming outdoor parks in and around the city offer a welcome escape from the business of life. With vast lakes, hiking trails, outdoor art installations, and well-kept playgrounds, there’s something for everyone to be found in a park in Indy.

Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park at Newfields 

The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park sprawls across nearly 100 acres just north of the heart of the city, bordering the White River. This free nature park is operated by Newfields, home of the internationally-recognized Indianapolis Museum of Art. In addition to featuring a 35-acre lake and easily accessible paths, site-specific commissioned artworks lie scattered across the grounds, most of which are hands-on. A sanctuary of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows, the park offers a charming portrait of untouched Indiana-native plant life.

Despite being a 15-minute drive from downtown, this peaceful park is a haven for wildlife and is home to more than 100 species of birds. This makes it an ideal location for unwinding from the stresses of city life, whether that’s by taking a stroll along the shores of the lake or having a picnic in a meadow of wildflowers.

Eagle Creek Park 

Lauded by National Geographic as a bird-watching hotspot, this natural reservoir is home to bald eagles, great blue herons, and more. The largest park in the city, Eagle Creek Park has over 10 miles of hiking trails, a beach, a golf course, and a tree-top adventure course, so there’s something for everyone in the family. You can also experience a host of seasonal activities at the park, including a summer concert series, autumn hayrides, and winter skiing.

With almost 1500 acres of water, the park offers a variety of rowing and sailing classes at their expansive Marina. Personal boat use is encouraged, which opens up a world of boating, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking possibilities to keep you and your friends and family cool.

Holliday Park 

Stepping onto the grounds of Holliday Park is like a mini-vacation. Located six miles north of Downtown, this free park is one of the oldest in the city and has a little something for everyone. Take a load off and let the kids burn off their energy at one of Indy’s best playgrounds, pull on your hiking boots and go tromping down the park’s 3.5 miles of trails or creek-stomp in the shallows of the White River, or wander through the picturesque Holliday Park ruins.

The park also features a nature center that offers a truly illuminating educational experience. Kids and adults alike can beat the heat indoors while learning about Indiana’s native wildlife and watching birds flit around the nature center’s outdoor garden.

After you’ve found the perfect park, you’ll need a vehicle that ensures that the drive there is just as relaxing as your time among the trees. Whether you’re looking to pack up your kayak, your dog, or your family and head out into the great outdoors, give us a call at Ed Martin Honda, and we’ll find you the perfect vehicle to get you on the road to relaxation. 

Image courtesy of unsplash.com

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