Things to do IN Central Indiana

Boone County has something for everyone! Just Northwest of Indianapolis, Boone is the home of a diverse array of locations from art museums and special events, to small shops and farm stops. If you are interested in art, antiques, or history the Fanimation Musuem is the place for you, want to walk around a quiet and quaint village with a suburban feel and boutiques to explore, Downtown Zionsville is a great place to explore, and if you want to explore the outdoors then Dull's Tree Farm is a great stop that changes with new things to do each season. Find something for you in Boone County!

Just north of Indianapolis, Hamilton County is the place to visit for outdoor lovers and travelers looking for plenty of cultural activities. Strawtown Koteewi Park offers its guests horseback riding, an archery range, and if you’re feeling adventurous, ziplining. Want to explore the outdoors on a safe pathway that leads to Indianapolis? The Monon Trail is the place to start. For music lovers, Ruoff Music Center offers live concerts with a country kick while The Palladium is perfect for classical music fans. 

With each visit to Hancock County, you’ll always find something new in store. Its vibrant communities have plenty of small-town charm and warm welcomes for both residents and visitors. Family-run shops and restaurants are the specialty, so you are sure to find new treasures here!

And don’t forget about the wine! There are plenty of wineries to visit and beverages to sample. If you love museums, The Jane Ross Reeves Octagon in Shirley is a true Indiana hidden gem. Built in 1879, it was moved to its present location in the 1990s and is an architectural lover’s dream. 
 

Race lovers rejoice! Hendricks County, home of Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, has you covered in the motorsports department. But drive away from the track, and you’ll find plenty of other activities, including the Doctor Who Museum, the only North American museum dedicated to the long-running British television series, antique and vintage stores, and even a restaurant that will send you back to the era of The Andy Griffith Show, Mayberry Café.

Johnson County, known as Festival Country,  is home to countless festivals and events all year long. With a Beer, Wine, and Spirits Trail, a Coffee Trail, and locations on the Indiana Tenderloin Trail, you’ll find well-known wineries and craft breweries, shopping, and plenty of places to eat.

As for activities, put on your tennis shoes and get ready for fun! The Johnson County Museum of History takes you along the county’s path through the rockin’ and rollin’ 1950s. Downtown Franklin is a perfect pit stop for antiquers and pickers. Lastly, don’t forget to pop into The historic Artcraft Theater and catch a movie.

Home of Indiana’s state capital, Indianapolis, Marion County offers the best of both worlds: big-city fun and green spaces for outdoor lovers. A world-renowned staple of Indiana, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the racing capital of the world and you can get a chance to “Kiss the Bricks” on a guided tour.

Downtown Indy has a little something for everyone: the gorgeous White River State Park is home to the Indianapolis Zoo, Eiteljorg Museum, and water features; major league professional sports teams’ venues including Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the top-rated Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. 
 

An area filled with hidden gems, Morgan County is a place to visit no matter what age you are. “Unexpected” is the word of the day here, and you’ll find plenty of things to see and do that will put a smile on your face. Paragon Speedway is a local summer tradition steeped in rich dirt track history. Morgan County History Center & Museum in Martinsville is a great stop for visitors to learn about the county’s background and influential eras. For the kids, there’s no lack of fun: Fables & Fairy Tales book shop provides more reading materials than you could ever ask for, Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides lets them run through beautiful woods in a safe environment, and Pioneer Park in Mooresville lets families get out into nature with paved trails for hiking, walking, and biking.

Named for the first Governor of Kentucky, Isaac Shelby, Shelby County offers some of the best hiking and walking trails in the state. Both the Blue Rivers Trail in downtown Shelbyville and Meltzer Woods, the oldest standing forest in the state, are ideal for travelers who love to get outdoors.

While we’re talking about old-school, Shelbyville is the place to go for a retro atmosphere. The Strand Theater offers live shows and performances year-round. If you love outdoor movies, take your convertible to the Skyline drive-in during the warmer months for recent movie releases. If you want to see a true “jewel” of the county, Grover Museum will transport you back to the late Nineteenth Century for a glimpse of what the area looked like over 130 years ago.