White River State Park, a remarkable park in downtown Indianapolis’s heart, is the nation’s only cultural urban state park. It has a land area of 250 acres and offers a plethora of activities for its tourists.
You can explore some of the park’s most well-known attractions, stroll about the grounds, and enjoy watching the river. The park provides acres of green areas and outdoor views in the heart of Indianapolis for nature lovers. Every acre of the sizable park grounds at White River State Park is accessible for exploration. For your convenience, they provide numerous on-site rental options.
To learn about some of the best things to do in White River State Park, read this article to the end.
Things to Do in White River State Park
The following is a list of all the top things to do in White River State Park:
1. Fun at the Indiana State Museum
The museum offers interactive exhibits and activities to educate you and your family about geology, paleontology, and natural history. After a long day of studying, you can unwind at their cutting-edge IMAX Theater, which features exciting 3D movies and Hollywood productions.
Indiana State Museum also honors Indiana’s history via the mediums of science, art, and culture in a setting that allows visitors to participate actively. One of the unique aspects of this attraction is the 92 County Walk, which depicts all of Indiana’s counties through sculptures and other works of art that wind around the walls, pathways, and stairways of the building.
2. Enjoy the Stunning Views from the Amphitheater
The Amphitheater in White River State Park is widely regarded as one of the area’s most prestigious musical venues, and it hosts a wide range of bands and acts. Local bands and well-known performers like Post Malone, Goo Goo Dolls, and Kidz Bop have performed on their stage.
Residents come to White River State Park yearly for summertime entertainment and live music during outdoor concert series. You can either set out a blanket on the lawn for a night beneath the stars or sit close to the performance. The park is a lovely location for a beautiful night and offers stunning views of the downtown skyline.
3. Explore the Indianapolis Zoo
This is the place to go if you want a rich experience transporting you worldwide. From the icy Arctic to the scorching African plains, every natural system in the globe is simulated here. The Indianapolis Zoo, a part of the State Park, was the first landmark created when the Park was founded.
A large zoo is situated on 64 acres, but an aquarium and botanical park are also present. There are usually educational events, special exhibitions (you can touch the sharks!), and even a research center available to the public.
The zoo has “biomes” that let visitors get close to and interact with creatures and vegetation specific to the locations represented. Over 250 animal species and approximately 1,700 plant species can be found here. Visitors who would not usually be able to encounter these environments now have the opportunity to do so because these environments have been recreated.
4. Visit the NCAA Hall of Champions Museum
There is no disputing that Indiana is a significant basketball state; hence, a trip to this museum is bound to be a popular choice. There are interactive exhibits, games, and a fantastic throwback court. It was recently renovated, contains an auditorium and meeting spaces that may be used for conferences, and is now a stand-alone architectural masterpiece.
The NCAA Hall of Champions Museum illustrates American Collegiate sports’ extensive history. The museum has three theatres for presentations, a gymnasium from the turn of the century, The Hall of Champions, which honors former and current college sports champions, and a wide range of eye-catching displays for the sports enthusiast in all of us. In addition, the national offices of the National Collegiate Athletic Association can be found in the Hall of Champions.
5. Exploring the White River Gardens
Visiting and exploring the White River Gardens is another best thing to do in White River State Park. With hundreds of blooming flowers and a sizable butterfly show in the Hilbert Conservatory, White River Gardens is both an indoor and outdoor garden environment. The White River Gardens, a significant Indianapolis landmark, should be at the top of your list of “things to do in Indianapolis,” along with the other fantastic destinations mentioned here.
6. Walk through the Canal Walk
Another best thing to do in White River State Park is to walk through Canal Park. The Indianapolis Canal Walk, widely recognized as one of the most notable and well-liked features of the park, links the park with the city area. Guests can use the paved canal walkways for running, walking, skating, biking, boating, or simply unwinding while admiring the picturesque waterway, paintings, fountains, or waterside café.
Pedal boats and traditional gondolas are available for rent so visitors can experience the river from an up-close and personal vantage point. In addition to the Segway tours, the beautiful park and river may be explored on bicycles that can be rented for family enjoyment.
7. Enjoy the Wildlife at the Indianapolis Zoo
Another fun destination accessible for visitors of White River State Park is the Indianapolis Zoo. Experience the wide range of animal exhibits, which include an ocean area, a dolphin show, a marine mammal exhibit, a desert dome with a variety of desert dwellers, including snakes and reptiles, a plains area with wandering lions, and an interactive petting area for the whole family.
One of the most incredible indoor aquariums in the nation is located in the Oceans Biome of the Indianapolis Zoo. You can bring the kids to the Encounters Biome at the Indianapolis Zoo for unforgettable muzzle nuzzling or an informative conversation with the zookeeping professionals. Additionally, you may check out the Indianapolis Zoo’s Forest Biome, Common Areas, Deserts Biome, and expansive Plains Biome.
8. Visit the Eitlejorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art
Visiting the Eitlejorg Museum is another best thing in White River State Park. Visitors can learn about Native American art, history, and culture at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art through various displays. The displays constantly change, even featuring South American and Western American traditions. The museum now offers a cave, outdoor gardens, a library, and a teaching center, thanks to the installation of a new wing.
9. Explore the IMAX Theater at the Indiana State Museum
Every viewer is taken into other realms throughout an IMAX theatre experience, making it an unforgettable event. With its gigantic screen, which is the size of a whole half-football field, IMAX combines award-winning technology to deliver cinematic magic that is heart-stopping, breathtaking, and mind-blowing. Ten times larger than standard film, IMAX movies are shown on a screen that wraps around the walls. The effect is immediate, unique, and addictive.
10. Visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial
This esteemed monument is a sight to visit inside the White River State Park, near the renowned Military Park of Indianapolis. The blue-green glass pillars adjacent to the canal took up a large amount of space, and they contain 3,436 names of people who received this most auspicious award. The awardees’ taped stories are read for anyone interested in hearing them at night as gorgeous lighting glistens off the neighboring canal and glass monuments.
11. Visit the Victory Field
At Victory Field, across Washington Street from White River Park, sports fans may watch an Indianapolis Indians baseball game.
Baseball games are played at this stadium, dubbed the “Best Minor League Ballpark in America,” from April through September each year. The park offers outdoor seating with a breathtaking view of Indianapolis’ skyline.
Conclusion
White River State Park is an oasis of entertainment with 250 acres of lush greens, a beautiful canal, and numerous attractions in downtown Indianapolis’s center. You won’t find anything like the experiences it provides anywhere else. There are many things to do in Indianapolis, but this park stands out because it combines all of these well-liked attractions on one lovely site.
The park features some rotating featured artworks and a range of permanent public art installations. Visitors will be entertained for hours by the stories each artwork has to tell.
