Goodness, have I walked the canal about 50 times now?!…read more It's such a unique experience for Indy to have some water space in the middle of the city. This 3 mile loop will take you from 11th Street down to White River State Park to access the green space and extra trails down there. The canal water itself is not super cute, where there can be litter, and the water is rather opaque. They do drain the canal every so often to keep it from getting too uncute. The sidewalks are kept nicer, though a few spots in front of apartment buildings could use some TLC. There are also a few spots where the sidewalk is not level, so take caution if that is an issue. It's mostly stair access to the canal, but I *think* I've seen an elevator around the Ohio street basin. The canal has a few businesses along it for your merriment. Notably, there is Fresco on the Canal (I have a separate review for this) which is open March-October. Eiteljorg museum cafe is open daily around the lunch hours (11-3) and can be accessed through their patio gate. Entertainment wise, there is more going on. I've done the swan boat rentals, where you can pedal around on the canal. This is quite a workout! Rental of swan boats and kayaks is near the Ohio Street basin. There is also the gondolas, where your gondolier can sing, and they've always sounded marvelous. There's also a few stations for the Pacers Bikeshare around the canal, which is free for Marion County residents. Any time the weather is right, you can find me getting my steps in!

Nice river walk nearby center city area. It's refreshing looking at the water flowing through…read more We saw some fishes so definitely clean water for the city. Love the greens, bridges, arts around it. It would better with warmer weather for sure. I couldn't walk far because of the cold. But overall I love the scenery.

White River State Park is one of the most popular parks in the city, and for good reason! The…read morenickname for it is Indy's backyard. With riverfront and canal-front trails, a pedestrian bridge to the zoo, proximity to the city, and the amphitheater, so much goes on down here. Over the years, my favorite special events have been the food truck festival and the solar eclipse festival. The area is kept to be pedestrian friendly, with parking being underground to the park and wide walking and biking lanes. During warmer weather, I often see a hotdog vendor for a nice and easy lunch. There's lots of sculptures around the park too, which helps to keep things scenic. There's also a huge lawn space for running around.

This park is such a gem! As I write this review while listening to "Here Comes The Sun" by The…read moreBeatles, I feel like I'm right back walking through the beautiful pathways and taking in skyline views. From the canal and trails to the open green spaces, there's something here for everyone to enjoy. Plenty of smaller festivals and walks/runs are held at this park, and it truly seems like the perfect spot for them. My favorite festival that happens here is the Taste of Indy, which takes place in the summer and the MS Walk is always a well organized event here. I also really enjoy walking the paths behind the zoo, especially in the spring when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Absolutely gorgeous! Ps - As beautiful as it is, be sure to stay alert while on the pathways!

This was an ok experience. It is located in a downtown building that had probably not been occupied…read morein many years but they slapped some paint on some of it. The throwing is very expensive compared to our previous axe throwing experiences. Drinks are a bit pricey too. The gal/staff working the place was very friendly and helpful. I doubt we will be back. Downgrading to a 1 star. After getting an email request to take their survey (which required email and phone), it is obvious they sell your info. I have never seen this much email and text scams/phishing at once. DO NOT TAKE THEIR SURVEY!

This is a really fun time for a couple or even a relatively large group of people. We had seven…read morepeople with us in our family and we played for an hour and 15 minutes. They have a nice little bar of stuff available for drinks and the prices aren't too bad for that. You get to throw axes at a special target on the wall after a little bit of education from a trainer, you get to do it however you like, after scanning a QR code on the wall, you can play different games as well. I've been here a couple times. The first time our coach stayed with us the entire time helped us get things figured out and help us get our throws worked out, this time the coach just showed us what to do and then left. He was kind of doing everything Tending the bar coaching the people handling the music. Probably too much for one guy to do with three or four groups going out at the same time. Still a lot of fun and a great afternoon in downtown Indianapolis. The throwing arena is up on the second floor. You go in downstairs take the elevator up and it's right there.

It's no secret that I'm both a wheelchair user and an avid trail user. I've wheeled trails all over…read moreIndiana, though I've not always been good at reviewing them. Here's hoping I'll start catching up on that. The White River Trail starts at Riverside Regional Park on Indy's near-westside. It's currently about 4.75 miles long, however, it seems to be a trail that is perpetually growing and the goal is that eventually it will be a 23 mile long trail that connects the Fall Creek Greenway, Pleasant Run Greenway, and Little Buck Trail. It currently follows the White River to White River State Park. The trail currently connects the Central Canal Towpath and goes right by the Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields), Lake Sullivan Sports Center, and the Indianapolis Zoo. You can also access the Monon Trail. The White River Trail is approximately 4.75 miles long. It starts at Riverside Regional Park and follows the White River to White River State Park. The trail connects to the Central Canal Towpath and passes several attractions, such as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Lake Sullivan Sports Center, and the Indianapolis Zoo. Users can also access Monon Trail. This trail is nicely done, though I find the area around the Central Canal Towpath to be a little challenging as a wheelchair user. Most of the trail is smoothly paved and quite a bit of it has a well-maintained sidewalk. I did a 5k event on part of the trail last year and found it quite nice. While there are some tourist options on the trail, actual amenities are minimal including restroom options. Yes, both Newfields and the Zoo have restrooms - however, both require a paid admission. Riverside Regional Park is quite the gem and actually a great place to begin or end a nice five mile run. I'm not quite willing to call this a 5-star trail, however, it's definitely a great option for those wanting a scenic, gentle walk/run/roll.

Indianapolis is home to a growing number of hike and bike trails, which have exploded in popularity…read moreover the last 20 years. With the trails becoming more and more interconnected, they allow walkers, runners, and cyclists a more enjoyable way to exercise - in addition to a convenient way to get from point 'A' to point 'B.' The White River Trail is absolutely gorgeous. Following the White River and beginning near West 38th Street, the trail takes the traveler through Downtown - and all the way to the intersection of Harding and Raymond Streets on the Southside. While it is by no means a long distance trail, its connectedness to other trails allow one to go for miles and miles and miles. While the entire trail is nice, the real magic is once you're south of Downtown. As the trail winds down past White River State Park, a lush, winding trail will emerge. Despite being in the heart of the city, you'll feel as if you're in a rural area. The White River Trail is teaming with wildlife. I've seen deer, several species of turtle, slithering snakes, beavers, hawks, great blue heron, and even a bald eagle! If you're lucky enough to cross paths with one, you may just run into a fox or two. Indianapolis isn't known as the prettiest city on Earth, but with gems like the White River Trail, the naysayers might just change their minds.

We always have a great time at any of the Indy Parks we visit. We're pretty regular at Thatcher, we…read morelove the indoor pool, and our Soccer league uses their fields. We also regularly visit Krannert, the kids have taken karate and swim classes there. They offer lots of different classes, something for everyone.

We went here over the weekend of NCAA in Indy and I did not realize how much there was to do inside…read morethe convention center for free! They had a 40 yard dash tons of field games places for cool photos. Etc. good & drinks available as well. We had a ton of fun and can't believe we haven't been before!

I come here once a year for Revive Our Hearts Christians Ladies Convention. It's big and nice. I…read morenormally get lost. But folks are nice and help direct me. See you next year.

Me and my family come at least once a year for a trip with WRCC. We almost always do individual…read morekayaks as they are easier to handle. The buses and kayaks have always been clean and in good shape. The path is clear and we understand where we are able to stop and where the route ends. At the end the employees (usually young boys in HS) are helpful in pulling you onto shore or helping you up out of the kayak.

My family and I have used this company for tubing before and really appreciate that they don't make…read moreyou take the tubes up their stairs when your trip is over. This time as per usual we were told at drop off that at the end we could leave the tubes and just take our life jacket and ties up the long flight of stairs. Unfortunately when we got to the landing, Diego did not get up to help with the tubes and when I asked him if he was going to take the the tubes up as that is what I was told was going to happen, his reply was "oh, well, what did they say" and he didn't move an inch from lounging in his tube and when I pushed back, he kept saying "no, no, they don't take tubes up the stairs"...so this middle aged lady had to haul a tube up the stairs along with everything else. Not Cool

During a recent visit to Lacy Park, I was dismayed to learn that for some reason someone had…read morereported this vibrant neighborhood park as closed. It is not closed. It was impacted by the current health pandemic (as was most of the state of Indiana). However, Lacy Park is alive and well and on a recent weekend when I visited it was definitely being utilized. Lacy Park is practically the definition of a neighborhood park. This 2-acre Fletcher Place park is nestled in nicely at the corner of Greer St. and East Street. In fact, it was originally known as Greer Street Park until being named after Edna Balz Lacy in 1995. The park itself was established in 1917. While Edna Balz Lacy may not seem like a familiar name, her impact on Indy is rather profound. She was an Indianapolis native who started off as a teacher in 1972; in 1934, she married Howard J. Lacy II (son of U.S. Corrugated-Fibre Box Company founder Howard J. Lacy). Lacy took over the company from his father in 1952. He passed away in 1959 and Edna took over the company and led it for 24 years. In 1972, it became Lacy Diversified Industries. In 1973, she established the Stanley K. Lacy Foundation in memory of her son. The Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Series is one of is many contributions to Indy and it continues to this day. Edna passed away in 1991. Lacy Park was developed to reflect its diverse heritage. If you notice, its gazebo is painted red, white, and green to reflect the Italian heritage of the area at the time. Along with playgrounds and picnic areas, there's a sand volleyball court along with four bocce ball courts that were contributed by the Italian Heritage Society. The group hosts bocce ball leagues here. Holy Rosary Italian Festival is also located in this neighborhood that is easily within view of Lilly and is close to downtown yet feels like a little bit of a wooded oasis. This is a small neighborhood park that remains as welcoming today as it was designed to be in the early 20th century. It continues to be considered a "family park" - a reflection of Lacy's own emphasis on family including ensuring that her business continued to stay within the family. While this is not really a destination park, for those near downtown needing to get away for awhile this is a perfect place to get away. If you're looking to have a near downtown picnic, Lacy Park is a great place to do so.

This park is a very small, only covering 2 acres. It does not have a parking lot, but there is a…read moredecent amount of street parking available. The park has a decent gazebo with a picnic table under it. The gazebo could use a coat of paint. There are also a few picnic tables scattered across the park. The grounds could have used a little TLC. I do not know if the parks department has stopped for the season, or if this park was just missed. In the front of the park you will find an adequate sand volleyball court. There is also 4 dirt boccee ball courts near the back of the park. They did not look very inviting though. The park has a small jungle gym with some slides, a larger jungle gym with more awesome slides, a bank of traditional swings, and a bank of toddler swings. The playground is lined with wood chips and the equipment is a bit on the older side. It has definitely seen better days. This park has a history dating back to 1917 when it was known as Greer Street Park. It was renamed the Edna Balz Lacy Family Park in 1995, to honor a notable local businesswoman. Fun fact: One of Indianapolis's first recreation centers was built here at this park. The park has a strong Italian heritage background. The gazebo is actually painted in the Italy flag colors, red, green and white. Also, the boccee ball courts were a gift from the Indianapolis Italian Heritage Society. They hosts spring, summer, and fall bocce ball leagues on those courts. This is an ok park to visit, if you are in the area. But last many of the features, and maintenance of the newer mega parks. It is definitely a gem if you live close by, but is probably not a park that you would drive to to bring the little ones, or run. I saw the park getting most of its use with kids on the playground equipment for a bit and it was also popular with people walking their dogs.

The Burrello Family Center is a great place for families to enjoy some indoor recreation!…read more As the mom of a daughter with a disability I have attended a few Special Olympic basketball games here. The facilities are clean.. The courts are in great shape.. The staff is friendly and helpful.. The parking is ample... it's very easy to find And if you are there during the day go out and enjoy the rest of Garfield Park!

From the owner: Welcome to Garfield Park Family Center!…read more At Garfield Park Family Center, we’re proud to offer a variety of rental options for both indoor spaces and outdoor shelters, perfect for gatherings, events, and family activities. Whether you're planning a birthday party, a family reunion, or a community meeting, our versatile spaces can accommodate your needs. Indoor Amenities: Our facility features an open gym where you can enjoy shooting hoops, playing pickleball, and participating in many other recreational programs. It’s a great place to stay active, have fun, and make lasting memories with friends and family! Outdoor Spaces: In addition to our indoor offerings, we have beautiful outdoor shelters available for rent. These spaces are ideal for picnics, barbecues, or simply enjoying the fresh air in a picturesque setting. Programs and Activities: We also host a variety of programs throughout the year, catering to all ages and interests. From sports leagues to fitness classes, there’s something for everyone at Garfield Park Family Center. Come visit us and discover all that we have to offer. Whether you’re looking to rent a space or join in on our programs, we’re here to help you make the most of your time with us! For more information on rentals and upcoming programs, please contact us or visit our website.

Potential. There is a lot of potential at this park. There is a community center built in 2009…read morefor indoor activities including pickle ball. There is a really nice basketball court. There is a decent playground, open space, and a shelter on the west end of the park. But the parks department website says the community center is closed until further notice. The splash park is a concrete slab with a pole sticking out. And on the west end of the park, houses on each of the corners are boarded shut. Although that doesn't mean it is unsafe, it does make me take caution, especially if I had a child with me. So, my advice is to watch the website for updates and hopefully, Indy Parks will come up with a plan to re-establish this park. Review #629