Nice place to escape to for a nature fix without having to leave the city. There are 5 or 6 little trails, some go down by the river. Some overlooks, boardwalks and bridges. Some stone stairs and wooden stairs. Mix of paved and non paved paths. Dog-friendly, and there's a huge playground. Does get crowded on a nice day. read more

Little did I know that this park was literally a mile away from my home. Lovely! I took some time on a Sunday to visit Holliday Park on my own. It was one of those days that required a break from work, a break from people and a break from reality in general. Taking a walk/jog/run through the park is the perfect remedy. As I pulled into Holliday Park I noticed that there was absolutely no entrance fee. Perfect. Though I already have purchased my Indiana State Parks pass for the year, it's always a nice relief for something to simply be "free." The paths in the park were gorgeous. There was a nice playground for families to take advantage. All in all - a great spot for fun. Parks are perfect for someone of any age, and that's why I love them so. As I was walking around, I HAD to make sure I stopped to look at "The Ruins." Apparently in the 1950's, the St. Paul Building in New York City was torn down to make room for a more modern skyscraper. The St. Paul Building needed a new home. There was a competition held and the winner would be given the sculpture. Holliday Park won. :-) It 100% reminded me of the ruins in Rome - and that in itself made me enjoy the park even more. I'm proud to know Indianapolis cares about history just as much as I do. Thank heavens. read more

Holliday Park - The ruins of Indy. :-) - Parks Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Holliday Park a nice little nature nook getaway amidst the city of Indianapolis. It houses old ruins (randomly) and has one trail that butts up to White River. Because the park is so small, it's great for a morning nature walk, picnic, or afternoon with the family. The two large playgrounds and nature center make Holliday Park even more kid friendly. I'd highly recommend the park for families, dates, or light walks. However, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a hike. The one short trail only takes about 15 minutes to walk if you don't stop to play in the river or climb on trees. That being said, the waterfront is gorgeous and feels more secluded than some other White River access points. But, keep in mind that there are a lot of stairs involved in getting down to the waterfront so it may not be a great choice for the elderly or disabled. read more

Holliday Park - Spending a little time on White River. - Parks Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

Amazing place for the family! Great play ground for kids of all ages! Hiking trails are breath taking with a water stream. Families use the picnic are for birthday parties and other special occasions. This is also a historical landmark in Indy! read more

See all

I brought my two German shepherd mixes to the park today and we had a blast! You park your car then walk to the right and there are trails you and your pups can walk through. There's even a creek to let them splash around in. My dogs loved all the smells and the adventure. Great park. read more

See all

The cutest park to walk around. Has tons of benches and picnic tables and has a huge playground for kids! The trails are very well kept. I never feel scared or worried going on the trails with just me and my dog. Plus it has lots of free parking! Honestly a little slice of heaven inside Indy. read more

While a lot of Hoosiers lament the dearth city parks in the heart of downtown, there's no shortage of amazing city parks throughout the rest of the city. But even compared to others across the country, Holliday Park may be the most unique I've ever seen. From the peculiar iconic ruins, to the expansive playground, to the gorgeous riverbending nature trails, to the ample picnic space, to the spectacular nature center, this park is an excellent getaway that's not too far from anything. Everything in the park is well-maintained, especially in the past couple of years, and the surrounding neighborhood does a lot to ensure that the park Holliday Park continues to be worthy of the legacy of its namesake. Those who visited the park as children should absolutely return as adults. And those new to the city who've never been there and lament the lack of natural beauty in our city, withhold judgment until you've been to Holliday Park. read more

Holliday Park is a real in-city treasure. It's extensive, with 94 acres, and multifaceted, with a well-appointed nature center, many beautiful trails, and a well-maintained children's playground, with areas for several different age ranges. Its most unique feature is an outdoor art installation called the Ruins, which owes its existence to a competition won by a local artist to repurpose the facade of an historic building in New York which was to be torn down. We visited on a Sunday, and found the park relatively uncrowded. Definitely a place we'll go back to. read more

Who knew you could see the Ruins right here in Indianapolis? Holliday Park reminds me of Eagle Creek, where you feel like you're in another state entirely than in your own backyard. We have a lot of great parks around here but Holliday Park is my absolute favorite place to walk the pups. There are a lot of well-maintained trails, as well as plenty of paved walking paths. We usually go between 8-9am and it's never too busy. The park is clean and they have an impressive Nature Center and playground area. read more

I met some of my work teammates here for a socially distanced, no-work-discussion-allowed, team building lunch. We arrived early. But already the place was beginning to fill with the rain having moved out of the area and dogs needing to relieve themselves. I set up my camp chair in the rough circle six feet from each of my neighbors - a circle that continued to expand as more of my workmates arrived. I skipped the appetizer and went straight for the entree - a carne asada burrito from Paco's Tacqueria. Perfection! I even managed to avoid dripping any of the salsa on my shorts (until I bagged everything up to leave - cheap paper sacks!) or having the burrito implode on me when I had eaten it down to the last row and broke containment. That last can probably be chalked up to some deft handling and long-time burrito-eating expertise. Still, even the most seasoned burritophage finds those last moments tricky. The real highlight, though, was the three-course dessert in which I indulged. This is where Holliday Park really shines. The first course was a pineapple upsidedown cake - my personal favorite. The key to great upsidedown cake is moistness and this did not disappoint. It was moist with a beautiful top layer of pineapples and cherries. For the second course, I selected the fudge brownie. The brownie had a fantastic micro-layer of crispy/crumbly chocolate floating on the top of the brownie, hiding a delectable cake cooked just short of done so that it remained fudgy. Is this heaven? No, this is Holliday Park. The final course was a cinnamon-spiced sour cream cake that trod that perfect barrier from becoming a dried out cake and being underdone. While not as fudgy as the brownie, it still remained moist while also adopting the crumb of a cake. I can tell you, catching this consistency just right is the mark of a true culinary genius. Thank you Holliday Park for such a fantastic lunch. We will be back! read more

I've always loved Holliday Park and this morning we woke up to enjoy some early hiking and to check out the newly restored ruins. The ruins look amazing! It's so great to see this gem in our city has been given some TLC. I also had the opportunity to walk through the nature center which I've never done before. I mostly went on the building to find the ladies room. It was nice and clean, so that alone receives five stars in my book. Coming up this spring and summer the park will be hosting some free gardening workshops on Friday mornings. I will definitely be joining in on a couple of these as I'm trying to hone my indoor and outdoor gardening skills. This is the perfect place to bring your dog for a walk around the park, through the woods, and to jump around in a stream. There's also two large jungle gyms. My nieces have a blast playing here. If you're looking for some fresh air, a little exercise or a good place for a picnic Holliday Park is for you! read more

See all

I'm a nanny, so this is a great place to take the kids on a nice day. They have an inside nature center that is neat and good for kids. The kids I watch are 2 & 5 and they both enjoy playing and learning there. There's outside trails behind the nature center, I have yet to try them, but I want to sometime without the kids.Those are on a path through the woods. They also have impressive playgrounds. They are grouped together and there are various slides, swings, and more for the kids to do. One of the playgrounds is about 90% surrounded by a fence, which is nice for the 2 year. I only have the in and out area to watch over to make sure she doesn't make a mad dash when she insists upon being independent. Plus that playground is mostly geared towards younger kids, so most of the things she can do. Near that playground is a some benches under a "hut" for lack of a better term. There are bigger slides and bridges, etc at a couple of the other playgrounds, which is nice for bigger kids. There are also a few picnic tables near by and plenty of grass space for a picnic on a blanket. You can find various parking places their as well as more grass land to have a casual game of frisbee or wiffle ball. And near that are these impressive "ruins." read more

See all

Best park in Indy with the peculiar ruins that were placed here. The ruins have been newly restored and landscaped to make this a real destination park. The nature center here rivals a state park in facilities. They've got a collection of local animals and local environmental education. There's a lot of programming offered at the nature center for everyone from children to seniors. Multiple playgrounds, plenty of picnic areas, nice areas for sitting, hanging out, or a short walk. There are some short trails, but no significant hiking. Some open fields suitable for frisbee or similar activities. read more

See all

We came here to visit the nature center as a rainy day activity with a little one, and it was perfect! The parking was easy and free, and there's a drop off driveway if you need it. The entrance to the nature center wasn't super welcoming, but it's a great space inside. Lots to see and do and hear and touch for little ones. Plus, when there was a break in the rain, we hopped on the trails close to the center to sneak in some nature and outdoor time on an otherwise inside day. All for free! Looking forward to coming back again when the weather is nice to check out all the programs and features this park has to offer! read more

This park has so many walking trails! There are some really interesting ruins when you first pull into the parking lot. They have a playground and a nature center and plenty of restrooms available. Once you find the trails behind the nature center there are so many trails it's easy to get lost but the woods are beautiful! There are many trails right along the water with nice views. read more

I've been going here since I was a wee one. It's always been the best park on the north side. Er...only park on the north side? Anyway Holliday Park has something for everyone! Jogging trails, nature trails, nature center, ruins, grassy areas, slides, water sources, climbable apparatuses, picturesque settings for wedding/graduation pictures... Hipsters come here to play drums and work on their tan. Young couples bring their dogs and babies here to play. Day cares and preschools bring the kiddos... it's such a community vibe...and it's awesome. Bring some food and have a picnic! I love Eagle Creek Park but alas, Holliday Park is cheaper. In fact, it's free! read more

We attended a Night Creatures Campfire activity... and it was a whole lot of fun! It is a cost, small cost, maybe $5 per person, I think. Gather behind the nature center and have a bon fire in the big pit. Making smores. You can bring your own hot dogs and fixing if you'd like. And then play a little, maybe roll down the hill... Then clean up and gather around to hear about night creatures. The instructor gave a great demonstration and information about animals at night, with props. Then we went on a night hike in near total darkness... how cool! She tells us how we use other senses and can even see a little. Stopping to try and see a glimpse of night creatures and listen to them. Then activity half way though to grab a crayon and guess the color... find out later if you are right. And head back to starting point. Staff was very friendly and kind and fun and able to handle all the kids with ease! That takes some practice and patience! Well done. great timing. fun activity! read more

This has to be my new favorite trail in Indy. It's absolutely beautiful and unique! Start with a stroll around the ruins and snap a few photos. Then head to the nature center and sink into the most comfortable couch on earth while slipping on headphones to tune into nature and delightful bird calls. After that stretch your legs with one of the 3 or 4 trails that descend through the gardens and explore a variety of paths up to 3.5 miles. read more

Love the trails and feels like you're in the middle of nowhere, even though you're very near Rocky/Broad Ripple!

This is a great park with some unique ruins! According to the sculptor, the three figures represent different races working together. Aside from these beautifully renovated ruins, the park has a great green space and playground for the kids and kids at heart. read more

See all

Great park in Broad Ripple area with beautiful gardens and playgrounds for kids. It gets really crowded on the weekends so I'd recommend visiting on a weekday evening or so. read more

I've seen the sign for this park countless times and am now kicking myself for not checking it out sooner! The first thing you see when you drive in are the ruins - an art project dating back to 1973. I could have spent hours there with my camera. The landscaping is gorgeous as is the wildflower field. I enjoy the park so much I've been two weekends in a row. I have yet to hike the trails but who knows, maybe next weekend. There is also a very nice nature center. read more

See all

After hearing about it and having driven past it countless times, I finally decided to stop on a drive to downtown with my brother. I was so surprised that so much nature was almost right in my backyard! We didn't really know what to do so we started hiking down a small path and found ourselves in the woods and eventually made our way down to the river. It was so peaceful and a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle. We took a peak inside the nature center where two separate events were being held. There's also a small discovery area for kids that's pretty interactive. Puzzles, costumes, and learning, all rolled into one. I'll definitely be back to explore more! It will be gorgeous come fall! read more

See all

After spending some time in San Francisco this summer, I was really jealous of the public park system there. What holiday Park is no way as big or asThe public parks in San Francisco, it's still had a beautiful vibe similar to it because of the natural landscape, open green spaces, and public art. Took my 10-year-old daughter with me and spent 30 minutes at the nature center which we really enjoyed. Would like to go back when they have some scheduled programs. Would like to go back and have a picnic like a lot of other families were doing there on this beautiful Sunday! read more

Holliday Park - Parks Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Perfect park for everyone. Beautiful trails and the ruins are awesome. Not sure if it's mentioned but there is a neat water feature that you can dip your toes in and see some metal sculptures. Also the bathrooms were cleaner than I expected for a free public park, and a water filling station was available for free too. Don't hesitate to spend a few hours here. read more

See all

A Hidden(?) gem in Indianapolis. We've lived here for 2.5 years now, and just recently heard about this park. The trails are very well maintained, and if on a good weather day, great to take our dogs on a nice walk with elevation changes. They love it! They have a lot of shorter trails in the woods that you can turn into one long hike! The ruins are also great, and a great place for pictures. Everywhere is a great place for pictures here, and we like to come by for a walk every time we can! read more

Favourite neighborhood park! Great trails, playgrounds, picnic areas & nature center.

We went to the nature center here and it was super fun! I wish I knew about it sooner because they have great programs and a lot for kids to explore it was even fun and interesting for myself read more

As, I have said before Mrs. F and I love the outdoors and urban parks are the best. I have been going to this park since I was a little Tot! From a 10 year old perspective the play facilities at the time were paramount and I am sure I thought I was in little kid heaven. At the time they even had a giant spider web that my brothers and I loved to climb all over. The trails and green spaces are absolutely wonderful! I cannot wait to take my wife here this spring and show her, "The Races of Men". In fact, this is list worthy. As Marcie M. said, it truly is a "Hidden Gem" of Indianapolis. Check out the website for more history on the "ruins" called the "The Races of Men"-A historic building from New York was torn down and the "ruins' were put up for bid to cities across the nation who could find a proper "resting place" for the ruins. I plan on taking our pup here too soon! read more

The bugs...... OMG, the bugs! Bees, gnats, palmetto bugs and more. I just hate insects. I literally have a phobia and that just didn't help. Lol Anyway, the park is nice and big, itself. I just wish the walk way from that little fountain to the trails were bigger and not gravel. That is my main issue. What I loved, though, was the doggy water fountain. So cool . There aren't really any benches out of the shade. It's sucked off into a nice area. read more

Holliday Park - Omg, lol. My kids are nuts. - Parks Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

What a great park within the city. I have lived in central IN my entire life and never been here before today. This park is probably the biggest city park in Indy. It's fantastic! There is a HUGE playground area, nature center, food truck Thursdays, a creek (great for creek stomping or wading in), short hikes, and plenty of open space to run and play in. It has the feel of a small state park. And an added bonus is that it's so close to Broad Ripple and Butler University. read more

This is a really pretty park right in the midst of the city. The playground is nice & large with various benches for tired parents. My kids really loved the giant "spider" thing to climb on. (Back when they were little ones.) gorgeous mature trees, native plants, mushrooms galore, and sweet little streams. There are a lot of stairs and trail markers, which I appreciate. Abundant trees, lush green spaces, picnic perfect hide always, and a nature center help this large park appeal to lots of folks. I like to walk the dogs here and it is beautifully scenic year round. My only complaint- which is a reflection of the patrons, not the park- is the abundance of trash and water bottles I see every time I come thrown around the trails. For shame. I need to invest in one of those trash picker uppers and a bucket so I can help clean up next time. read more

See all

Stop at one of the best parks that I at least know I'm in Indianapolis. We go here all the time, they have one of the biggest best playgrounds for kids. It has nature trails, They've got big open spaces, they just did somethings and included a water area for the kids. They also have summer concerts there once in a while. I can't say enough things about this place, the parking is kind a limited on the weekends so beware of that it gets pretty full on Saturdays read more

One of my favorite parks in Indiana! Super clean and easily navigated park! It is self park and free to enter! Park your car and take a walk down the trails! Stop by the fountain in the middle of the park to cool off! Perfect for kids to play in or dogs to wet their paws on a hot day! There are convenient chairs right by the fountain where you can sit and relax! Have a picnic at one of the tables or hang up a hammock in between the trees if you need a nap! There is a nature center as well where you can learn about the park and local animals. There are interactive plays for kids, bee hive, bird watch and so much more! This is a beautiful park during the spring with the flower blooms! It is a great place to go to get away from the city for a bit and explore nature! read more

This park is great. Low commitment for a big adventure. We loved the trails, playing the in creek, the water feature in the ruins, and visiting the nature center. Not to mention, the playground is awesome. It did have a couple broken slides when we went. read more

When it come to parks and outdoor activities, I tend to see everything through the eyes of our kids. And, when it comes to Holliday Park, you can't beat this truly exceptional place. Set within a secluded, posh neighborhood in Indy, this park is an amazing urban afternoon getaway for anyone with children. The centerpiece of this park for us are the playground facilities. Three massive play structures dominate the center of the park. The diverse equipment has swing sets appropriate for a wide age ranges from a modest jungle gym for toddlers all the up to a castle-like edifice for older kids. The natural surroundings of the park are wonderfully quiet and peaceful with numerous paths and running trails that meander throughout the area. We didn't get to spend much time outside the play areas, but the rest of the park seems beautiful and well-maintained. Holliday Park is now on our family's short list of stops for our frequent day visits to Indy. read more

Beautiful park with great walking trails and view by the river. Nice place to go and get away. You can also get in touch with nature by taking the trail that leads right beside the beautiful river. A great playground for children to go to and so many great views. read more

This park is only 15 minutes to me and I can't believe I'm just now discovering it. My 3 year old and I attending her classmates party at their nature center. Its super inexpensive to host a party there too. The grounds are so pretty and well maintained. The playground is amazing and great for all ages. There are different sections for different ages and so much to do and see. The ruins are beautify and a great backdrop for pictures. Will be going there way more. read more

This park has something to offer for everyone. I remember as a kid coming to this park, using the hiking trails and playing in the water. Now as a mother with two young kids myself, we enjoy going to the nature center and playing on the assortment of playground equipment that they have. When we have a group of people going we enjoy using their open areas to play soccer and throw a ball around. This is by far one of my favorite parks and extremely easy to stay here for a whole day instead of just a few hours. They recently added port a pottys near the playground equipment which is nice considering I have a 3 year old potty training... however we normally always make sure that we make the time to take the little walk to the nature center to use the "real" bathrooms. I am just not a big fan of port a pottys and would love it if they added another bathroom facility closer to the actual playground sets. read more

Wow. I've known about this place for a while but never found the urge to get off my duff and go check it out. Now that I have a 2.5 yr old daughter I'm out of excuses. Excellent, excellent park. Did I say excellent? Playground equipment galore for all ages, paved trails, wonderful rock garden and the trails down to the river along with lookout points are great. Convenient resting spots, water fountains and bathrooms somebody needs to get trash cans down by the trails. Boo to the hilljacks who litter, you suck. Please open up the ruins, I can't believe anybody would be dumb enough (who knows) to spray paint them during the day. C'mon they're ruins! Anyways donate money to them as they are trying to raise 2 million for something who knows, all I know this is an Indy treasure. Let's maintain it. read more