Goodness, have I walked the canal about 50 times now?! 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! read more

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Nice river walk nearby center city area. It's refreshing looking at the water flowing through. 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. read more

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The Canal Walk is one of the major attraction in downtown Indianapolis. It is a long walkway that is right along the water of the canal. Several parks, museums, hotels, and other attractions are situated along this walkway. While walking along the canal, I noticed several tourists and locals walking and running through the walkway. The walkway and surrounding public area was mostly clean and well maintained. In one corner there was a paddle swan boats for rental but it was closed for winter. Some of the canal had scaffolding for construction. Some of the signs around the canal provided historical insight about the canal. read more

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If you're looking to enjoy the canal walk a great place to start is White River State Park. They have a visitor center there where you can pick up a map which is very helpful. You basically want to look for the tall colorful mosaic that's pretty much your starting point for the canal. We accidentally got confused and started on the trail that goes alongside the white river and that's very different than the canal. There are entrances to all the major museums right off the canal. There are bikes, swan paddle boats as well as kayaks that can be rented to change up how you see things. You'll see art, memorials and wildlife as you walk. We were really surprised that there weren't shops, restaurants or cafes that you can easily access while walking, but maybe it was still too early in the spring for some of those things to be open. There are certainly signs of wear and graffiti on some of the murals but overall it's a very enjoyable walk and a great free activity in the city of Indianapolis. Round -trip from the visitor center to the end of the canal on 11th St. is a 3 mile walk. Be sure to use restrooms at the visitor center before you leave as there are very few places you can access along the canal itself. During the spring of 2026 when we visited, there were a number of sections where there's construction being done along the canal and they had temporary metal walkways ensuring that you still have full access on both sides of the canal. My teenage boys had fun, stopping and playing at Colts playground. It's great for all ages! There are some really neat monuments of remembrance along the pathway including a 9-11 one and one for the USS Indianapolis. Wear good walking shoes and plan to bring your own water bottle. Enjoy! read more

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I imagine this is a much better attraction in spring, summer, and fall while winter and the cold weather don't feature events and as many people walking around. We did see plenty of ducks, geese, birds, and squirrels all around the canal area where we walked. Nice shortcut to get to the state Capitol and other nearby attractions. We saw the 9/11 Memorial just above the canal and were glad to have stayed in a nearby hotel where you can walk right down the steps to walk along or cross over the canal on a bridge. Next time we're here, we'll be sure to explore some more of the canal and if in nice weather, maybe take a gondola ride. read more

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At the museum before entering the Canal, there is a little spot called 'The Legacy Theather.' Should check it out and walk through there. It's interesting, touching and FREE. The Canal itself is very peaceful and enjoyable. You can walk, skate, ride your bike, etc... read more

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Great place to get some steps in on a nice day! We strolled around the canal, played on the playground, checked out the giant koi fish swimming, and even saw a group setting up big neon letters for a marriage proposal. There was a little business renting out bikes and those trolley looking ones that seat 2+. Unfortunately, you can't ride any of the local Bird scooters along the canal; they have the area listed as a "no flight zone". It was clean, no visible trash, and we felt safe during the day. We saw several people running along the paved path. Would recommend for a peaceful activity in the city. read more

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What a nice relaxing area. Go for a leisurely walk. Relax on the lawn. Watch the people go by and the canal flow. Enjoy the scenery. Walk your dog (make sure to clean after it though). Discover the memorial. Let the kids play on the playground. read more

Such a beautiful and peaceful spot right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. I loved walking along the water. The Canal Walk is perfect for a relaxing stroll, jog, or even a paddle boat ride. It's clean, peaceful, and well-maintained, with plenty of benches and scenic views along the way. It's the perfect place to take a stroll, grab a coffee, or just unwind after a busy day. The views are gorgeous, especially around sunset, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby if you want to make a whole outing of it. I've only come here once before, but I can see why locals rave about this attraction so much. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Indianapolis. Winter is probably not as cool of an experience here, but who knows. I'll have to make another visit during that time just to see what it's really like. read more

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The canal is a great attraction for the city. I always loved coming here. I haven't been here in a while, and it's nice to have a stroll at night when there isn't much else to do. So much happens on the canal now though that it's not as safe. There's more homeless people now and younger population that just post up at night time, so you never know what you'll come across. Also, they have a lot of construction going on so some parts of the canal is in scaffolds. That takes away from the appeal and the relaxation feel. read more

If you have ever wishes Indy was more of a waterfront city you probably just haven't visited the canal yet! This is one of our favorite places to take a walk in Indianapolis. Start on the north end by the Stutz to get a coffee or a pastry and then walk downtown to White River State Park where you can easily access the State Museum, Eiteljorg, zoo, concert venues and lots more restaurants. With canalside condos and cafes and parks, this feels like walking in Charleston or some other well known waterfront community. There's a lot to see and great duck and people watching with gondolas and paddle boats in the water. There is also a big playground for kids on the north end (best for kids who can climb; there is not a lot for toddlers). In the summer, they have free fitness classes along the canal, so check out their social media pages. My only critique is that I'd love to see even more local restaurants fill the available retail. Although it does get crowded, we always bring our giant stroller and have plenty of room. Historically, I know there have been some safety issues after dark along the canal; I think that has improved with livestream cameras to the police, but I would still stick to the daylight hours (as I would in any secluded area of a city). All in all, this is one of the best free things to do on a sunny morning or afternoon in Indy, especially with kids. read more

Indianapolis Canal Walk - View towards downtown along the canal - Hiking Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis Canal Walk is pretty much on my list for Indy's tourist spots and a warm summer/fall day. You can choose and pick to walk, picnic, rent boats, pedal swans or simply stroll around the massive park! The park itself never gets too crowded and is such a lovely spot to enjoy Indy's downtown views and simply soak in the summer feels. I ended up visiting on a day where an event was happening at Canal walk despite which there wasn't too much crowd on the other side of the canal. We found street parking which was much easier on the other side. There's attendants at the entrance who help you with garage parking options. A safe park to get in anytime through the day. read more

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Located Downtown. This is a fun exploration of walking the city of Indy through the 3 mile canal loop. This is also considered to be a romantic walk as well. There's many things to see like the different underpass murals, gondolas, paddle boats, kayaks, segways, bicycles, vendors selling drinks and ice cream novelties. I've had a few walks here with my family. It is a very beautiful walk. Alongside the canal are mostly residential buildings. It is quiet most of the times. You will also find a USS Indianapolis Memorial as well. No swimming allowed, however, there are designated "Float days" you can take your tube and float on the water. If you are ever visiting Indy, I highly recommend stopping by and staying at the canal for awhile. read more

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The Canal Walk is one of those places that for years has been "on the list" but we just never made it. But after a movie at the State Museum IMAX, we walked outside and right into the middle of it, so we figured we'd take a little stroll. I can't believe it took us this long! We only made it through a very short stretch, but it was so cool. Plenty of space, quite a bit to do on the path itself, and lots to see. I'm sure it's even better in the warmer months with more activity and the pedal boats, so this has definitely moved up on the list for next summer. As others have mentioned, lack of restrooms is definitely a concern with littles -- when they gotta go, they gotta go -- but with enough planning ahead I'm sure we can make it through that. read more

The Canal Walk is a 3-mile loop that runs from White River State Park up to 11th St. It is one of the main tourist attractions in Indy and is conveniently located in downtown. There is a -NDY sculpture located here, where you can be the "I" in Indy. read more

Indianapolis Canal Walk - Hiking Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Oh, what a beautiful sight it was. I truly enjoyed my walk around the canal--so peaceful, quiet, clean, and infused with nature. The weather was perfect for the walk; I didn't want it to end. It had a few entrances and exits from the sides and a bridge to cross to the other side. Highly recommended spot to visit if you're in the area. read more

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Beautiful canal walk. Right outside my rental on our Indianapolis trip. Ducks and geese on the canal. It's not the season but it looks like when it gets warmer you can rent pedal boats. Also a few cafes and restaurants along the canal but again closed for the season. Still was able to enjoy the call and take nice pictures read more

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NICE PLACE TO WALK OR RENT A BOAT ================================ They do need more dining establishments and public restrooms though. And someone needs to clean up after the geese and ducks on the walkways. A couple weeks ago my husband, son, daughter-in-law and her parents walked around the whole canal after brunch. While I am impressed there are several museums and a hotel we only noticed one little coffee shop and that one did not have a public restroom. So are you basically telling me you have to be a resident, pay to go inside a museum or visit the one big hotel if you need to use the restroom? City planning could have definitely been a lot better. Maintenance really needs to make an effort to clean the bird poop off the walkways too. I love birds, but I had to constantly dodge all the bird poop. I really hope the City of Indianapolis really makes an effort to improve the area. read more

The canal, which has abandoned any industrial function it once had, is now a tourist attraction. Boating is available, but the main use will be for bikers and pedestrians to traverse the touristy part of the city. Several museums and other attractions lie close. Outside of the museums, I didn't see a ton in terms of water fountain/bathroom facilities, and I noted with some annoyance that because the place is below the street level it does not get a great wireless signal, but it's definitely worth a walk. read more

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Great environment with easy walking in the heart of the city. There are surrounding shops and venues that surround it as well.

Indianapolis canal walk is a beautiful and peaceful walking and recreational area that is below the main street levels of downtown Indianapolis. My family and I were in town for the weekend my daughter cheer Competition held inside the Convention center. Over the two days while waiting between performances and awards ceremonies me and sometimes my family walked the surrounding areas and explored as the public art scene here is plentiful and creative. So while discovering and stopping to look at the 9/11 tribute that sits out in front of one of the major canal steps I found Thai wall by accident. I noticed some boats you could rent (ones here in December in the snow so not an option on my day) so I walked down closer to the canal and noticed it was a walking trail full of lovely views and public art. As you walk along the canal each Underpass has giant murals on each side of the canal. Very pleasant place to walk and take in a very different side of Indianapolis. Overall This was one of my favorite places I discovered while exploring the area. I'll absolutely come back and finish checking out the canal. Hopefully in warmer weather next time so we can take full advantage of all its features. read more

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Sorry to be going against the grain with all of the great reviews here -- but we, as tourists, we're disappointed with the Canal Walk. We were in Indianapolis on a Wednesday, and decided to walk along the canal after having visited the Indianapolis War Memorial. We found meter parking at the head of the canal, and started our walk on the right side - stopping only to eat our picnic lunch at a bench. We walked about 2/3 of the canal, crossing over a bridge to return by walking along the canal along the other side. We passed the gondola boats that were parked under a bridge, but they weren't currently operational. This was a pleasant experience and, I'm sure that if I lived in Indianapolis, I would occasionally enjoy walking here. However, most of the canal-front properties were private condos whereas restaurants would have been more tourist-friendly. Additionally, we were concerned that some other pedestrians were walking their dogs without leashes and, the public restroom was locked! read more

As someone who's only been to Indy a few times in her life, it took me a couple visits to discover the Canal Walk....and it's all thanks to Yelp for helping me find it! We were road-tripping back from Iowa and needed to stop and take a break before getting home. We figured a nice walk would do the trick. The Canal Walk is seriously so pretty to walk around. Some parts of it are on a college campus while others are lined with beautiful condos and apartments. You can even take a gondola ride down the canal, or take a pedal boat... it looked like so much fun! This area will have to be a must-stop for me the next time I'm in town. read more

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I was working in the state building and every day for lunch I would walk the canal and discover new things all the time. A nice way to enjoy a day! There are, I believe, 7 miles and I pretty much walked almost all of it. read more

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Can Indianapolis get any more beautiful? A walk or run along the canal is a perfect way to start spring and enjoy Indianapolis. The canal was originally built in the 1800 as a working canal. The area was refurbished about twenty years ago and continues to add new details each year. The canal walk is packed with interesting sites such as the USS Memorial, the Indiana State Museum and the Colts Playscape. There are restaurants along the walk and beautiful bridges. There are freshly planted gardens along the way. The paths are also a great picturesque place to stroll, run or bike. The canal walk crosses the Heritage Trail and other walkways so it is easy to get to. We found free street parking about a block away. The canal walk is mostly accessible with nicely paved access ramps. We had no problem pushing a stroller. In the summer, guests can rent bicycles and pedal boats for a fun scenic trip. The city also has special events including dyeing the canal green for St. Patrick's Day. read more

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The canal network is what makes Indy unique and memorable especially for tourist during warmer months. There are more comprehensive reviews here than what mine will be. Enjoy it by tasking a stroll on the walks, grabbing a coffee and people watch. It's a busy place during the Summer. What makes Indy beautiful and unique? It's all about the canals, read more

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This is a beautiful spot in Indianapolis. I'm very glad they built it and spotlighted the historic canal. It's a lovely place to walk. It would benefit for a little more maintenance. Some of the bricks are cracked and broken, making the walking surface uneven for older visitors. Also, it is adjacent to an office building, and this appears to be their designated smoking area. :( Other than that, it's a delight. A gem for the city. It connects to several museums. You can rent paddle boats and enjoy the water. It's a lovely spot for locals and visitors alike. read more

Indianapolis Canal Walk - Hiking Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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this is a wonderful part of downtown Indianapolis. When the weather cooperates, it's the ideal place to go for a stroll. Just a really lovely addition to the city. read more

Our Indy Canal is the heart of the city, near White River Park, the zoo, cultural trails, and other Indy attractions, & serves as a great place to visit, explore, or gather. Free of charge, the trail connects some of the nearby attractions such as museums, restaurants & concert venues. Bike rentals and boat rentals are also available, and I bring my family every year for adventures. The canal walk is kept clean, and although sometimes there is a spark of activity, I feel safe here during the day and early evening. Luxury apartments and residences line the walk, along with eateries and the scenery is enjoyable :) read more

So I didn't fully experience walking along the canal and seeing all the amenities along the way, but I rented a paddleboat with a couple friends and we boated down the canal. It's a beautiful place that I didn't even realize existed in Indianapolis. The park looked fun and the lighting and flowers told that this place was intentionally well kept. I was a little scared when we began to paddle through the ducks and geese that they might get too close, but as you paddle towards them they'll gently swim out of your way. You also see people riding four person bikes and bunches of runners and walkers. Seems to be a fun place if you want an activity! Only reason for four stars is I wish there were some more restaurants along it and I wish it were longer! read more

Indianapolis Canal Walk - Overlook of the canal - Hiking Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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It is a bit hard to find at first if you enter by the visitors center that GPS lists from the official addresses. I recommend going to the NCAA or Indiana Art Musuem entrance to make it easier to find. Relaxing canal walk that is enjoyable and something different. The day I went was just water no ducks or boats but still unique and neat to see. read more

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Came here on a weekend afternoon, had a nice stroll. Really pretty canal, some bridges over it, good amount of people on it as well. Conveniently located close to downtown, walkable from there! read more

Happy EARTH day! Came for a quick stroll on the canal to celebrate the beautiful day and you can't go wrong! The weather was beautiful and there were plenty of people out and about. I noticed they have these new swan paddle boats which looked fun! Will definitely be back for those!! Although the canal is always fun, knocking a star off cause I just WISH there were more food options! We were hoping to stop by the Fresco Italian Cafe for a quick bite but it was closed. Overall great experience and you can't help but take in all the beautiful views! read more

I love that I'm the heart of downtown there is a dedicated walk around the canal! I've had the privilege of taking this walk many times with friends and each time it offers up new vistas depending on the time of year, or new ways to enjoy the city. The loop isn't too long if you want to take it all the way down past museums, apartment complexes and government buildings. But if you want a shorter walk there are many cross over spots and bridges which allow you a walk of your own length. I love that there is a playground as well as many grassy spots for a picnic or book read, plus benches all along for a quiet moment of contemplation. In the spring the geese love this spot too so keep your eyes open, but the paced areas seem big enough for everyone! read more

The Canal Walk is awesome. It is a downtown Indianapolis staple. It was dug in the early 1800s, in an effort to facilitate interstate commerce. It is a 3 mile loop and is adjacent to many of the downtown museums and some of the Indiana State Government buildings. There is metered street parking all along the canal. I entered by the 9/11 memorial on Ohio Street. It is a good place to walk/run. In season, you can also rent bikes and pedal boats and kayaks. The rental place is located near Ohio and N West Street. The canal is very pretty and picturesque. There are a few steps along the street to take you down to the canal and even fewer bridges that you can use to cross from one side of the canal to the other. The canal and relatively clean and safe (during the day). There are benches along the canal that you can sit and enjoy its beauty. The canal overpasses have some nice murals painted by local artist and there is some art along and in the canal. As a special treat, it is tradition to dye the canal water green during St. Patricks Day. They also have some events that allow you to swim in the canal. Not sure I would participate in that though. The last time the cleaned the canal they found a bowling ball, 8 to 10 of the Lime and Bird scooters, a mobility scooter, and drone. I can only imagine what else is in there. On anther note, I have heard some real horror stories about the canal at night though. So if you are going to visit the canal after dark, please be safe. read more

This is our second visit, lovely. Last time we did a boat ride, this time we rented swan paddleboats. We had trouble steering our swan, but that' us. I was a bit sad that while paddling by some of the beautiful murals had graffiti on them. It's really too bad that a city builds a lovely public space like the Canal and people with nothing better to do deface property. Would have liked to have seen the water cleaner - various trash floating by here and there, but it is summer so I'm sure it's a constant battle. read more

Perfect place to just chill, go for walk, small picnic, entertain guests/kids, people watch or just because lol You can rent paddle boats or row or enjoy a gondola ride (and get all the feels of being in while staycating) read more

In good weather, the canal walk is a lovely long walk around Indianapolis. I love walking along the canal to the city; it's very peaceful and quiet, and there are some lovely cafe's along the way if you get peckish (or very warm). You can chose to cross over at the many bridge points they have, and there are also parks at various points to play in. The canal also hosts paddleboat and canoes which are quite fun - I did the canoe with a friend, and we were very tired at the end! read more

Some cities have rivers. Others have lakes. Others are filled with parks. Others have nothing. Indy has a three-mile Canal Walk and I think everyone should do it. There's not much to do along the walk. You can rent a paddle boat or walk. There's art along the canal that's interesting to see. It's not art museum quality art but it brightens the landscape. If you're a local that uses the canal walk often for exercise, the area might bore you or annoy you with all the people. It wasn't happening while we were there, but they have canal-side concerts from time to time. They also dye the canal green on St. Patrick's Day every year. That would be something fun to see. If you're visiting Indy, check this place out. read more

Was visiting Indy and stayed at a hotel right on the canal. It was absolutely gorgeous. We really enjoyed going for walks with our dog and just hanging out on the sides of it. The area on the canal was SO clean - no litter that we noticed anywhere, good landscaping, it was just a great vibe overall. There is a playground on one side, lawn chairs, lots of pretty structures around too. The gondolas were cool to see but WOW the prices on them are a little nuts. We only wished there were more businesses open on the canal. It looks like there used to be many restaurants etc. but they are all shut down and eerily empty. read more