Marion County combines the urban attractions of Indianapolis with green spaces for outdoor recreation. This gives a trip two different perspectives: collections, historical subjects and motorsport on the one hand, and trails and landscapes on the other. The cultural side comes particularly to life at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Its collection includes more than 55,000 artifacts, works of art and automobiles. The Track Tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the racetrack; they depend on track activity and availability. Another guided option at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the Kiss the Bricks Tour. Check its availability before your trip.

Discover Collections and History

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites offers hands-on, educational experiences for visitors of all ages. The institution is also considered a leader in the study of Indiana’s Ice Age paleontology. The Eiteljorg Museum offers a different cultural perspective: it shares diverse stories about the history and cultures of Indigenous peoples of North America and the American West. Museum tours are free with paid admission; tour arrangements may change.

At Newfields, art and designed outdoor spaces come together. The permanent collection of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields includes more than 50,000 works from a range of cultures and eras. The grounds cover 152 acres; The Garden accounts for 52 acres of that landscaped area. Lilly House at Newfields is also part of the site’s history: the house is designated a National Historic Landmark. These different scales—a collection, a garden and a single historic house—each offer a distinct way to engage with art and cultural heritage.

White River Gardens offers another distinctive feature: it includes the Hilbert Conservatory, a 5,000-square-foot tropical oasis. Those interested in military history will find two national historic districts at Fort Harrison State Park. The Museum of 20th Century Warfare there features exhibits about the lives and history of the soldiers who once served on the grounds of the old Fort Harrison. Visitor information for the museum is based on its operating hours; check them before visiting.

Trails and Green Spaces

For getting around on foot, two different trail descriptions provide a useful comparison. The Canal Walk is a 3-mile loop along the Central Canal, running from White River State Park to 11th Street in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, by contrast, has no official starting or ending point. This distinguishes the specific loop of the Canal Walk from a trail without a designated start or finish.

Eagle Creek Park covers 3,900 acres of forests, meadows and ponds; it also includes a 1,300-acre reservoir. At Eagle Creek Outfitters, visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, pontoon boats, rowboats, pedal boats and stand-up paddleboards. Rental offerings may change during operation; check current availability before including them in your plans. The Indianapolis Rowing Center offers a different kind of water activity, with classes and programs for adult rowers at various experience levels. Program availability may vary by season.

At Fort Harrison State Park, the Harrison Trace Trail is a 3.2-mile paved path for pedestrians, cyclists and joggers. Trail conditions and access may change seasonally. At Garfield Park, the Sunken Garden is a 3-acre formal garden with active fountains. Together with Eagle Creek Park’s forests, meadows and water features, and the landscaped grounds at Newfields, it shows the variety of green spaces in Marion County.

Discover more destinations: Indianapolis, Speedway, Beech Grove, Decatur, Lawrence, Warren Park, Fulton County, Benton County.

For the broader travel overview: Indiana.