Some folks use winter as an excuse to burrow down in the warmth of their home, but Indy has so much to offer during these colder months! Look to any number of both outdoor and indoor activities to keep things exciting and fun as the snow creeps in. From sledding to swimming, and sightseeing to running, there are so many things going on throughout the winter season in the city. Below you’ll find a list of fun activities throughout Indianapolis to take-on this winter.
Ice Skating at Indiana State Fairgrounds
Those who are old enough to remember the days when the Pan Am building downtown offered public ice skating should fret no more. Thanks in part to the Indy’s newest sports team, Indy Fuel hockey, the public once again can engage in this fun winter activity.
Indoor Swimming at the YMCA at CityWay
The state-of-the-art facilities at the new CityWay YMCA downtown are awesome, to say the least. One of the big draws is there huge indoor swimming area. Take a lap, soak in the hot tub, sweat in the steam room or play with the little ones in the splash pool.
Celebrate Basketball Day in Indiana
The second annual day of hoops-celebrating comes on Jan. 6 where Hoosiers will engage and cheer on all levels of our favorite sport. Over 13 hours of basketball will be showcased on Fox Sports Indiana including both boys and girls high school matchups at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, college games including Butler and Purdue and closing with the Pacers vs. Bulls later that evening.
Dancing at the Children’s Museum
Grab the kiddos and head over to the Children’s Museum for a day of dancing through time. Here, you can learn different popular dances from various decades, dress up in costumes, interact with the new Microsoft Kinetic technology and even watch professional dancers live.
Catch Dinner and a Movie at Flix Brewhouse
The one-of-a-kind Flix Brewhouse in Carmel not only screens the country’s hottest movie releases in its stadium style theaters, but they also have a brewery on-site. So grab a tall pint of their Umbra Chocostout and a plate of their Homestyle Mac n’ Cheese with a crispy Parmesan crust and sit back with the new Stars Wars film.
Enjoy a Family-Friendly Mystery Show at Clowes Memorial Hall
As one of Indy locals’ favorite theaters, Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University is hosting a family-friendly mystery called “Miss Nelson is Missing”. Join the fun as the children of Miss Nelson’s class search for their missing teacher in this live-action stage performance on Dec. 11.
Tie One On at 10th Annual Brewers of Indiana Guild Winterfest
Craft beer lovers rejoice as the 10th Annual Winterfest will be taking place on Feb. 3 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. What better way to spend a wintery Saturday afternoon than surrounded by the tastiest brews in the state? Also, a great way to support local Indiana breweries.
Glow Golfing & Laser Maze at Circle Centre Mall
Circle Centre Mall has recently added two exciting activities to its upstairs game area. Glow Golfing takes the fun challenge of putt-putt and adds to it neon lights and glow-in-the-dark paint. Laser Maze ups the ante even more with a timed course where participants duck, jump and bend through a maze of green lasers.
Run in the Cultural Trail’s Winter Warm Up
Each year the Indianapolis Cultural Trail hosts a run/walk fundraising event on the pristine paths that snake through the city. From four to eight miles, runners can dress up and engage in some friendly competition to see who can get to the finish line first. Dates have yet to be announced for the 2018 event (it usually takes place in February), so keep your ears to the ground for more info.
Disney on Ice Presents Dare to Dream
From Jan. 17-21, Disney will bring its beloved Dare to Dream princesses to Indy for a week of shows. Moana, Cinderella and Belle will be on stage, skating, dancing and performing scenes from their now-famous Disney films.
Jump Around at Sky Zone Trampoline Park
With three locations around central Indiana, Sky Zone Trampoline Parks are a super fun way to spend an afternoon. This truly unique indoor activity features everything from dodgeball, to basketball, jousting, slacklining, volleyball, climbing and even a warrior course based on the popular Ultimate Ninja Warrior show.
Hike in the Snow at Eagle Creek
Eagle Creek is loaded with fun trails, and what better adventure than to take on these trails with the added beauty of snow. At only $5 per car, guests can explore the park for an entire day. Maybe you’ll even get lucky enough to spot a bald eagle flying overhead. Scientists say that the species are on the rise in Indiana and winter is the best time to catch a glimpse.
Duckpin Bowling in Fountain Square
Perfect for both kids and adults, Duckpin Bowling uses miniature bowling bowls and pins making bowling even more enjoyable for all ages and skill sets. Fountain Square’s Theatre Building houses both the Atomic and Action Duckpin Bowling lanes. Each date back to the late 1920’s and has since been refurbished into local vintage hotspots.
Pig Out at Devour Indy’s Winterfest
Twice per year, local Indy restaurants participate in Devour Indy where they offer special, value-priced menus for two whole weeks. This gives locals the chance to indulge in a restaurant they would normally avoid due to price. It’s fantastic way to experience the budding restaurant scene in the city. Winterfest dates are still to be announced.
