Bored? Do the weekday doldrums have you in a funk? Is the daily grind just dragging you down? Well, the weekend is on its way, and it’s time to shake off the “blahs” and find something to do that will re-spark your enthusiasm for life and get you energized.
Indianapolis is a city full of world-class attractions, so there’s always something interesting to see and somewhere exciting to go. If you’re a foodie, you can explore Indy’s thriving culinary scene. Looking for someplace romantic to escape with your beloved? We’ve got that, too! And there are tons of places to visit if you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure, instead.
If you’re just looking for something outright fun to do this weekend, we’ve got plenty of ideas — so grab your best mate or your whole posse and check out the following Indy attractions:
Lose Yourself in an Arcade
If you’re part of Generation X, you may miss the arcades of your youth — until you find Tappers Arcade Bar. Located right downtown in historic Fletcher Place, Tappers is known as Indy’s number one free-play arcade.
They have the largest collection of pinball machines in the city — plus all your favorite arcade games, old and new. Galaga or Donkey Kong are here right alongside modern arcade games like BurgerTime and Castlevania.
Please note, however, that Tappers is a 21-and-older venue, so don’t head here if you have kids in tow. Tappers has a full bar and an ever-changing menu of local and regional craft beers on draft to help you relax and enjoy your night. (They do not have a kitchen, so you can’t buy food on-site, but you are welcome to bring your own.)
Go Axe Throwing
Want to work out some of that tension and stress from the week? Throw an ax! What started out as a traditional Canadian pastime has become an urban sensation in the United States — especially here in Indy. Axe throwing has become so popular around the city that there are at least three different venues you can try.
Bad Axe Throwing (despite its name) is a good place to start. If all their lanes are booked up, however, you might want to check out Ragnarok Axe Throwing or Anarchy Axe Throwing, instead. If you like to be an active participant in your own entertainment, this is definitely an adventure you don’t want to miss — and each venue offers instruction for the inexperienced.
Discover Duckpin Bowling
Pins Mechanical is the latest offering out of the Bottleworks District in downtown Indy. Located right across from The Garage, Pins is a family-friendly (until 7 p.m. each night) establishment where you’ll find signature cocktails, pinball machines, ping pong tables, bocce ball and — of course — duckpin bowling.
Not familiar with duckpin bowling? It’s basically a faster, easier version of regular bowling, with lighter balls, shorter lanes and no special shoes. That makes it both less intimidating and more accessible to kids and adults alike. You don’t need to be any good at bowling to have fun at duckpins.
Explore the Heart of Indy’s Cultural Scene
Do you feel the need to just get out of the house or office and reconnect with nature and your environment? The Indianapolis Culture Trail is the perfect place to start.
The Cultural Trail is eight miles of greenway (soon to be expanded) in the heart of downtown Indy designed to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians alike. The Trial ties together some of the city’s most fascinating and diverse neighborhoods, including Fountain Square, Mass Ave., the Wholesale District and The Canal. All along the way, there are fabulous places to shop for unique gifts and artisan-made items, plus tons of culinary delights.
The Trail itself is filled with millions of dollars worth of public art installations and is dotted with bike-share stations for your use. You can also follow the Glick Peace Walk, which celebrates people like Albert Einstein, Ben Franklin and others who dedicated their lives to the service of humanity. A dozen unique sculptural gardens pay testimony to their accomplishments along the way.
You can’t possibly experience the whole Trail in one day, so this is an area you may find yourself drawn to again and again — especially once you realize the path takes you right past the Eiteljorg Museum, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the state capitol building and Statehouse Market.
Let Your Inner Speed Demon Out
What’s more “Indianapolis” than racing, right? Why not step out of your comfort zone and into the action by taking a go-kart for a spin at Fastimes Indoor Karting? Their bi-level race track lets you go up to an incredible 40 mph in their high-performance vehicles, which is definitely fast enough to give you a taste of what it would be like on a real racetrack. When you’re done, head over to the Final Lap Cafe to grab a bite to eat and relax.
If Fastimes is booked up, K1 Speed is an alternative destination for go-kart racing, and they claim to have the fastest go-karts in the industry for adults and junior go-karts for the kids that reach up to 20 mph. If you’re going with a crowd and not everybody is enthusiastic about racing, however, try Speedway Indoor Karting. There, they have a variety of go-karts designed for different ages (including a two-seater that can allow your youngest children to experience the thrill) plus a ton of arcade games and duckpin bowling.
Ultimately, whether you’re an Indy native who is just looking for something to put a little zest into your weekend or a visitor who wants to experience the best Indy has to offer, these are some of the most thrilling places to start!
