Fun Weekend Activities in Indianapolis

Get out and explore on the weekends and you'll be rewarded with everything from rock 'n' roll to revving engines, and symphonies to summer stars. Make the best of your weekend in Indy by visiting these must-see destinations.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Pack in one of the biggest crowds in all of sports, sprinkle in some pageantry and history, and add the roar of 650-horsepower engines; you'll get a taste of the magic that is race day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Visit on weekends in May, July or August to feel the rush of those magnificent machines hurtling past at speeds greater than 200 miles per hour. Take a trip inside the storied oval and see vehicles that have made racing history at the Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum, where you can also take a tour of the track itself.

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Shift gears and head to the home of one of the country's finest classical music organizations: the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Regular-season weekend concerts at the Hilbert Circle Theatre run September through June. If you can swing a visit in the summertime, you're in luck; the orchestra performs at the outdoor Conner Prairie Amphitheatre every summer weekend for a true family affair. Pack some food and blankets, grab a bottle of wine and meet your friends and family for a musical summer night under the stars.

Summer Concerts on the Lawn

If your musical taste runs more rock 'n' roll, check out acts like Incubus and Hozier during your Indianapolis weekend. Every summer, the city hosts a series of concerts on the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, nestled against the river at White River State Park. Bring a lawn chair and rock out with your friends. This concert series offers breathtaking views of downtown Indianapolis to complement the high-powered concert lineup.

Museum Madness

When the temperature drops and Indy's hot summer attractions vanish, take advantage of the year-round, world-class cultural institutions that fill the city's landscape. At The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, your kids can examine relics of an authentic pirate ship and walk through a simulated Egyptian tomb. Continue the family fun next door, and fly through galaxies and constellations at the SpaceQuest Planetarium. Time-travel through 5,000 years of culture at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, where you can meander through the garden on sunny days and view more than 54,000 works of art.

Sporting Events for Every Fan

At the crossroads of America, Indianapolis is a mecca for sports lovers. Pro football and basketball teams are likely to keep your weekend full of action, whether watching the game live or cheering with fellow patrons at one of the many sports bars throughout town. Throw in the city's minor-league baseball team and the United States Hockey League's Indiana Ice—and you'll have your pick of athletic teams to cheer on.

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