This piece originally ran on Feb. 27, 2023, but was updated.
It’s time to bid goodbye to the winter blues and head into warmer, longer spring days. Although you can never tell when winter will end in Indiana, these springtime activities will help get anyone into the long awaited spring spirit.
1. NEWFIELDS AMERICAN ART GALLERIES
Visit Newfields for the refresh of the American Art Galleries, opening on April 23, to experience new context on how American art has been approached the last couple hundred years. Be sure to check out The Lume featuring Monet to view European art and Stephen Sprouse exhibits before they close in May and April, respectively. General admission tickets to Newfields are $20 for nonmembers and free for members. Tickets for The Lume exhibit, which includes general admission, are $25 for nonmembers and $22 for members.
2. FIND A NEW FARMERS’ MARKET
Farmers’ market season is here with fresh and artisanal products from local vendors. Our favorites include Broad Ripple Farmers Market, The Original Farmers’ Market at the Indianapolis City Market and the Indy Summer Farmers Market. All locations will begin in May. The Broad Ripple location will run on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. The City Market location will run on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. The Indy Summer Farmers Market will run on Wednesday evenings at 4 p.m.
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3. TAKE A STROLL IN THE PARK
What better way to get in touch with spring nature than a visit to Garfield Park Conservatory. Spending time outdoors is the perfect way to make up all the time spent indoors during winter months. The park offers various programs and events throughout spring, including plant photography, gardening, bird walks and programs geared towards kids/families. Average prices for events range from $5-12 and can be registered for online.
4. RUN & HIKE
Head to Holliday Park on March 17 and 18 for the 23rd annual Holliday Park Trail Run, which includes fun events for the whole family Friday evening – a campfire and s’mores, and both a 5-mile run and a 3-mile hike on Saturday morning. The trail run is the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the nature scene in Indianapolis. On the 17th, the Friday Tot Trot Run is free and the 1-mile Run/Hike is $18-23. On the 18th, the Saturday 5-mile Trail Run and 3-mile Trail Hike are both $30-35, and day of registration is available for $40. Participants must register for each event online.
5. INDIANAPOLIS ZOO
The annual xZooberance Spring Festival at the Indianapolis Zoo has expanded this year to feature 16 days of activities for families. Check out the “Fly with the Butterflies” photo op, learn about bees, and participate in more spring-centered activities during your visit. Along with interactive experiences, xZooberance will offer a seasonal menu for guests and feature a variety of acts for entertainment each day. The festival will run March 23-April 16, Thurs.-Sun., noon to 4 p.m. Ticket prices range from $11-32, and can be purchased online.
6. MYSTERY NIGHT
Attend the opening of “Clue” at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Based on the classic board game, this showing is bound to be filled with mysterious, plot thickening twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. The comedic whodunit genre is bound for a perfect night out this spring. The show will run from April 19-May 20, with tickets starting at $25 online. Don’t forget — Indy Maven members receive $15 off tickets to any show during the 2022-2023 Season; Valid on tickets priced $40 and higher. Not a member yet? Join and save!
7. SUPPORT AN INDIANAPOLIS TEAM
The winter sports season is coming to an end, so catch an Indy Fuel or Indianapolis Pacers game before April 16 and 9, respectively. Indy Fuel always has fun promotions and themes for games, so be sure to check them out before attending! Tickets can be purchased online for the Pacers and Indy Fuel.
8. IMMERSIVE NIGHT OUT
Check out the Alice Cocktail Experience at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library before it ends on April 30! This immersive, themed adventure involves creating cocktails (sold separately prior to the event), solving riddles and challenges and other fun activities for an alternate reality experience. Tickets can be purchased for $28 online.
9. DAY AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has fun experiences for people of all ages! The Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience is filled with both indoor and outdoor immersive experiences and will reopen on March 18. The museum’s newest exhibit, Minecraft: The Exhibition, opens on March 11. This indoor experience explores the world’s best-selling video game and includes special activities about game design. That’s not all: First Thursday Nights begins April 6 from 4-8 p.m. This is the only time the museum is open to the public in the evening – perfect for some nighttime fun. General admission costs $6 on First Thursdays. General admission all other days range from $18.50 to $29.75 online.
10. CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR EXHIBIT
The Indiana Historical Society has various exhibits for those wanting to learn more about the state and its people. Newly opened exhibits in March include, “Chuck Taylor All Star” and “The Past in Our Present – Inflation.” The Chuck Taylor exhibit is offering a special discount from March 4-31, allowing $5 admission if you wear your Chuck Taylor shoes. This exhibit celebrates the Indiana native and includes a virtual reality experience to travel back in time to a 1950s Chuck Taylor basketball clinic in a Hoosier gymnasium. The inflation-focused exhibit contains four moments in history when inflation was extremely present and how those points in time help us understand current events. The Historical Society is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and costing $15 for general admission online.
11. THE INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Opening night for the Indianapolis Indians season is on March 31, and the first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive a toboggan beanie hat (21 and older). The Indianapolis Indians are always hosting themed nights and executing fun promos during the season, making for great memories at Victory Field. Outdoor games are a blast for evening fun with friends and daytime outings with family. Tickets for the Indians can be purchased online.
12. EXPLORE A NEW PARK
As warm weather creeps up, outdoor parks like Eagle Creek Park are a must-visit. With 16 miles of trails, picnic and playground sites, water activities, and so much more, Eagle Creek is perfect for all outdoor adventures. General admission is $5. Other great parks to explore in Indy include White River State Park and Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.
13. VISIT THE BOTTLEWORKS DISTRICT
The Bottleworks District is filled with different activities, such as various culinary options at the Garage Food Hall, an elevated cinema experience that includes in-theater dining at Living Room Theater, and various gaming activities at Pins Mechanical Co. The Garage offers trivia nights every Monday from 7-9 p.m., perfect for a group outing, and will be offering a Wine Education class on March 22 at 6:30 p.m. for $35. Another can’t miss event happening at Bottleworks is the third annual Bottleworks Bball Bash, where part of the district will be blocked off to make room for screens to watch the March Madness basketball games. This open viewing party is free to the public, from March 16 to 19 12-9 p.m.
14. HISTORY AT CONNER PRARIE
Conner Prairie is the perfect mix of history and nature meshed into one great experience. The outdoor grounds will reopen on March 28 and include various educational and explorational activities, such as the Treetop Outpost, Civil War Journey, and Prairietown. General admission tickets are $22 starting March 28 online.
15. LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ART
The Indianapolis Art Center is full of artwork from local, regional and national artists to view. Several brand new exhibits will be available to the public during an open reception on April 6 from 5-8 p.m. and will be available until late May. The Indianapolis Arts Center is also home to ARTSPARK, an outdoor art viewing experience with 9.5 acres of interactive sculptures. All viewing experiences are free and open to the public seven days a week.
16. FIND A NEW BREWERY
Outdoor breweries are a great outing idea for a warm day, and Indianapolis is full of different spots. Check out St. Joseph Brewery & Public House for a unique sipping experience in what was once a Catholic church, try something local at Sun King Brewing Company, or make your way to a perfect outdoor space that includes a dog park at Metazoa Brewing Co. The options are endless!
Kiran Brar is a contributor for Indy Maven.
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