Indianapolis is one of the easier American cities to enjoy on a budget. Its downtown is compact, its best outdoor spaces are free and several museums either cost little or have a free day. The main costs are parking and hotels, so most of the saving comes from planning around them. This guide separates what costs nothing from what is worth paying for.
Free outdoor sights
Start with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, an eight-mile paved loop that links Mass Ave, Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue and White River State Park, with public art along the way. The Central Canal Walk is free to stroll at any time, running through White River State Park past the State Museum. Monument Circle is free to walk, and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at its center is the city's landmark. Holliday Park has trails, a free nature center and the Ruins, and Crown Hill Cemetery is free to enter and open every day, with the graves of Benjamin Harrison, James Whitcomb Riley and John Dillinger and the hilltop Crown for views.
Museums that are cheap or free on certain days
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is a small museum that costs little to enter, offers free self-guided audio tours and has free admission on the first Monday of each month, though it is closed on Tuesdays. The Indiana War Memorial Museum is modestly priced and open Wednesday to Sunday, with three floors of military history and more than 400 battle flags. The Indiana Medical History Museum charges $10 for adults, with lower prices for seniors, students and children, and tours run by appointment Wednesday to Saturday. These fit a limited budget far better than the big family museums.
Low-cost guided options
A self-guided audio walking tour of downtown costs about ten dollars and lets you set your own pace, which is far cheaper than a guided walk. If you want a guide, Indy Walking Tours is highly rated and well worth it, and the ghost walk is one of the best-value evenings in the city. Compare these with the Indianapolis Attractions Pass only if you plan to visit several big attractions, and read the terms, since some venues still require timed reservations.
Paying for the big sights
Do not try to cut every cost. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, The Children's Museum, Newfields and the zoo are the city's marquee attractions and worth their prices, especially for families. Choose one or two rather than all four. Some sights save money in other ways: The Children's Museum has free garage parking, and the Eiteljorg Museum offers free parking in the park garage. Check the websites for discounts, and avoid the days when winter closures mean you travel for nothing.
Parking and getting around
Downtown valet parking can cost more than many people expect, so use your hotel's lower-cost parking option if one exists, or leave the car behind. The downtown core, the canal and the Cultural Trail are all walkable, and bikeshare bikes cover longer legs of the trail. For the Speedway or the north-side museums, a shared rideshare for the group usually beats parking and fuel.
Hotels that help
Breakfast is a quiet way to save money. The Hampton Inn across from Circle Centre includes a free hot breakfast, which is a real saving for a family. On the north side, the Sheraton at Keystone Crossing has much lower parking charges than downtown hotels, though you will drive to the sights. Prices rise sharply on Colts, Pacers and convention weekends, so choose midweek dates if you can. Travelling in spring or autumn, outside the big event dates, tends to give you the best combination of mild weather and lower rates.
Eating cheaply
Mass Ave and Fountain Square are full of casual places where you can eat well without a sit-down dinner, and a picnic in White River State Park or Holliday Park costs next to nothing. A food tour is a splurge, but a single tour can double as lunch. Check menus and opening times before you set out, since small places change their hours.
A sample free day
Begin on the Cultural Trail with a coffee, walk the canal to White River State Park, eat a picnic lunch on the lawns, then spend the afternoon at Crown Hill or Holliday Park. End on the Circle for the lights in the holiday season.
