The following article was originally published on istorytime.com.
Indianapolis is a thriving Midwestern city with plenty of things to do for people of all ages. People flock to the city for the Indy 500, the Big Ten basketball tournament, or just to enjoy the food and culture the city has to offer. Although this city isn’t as expensive as some other major cities, the costs still add up. Check out how to visit Indianapolis on a budget.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Indianapolis has plenty of parks and outdoor activities, which are great if you’re on a budget. If you’re visiting Indy during the spring, summer, or early fall, you can take advantage of all the outdoor activities that are affordable or free. Check out the Canal Walk to enjoy walking, running, or biking along the canal. You can also rent pedal boats near the Indianapolis State Museum.
Eagle Creek State Park offers visitors access to 3,900 acres of land and water for guests to explore. The park has trails to hike and a 1,400-acre lake to canoe, boat, fish, or swim. You can picnic or use the swimming beach. You can rent pedal boats, kayaks, or even pontoon boats. Admission is only $5 to enjoy the entire park all day. Military Park, the city’s oldest park, is another good option. It’s free to visit the 14-acre grounds, and the park is located near several convenient hotels in downtown Indianapolis.
Order Tickets and Find Deals Online
You have to buy tickets for some of the more major attractions in Indianapolis. Seeing The Indy 500, the Pacers, the Colts, the Minor League Baseball Indianapolis Indians, and the United Soccer League Indy Eleven are fun things to do but tend to get a bit pricey. Instead of walking up and trying to purchase tickets at the box office, save money by buying tickets online. Save even more by staying at a hotel near Victory Field and walking to the Indians game.
Sports are a big part of Indy’s culture, but you’ll find many more active pursuits in Indianapolis. If you’re traveling with kids, make sure to check out the Children’s Museum and the Indiana Zoo. Before you go, check discount sites to find affordable tickets for these two attractions. If you’re into history, you may want to check out the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza or the Benjamin Harris Presidential Site.
Find Affordable Accommodations
Typically, the biggest part of your budget goes toward your hotel. Find affordable hotels online before you go to get discounts on accommodations and easily compare prices and locations. You may realize you don’t need to stay right downtown, and you could save a lot of money staying in another neighborhood instead. Plan ahead, book an affordable hotel, and use online resources to save money on other adventures in Indianapolis.
There’s no reason to spend a lot of money on your trip to Indy. Plan in advance, and you can experience everything Indianapolis has to offer even if you’re on a tight budget.
