White River State Park
State park · Canal Walk ·

White River State Park

State park · Canal Walk ·

Zoo, museums, amphitheater, riverside trails, and canal walks

White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null
White River State Park by null

Information

801 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Get directions

Information

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801 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Get directions

+1 317 233 2434
whiteriverstatepark.org
@whiteriverstprk
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Last updated

Dec 11, 2025

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Onya R.

Google
I'm a photographer and White River State Park has always been one of my favorite spots to shoot! There are so many different backdrops, from greenery to the water from the canal, that you can't find a better place to capture memories! My clients love it and so do I😊📷❤️

Ron W.

Google
Wow, I happened upon this park at the recommendation of the front desk at the hotel I was staying at. Walked around 3 miles or so of the surrounding canal walkway and park area. The area is absolutely gorgeous and extremely well maintained. Being from Cleveland, it was fantastic to see how this park was set up and how the canal path ran through the heart of downtown. Loved being able to sight see while exploring. All the museums and art areas were easily accessible as a result of how the walkway was laid out.

Megan S.

Google
This was such an amazing spot to stretch our legs during our road trip! The area is so clean and you could walk around the canal for hours. It’s such a beautiful area !

Pratik

Google
Best place for a peaceful walk/run at Sunrise or Sunset! Very beautiful and with lots of spots for clicking pictures. I recommend going there to watch the Sunset. It’s really beautiful!

Elizabeth

Google
Absolutely loved White River State Park! It's the perfect spot for an outdoor concert - the venue is beautiful, with stunning views and plenty of space to enjoy live music. Can't wait for the next show!"

kristina W.

Google
I absolutely love White River State Park and the Amphitheater! Always clean, always professional and willing to assist with needs and wants, both in phone contact and on the premises. The venue is perfect, especially on a warm summer night as the sunsets. The lawn is pleasant. It's nice having something like this so much more closer and convenient than...

N and C F.

Google
White River State Park is extraordinary! It truly stands out among Indianapolis's many green spaces, and we had a beautiful Sunday afternoon exploring it. The park boasts stunning lawns, serene water features, the river, a lovely pedestrian bridge, public art, and picturesque views. We especially enjoyed walking our dogs along the promenade near the zoo. Plus, its location is incredibly convenient, offering easy access to numerous other attractions like the ballpark, museums, and the canal. You could spend hours here and still not cover it all. In terms of parking, there is an underground parking garage immediately next to the park.

Mir P.

Google
It was a nice river walk. It would have been even better if we had found a coffee shop or some food places and test area near the canal.
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Maggie W.

Yelp
Beautiful park!! We loved walking around, seeing the art, and enjoying being outside. The visitors center is cashless!
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Ann L.

Yelp
This is a nice green space downtown which can be accessed from the zoo and a few museums. Access from the zoo is a bit more complicated with the way they set up the new zoo entrance through the garden but there is still a path from the parking lot. There is easy access to the canal as well from here. I've been to some events here over the years as well, and it's a great location for food festivals and similar events. Some picnic tables might be nice, but bringing a blanket works for a picnic too.
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Kim M.

Yelp
I have an amazing time at the Taste of Indy hosted at the White River State Park. The views, vendors, food, drinks were all top tier.
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Jasmine A.

Yelp
Located in downtown Indianapolis, White River State Park was right beside our hotel, the JW Marriott, and we had a view of the park from our hotel room. From what I could see, it looked like an interesting park, but we were so busy with Gen Con that we didn't get a chance to visit during the convention. However, our flight was cancelled and and automatically rebooked for a day later, something we were pretty happy about, and we finally had a chance to walk through the park on our way back from the zoo. The park is 267 acres and within the park is the zoo, Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, the amphitheater, and more. There are also a lot of neat sculptures, and as a Yelper, of course I had to take photos of every sculpture. If you like public art, it's a must see. I really enjoyed walking through the park, and if I am ever in Indianapolis again, I will definitely visit. [Yelp collections: Louisville/Indianapolis 2023; Indianapolis, IN 2023; Parks and Gardens]
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Thama P.

Yelp
We love this beautiful park! We enjoy being here so much! The well manicured grass, the lovely trees, the clean pathways I could go on and on! We enjoyed the bike riding there and sitting down and just being with nature! There's close by restrooms, close by parking (for a fee), and some vendors for a little snack if you need one. The park can lead to the canal, the zoo, NCAA, and the museums! We certainly enjoy going!
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Richard Walton C.

Yelp
I had never been to this park and didn't know there was a multi-level parking garage underneath it until I attended a festival event today. I like how the parking garage has plenty of signage to let you know which exits come out by which buildings. I didn't read my email well enough to know exactly where the event was being held so I ended up walking the perimeter of the park. There was only one handful of people walking in the park and it wasn't until I found a park employee to ask that I learned the location of the event which was Military Park. I didn't realize the park included areas behind all of the various museums. I learned that there were many museums and that the canal walk begins here. There are sculptures and artwork located throughout the park. The amphitheater seems huge at least the roof of it does. There is so much to see and do in downtown that you can't see from driving the streets. You need to walk around to get a better view of the various venues, especially here around this large city park in the heart of downtown. There wasn't much to the gift shop but at least it was open and staffed. There is surface parking available too but I didn't pay attention to the cost. The underground garage is $10 for the first two hours. I didn't realize it was within walking distance of the zoo until I left for the day.
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Breanna H.

Yelp
This was such a beautiful trail and park in general. I came out here on a beautiful sunny morning and was just amazed at how pretty it all was. This park just makes you appreciate nature and the water and trees. I walked past the zoo down the trail and is against the canal. I then turned onto New York Street and then passed the soccer stadium and continued to wander through the NCAA greens. This is definitely something that you should seek out if you are in Indy. There are clean trails and beautiful views all around
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Joseph D.

Yelp
Over all a great venue. They have booze and food trucks and tents and the prices are actually somewhat reasonable. The only draw back is that the hill slopes down in the back but other than that not a bad seat in the house. Not impressed with Goose.
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Helen H.

Yelp
White River State Park covers 267 acres. Canal Walk runs through the park. There are many attractions located within including Indianapolis Zoo and IMAX. As we were walking, we spotted a row of blossoming plum trees with the river in the background- picture perfect!
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Les R.

Yelp
Awesome park and love the art and cannal. I had no idea White River State Park was here. Located in downtown Indianapolis and it's fun to explore on a nice day. We were standing at the Conrad downtown and heard about the canal and walked down to check it out. It was a beautiful day and to our surprise there was all of this green space, art, trails, the river, and the central canal. We even explored around and ended up at the 911 monument. There was a beautiful Old bridge that crossed the that was reimagined as a free space. It was such a good idea and was beautiful. Would love to have something like this in our city. Definitely recommend and worth checking out. ,
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Glenn C.

Yelp
Lots of water and grass. Museums and zoo on grounds. Take a paddleboat on the canal or bicycle around. Walk along the river or play in the park. NCAA museum borders it.
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Fatima G.

Yelp
White River State park is just what you need. Picture sunset, cool weather, epic downtown views and a friendly crowd! First off paid parking (a minimum of a dollar or more) and walk in there are many ways to enjoy the park. Open park, trees for shade, white river right in between. It was a perfect evening! It's pretty easy to just keep walking and not realize how far you are, definitely would suggest looking up one path so you know when to start walking back. It was almost dark by the time we returned, and the moon + street lights were a magnificent combo. While Indy downtown is certainly not the biggest downtown view but it's certainly the best and calming view.
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Joe K.

Yelp
Great state park that has miles of trails. I really enjoyed the walk/run/bike trails along both sides of the white river. During spring there is No shortage of blooming trees and flowers around every turn. The trails are well maintained. You'll find a number of spots where you can read about the local nature and wildlife as well as the local conservation efforts along both sides of the river. There's several bridges across the river, especially in the downtown Indianapolis area so you can cross easily. You'll get some great city views as well from the west side of the river. There's an amphitheater along the trail along with several parks. There's really lots to see and do. I really enjoyed my walk here and highly recommended it for everyone.

Samantha P.

Yelp
I LOVED going to White River State Park! My roommate and I took some time to take a walk here today for one of my classes! We parked in the lot by the Amphitheater and parking was reasonable. We paid for 2 hours and it was $6. We pretty much did a loop of the entire park. We first stopped at the Visitor Center right by the parking lot. Inside, they had a ton of print materials about Indianapolis and the different areas, along with park souvenirs like tshirts, magnets, and more. They also had some local artist art for sale which I thought was cool! Definetly was a good place for us to start and to just learn more about what the park has to offer! We decided to walk down the bridge that leads from the main section of the park to the zoo. While we didn't go to the zoo specifically, it was nice to see a bigger view of the river and all the different artwork on the bridge too. We continued around by the NCAA Hall of Fame, and went to my favorite part of the park, the canal! I truly think the canal is one of the best parts of the park, as it's so clean and modern, and in the warmer months, it's usually super lively and they even have little swan boats you can rent to go down the canal! While I truly love the park, I think I would go more if there were more things to see or events to go to. I'm sure during the warmer months it is easier ti take advantge of what the park has to offer, but at the time that we went, it was pretty dead and it was just a bunch of people going for a leisurely stroll or such. Although, the park does contain some fun museums as well, we just didn't have the time to go and explore that. Overall, a fun place to go and explore, and it's great that it is so close to the heart of Indianapolis!
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Tank G.

Yelp
This is a very nice park located on the outskirts of downtown Indianapolis. It covers 250 acres. I have been here many times and thought I had already done a review on it. Oh well, here I go. This park is home to many nice Indianapolis museums including the NCAA museum, The Indiana State Museum, and the Eiteljorg Museum. There is also an outdoor amphitheater there as well. I saw Kids Bop there one summer. There are many paid parking garages around the park. The best and most convenient one is under the park and you enter through the front of the Indiana State Museum. There is also an open paid lot by the amphitheater that I have parked at many times. The park is picturesque and has nice views of the city, the White River and the Canal. There is some very nice sculptures in the park. One of the most notable is the Tent, a 43 feet tall, bright and colorful sculpture that has reflective panels that wave in the wind. Many pieces of art are located in the center of the large bridge/walkway that goes over the river. The park is attached to the zoo and can be accessed from the side of the zoo. There are many other ways to access the park including the garage, the Indiana State Museum and the amphitheater. This park has a lot of green space for picnic'ers. It is also perfect for runners. I have ran many 5Ks here. The trails are well maintained and can be interconnected to make a track as long or as short as you want. They recently had a half marathon course there that I saw. During warm weather months, there are bikes that you can rent to go around the park. There is always those pesky scooters available to motor around on to, but there are some limitations on where they can go. This park is well maintained and not only has the park, but tons of other stuff to do, museums, walking, the zoo, art walk.... You can actually spend an entire day here and not even know it.
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Jake W.

Yelp
This review is specifically about watching the Indianapolis Fourth of July Fireworks from the waterfront Pavilion area. The walkway along the river has a lot of seating, separate lookout points, bridge views and much to make this a good spot for watching fireworks. Wheelchair friendly and plenty of parking in the Zoo parking lot. The included pic shows you the location of the fireworks in 2021. Four stars because moving the fireworks changed the look of the show from this location. I think there are probably some epic views for the show closer to the launch site. This location is still decent though.
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John B.

Yelp
This is a very artificial-looking space over not the most amazing river ever, but they did build the heck out of it. It offer a wide area for casual recreation and likely a lot as an event space. The adjoining museums offer intrigue, and the canal which ends here offers a pedestrian route into the city. There are certainly plenty of reasons to be here.
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Nicole S.

Yelp
White River State Park has so much going on with it that I don't even know where to start. We initially visited the park to try to spot beavers. (Apparently, beavers live in the White River and make their dams around the bridges.) And although we didn't see any beavers, we did see a lot of public art located all throughout the park. It was a fun surprise to walk around and see such beautiful sculptures everywhere, and I can't believe I've lived in Indiana so long, and have visited this park so often, and never saw many of these art pieces. You'll find much of the art around the canal and around the bridges -- Washington Pedestrian Bridge is an especially good place to see sculptures. Because we're living during a time when there is an active pandemic happening, I especially love White River State Park because there is so much open space and grass on which to run around and explore. We weren't around anyone at all, and if we did see people, we had plenty of space to move out of their way. It's nice to have this park in the middle of downtown. I saw that someone mentioned that there was a playground here? I have never seen a playground at this park. If you know where this elusive playground is, send me a message -- my kids (and I'm sure lots of other kids) would love to know. On the grounds of White River State Park is the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg, the Indianapolis Zoo, NCAA Hall of Champions and more. All of these museums require admission to enter, but I would say that you could make an afternoon just walking around the park, looking at all of the art, peeping the canal and enjoying the outdoors for free. One thing you will have to pay for is parking. There's just no getting out of that. There is surface parking and underground parking, but I recommend using the surface parking if you plan to walk around and look at art. It's just closer to everything.
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Laura M.

Yelp
Make sure to visit the Urban Farmers Market! Every other Sunday as of May 2, 2022. Hours 9 to 1. The market is easy to access and there is lots of parking near by. Unfortunately the parking garage charges on Sunday but WRP staff were passing out $5 off parking vouchers. This Sunday there were a few food trucks and multiple other vendors. Items include soaps, fresh vegetables, breads, plants, coffees, pastries and pies to start. See the full vendor list online. I couldn't pass up new plants and handcrafted soaps. It's a fun way to spend the morning and walking the canal and museums makes for a nice Sunday.
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Staci W.

Yelp
I don't know how I haven't reviewed White River State Park before. I have been visiting this park since I was a kid partaking in walking it, biking it and even the boat rentals. There is so much to see and do here. Make sure you have your walking shoes on. I have seen many of people walk the whole canal with flip flops on and regret that. I love to start near the zoo and walk through the limestone and then go around the State Museum. It's a highlight for those visiting the city and those who have lived here our whole lives.
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Melitta S.

Yelp
Our visit to this park was first rate. They offer bikes, family style bike and recumbent bikes for rent. Paddle boats are available in a certain area. Scenic walkways along the White River. We only walked through portions of it... approx 2.5 miles or so along IUPUI campus. NCAA museum is close and I wish we had more time to visit. This park is a MUST visit if coming to Indianapolis
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Lindsey T.

Yelp
If you are looking for a FREE small wedding ceremony location .. then look no further! We decided we wanted a small intimate ceremony at the Canal. I called ahead to make sure there were no events going on and if we were allowed to do a ceremony on the grounds. The very nice receptionist told me that as long as we are not bringing items in (like chairs, an arch, or other items like that) then it was completely free- just pay for parking. There are so many different options for a ceremony space there. We decided on at the bottom of the mirror tower display right on the canal. There are even big steps for your guests to sit on! The steps face the canal, it was beautiful! I have attached pictures- it was so beautiful and perfect. Your guests will have to pay for parking ($10 ish) but your ceremony is free AND beautiful!
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Richard P.

Yelp
White River State Park is one of those parks that you simply don't realize "Hey, this is all a park!" until you're actually visiting it, traveling around it, and actually getting kind of tired trying to catch it all. White River State Park bills itself as the nation's only "cultural urban state park." I have no idea if that's true because, well, I have no idea what that actually means. I mean, sure, it's an urban park since it's right off downtown Indy. It's also mighty cultural. I'm just not sure about the "only" part. But, hey, it's a really cool park. I work at the Indiana Government Center. So, White River State Park is easily within wheeling distance, though to really catch it all I'm probably better off actually parking in the park. White River State Park actually includes Military Park, the Central Canal, the banks of the White River, the Indianapolis Zoo, White River Gardens, the Eiteljorg Museum, The Indiana State Museum (with an IMAX Theatre), Victory Field, the NCAA Hall of Champions, and the recently renovated Amphitheater at White River State Park. That's a whole lot of park. You can walk, run, bike, and wheel it. You can rent bicycles. You can rent pedal boats and kayaks. There are other vehicles you can use, as well. While it's a lot of ground to cover, it's all also pretty darn wheelchair friendly. However, I will note the canal does have some exits that are steps only (which is kind of weird). Parking is for the most part paid in garages or on the surface at the park. If you're going to IMAX, for example, you can typically get validation. The park is definitely close to downtown and quite a few other restaurants and places to visit. You can easily make a day out of White River State Park and downtown Indy. Heck, you can easily make a day out of the zoo and probably spend another day at the museums. The Hall of Champions is about the only thing I'd say is a fairly quick visit. There's lots of greenery and places to relax. While all the venues are following current health guidelines, traffic is light these days and even most state employees are still working from home during the pandemic. So, it's a fairly peaceful visit. If you're a geocacher, you'll also find multiple caches within the boundaries of the White River State Park. I know the Indiana State Museum has multiple ones, while the zoo has some and there are other spots around. A good number of them are virtual and fairly easy to snag. Overall, White River State Park encompasses about 250 acres. It was first really begun in 1979, though the first place to truly call it home was the zoo in 1988. The Eiteljorg opened up a year later and before long this park really started growing and it continues to be amazing. If you've never visited, give yourself a day and just explore it. You'll enjoy it.
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Holly W.

Yelp
The Amphitheater is done!! Yay! It's nice... We attended the 3 Doors Down/Seether concert after purchasing $20 lawn seats on Groupon. I think the entire city bought the same tickets as it was very crowded. The lawn is nice but still not big enough for our area. And sadly the bright white giant pillars block a lot of the stage from the lawn. They also left some of the trees which is nice for shade, but tends to block the stage. Seating seemed very limited which increased the ticket price of the amphitheater.... They have increased the restrooms which are spacious, well stocked, and clean. They only had ONE (1) merch booth and with thousands of concert goers the line was ridiculous!! They did have multiple booths for alcohol and snacks though so those lines moved pretty quickly. They also had one food truck in the venue - a NY Slice Pizza truck $9 for a slice of sausage, pepperoni, or cheese. $10 for a specialty slice. $5 bottle of water. $4 can of soda. Some things to know before you go... they do not take cash - only cards at All areas. They also had no ATM machines. We were able to bring in an unopened bottle of water. In a nut shell, go for the music but don't expect to see the band and come prepared to spend a lot of money....
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Claire H.

Yelp
This is specifically about the new and improved ampitheather! I went to 2 concerts here this summer and had the best time! Event parking for $20 is available at the state museum. They take cash or card. The lines to enter can be long so just prepare for that. It is important to note that you have to have a small clutch or hand-wallet. If you bring a purse or backpack they will check it at their lockers for an additional fee. There are chairs available for use for no additional charge. They go quickly! You can bring your own chair or blanket as well but needs to be a low seating/beach chair, not a camping chair. Food options include pizza, tacos, and nachos. Maybe other offerings but that is what was available at the two shows I attended. Beer, wine, and cocktails are also available. Like most concert venues, drinks are spendy at least $15 per pop. The space itself is just beautiful. You get a wonderful view of the city, right on the canal. The lawn is so lush. The theater has two large projecting screens so even if you're in the back of the lawn you can still see the show. It is just such a more special, cozier, more intimate experience than deer creek (never will be ruoff, am I right?).
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Shelley S.

Yelp
Found this spot by chance. Weather was not ideal was super chilly. The weather allowed us to basically have this place to ourselves. Great for walking, picnics, and just beautiful scene. It looks like during warmer weather you can rent bikes, bike carriages and have food options. I love the water and the works of art.
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Hannah D.

Yelp
Incredible park and even better venue! We love the free lawn chairs for concerts. Last night was HAIM, and we have maybe two more concerts there this summer. I'd recommend everyone check out this park, whether it's for the concerts, walks, pictures or simply to enjoy the day!
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Saphace A.

Yelp
Ummmm wow. If that could summarize how amazed I was by this place I would let that be all. Anyway, it's an amazing place to be in this city. It's close to a bunch of museums, you can walk around, sit, pedal on the water, or bike around it. Wow. There are also a few murals around and a nice view of the skyline here. We didn't have trouble finding parking. We drove into the lot and paid $3 for an hour. It sounds pricey but I've definitely encountered pricier rates. They do concerts here too. It's definitely a good spot for tourists, to walk your dog, to jog, go on a date, or spend time with family. I'm so impressed that Indy has this. It's such an underrated city, but this was a selling point. There's also an herb garden. Wow.
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Katie U.

Yelp
One of my favorite spots to explore downtown. It's more than just a summer concert venue! It connects to the Canal Walk, spans over the White River (hence the name) and includes the NCAA Hall of Champions, Indianapolis Zoo and more. In particular, I love the large pedestrian bridge that connects the Indiana State Museum/Eiteljorg area to the zoo. Here you'll find a great view of the Indy skyline. Plus, if you follow the path further west behind the zoo, there's a hidden gem of a trail with even better views that I'd like to explore, either on a Pacers Bikeshare bike or a surrey bike.
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Talia C.

Yelp
This park is amazing! It's downtown, includes a canal, and has so many great things to look at along the way. There are ducks, picnic tables, a produce garden that my daughter's obsessed with, and tons of sculptures and murals. There are at least 2 if not 3 museums along the paved trail, all of which have some outdoor stuff for you to look at like artwork, humongous steam grandfather clocks that sing, etc. So far this is our fav park to picnic at. There's no fee for admission, but there is for parking. We did however see another Yelper's review mention that State Park pass holders can park for free. I haven't seen anything posted about that anywhere, but I like the way she thinks and have just put my state park on the dashboard each time to cash in on all that great free parking. There are lots of big covered bikes and paddle boats that you can rent. We haven't tried it yet since we always take the stroller with us for picnics, but it looks super fun! Sometimes there are also food vendors that sell hot dogs, nachos, things like that. But we just bring takeout from some fab Indy restaurant to enjoy in the beautiful outdoors instead, and then walk along the canal once we're done with that.
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Vanessa L.

Yelp
White River State Park is GORGEOUS. There are so many activities to do here that I always forget its a state park. Usually I visit the canal and run it, since it's a 5k "track." If you are a runner, I highly recommend trying it! It's 100% my favorite spot to run! Or even if you want an amazing walking path, it's wonderful! There are also multiple restaurants on the canal, which are all delicious. There are activities, such as Segways, paddle board, and gondolas. The Indianapolis zoo is located in the park as well. Concerts are held in the park in the summer. See why its hard to remember this is technically a state park?! Definitely recommend visiting!
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Winnie Y.

Yelp
My husband and I love walking through White River State Park whenever we walk between the zoo and the rest of downtown. The green space is wonderful especially when it's warm. Our most recent visit was a little cold but the snow made it beautiful. This is also a great spot to enter the Indy Canal Walk!
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Garrett Z.

Yelp
Whenever I find myself in Indianapolis, I spend at least some of my time at the White River State Park. Whether it is a walk to the zoo and conservatory or just walking around the river area, it is a short and nice walk right from downtown. There is so much to see and do in the park ranging from museums, green spaces, and close proximity to restaurants and sports entertainment. The park itself is large and laid out close to everything. Numerous art pieces are scattered throughout along with a good assortment of seating and picnic areas. There is also an extensive list of events and activities that are done in this area as well. Great place to go and relax with family and friends.
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Shelby Z.

Yelp
White River is a beautiful park to walk through if you're in downtown Indianapolis. It's huge, and has many attractions nearby like the NCAA Hall of Fame and the zoo. Our main reason for coming here was to find the Instagrammable "Indy" sign, which sadly I believe was taken down as we couldn't find it. The park is peaceful and has a beautiful view of the river, along with multiple art pieces and sculptures scattered around. Not to mention a great view of the downtown Indy skyline.
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Renee B.

Yelp
This is a great spot for a picnic, hammocking, throwing a frisbee, or just looking out over the river! There is always plenty of space to move around, and some very cool artwork to be found and enjoyed. There are some places to sit, but I would recommend bringing your own picnic blanket to sit on in case all the seats are filled up. There are some places with shade from trees that you can definitely find if you want. The park is a close walk to the canal, museums, and the zoo! A great place to rest your feet in between all your Indy activities! Very close to downtown as well. Be aware that if you are scootering around your scooters may turn off in this area.
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Mark S.

Yelp
Awesome concert venue. Was there for Sammy Hagar show and it was incredible. Only downside/confusing park was the entrance. Not sure if there was more than one way in but the line even 30 min before the show was around the block. Once inside, food and bev service was super and ushers were awesome nice too. Great place to see a band up close and personal and everyone was incredibly friendly.
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Chelsea B.

Yelp
So much to offer! I finally made it down to the park on a beautiful, sunny day this spring and I'm so glad I did. There is a ton of green space with nice walking paths that border the river, canal, and through the park. There are lovely spots to sit for a picnic lunch, before or after your visit to the zoo, Victory Field, or one of the many museums or other attractions. Interesting art pieces dot the park, and there is one of The Public Collections Book Share Stations. The Visit Indy store is here, with some great merch. The parking situation leaves a little to be desired. There are some limited spots and the payment process is old (they would benefit from some sort of ParkMobile integration). I know there are concerts here in the summer, and though I haven't been there yet, I am looking forward to attending one. All in all, this is a beautiful green space in the heart of downtown, and well worth a visit!
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Augie H.

Yelp
I love all things outdoors and the river is no exception. I think it is important to highlight the White River because it can be an under appreciate token of any great city like Indianapolis. I think we need to keep the White River a place where visitors or residents can get out on the water and fish, paddle kayaks, boat, or just walk along and appreciate. The beauty of outdoors and appreciation of such can be fleeting in any metropolitan area and the White River for many can be an escape. I have done a decent amount of fishing on the White River and from time to time the smallmouth fishing is very good. I think there are some issues with the sanitation of the river as I have seen online about the water quality. Get out to the White River and take in the beauty of nature! Throw in a line and maybe catch a beautiful smallmouth bass!
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Tamar C.

Yelp
Having a river right in the city center is amazing! The amphitheater is beautiful, the landscaping is beautiful, and the walking paths and bridges are picturesque. I did NOT see any public restrooms, or food trucks, or little hot dog carts which surprised me. We walked the river promenade which is peaceful and you can sometimes hear the zoo animals! It's a bit isolated with the river on one side and the levee (limestone! As the signs will tell you!) on the other, so I was glad I wasn't alone. Especially when a guy stopped to tell us that doctors are all corrupt and will sell us to be eaten as food. We ended up taking the river walk all the way to the end and had to call an Uber ha ha.
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Ken N.

Yelp
For a park without much space and limited access to the nearby river, this park is amazing. There are festivals and concerts here. There is a state museum, a sports museum (NCAA), a western museum (Eiteljorg), a zoo and botanical garden, and a former pedestrian bridge that now hosts temporary art installations. Oh, and there is a beautiful canal that wanders through it designed for handling lots of folks using different modes of transportation. It has a large underground parking facility and is just a short walk from the IUPUI campus, the convention center, Victory Field, and downtown. Could there be a better location for this place? The only negative I have is that it doesn't really promote itself as being a collective park. There are lots of things to do here or very close by, but I don't see a lot of promotion saying "come to White River State Park". But people still come here for all the individual activities. Imagine if these activities/events all coordinated instead of doing their own thing. This could be a next level event! Review #1616
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Elizabeth M.

Yelp
Great concert venue!! Beautiful park! They even give you free chairs to use if you have lawn seats. It is very convenient to get in and out and it is a wonderful location downtown Indianapolis! It's on a slight slant/ hill, so it's easy to see the stage even if you are towards the back!
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Gin G.

Yelp
Wish we had more time to walk the whole three mile loop but we only made it half way n had to turn around because we were pressed for time. Started at the visitors center/gift shop to look around. If you have kids it's best to have them use the restrooms in there before you head out because I don't recall seeing any on our walk. Such a great place to site see on this river walk! From artwork to bridges, from fountains to shops, it had it all. Lots of joggers out sat. morn. You can rent paddle boats to ride along the river. They also do Gondola rides just like in Venice. But we didn't get to see any on our walk. There are stairs up to street level so you can exit the river walk at any street. Or cut cross to the other side on one of the many bridges. If we are ever back in Indianapolis, we will def finish that whole loop!!
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Megan W.

Yelp
Very pretty and well-kept park. We come here with friends and our dogs and sit on the lawn when there's a concert and it's so relaxing and fun. You have a great view of the Indians' stadium, NCAA, and the Marriott hotels. They have some nice trees that we like to throw our hammocks up on.
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Phil M.

Yelp
Loved walking and riding the rental bikes around the park during my recent visit to Indianapolis ( itself a revelation ). I love water features and the canal walk and surrounding areas have numerous waterfalls and sitting areas to enjoy. There is the Medal of Honor memorial to contemplate, a really beautiful and moving space. Additionally there is the NCAA facility and the zoo is nearby. You should definitely take the time to stroll around the park and canal any time you visit Indianapolis. It's relaxing, diverse and really just a nice time. A great feature to a really surprising city. I'm a fan.
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Brady R.

Yelp
A great park just west of Downtown. Easily accessible via food, bike, and anything on wheels, this park serves a lot of purposes. During the warmer months, you'll find outdoor theatre shows along the river. You'll find outdoor festivals such as the March Madness Final Four Fest a couple years back. You'll find lots of people enjoying the weather or walking over the bridge from the zoo / across the river. It's home to the Lawn for summer/warmer weather outdoor concerts too. It's a great little green area to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown. It's easily accessible and a great little place to get a breath of "fresh" air. Great views, lots of green space, fun activities around, what more could you ask for for an urban, downtown park?
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Jeremy J.

Yelp
This River in Indianapolis is absolutely stunning. I love this place. We do not live in Indianapolis however we go up there a few times because my wives family lives there. We try to go to this river walk every time we are there. It is absolutely gorgeous and has many restaurants and business establishments that you can stop by and eat or get a drink. I really enjoy this it's a nice walk with the family on a beautiful day. I wish that Louisville had something like this. And I highly recommend that you try it I know that we will be going back up there shortly before summer is over and walking this river walk again. We are fed ducks and look at all the pretty flowers they have many different monuments and you can rent a paddle boat and go down the river.
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Sarah C.

Yelp
LOVE this park! I have been here before but this past time really sealed the deal for me. I was visiting for a concert, The National, and was so pleasantly surprised when the park staff offered free lawn chairs to use while enjoying the evening. YASSS! Such a great idea. I wish my local waterfront park would do that for concerts and such. Beautiful park, well laid out, super clean and large bathrooms, close to lots of things to do and see downtown, and free lawn chairs! If you haven't been, go. Also, you can connect yourself to some cool stuff at this park via walking, cycling, etc.
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Kitty B.

Yelp
My husband and I have an Indiana Parks Pass so I made good use of it at the White River State Park. It doesn't seem there is a fee here like at other states parks, but in lieu of that you get free downtown parking in a convenient lot. The visit was during the afternoon with my son and I found the grounds to be just lovely. Being downtown I knew it wouldn't be a traditional park but I was still surprised at the lay out. It has a series of paths and walkways along the White River and a system of canals. It's quite expansive and very quiet during the week day. At the end of our walk we stopped in the visitor's center and gift shop. They have candy and a freezer of Nicey Treats, of course I indulged. The lady was very helpful, too. While I was there she got a phone call about camping and I heard her explain about three times how they don't have camping because they are in an urban setting. She smiled and told me she gets up to ten calls a day like that during peak camping times. I can't wait to visit again.
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Carly T.

Yelp
White River State Park is one of my favorite downtown locations. There's lots of green space and I've seen a lot of cool events happening there (at least pre-COVID). I went to a farmers market here over the weekend and enjoyed the views of the canal and downtown. It's right next to the Canal Walk and several museums; you could probably spend all day exploring the area. I've spent a lot of time around White River State Park since moving here in 2017, and I look forward to more visits to come!