Best time to visit Indianapolis

Set between Chicago and Cleveland, Detroit and Nashville, Indianapolis makes a perfect weekend getaway for anyone traveling through the Midwest. Indiana’s state capital is home to craft breweries, award-winning restaurants and nearly a dozen sports teams. The best time to visit depends on what strikes your fancy: sports, food or outdoor recreation.

Indy can be an affordable destination despite hosting the Indianapolis 500, Lucas Oil Stadium and world-class museums. For the perfect balance between good deals and fair weather, visit during shoulder season, preferably late May or September. 

For festivals and outdoor fun, visit during high season (late May to September)

Hot, sunny days and a calendar packed with festivals and free park concerts mean visitors flock to Indianapolis in droves. The Indy 500 and minor league baseball games also beckon sports fans to the area. Beautiful weather and plenty of outdoor entertainment make summertime ideal for Indianapolis sightseeing. Expect to pay for the pleasure with long lines and high prices.

Skip the humidity and crowds in shoulder season (April to mid-May and September to October)

Indianapolis has two shoulder seasons: spring and fall. While the weather can be unpredictable – sunny and warm one day, cloudy and rainy the next – these months are the perfect times to explore the city without the holiday crowds or oppressive summer humidity. Chilly mornings and evenings are ripe for exploring the Indianapolis Art Museum or the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. At the same time, warm afternoons mean pleasant walks on the Monon Trail or through downtown shopping hubs.

Travel on a budget during low season (November to March)

Although Indianapolis winters can be cold and gray, deals also abound during the city’s low tourist season. Expect spikes in prices during the winter holidays but significant bargains from January to March. Winter is the perfect time to enjoy some of Indy’s most festive attractions. Conner Prairie, a living history settlement just outside the city, decks the halls for the holidays, and the free Christkindlmarkt in the suburb of Carmel fills the frosty air with the scents of melting raclette cheese and mulled wine.