What's the best time to visit Indianapolis?
The best time to visit Indianapolis is from late spring to summer for perfect weather and plenty of things to do. Summers are warm but not too hot, with average high temperatures reaching around 85 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Locals describe summers as glorious, with manageable humidity levels and the Indianapolis 500 taking place each year on Memorial Day weekend.
Indianapolis is the capital of Indiana and a must-visit for anyone on a visit in the Midwest or looking for a city break. The city is packed full of activities for the whole family, such as the Indianapolis Zoo in White River State Park and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Adult visitors will enjoy the Native American and American art on display at the Eiteljorg Museum and other museums, plus the dining and nightlife opportunities downtown. Sports fans will also get a kick out of visiting Indianapolis.
The city has a minor league baseball team, and in the winter, fans can take in NFL games at the Indianapolis Colts stadium. The most famous sporting attraction is the nearby Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of the most important car racing circuits in the entire world.
The trick to making the most out of your trip to Indianapolis is to time your visit properly. Keep reading to learn more about the best time to visit!
Overall Best Time to Visit Indianapolis
May 26, 2024-Speedway, IN; SANTINO FERRUCCI (14) of Woodbury, Connecticut drives on track during the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway IN/Grindstone Media Group/Shutterstock
The best time to visit Indianapolis is from late spring through summer (May–August) for perfect weather and plenty of things to do. Summers in Indianapolis are usually warm but not too hot.
Average high temperatures in July reach around 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the city, and it gets cooler at night. The weather is usually sunny—the month of August receives some of the least rain in the entire year.
Locals describe Indianapolis summers as glorious. Unlike other parts of the United States, humidity levels are manageable, so you won’t feel too sticky or hot as you are walking around.
The city has plenty of outdoor spaces and areas for recreation, such as following the Canal Walk, so you can take advantage of the gorgeous weather. If it gets too hot and muggy, then you have plenty of spaces to cool down in the city.
Public parks around the city, such as Carson Park, have pools and small water parks for kids. For more fun in the sun, book a day trip to some of the state’s top water parks, such as Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Indianapolis.
This season is also the best time to visit for sports fans. Indianapolis locals love their minor league baseball, and the weather is perfect to catch an Indianapolis Indians game. However, the real draw for sports fans in Indianapolis is the Indianapolis 500, the most famous car race in the United States.
Taking place each year on Memorial Day weekend, this race attracts tens of thousands of car racing fans. If you want to take in the atmosphere, book your trip for late May—but be prepared for crowds and sky-high hotel prices.
Even if you’re not much of a sports fan, there is still plenty to do on a warm summer’s day or night in Indianapolis. Most of the city’s cultural events happen during the warmer summer months, such as:
- Indy Pride Festival and Parade (June), celebrating the LGBT community
- Indy Film Fest (June), organizing movie screenings that are usually outdoors
- Symphony on the Prairie (all summer long), one of the best classical music festivals in the Midwest
- Indiana State Fair (August), perfect for some good old-fashioned country fun
Cheapest Time to Visit Indianapolis
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The absolute cheapest time to visit Indianapolis is during the winter, but you can also score good deals in the fall, when the weather is still nice. Indianapolis is never very expensive, even during the summer which is the city’s peak travel season.
Once summer is over, hotel prices drop to more affordable levels in the fall, when there is less demand. Expect to pay 15%–25% less than you would for usual hotel prices. There is a slight increase in the cost of visiting Indianapolis around the holidays, but for some visitors, it is worth it to get a piece of the good old-fashioned American Christmas fun
Seasonal lights pop up around town, and there are themed events, such as holiday concerts. After the holidays pass, prices plunge to a year-round low between January and April, the length of the winter season.
Hotel prices are even more affordable, with discounts of up to 35% compared to normal prices. This is also the best time to visit Indianapolis for discounts on flights.
Least Busy Time to Visit Indianapolis
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The least busy time to visit Indianapolis is in the fall. During this time, you’ll have a combination of good visitor experience and fewer crowds. Outside of the Indy 500 weekend, Indianapolis rarely experiences heavy crowds.
Even in the summer it isn’t that busy. Once September rolls around, things really quiet down and you can enjoy the city at a laid-back pace, without any crowds. Fall in Indianapolis is a pleasant time to visit thanks to the mild weather. Average high temperatures in September are around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
October is a bit cooler, with average daily highs around 65 degrees and crisp, chilly nights. Fall also has the least rain of the entire year, with an average of only eight rainy days per month. This is perfect weather for getting outside and exploring.
You can go on one of the many trails and cycling paths in Indianapolis, which is a walkable, bikeable city. Or head on a day trip outside of the city to check out the changing colors of the prairie. While baseball season wraps up by early fall, the season still has plenty of action for sports fans.
The Indianapolis Colts usually kick off their action in the NFL by early September. Tailgating with the locals is a fun way to spend a weekend (just be mindful that during home games, crowds and hotel prices tend to go up).
In September and October, Indianapolis still has plenty of festivals to keep visitors entertained. One of the most popular is Oktoberfest (which actually takes place in September), honoring the area’s sizable German–American population. Visitors can enjoy traditional German food, beer, and live entertainment.
Other popular fall events include:
- Circle City Classic (September), a college football tournament
- Historic Irvington Halloween Festival (October), a week-long street festival celebrating the spooky season with dozens of events for all ages
- Harvest Nights at Newfields (October), spooky seasonal decorations at a favorite local museum
Worst Time to Go to Indianapolis
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The absolute worst time to visit visit Indianapolis is during the depths of winter (January–April). It gets bitterly cold in the Midwest, making for an unpleasant experience while walking around outdoors.
Winters in Indianapolis and the rest of the Midwest are long and extremely cold. Average daily high temperatures in January are only 36 degrees, while at night it gets much colder. Since Indianapolis is located on the prairie, the winds can get very strong, making it even colder.
Locals will say that the worst thing about winter in Indianapolis is that it lasts for a long time. It doesn’t warm up until late April or even early May. There isn’t that much snowfall, which is good because then you won’t experience traffic jams and flight delays due to storms, but also means that there isn’t much to break up the dreariness of the winter.
Once the Christmas season ends in early January, there isn’t much that can break up the monotony of the season. The cold weather also means that there isn’t as much to do in the city. Walking around outdoors is unpleasant, and there are fewer festivals or special events.
If you find yourself in Indianapolis during this time, make the most of it by strategically spending most of your time indoors. Enjoy Indianapolis’s dining and entertainment scene, as well as special winter events such as Devour Indy, Indianapolis’s answer to Restaurant Week.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some of the most common questions people have asked about visiting Indianapolis. These answers can help you plan your trip as well:
What is the best month to visit Indiana?
If you’re a NASCAR fan, the best month to visit Indiana is May. If not, the best month to visit is June, when the weather is warm and festival season is getting started.
Is it worth visiting Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is worth visiting if you are already in the Midwest. It is a fun destination for a city break, with plenty of unique museums and entertainment opportunities.
What is the warmest month in Indianapolis?
July is the warmest month in Indianapolis, with average temperatures of around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. August is only slightly cooler.
What months does it snow in Indianapolis?
It can snow in Indianapolis any time between December and March. Some years, it can even snow in April, so don’t pack your snow boots away too soon.
What is the best season to visit Indianapolis?
The best season for a trip to Indianapolis is summer. The weather is pleasant, and there is plenty to do thanks to the busy events calendar.
So What’s the Best Time to Visit Indianapolis?
The best time to visit Indianapolis is from May to September, when the weather is nice and there is plenty going on in the city, including the Indy 500. If you don’t like crowds, the early autumn is a nice time to visit.
While winter has the best bargains and fewest visitors, the cold weather is not worth a few savings on hotel rooms, so try to book for some other season. Happy travels!