Enjoy Downtown’s FREE activities and destinations this winter

In tough economic times, we all could use a break on the wallet.  Downtown Indianapolis offers many fun opportunities that are everyone’s favorite price – FREE!

1. Browse Indianapolis City Market which is open Monday - Friday 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
2. Take a walk along the 1.5 mile long canal. 
3. Let the scenery surround you! Enjoy the Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 through Jan. 17.
4. Visit the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum in the basement of the Monument. Also, head to the top of the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial on Monument Circle (minimal fee). Wednesday - Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 232.7615 for more information.
5. Wander through one of Indy’s six Cultural Districts, four of which are right Downtown! (The Canal and White River State Park, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave and Wholesale District) 
6. Visit Easley Winery for free wine education and tasting seven days a week, or a free winery tour on Saturday or Sunday. 317.636.4516 or click here.
7. Meander through the wonderful exhibits indoors and beautiful outdoor gardens at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Tour the historic Lilly House, which is decorated for the holidays and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.  317.923.1331 or click here.
8. Browse Circle Centre mall. 681.5615 or click here.
9. Learn about and visit all of the city’s memorials.  Check out the Indiana War Memorial Museum.
10. Check out the many sculptures that adorn White River State Park.
11. Visit the beautiful Central Library and read a book. Click here for reading lists, events schedule and even homework help, or call 275.4100 for more details.
12. Check out the numerous concerts and performances in the Artsgarden. Call 624.2563 or click here to download a monthly calendar.
13. Listen to an organ concert at Christ Church Cathedral on Fridays at noon. Click here or call 636.4577
14. Visit the National Art Museum of Sport in the University Place Conference Center on the IUPUI campus which is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Click here or call 274.3627
15. Build a snowman in one of many Downtown parks, including Military Park and University Park. 
16. Do some family history research or look at interesting pieces of history at the Indiana Historical Society’s William Henry Smith Memorial Library located inside the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. The reference staff can help you find what you’re looking for, or you can get a head start using the online catalog. Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Call 317.232.1882 or click here.
17. Check out the Athenaeum Building, built in 1894.  It houses the city's oldest restaurant still in operation today, The Rathskeller. Click here or call 317.30.4569
18. Take a look! Just about everywhere you look Downtown you will find public art embellishing the city.  
19. Be a spectator.  Many Downtown events are free and entertaining to watch.
20. Visit the STUTZ Business Center where you can see and visit with more than a dozen artists. 
21. Visit Mass Ave galleries, including Dean Johnson Gallery, where you can see the works of many talented local and national artists.
22.  Visit Indianapolis Downtown Artists & Dealers Association (IDADA) to browse more than 25 art galleries, complete with an after-party on the first Friday of every month. Click here or call 332.5612 for more information.