{2025} The 15+ Best Fall Family Activities in Indianapolis

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Looking for fall activities in Indianapolis?

Fall is the best time of year to experience everything Indianapolis has to offer! I've rounded up my favorite fall activities in Indianapolis - so grab your pumpkin spice, and your coziest sweater--it's spooky season!

Frequently asked questions about Fall activities in Indianapolis

When's the best time to visit Indianapolis?

There's no bad time to visit the Circle City (ok, maybe January), but I'd say September/October or anytime during the month of May (the Indy 500 is Memorial Day Weekend) are the time that indy really shines! In the Fall, the weather is gorgeous, the leaves are stunning, there are tons of activities (obviously, that's why you're here), and we Hoosiers are at our happiest.

What's the weather like in Fall in Indianapolis?

In October in Indianapolis, you can expect an average high of 65 and low of around 45. Nights are definitely chilly, but days are still plenty warm for outdoor activities.

Is there much to do in October in Indy?

Yes! I was just telling my husband this weekend that it feels like every place we go has a special event for Fall, starting in mid-September and running all the way through Halloween.

Where's the best neighborhood to trick-or-treat in Indianapolis?

Locked in a neck-and-neck competition of 'who can do Halloween best,' the spooky crown has to go to either Irvington or Meridian Kessler. Both neighborhoods go all out for Halloween, with decor going up on the historic homes in mid-September. Expect smoke machines, adults in costumes (hello, it's me), lots of candy, and family-friendly fun.
​Not a trick-or-treater? Avoid these areas on Halloween.

{2025} The 15+ Best Fall Family Activities
​in Indianapolis

Let's get down to it! I've rounded up my favorite Fall activities for families in Indianapolis! As I find more through the season, I'll add them to my list!

The Children's Museum Guild 61st Annual Haunted House

Visit the world's largest children's museum (yes, you read that correctly) for the 61st annual Children's Museum Guild Haunted House! We are proud to be the longest continually-run haunted house in the country.

During daytime hours, you'll find an incredible, spooky-not-scary, mini replica of the museum, built and 'haunted' by friendly moms in costumes (including yours truly) handing out candy to costume-clad kiddos in a trick-or-treat style set-up. This year's theme is "Bewitched BOO-seum," and we've built a mini replica of the museum, with a spooky twist (e.g. a skeletal carousel and dinosaurs who've come back to life). During the day, we might be dressed as a paleontologist, a dinosaur, or a doll.

Stop by for our evening frightening hours for a scarier experience, not grisly, where we hand out jump scares rather than candy. At night, we wear scary make-up and sometimes masks, in spooky versions of our day time costumes. Ages 8+, please!

Tickets are $9 for non-members and $8 for members. The Haunted House has a standalone ticket that does NOT include museum admission. If you just want to see the HH, you can enter and exist without visiting the entire museum. The Children's Museum Haunted House offers group ticket pricing, if you'd like to bring your friends!

Extra credit: Haunted House parties & extras

There are a number of special events surrounding the Haunted House. My two favorites are Friendly Feast with the Witches and Twilight Fright.

"Feast" are special weekend morning where families buy a separate ticket for a quick breakfast and entertainment at the museum before going to the Haunted House. We are there in our witchy finery (including, yes, our hats), breakfast/lunch is served, and there's a magician. It's all ages fun.

Twilight Fright is geared toward kids 7-14, and offers a party atmosphere outside in the sports area (DJ, etc), a ride on the Ferris wheel, and a visit to the Haunted House.

Entrance to Harvest Nights at Newfields, Indianapolis

Newfields Harvest Nights

Another of my favorites events for the family in Indy is Harvest Nights at Newfields, which begins September 26 and runs all the way through November 2!

Walk through the pumpkin path of peril, grab an autumnal cocktail, and wait to board the ghost train - if you dare, and watched a ghoulish light show projected onto Oldfields, the historic home on the property. It is "spooky not scary," no one will jump out at you, etc. and you can walk through quickly or stay a while. You can also walk through Oldfields, which is decorated with incredible spooky touches, and transformed into Mischief Manor.

Just a note, this is a mostly outdoor event, and the ticket does not include museum admission (the museum isn't even open during this time).

Visiting Newfields during the day? Never fear, the pumpkins, etc. are still around and you'll have a very autumnal experience during a "normal" daytime visit, which does not require a separate ticket.

Pumpkins on display at Newfields during the day (JSB)

Explore Hoosier German Heritage at Oktoberfests

With Indianapolis's German heritage, there is no shortage of Oktoberfest celebrations in the Circle City, many of which extend beyond the traditional early Fall timeframe. I can guarantee that there's one happening near you! Here are four of the most popular, arranged in date order:​

Monument Circle Oktoberfest, presented by The Columbia Club

The 14th Annual Monument Circle Oktoberfest (September 26) offers German beers, live music from Liederkranz German Band (always fun), and a beautiful night in the heart of downtown Indy. When we lived on Mass Ave, we went every year - it's a can't-miss event!

Oktoberfest 2025 at The Carmel City Center

Head north to the Carmel City Center to experience Oktoberfest 2025, On Friday, October 3, featuring food from a wide range of Carmel restaurants and music from Der Polkatz, a 13-piece band.

German Fest at The Athenaeum

My personal favorite Indy Oktoberfest (October 4), if you can get in, is the German Fest at The Athenaeum on Mass Ave.  Featuring more beer than you can fathom, and an adorable Dachshund race, German Fest will have you joining in with the polka on your first pint.

The 79th Irvington Halloween Festival

Since 1927, Irvington (a historic neighborhood adjacent to downtown Indy) as been hosting its Historic Halloween Festival, which runs, this year, October 18-25, with the street fair on the 25. The week-long event boasts a Vampire Run, Family Movie Night, Horror Shorts Movie Night, Blood drive, and "A Night Out in Sleepy Hollow" which includes readings of original 'haunted tales' and, of course, a rendition of the town's namesake, Washington Irving, classic short story.

Conner Prairie Headless Horseman

Photo: Conner Prairie

Maybe I'm biased, as I worked and volunteered at Conner Prairie in various roles for nearly a decade, but for autumnal coziness, you really can't beat a trip out to Conner Prairie on a crisp, fall evening.

​In addition to its usual offerings, Conner Prairie's fall highlight is the traditional Headless Horseman, Thursday-Sunday, starting October 2. Take a hayride through the historic grounds, look out for ghouls, and find yourself surprisingly scared by the Horseman's appearances! 

And, if you're in the mood for delicious apple-themed products of all varieties, stop by the Conner Prairie Apple Store, proceeds of which are donated to Conner Prairie. The apple fritters and pumpkin donuts are a must.

Sullivan's Express to PumpkinTown

Sullivans is so much more than 'just' our local hardware store and nursery. It's also our holiday must-visit for festive train-based experiences. Ride the Sullivan Express to PumpkinTown through an unbelievable pumpkin fairytale, play games, and even have the opportunity to indulge in some adult beverages (I told you Sullivan's is fun). Tickets go FAST. Secure whatever tickets you can and make it work for your schedule!

Nickel Plate Express's Fall Foliage Express

Noblesville's classic train experience undergoes a foliage-focused fusion! Take a 1.5 hour autumnal train ride through our gorgeous Midwestern landscape on the Nickel Plate Express's Fall Foliage Express.

ZooBoo at The Indianapolis Zoo

ZooBoo (JSB 2024)

The Indianapolis Zoo has added a fun Halloween event, ZooBoo! ZooBoo is included with your admission (free if you're a Zoo member!), and includes special events for all ages! ZooBoo only "happens" during specific hours (2-7PM Wed/Thurs/Sun and 2-9 PM Friday and Saturday), but the Zoo is decked out in fall gear throughout this time!

Experience Fall at Tuttle Orchards

Head out to Tuttle Orchards for a quintessential Midwestern fall experience! Apple picking & a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, corn maze, barn animals, Farm Store and Cafe...what more could we want for a family day out!?
*Closed Sundays.

Day Trip: Brown County

Photo: IN Department of Natural Resources

There's no better place to see Midwestern fall foliage than making a pilgrimage about an hour south of Indianapolis to Brown County State Park.

Extra credit: The Story Inn

When you're down in that neck of the woods, don't forget to stop by The Story Inn, an amazing preserved relic, offering "one inconvenient location since 1851."

Photo: Story Inn

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope I've given you some good inspiration for a fun-filled Fall in family friendly Indy! Drop your favorite fall activities in Indianapolis in the comment section below!

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