As a lifelong Hoosier, I know how special summertime in the Circle City can be. From outdoor concerts to beautiful nights on a patio, I certainly have my things I look forward to as well.

Below, you’ll find 10 outdoor adventures I plan to take over the next few months. If you see me out doing one of them, I hope you’ll say hello!

Weekend strolls on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail

As an Indy resident who’s visually impaired, I find joy in the city’s most walkable stretches. Thankfully, I live near the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and regularly find myself walking it up and down, whether it’s to an Indiana Fever game or to walk downtown and grab a fresh slice from Giorgio’s Pizza.

Pristine nights at the Hi-Fi Annex

The COVID-19 pandemic brought us a lot of things we’d rather forget. One positive thing that came from it was Fountain Square’s open-air Hi-Fi Annex venue, which has transformed the Murphy Arts Center parking lot into a sacred live music oasis. Now in its “encore season,” the Annex has great shows lined up for this summer, including Fruit Bats on June 18 and The Format on July 28.

Epic nights at Indy-area amphitheaters

As a longtime music journalist, I’ve experienced my fair share of once-in-a-lifetime live music moments in Indy. This summer, I’m especially amped to check out Death Cab for Cutie and Jack White at the Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, as well as Alabama Shakes and the Strokes at Ruoff Music Center.

Evenings on the Chatterbox Jazz Club patio

A Mass Ave staple, the Chatterbox Jazz Club is a favorite of mine no matter the season. That being said, the historic club seems to shine the brightest with a patio of patrons enjoying the sweet sounds of local jazz torchbearers like Rob Dixon and the Tucker Brothers.

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May 20, 2026June 5, 2026

Free Indy Parks Alliance concerts

It’s hard to beat a free concert, and the Indy Parks Alliance has plenty to offer all summer long. I love checking out concerts at the Eagle Creek Beach and the MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park, but there are many more great stages to choose from as well.

Indiana State Fair corndogs

As a corndog connoisseur, I look forward to the Indiana State Fair every year, just so I can enjoy one of my favorite Midwestern delicacies. While I’m there, I make sure to find a Lemon Shake-Up to sip on, making my experience all the more delectable.

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Summer festivals galore

Indianapolis knows how to throw a great summer festival that brings the community together. A few of my favorites include:

• Feast of Lanterns, Aug. 22
• Chreece hip-hop festival, Aug. 29
• Penrod Arts Fair, Sept. 6.
• Art Squared, on Sept. 19.

Sunsets on the Fountain Square Theatre building

There are numerous great rooftop views in Indianapolis, but my favorite has to be the Rooftop Garden on the top floor of the Fountain Square Theatre building. With an excellent view of the downtown skyline, this bar makes a beautiful summer night even better. Sometimes, there may even be a local DJ turning the vibes up a notch.

Visiting Victory Field for an Indianapolis Indians game

Home of the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball team since 1996, Victory Field is a great place whether you enjoy baseball or not. Catch a home game now through September and make it out to the ballpark for a gorgeous night downtown.

Wandering Broad Ripple on a sunny afternoon

The Broad Ripple Village can make any afternoon a magical one. With cozy shops to pop into and the White River nearby, escaping the heat is never difficult, and there’s fun public art to check out while you’re at it.

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Seth Johnson is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach him at seth.johnson4291@gmail.com.

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A guide to a sunny, happy staycation in Indianapolis

by Seth Johnson, Mirror Indy
June 16, 2026

<h1>A guide to a sunny, happy staycation in Indianapolis</h1> <p class="byline">by Seth Johnson, Mirror Indy <br />June 16, 2026</p> <p>As a lifelong Hoosier, I know how special summertime in the Circle City can be. From outdoor concerts to beautiful nights on a patio, I certainly have my things I look forward to as well.</p> <p>Below, you’ll find 10 outdoor adventures I plan to take over the next few months. If you see me out doing one of them, I hope you’ll say hello!</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Prairie-Modules-1-2-Cultural-Trail-001-1024x680.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-83847" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The "Prairie Modules" along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="h-weekend-strolls-on-the-indianapolis-cultural-trail" class="wp-block-heading">Weekend strolls on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail</h2> <p>As an Indy resident who’s visually impaired, I find joy in the city’s most walkable stretches. Thankfully, I live near the <a href="https://indyculturaltrail.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indianapolis Cultural Trail</a> and regularly find myself walking it up and down, whether it’s to an Indiana Fever game or to walk downtown and grab a fresh slice from Giorgio’s Pizza.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Chreece-2024_005-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33145" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scenes from the Hi-Fi Annex during Chreece hip hop festival on Aug. 24, 2024, in Fountain Square.</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="h-pristine-nights-at-the-hi-fi-annex" class="wp-block-heading">Pristine nights at the Hi-Fi Annex</h2> <p>The COVID-19 pandemic brought us a lot of things we’d rather forget. One positive thing that came from it was Fountain Square’s open-air <a href="https://hifiindy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hi-Fi Annex</a> venue, which has transformed the Murphy Arts Center parking lot into a sacred live music oasis. Now in its “encore season,” the Annex has great shows lined up for this summer, including Fruit Bats on June 18 and The Format on July 28.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Caifanes-and-Cafe-Tacvba_EH06-1024x575.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27431" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Café Tacvba performs June 30, 2024, at Everwise Amphitheater at White River in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="h-epic-nights-at-indy-area-amphitheaters" class="wp-block-heading">Epic nights at Indy-area amphitheaters</h2> <p>As a longtime music journalist, I’ve experienced my fair share of once-in-a-lifetime live music moments in Indy. This summer, I’m especially amped to check out Death Cab for Cutie and Jack White at the <a href="https://www.everwiseamphitheater.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park</a>, as well as Alabama Shakes and the Strokes at Ruoff Music Center.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PXL_20211207_020810936.NIGHT_-scaled-e1737062646510-1024x711.jpg" alt="Musicians playing jazz instruments inside a bar." class="wp-image-43903" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Musicians playing at the Chatterbox Jazz Club, 435 Massachusetts Ave. Left to right: Richard "Sleepy" Floyd, Brandon Meeks, Rob Dixon and Christopher Pitts. </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="h-evenings-on-the-chatterbox-jazz-club-patio" class="wp-block-heading">Evenings on the Chatterbox Jazz Club patio</h2> <p>A Mass Ave staple, the <a href="https://chatterboxjazz.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chatterbox Jazz Club</a> is a favorite of mine no matter the season. That being said, the historic club seems to shine the brightest with a patio of patrons enjoying the sweet sounds of local jazz torchbearers like Rob Dixon and the Tucker Brothers.</p> <div class="wp-block-group has-light-gray-background-color has-background" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"> </div> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/GARFIELD-PARK-ART-AND-MUSIC-FESTIVAL-1024x768.jpg" alt="Multiple people sit on the lawn of Garfield Park. They are listening to live music during the Garfield Park Art and Music Festival." class="wp-image-83303" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A crowd of people listen to live music during the Garfield Park Art and Music Festival. </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="h-free-indy-parks-alliance-concerts" class="wp-block-heading">Free Indy Parks Alliance concerts</h2> <p>It’s hard to beat a free concert, and the <a href="https://www.parks-alliance.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indy Parks Alliance</a> has plenty to offer all summer long. I love checking out concerts at the Eagle Creek Beach and the MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park, but there are many more great stages to choose from as well.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Corndog-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-83841" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Seth Johnson is a freelance writer and a corndog connoisseur.</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="h-indiana-state-fair-corndogs" class="wp-block-heading">Indiana State Fair corndogs</h2> <p>As a corndog connoisseur, I look forward to the <a href="https://www.parks-alliance.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indiana State Fair</a> every year, just so I can enjoy one of my favorite Midwestern delicacies. While I’m there, I make sure to find a Lemon Shake-Up to sip on, making my experience all the more delectable.</p> <div class="wp-block-group has-light-gray-background-color has-background" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"> </div> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Feast-of-Lanterns_DL13-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33081" /></figure> <h2 id="h-summer-festivals-galore" class="wp-block-heading">Summer festivals galore</h2> <p>Indianapolis knows how to throw a great summer festival that brings the community together. A few of my favorites include:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://indyfol.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Feast of Lanterns</a>, Aug. 22</li> <li><a href="https://mirrorindy.org/how-to-submit-your-music-to-chreece/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chreece</a> hip-hop festival, Aug. 29</li> <li><a href="https://www.penrod.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penrod Arts Fair</a>, Sept. 6.</li> <li><a href="https://fountainfletcher.com/artsquared/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Art Squared</a>, on Sept. 19.</li> </ul> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/HISTORY-OF-FOUNTAIN-SQUARE-FOUNTAINS_JRW010-1024x741.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65347" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Lady Spray fountain Oct. 14, 2025, in the heart of Fountain Square.</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="h-sunsets-on-the-fountain-square-theatre-building" class="wp-block-heading">Sunsets on the Fountain Square Theatre building</h2> <p>There are numerous great rooftop views in Indianapolis, but my favorite has to be the <a href="https://fountainsquareindy.com/rooftop-garden-indianapolis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rooftop Garden</a> on the top floor of the Fountain Square Theatre building. With an excellent view of the downtown skyline, this bar makes a beautiful summer night even better. Sometimes, there may even be a local DJ turning the vibes up a notch.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Victory-Field-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-83834" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Indianapolis Indians play baseball all summer long at Victory Field.</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="h-visiting-victory-field-for-an-indianapolis-indians-game" class="wp-block-heading">Visiting Victory Field for an Indianapolis Indians game</h2> <p>Home of the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball team since 1996, <a href="https://www.milb.com/indianapolis/ballpark" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Victory Field</a> is a great place whether you enjoy baseball or not. Catch a home game now through September and make it out to the ballpark for a gorgeous night downtown.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/summer-sound-scapes_LO30-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28390" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Monon bridge and White River at the Indiana Arts Center in Broad Ripple on July 13, 2024.</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="h-wandering-broad-ripple-on-a-sunny-afternoon" class="wp-block-heading">Wandering Broad Ripple on a sunny afternoon</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.broadrippleindy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broad Ripple Village</a> can make any afternoon a magical one. With cozy shops to pop into and the White River nearby, escaping the heat is never difficult, and there’s fun public art to check out while you’re at it.</p> <p><em>Seth Johnson</em> <em>is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach him at <a href="mailto:seth.johnson4291@gmail.com">seth.johnson4291@gmail.com</a>.</em></p> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/summertime-and-the-livin-is-easy-staycation-indianapolis-seth-johnson/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org&quot;&gt;Mirror Indy&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/&quot;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&quot;https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-Mirror-Indy-square-logo-1.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;ssl=1&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;</p> &lt;img id=&quot;republication-tracker-tool-source&quot; src=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=83901&amp;amp;ga4=G-X0R0QW371R&quot; style=&quot;width:1px;height:1px;&quot;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &quot;https://mirrorindy.org/summertime-and-the-livin-is-easy-staycation-indianapolis-seth-johnson/&quot;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;/script&gt; &lt;script id=&quot;parsely-cfg&quot; src=&quot;//cdn.parsely.com/keys/mirrorindy.org/p.js&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

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