On the first steps through the Canal Walk Indianapolis attractions you can immediately feel that history and leisure are a bit too handy here – a bit like a hipster who suddenly works in a museum. The channel, which was pulled out of the White River in 1992 as part of an urban revitalization project, was originally an industrial means of transport, which today serves as a runway for joggers, families and one or other confused tourist looking for the perfect Instagram shot.
I have to admit, I don't understand the hype around the artfully illuminated bridges, but the gentle stroller of the water, which extends between the old warehouses, has something calming that you rarely find in the loud streets of Downtown Indianapolis. Those who come here can comfortably contact the IndyGo bus or the numerous Bikeshare stations – a small bonus for those who don't want to be in traffic. And yes, the whole thing is located in the heart of Center Township, Marion County, so practically in the middle finger of the city without feeling like in a crowded amusement park. For those looking for a little green, a bit of history and a little urban flair, the Canal Walk is an underestimated jewel you should not miss.
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You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
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The first impression I have Canal Walk get, is the quiet stroller of the water that somehow overtones the loud city of Indiana – a bit like a whisper, which says: “Here there is more to see than you think.”
Just a short cat jump away is the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I once saw a race there, and while the engines were crying, I thought that the whole hype around the “Brickyard” was a bit exaggerated – until I felt the atmosphere that caused the crammed city dweller to be amazed. Parking is a nightmare on Saturday night, but when you arrive early enough, you get a place right next to the wall where you can almost smell the adrenaline.
A few miles further, in the tranquil Fishers, waiting Conner Prairie – an interactive history museum that offers more than just dusty exhibits. I took part in a workshop where we cooked a 19-century cooking recipe; the result was a bit too salty, but the experience was really great. The entrance is free when you sign up as a volunteer, and the staff is so friendly that you almost forget that you are actually only there for snap shooting.
If you're looking for something green, Fort Harrison State Park in Lawrence your goal. I spent a weekend with my bike there, and the trails are so well maintained that you feel almost like in a Hollywood movie – just without the expensive stunts. Parking is usually a Klack, except for the hot summer days when the families with picnic blankets flood the field.
A short trip after Carmel takes you to the Arts & Design District, where galleries and boutiques sit in an almost exaggerated stylish environment. I discovered a small café there, which is supposed to serve the best espresso in the region; I was skeptical, but the coffee was actually strong enough to keep me awake for the rest of the day. The roads are wide enough to bypass traffic, and parking is not a problem thanks to the many public garages.
A little further east, almost like a secret tip, lies that Hoosier Heritage Village Westfield. There you can visit old barns, a historical school house and even a working mill wheel. I took part in a crafts workshop where I tried to carve a piece of wood – the result looked more like a failed art project, but the enthusiasm of the guides was contagious. The village is well signposted, and parking is directly at the entrance, which makes the whole simple.
And then there is the charming little town Zionsville, which attracts with cobblestones and antique shops. I spent an afternoon strolling through the small shops, and I almost stumbled over an old record player who still worked. The atmosphere is so relaxed that you feel the time would be slower – a perfect counterpart to the bustling Indianapolis.
If you feel that the Canal Walk Indianapolis is just a short walk by the water, then don’t let yourself be fooled – the environment offers a wealth of Canal Walk Indianapolis Attractions, which range from rapid race tracks to historical villages to green oases. Take your curiosity and don't forget to keep parking in the back of your head – this is almost a part of the adventure.
This guide invites you to take a walk along the Canal Walk Indianapolis, where the water flows so sluggishly that you almost believe it would make fun of the city.
I like to start with Canal Walk an 8-km ribbon made of concrete and green, which stretches through the heart of Center Township. The trails are wide enough to accommodate both joggers and families with strollers, and the water is so clear that one can see almost the mirror image of his own doubts when passing. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then everyone from all over the state suddenly stumbles here to inhale the “authentic” Indiana feeling.
A short detour leads to the Canal Cruises, a boat tour that is more than just a little floating wing marketing. I once settled in one of the red rowing boats, while a guide with a voice lying somewhere between the museum guide and the weather agent told the story of the canal. I don't quite understand the hype about the “historical” anecdotes, but the panorama about the Indianapolis skyline is really great.
Only a few destinations surprise their visitors with a mix of art and wilderness like the Eiteljorg Museum. Directly on the water, between the trees, the museum presents a collection of American native art and Western iconography, which is so well curated that you almost forget that you are standing on an artificial watercourse. I saw an impressive piece of a Lakota fire tool there – a small but fine proof that culture does not always have to be loud.
A few steps further Indiana State Museum. There are more than just dinosaur bones; the interactive exhibits about the industrial revolution of Indiana make me think every time of my own inability to repair an old radio. The museum is free of charge, which I consider as a small comfort because parking at the State Fairgrounds at the weekend costs almost a fortune.
If you have enough of history, the path continues to Indianapolis Zoo. Yes, a zoo on the canal – that sounds like a marketing gag, but the animals seem to like the water. I watched a penguin there, which apparently had more interest in the reflections in the Canal Walk than in his own food. The zoo offers bicycle rental so that you can travel the distance between the walks and the waterway without any sweat break.
Between all the hustle and bustle White River State Parka green lung that embraces the Canal Walk. There are not only meadows for picnics, but also the Victory Fieldwhere the Indianapolis plays Colts. I once saw a game while I was sitting on a bench on the water – the sound of the cheerful crowd mixed up with the quiet whistle of the channel, a soundtrack that you don't find in every guide.
A small but fine secret tip is the Canal Bridge at 16th Street. The bridge is a popular photo pot because you can catch the water and the skyline from there at the same time. I took a photo that now hangs in my living room – a constant reminder that you see not only “Cornfield” and “Indy 500” in Indianapolis.
If you follow a list of Canal Walk Indianapolis Attractions search, find here the most important points I personally recommend for a visit. Each of these places has its own charm, and together they give an image of Indianapolis, which is neither too cheesy nor too boring – just what I appreciate most at my hometown.
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