Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Zionsville, IN

  • Published 2023/02/23

There are many options for your next holiday destination, but one place that you should check off your bucket list is Zionsville, IN.

Considered one of the most desirable places in the US, Zionsville has successfully maintained its small-town character while providing a high quality of living for its residents.

It is known for Brick Street, proving that Zionsville has always blended the rustic and modern with many quaint shops in historic buildings.

It has become a favorite destination of numerous tourists because of its accessibility from Indianapolis, a mere 20-minute drive.

Coming here means access to one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques and museums and galleries that dot the city.

Imagine the amenities of a big city with the comfort and laidback atmosphere of a small town.

Zionsville also boasts more than 20 parks and over 500 acres of parkland.

The public parks feature playgrounds, sports fields, a sledding hill, a golf course, and nature trails.

The city is also committed to urban forestry.

Here are the best things to do in Zionsville, IN:

Try Excellent Wines at the Hopwood Cellar

Wine enthusiast or not, you should visit the Hopwood Cellar in Zionsville.

It’s not just a favorite among residents of the city, but it is also popular among visitors.

Since 1994, this winery has made excellent wines.

They continue bringing the finest award-winning wines to their patrons.

Since the opening of its Zionsville winery, people immediately noticed its quality, recognizing that it is not your average range of wines.

Hopwood Cellars searches only for the best grapes across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.

Visit their winery and enjoy wine tastings, with several types of tasting flights that will surely tickle your taste buds.

The winery also features whiskeys and bourbon.

What more can you ask for?

Enjoy Scenic Nature Trails at the Starkey Nature Park

Are you looking for a place to bring the family to a picnic?

Starkey Nature Park is a vast 80-acre park and is Zionsville’s largest park.

Located on Sugarbush Drive, the park gets its name from Lucille Starkey, who gave a portion of her land to the town for a park.

With a wooded bottomland along Eagle Creek, the park’s hiking trails and Instagrammable scenic nature will mesmerize you.

You can join various educational programs for youth and adults throughout the year.

The trail spans 5.1 miles, considered a moderate route, which takes an hour and 11 minutes to complete.

Starkey Nature Park is famous for fishing, trail running, and hiking, but it does not allow biking within the premises.

Bring the Family to Mulberry Fields Park

It’s always a must to visit the Mulberry Fields Park and let your entire family have the time of their life outdoors.

A summer favorite, this 38-acre park features three picnic shelters, a splash park, a skate park, a large hill, prairie-meadow plantings, and mulberry fields of tall grass and yellow flowers.

The sight alone is fabulous, but it becomes even more superb with these features.

One of the best parts is the splash pad/sprinkler, a bright and colorful area full of fun, especially for the kids.

However, the most exciting part is that the water run-off goes down an artificial creek with stone slabs and rocks, which allows a small area for playing in the water.

It also has a dry playground where children can enjoy playing with other kids and conquering the different challenges and games.

See the History of the Fan at the Antique Fan Museum

The fan has existed for centuries.

Throughout its history, it has undergone so many redesigns.

At the Antique Fan Museum located on Bennett Parkway, you can see the different designs and technology used in fans throughout its history.

The only museum of its kind in the world that’s open to the public, this museum will surely not disappoint.

Find more than 2,000 antique desk fans and ceiling fans from over 140 manufacturers, with the oldest desktop electric fan model dating back to the 1890s.

Meanwhile, the oldest non-electric fans date back to the 1880s.

You can also see hundreds of handheld fans that feature advertising from politicians, retailers, manufacturers, and movie stars.

Visit the Turkey Foot Nature Park

The beautiful Turkey Foot Nature Park consists of 23 forested acres, mostly bottomland.

Take your family on a grand adventure that lets you get close to nature, where you can find running trails, biking trails, and hiking trails.

Find the footbridge over Eagle Creek and enjoy canoeing or kayaking.

If you don’t feel like doing something strenuous, take the kids fishing or nature watching.

They’ll thank you for days for the experience.

Admire Nature at the Zion Nature Sanctuary

The town created the Zion Nature Sanctuary thanks to the Zionsville Community Schools’ donation of this ten-acre property.

Likewise, the Land and Water Conservation Fund endowed a $200,000 grant to help build the sanctuary.

Situated west of Eagle Elementary School, the park features nature trails, wooded areas, a shelter for an outdoor classroom, and wetland areas.

There are many more sights to enjoy in the park, including an observation point, a bridge leading to the observation point, a gravel trail that cuts through the park, a creek, and a footbridge.

The Zion Nature Sanctuary will surely amaze you whatever you decide to do.

Lead an Active Lifestyle with Zionsville Parks and Recreation

Zionsville Parks and Recreation offers superb facilities that aid healthy lifestyles for its residents and visitors alike.

These facilities help people connect with nature while strengthening their sense of community.

There are also recreational and unique event opportunities such as hiking and cooling off.

You can also refresh yourself at the Mulberry Fields Splash Pad, play golf at the Zion Golf Course, and learn more at the Zionsville Nature Center.

Grab Ice Cream at the Traders Point Creamery

The family-owned farmstead restaurant Traders Point Creamery is Indiana’s first USDA-certified organic dairy.

It also makes ice cream by hand.

The creamery does not use antibiotics, synthetic chemicals, or growth hormones, ensuring that their creations are as close to nature as possible.

They source cheese from their cows, which they put on a 100% grass diet

So, the cows produce milk rich in flavor, good fats, and nutrients.

While crafting their artisan dairy products, the creamery uses only traditional and minimally-invasive methods to retain the milk’s natural flavors.

Shop Local at the Zionsville Farmers Market

The Zionsville Farmers Market aims to support the community and its local farmers.

The Farmers Market is where you can find the freshest and best locally-grown fruits and vegetables from Indiana farmers.

Amaze yourself with the colorful variety of its cheeses, bread, pastries, and even fresh eggs from the local farmers and food artisans.

If you live near Zionsville, you may want to do some grocery shopping here.

Bring Your Dogs to the Heritage Trail Park

Are you traveling with your furry friend?

Bring them to Heritage Trail Park.

Spanning approximately 3.5 acres, this dog park features separate areas for big and small dogs.

You can sit back and relax while your furry friend enjoys the surroundings.

Sit on the bench or in the shaded areas or play catch with them.

The park is open to residents and visitors and operates 365 days a year.

It has pet waste stations, paved walking trails, picnic shelters, and a water fountain.

Located on South 875 East, the park is where you and your furry friend can relax.

Learn about Zionsville’s History at the SullivanMunce Cultural Center

Do you want to learn about a new talent or Zionsville’s history?

The SullivanMunch Cultural Center is the place for you.

As a source of local art and history, it features an art center and a history museum, doubling as the Welcome Center of Zionsville.

SullivanMunce is the cultural, historical, and artistic center of Zionsville, providing historical exhibitions, community art and professional exhibitions, and enrichment classes.

The more exciting part is that you can trace your ancestry in this museum.

If you think you have roots in Zionsville, you can check the museum’s genealogy library.

Indulge Yourself at the Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Inc.

Riding is a therapeutic activity for many.

At Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Inc, you can try equine-assisted services designed for participants with cognitive, physical, and behavioral disabilities.

A Premier Accredited member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International, it serves more than 120 students every week for 42 weeks.

They also offer field trips, workshops, semester-long programs, and camps.

It provides an outdoor area, indoor arena, and walking trails to suit visitors’ preferences.

Liven up Your Home with the Hand Gallery

Founded in 2000, the Art in Hand Gallery is a cooperative gallery that hosts 23 community artists in Zionsville.

The gallery nurtures and promotes artistic talents, offering a wide array of artwork, from paintings, photography, and handmade jewelry to prints, glass, woodworking, and wearable fiber.

Likewise, the gallery has partnered with various schools to showcase the artwork of talented students for years.

Pamper Yourself at Woodhouse Day Spa

After days of exploring Zionsville, what’s a better way to relax than a spa day?

Woodhouse Day Spa has provided mood care for over 20 years.

You’ll immerse yourself in a calming environment, engulfed in the relaxing sounds of nature, surrounded by warm earth tones and textures and aromatherapy for skin treatments.

Before heading home, loosen up the knots in your muscles and relax.

Discover Great Wines at the Grapevine Cottage

Built with a passion for tasting and buying wines, Grapevine Cottage, located on South Main Street, shows you how to select your wine.

Here, you can find some of the best names, many of which can only be found on this side of the world.

Grapevine Cottage was established in 1997 and has since been known to offer the best-quality wines.

So, if you buy your wines here, you won’t only get the wines but also the knowledge from the owners and staff about the ins and outs of winemaking and buying.

Have a Feast at Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream

Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream is a culinary icon in Indiana, and you’d be hard-pressed to miss out on it if you’re in Zionsville.

Conveniently found along South Main Street, Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream doubles as a tourist attraction not only because of its distinct burgers, but also because of its rustic interiors that give it an 80s vibe.

Their wall is particularly awesome, sprawling with tons of photographs that make it a colorful place to dine in.

Still, it’s the food that will blow you away here, as they specialize in beef and elk burgers that’s a one of a kind experience.

Of course, don’t forget to order ice cream, as it’s one of their culinary gems that made them famous in Indiana.

Experience Zionsville’s Snow at Carter Station Park

Carter Station Park is a beautiful park with sprawling trails for you to explore, located at Pebblepointe Pass.

While it’s beautiful year-round, this park truly shines during winter, when it becomes clad in snow and its ponds are frozen.

There’s a certain appeal to see its hilly areas and grassfields covered in snow, perfect for photos and even a bit of sledding.

Even if you’re not visiting during winter, Carter Station Park is also a great place to do some light jogging during spring and fall.

One of the more rustic locations in Zionsville, give this one a go if you have some down time to spare.

Watch a Play at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center

STAR Bank Performing Arts Center is a renowned cultural hub in Zionsville where many musicals and performance arts are held.

Lots of shows happen here every month, most especially by its local students.

The seating is comfy and the auditorium is picturesque, offering great light and sound quality when you watch a play.

Overall, it’s a great place to immerse yourself with Zionsville’s community and youth.

Located along Mulberry Street, STAR Bank Performing Arts Center is conveniently located near the major attractions of the town.

Trek Along Creekside Nature Park

Creekside Nature Park is one of the best free activities you can do in Zionsville because it provides you access to one of its natural wonders—Eagle Creek.

An 18-acre park that’s teeming with dense woodlands, this is an excellent place to do some scenic trekking.

You’ll meet a few critters and other wildlife along the way, making Creekside Nature Park one of the best destinations for outdoor adventurers.

Like most creekside parks, this place changes in beauty as well depending on the season you visit.

But since it’s right next to Eagle Creek, it’s best to see it during the summer and spring months, where its pristine waters shine best.

Have a Picnic at Elm Street Green

Located along its namesake street lies Elm Street Green, a beautiful creekside spot near the heart of Zionsville.

Similar to Creekside Nature Park, Elm Street Green is right along Eagle Creek, but this time without the wilderness.

It’s near the bustling Main Street of Zionsville, so it’s a perfect place for families who want to do picnics before exploring the urban attractions of the town.

Elm Street Green also has a bit of walking trails that take you to the banks of Eagle Creek—a great activity to immerse children in nature.

With great greenery and open spaces, you’re sure to have a relaxing time thanks to Elm Street Green’s gentle breezes and scenic landscape.

Final Thoughts

Zionsville may not be as popular as most other cities in Indiana, but it certainly does not disappoint.

It has a beautiful balance of parks, shopping boutiques, and even food that will certainly tickle your taste buds.

It’s the perfect destination for your family, offering incredible attractions for everyone.

Book your Zionsville trip today!

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