The White River is unifying and diverse, productive and protected, timeless and contemporary. Its healing power guides us toward a resilient future, supports healthy neighborhoods and economies, honors the past, and improves the lives of Hoosiers for generations to come.
There are so many reasons to spend time along the White River in central Indiana, below are just a few. What do you most like to do?
- Reconnect with nature: Treat yourself to a warm summer or cool autumn day watching a great blue heron or bald eagle fish, or relaxing in one of our 27 parks as the water ripples by. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and how much the ecology of the river has improved over the past few decades.
- Exercise your heart and your mind: nothing gets the heartrate up in a more fun way than a run along a river trail, a mountain bike outing through a forest, or an afternoon kayak trip. Don’t have a canoe or kayak? No worries! Frank’s Livery in Indy or the White River Canoe Company in Noblesville have you covered.
- Family time: whether learning or playing together, time spent near the river will give loved ones an opportunity to create amazing memories together. Hands-on activities at Holliday Park’s nature center opens eyes with wonder, while seasonal outdoor concerts and ice skating offer special moments to reconnect. And did you know – Potter’s Bridge is a perfect spot for family photos?
- Find your inner environmental passion: work with groups like White River Alliance to collect river samples for water quality testing or participate in a river clean-up day hosted by the Alliance or Friends of White River (will be added to the event calendar as scheduled!). From the $2 billion in game-changing water quality projects underway to everyday actions you can take, the community is coming together to improve our river.
- Learning: learn about the importance of the history of the river at one of the many museums along the White River shoreline. Conner Prairie is a living history museum that gives visitors a glimpse into a day in the life of a Indiana resident from the 19th century, the State Museum tells the story of Indiana in White River State Park, engage with nature and the arts at Newfields, explore the fine art at Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, explore archeology finds at Strawtown Koteewi Park – and even more.
- Engage with the community: groove to your favorite band giving a live show at TCU Amphitheater, create a masterpiece at the Indianapolis Art Center, visit a farmer’s market or a family friendly free concert at Federal Hill Commons and more –all along the White River.
- The White River is open and accessible to all: Whatever your budget or interest, the parks, destinations, activities, and communities along the river, and the organizations working to steward and improve it, offer something for you. Discover your White River.
Tagged in: Water Quality, Nature, Conner Prairie, Potters Bridge, White River State Park
