Spring is a wonderful time to explore the White Riverway in Indianapolis and Hamilton County. The White Riverway isn’t just the river itself; it’s all of the parks, attractions and neighborhood villages that are on either side of the river. Whether you are looking for a relaxing picnic, a kayak ride, an opportunity to make a positive impact on the river, or a glimpse of wildlife, you will find it here!
Get on the Water.
The White River is waiting for you. Grab a boat and get in!
The White River Canoe Company is legendary in Central Indiana! Rent a canoe or kayak to paddle along the river, or grab a tube for a lazy float with your friends and family. They offer river trips ranging from 1 to 6 hours, so you can find the perfect stretch of the river in Hamilton County to explore.
Frank’s Paddlesport Livery is operating again in Indianapolis this season! Rent a canoe, kayak or standup paddle board and take on their adventures starting in Broad Ripple or Rocky Ripple. Besides their classic river trips, Franks is becoming famous for their unique and creative experiences on the water.
- Do you like beer? Try out one of their Boats + Brews paddles in partnership with Guggman Haus. The first one is on April 19th.
- Never experienced the river at night? Book a Moonrise Paddle today! The first one will be March 31st.
- Want to make new friends? Join the Pink Paddle Club for a fun paddle.
Ride the Rails.
Vintage vibes. Scenic views. A one-of-a-kind ride through the White Riverway.
All aboard! A ride on the historic Nickel Plate Express in Noblesville is an unforgettable experience. Train rides are often themed, and always fun! This spring, they are offering Friday Yappy Hour and Agave Express rides for adults. For a family experience, bring the kids for 426 Day Caboose Day, when the community will celebrate our iconic Locomotive No 426 with $5 caboose rides offered all day long!
Would you rather be outside in the fresh air? No problem! Railbike Rides on the train tracks begin again on April 18th! Pedal across the White River and enjoy an afternoon exploring charming downtown Noblesville, or head north to see the scenic countryside of rural Hamilton County. Check out all their offerings and book your tickets today!
Time in Nature.
Do you need to recharge after the long winter? Take time in nature to restore your vitality and renew your spirits.
Try out guided forest bathing experiences in the White Riverway. Conner Prairie is hosting a Forest Therapy: Family Friendly event on May 10th, so grab your littles for this rejuvenating walk in the woods! Another option is Forest Bathing at Fishers White River Park, which opened in December. Wander the trails along the river and breathe in the tranquility.
Did you know the White Riverway is full of unique spring wildflowers? Join Hamilton County Parks and Recreation on March 28th for Spring Ephemerals Hike at Strawtown Koteewi Park. You have to get out and see these fleeting beauties!
Holliday Park in Indianapolis is a great place for a hike, or to join in their fantastic programming. Park staff run engaging programs like Foraging 101, Senior Stroll with a Naturalist and a Nature Journaling Club.
On Tuesday afternoons at Riverside Park, children can join staff for a Nature Explorers program. Activities include hikes around the park to observe nature through the seasons, playing nature connection games, crafting with natural materials, and learning survival skills like shelter-building. You don’t have to leave the city to learn about nature!
Are you a birdwatcher? Join others to spot the birds of the White Riverways. Attend the Sunset Stroll: Black Birders Week at Conner Prairie or the Spring Bird Migration Hike at Holliday Park.
Enjoy Art.
Spring inspires creativity, and there’s plenty of opportunities to enjoy it this season.
Fairyville alights on Downtown Noblesville April 22–25, 2026. This whimsical festival is open to wee-folk of all ages! Build a fairy house, attend a tea party, or find yourself a glass of glitter-beer.
The 54th annual Broad Ripple Art Fair will take place on May 16th and 17th. Enjoy incredible one-of-a-kind art, live music, fantastic food, artist demonstrations, and interactive art activities for people of all ages! Celebrate the richness of the Indianapolis arts community alongside the White River.
Don’t forget that every month Newfields offers First Thursday! On this day, admission is a donation rather than a fee, so you choose what to pay for access to their world-class art museum.
Littles especially benefit from time to be creative! Check out Sensory Art Class at Riverside Park and Messy Mondays at Indiana State Museum.
Step into History.
Did you know that people have been living near the White River for hundreds of years? Join Hamilton County Parks staff for a guided tour of a Native American Village at Strawtown Koteewi Park.
Join Conner Prairie for a Curious Conversations about Northern Indian Removal, featuring speaker Dr. John P. Bowes, Associate Dean & Professor of History at Eastern Kentucky University.
Celebrate Easter.
Hop into fun and festivities, celebrating the new season.
Who’s ready for a photo with the bunny and a good old fashioned easter egg hunt? These locations in the Riverway are ready to make those Easter dreams come true.
- Ride the Nickel Plate Express with sweet treats, an egg hunt and a photo opportunity with the bunny. All aboard for the Easter Express Ride!
- Experience a memorable Breakfast with the Bunny at Conner Prairie.
- Check out these egg hunting adventures at Forest Park in Noblesville and Eggsellent Egg Hunt and Moonlight Madness Egg Hunt at Riverside Park in Indianapolis.
Volunteer and Give Back.
Whatever your skill level, there’s a way that you can band together and steward the beautiful ecosystems of the White Riverway.
Join dedicated volunteers to tidy up at Holliday Park with Trail Troopers on April 4th and May 2nd, or you can also join the Friday Garden and Grow Workshops where a team of volunteers help maintain and improve the gardens alongside skilled horticulturalists.
On April 15th Carmel Clay Parks and Rec are hosting a Garlic Mustard Grab-a-thon at River Heritage Park. It’s easy to pull out this invasive species to let native plants thrive in the riverside park.
If you’re looking for more skilled work, head to Forest Park for their Invasives Removal Strike Team work day on May 30th. This Noblesville Park is huge, and there’s plenty of good work to be done to remove invasive honeysuckle.
Are you ready to wade into stewardship? Join the White River Alliance’s for River Assessment Field Team (RAFT) volunteers to conduct water quality sampling. They provide waders, and volunteers will collect water samples on April 12th at Conner Prairie and May 31st at Oliver’s Woods. This data is essential for monitoring the health of our waterways.
Attend the Parks & Petals 5k presented by Farmers Bank on May 17th. The course for the 5k includes a beautiful route through Forest Park and along the White River. Sign up today to enjoy beautiful scenery, fresh air, and the perfect excuse to stop and smell the flowers along the way! All proceeds benefit the Noblesville Parks Foundation.
