Your Summer Bucket List

Summer is officially here, and sometimes it can feel like there are SO many things you want to squeeze into the couple of months you are out of school. One way you can make sure you get to do all your favorite activities is with a “Summer Bucket List” where you can check off the things you and your family want to do the most! These suggestions are some of the top local things to do here in Hancock County and beyond, so you can use it to pick favorites for your list.

No summer break is complete without a dip in the pool! Here in Greenfield, you can enjoy the awesome slides in the pool at the Kathy Dowling Aquatic Center, or you can cool off at the Riley Park Splash Pad, which is open daily from dawn to dusk and is free whether or not you live in Greenfield.

If you love playing in nature, check out a local Hancock County park or nature preserve! Did you know that you can even camp overnight at the Thornwood Preserve? Playgrounds are the perfect way to spend a summer day, especially at a fun spot like the newly opened inclusive Michael’s Playground. 

Another fun way to cool down in the summer is with a good summer blockbuster. Here in Hancock County, Legacy Cinema shows all the latest movies, especially for kids and families. If you really love the movies, check out an IMAX theater (like at the Indiana State Museum in Indy) for an even bigger screen and louder experience. 

Speaking of the Indiana State Museum, that’s a great place to keep learning during your summer vacation, especially about science and natural history. Of course, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is another fun place to spend a summer day, especially with the newly updated Dinosphere and the outdoor Sports Legends Experience. 

And right here in Greenfield you can visit the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum to learn what life was like on a pioneer-era homestead when our famous Hoosier poet was a kid just like you. 

The Indianapolis Zoo is an obvious summer bucket list spot if you love animals, but did you know there are other local places to say hello to your favorite critters? Conner Prairie’s animal encounters allow you to get up close and interact with the livestock who call this outdoor museum home. 

Fishers Agripark is a fully functioning urban farm where you can visit their animals as well as pick your own produce for free. And if you love playing on the farm, be sure to check out the kids classes, Tractor Town and Family Fun Saturdays at Tuttle Orchards. 

If you’re a big sports fan, summer is the perfect time to watch a professional sports game. Our local minor league baseball team, the Indy Indians, play just about every other week until September at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. And the soccer season is still going strong with multiple Indy Eleven matches coming up in July, all the way through October. 

And if you want to get in on the games, why not go bowling at Strike Force Lanes? You can put up the bumpers if that makes it easier for you to play, and you can also check out their arcade and snack bar!

What’s your top summer bucket list item?