12 Creative Date Ideas in Indianapolis (2024)

Looking for fun, new date ideas in Indianapolis? Then Peerspace has you covered! As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rental, Peerspace is where couples across the globe turn when they want to rent a unique hidden gem space in their city.

Perhaps needless to say, we have a sharp eye for what makes a good space great and want to connect you with the date ideas you’ve been looking for. We’re even sure you probably haven’t heard of a few of the date ideas on this list! In fact, we’ve included a solid mix of classic on-the-town date venues and more private spaces offered through the Peerspace platform. Which one will you choose to enjoy first?

1. Manifest your future goals together by booking a dreamy designer home

Where do you and your partner see yourselves in 10 years? Manifest those future goals as part of your date ideas in Indianapolis!

Rent an awesome Peerspace, where you could imagine yourself living in 10 years and spend your day as you imagine you will in a decade. Peerspace is the world’s largest online marketplace for event space rentals and has a variety of gorgeous venues perfect for just such an evening.

For example, how about renting this designer 2-bedroom, 1-acre retreat in the city for a few hours? This lux home boasts designer decor and a charming homey vibe and is set on an acre of wooded land surrounded by winding hiking trails.

Another perk that comes with using Peerspace to book event spaces? You can read genuine reviews from past renters before making a decision! Here’s one example for this gorgeous Indy home: “There are so many nice things to say about the host and their beautiful home. The pictures don’t do it justice. Everything was so clean and neat. I will definitely be back. Thank you for the great professionalism and service.”

2. Celebrate history while enjoying an evening at the Slippery Noodle Inn

The Slippery Noodle Inn is a fabulous place to get a drink and celebrate Indy’s wild history. This bar is not only the oldest continuously operating bar in the U.S., but it also has been at the center of some fairly large historical events. The infamous bank robber John Dillinger once shot this bar up and it was also a stop on the Underground Railroad!

3. Show that you’re in it for the long haul with a trip to the Indy Speedway

Indy wouldn’t be Indy without the famous Indy 500! For the most iconic date idea in Indianapolis, head to the home of the largest single-day sporting event — the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You can not only get tickets to the Indy 500 but many other awesome races throughout the year as well.

Discover more Indy-specific suggestions using our awesome team outing ideas in Indianapolis as a guide!

4. Enjoy a private game night in a dino-themed home

When you use Peerspace to discover exciting venues near you ideal for your date, you’ll notice many spaces are not only exceptionally stylish but they’re also equipped with super-fun amenities. One great example is this modern 1950s dino-themed home in Forest Manor! This chic and airy private residence offers you access to fun dino decor and plenty of activities.

Play the “Jurassic Park” arcade game, enjoy darts by the grass wall, challenge each other to a variety of board games in the sunroom, and unleash your inner child on the backyard swing set.

5. Enjoy a picnic in one of the country’s largest parks

Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the nation. It boasts 1,300 acres of water and 3,900 acres of land to explore during your date. When a park is this big, you won’t have any issue finding a romantic, secluded area for a picnic with your special someone!

6. Get your hearts pumping by walking the entire cultural trail

Bike, run, or walk the 8 miles of cultural trail through downtown Indy with your date on a fun and active date! The trail travels through 6 neighborhoods and there are plenty of stops along the way to grab a drink or a bite to eat. It’s one of the best date ideas Indianapolis has to offer if you want to see as much of the city as possible during your date.

7. Embrace your inner child with a trip to the Children’s Museum

Did you know Indy is home to the largest children’s museum in the world? Embrace your inner child during your date with a trip to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis! The museum has indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as a theater with plays that are pretty funny no matter your age.

8. Capture 40 dates in one at this large photo studio in Augusta

Your date night can feature more than one date idea. In fact, there is a way to combine 40 date ideas in Indianapolis into one with this cool photo studio venue! It has 40 different areas to hang out and take pics in during your date. Private jet shots while sipping champagne? Done! Posing below adorable neon signs? No problem! You and your partner will have more cute couple Insta photos than you know what to do with!

9. Speed things up with a dragster experience at Lucas Oil Speedway

Feel the need for speed on your date by booking two seated dragsters at Lucas Oil Raceway! You and your date will get professional instruction from a veteran drag racer and get to drive like a real rail-style dragster. It’s a date you’ll be talking about for years to come!

Love nothing more than a sunny day and a delicious meal? Then you need to see our unique picnic date ideas for couples next!

10. Watch a pro sports game starring your favorite local team

Don’t just watch your favorite sports teams play on TV together — go to a live game! There are tons of great teams in Indianapolis to choose from when going to a game. It may even be fun to go to a sport you don’t normally follow! For example, how about going to an Indiana Fever game or watching the Bandits live?

11. Head underground and wander through City Market Catacombs

We bet you haven’t seen this side of Indy before! The City Market Catacombs are 20,000 square feet of passageways underneath the city. They were originally used to transport and store meats before refrigeration. However, now they are one of the coolest date ideas in Indianapolis!

12. Book a private glamping cabin in the heart of Avoca

If you and your date love nature but still prefer the creature comforts of home, then a glamping trip may be in order. And you can enjoy such a date at this unique barn cabin on Goose Creek in downtown Avoca, IN, about an 80-minute drive from downtown Indy. It’s a 1,800-square-foot space complete with an amazing iron fireplace, a dining table lit by an upsidedown repurposed canoe light fixture, and a full kitchen.

Snuggle up, pop some corn, and fire up a movie — this is one of our favorite date ideas in Indianapolis for nature-loving homebodies!

13. Host a cookout at this lux property near downtown Indy

Do you and/or your date consider yourselves grill masters? Then why not take advantage of a home like this lux property near downtown Indy in Hillside and throw a cookout? It’s a 1,500-square-foot home that offers you indoor and outdoor entertainment areas.

Enjoy all the comforts of home inside, and while outside, enjoy the grill, the gazebo, the hot tub, the fire pit, and the numerous lawn games. It’s the perfect place for a fun date for just the two of you, or invite your friends to join you! The host also offers catering services in case you prefer to just relax on your date (which is totally okay, too!).

Date ideas in Indianapolis: conclusion

We hope these date ideas in Indianapolis have inspired you to try something new in Circle City! And remember, when you want to head to a chill, private space chock full of style and amenities, book a Peerspace. The selection of private gathering venues is unparalleled, and with individual service provided by our hosts, you can enjoy a bespoke service that leads to the best date ever.

Find unique date venues in Indianapolis on Peerspace