Located directly on the Central Canal and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Wheel Fun maintains a fleet of bikes and boats available to rent for excursions throughout the park. Whether you’re in the mood for some serious exercise or just looking for a leisurely cruise, there are vehicles here to fit the bill.
Lined with upscale apartment buildings, condos and restaurants, the northern stretch of the canal casts a charming scenic backdrop for fresh-air walks, jogs and bike rides.
Landlubbers can hop on any number of Wheel Fun bike choices, including standard two-wheelers for adults and kids, tandems, cruisers, choppers, quad sports and even surreys big enough to accommodate the whole family. Prices range from $5 to $35 per hour with half- and full-day rates available for the hybrids, tandems and cruisers. You can also splash out on your own with a self-guided bike tour, or hire a guide to accompany you.
If water adventures are more your speed, Wheel Fun rents pedal boats ($35/hour) and single and double kayaks ($20-$25/hour) from a second site where the canal bends to head north. Be aware — the kayaks exercise the arms and shoulders while the pedal boats present a surprisingly effective leg workout, as my son and I quickly discovered. Still, our idyllic journey up and down the canal on a breezy, sunny afternoon proved a highlight of our downtown Indianapolis staycation this summer.