8 Fun Ways You Can Explore Indy’s White River State Park on Land and Water

Looking for a fun way to get around downtown Indy’s White River State Park this summer? Wheel Fun Rentals offers eight different ways to explore!

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.

Home to the Indianapolis Zoo, the Indiana State Museum, the NCAA Hall of Champions, Victory Field, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Military Park, the Lawn concert venue, murals and several monuments and memorials, White River State Park provides expansive territory to explore.

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.