Downtown Indy Gets Busy in May
Happy Hour on Georgia Street returns, tons of great 500 Festival events and more. It’s May in Indy!
Georgia Street action
Beginning Thursday, May 7, Georgia Street’s center block will turn into Happy Hour every Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. Hang out on the Boardwalk with friends and enjoy live DJs, appetizers from the Severin Bar and domestic beers and craft brews including Sun King & Flat 12, along with cocktails and wine. Wind down your week at Downtown’s hometown hangout!
Downtown Indy has again partnered with the YMCA to provide fun, all-levels group fitness on the Boardwalk for FREE Workout Wednesdays weekly from noon – 12:45 p.m. thanks to Buckingham Companies. The YMCA provides towels during each session and showers will be available after class at the Indy Bike Hub YMCA. New this year, each Workout Wednesday will begin with a local personality/celebrity for the warm-up. The celebrity will be announced each week via Twitter (@GeorgiaStIndy).
Also on Georgia Street, eat lunch alfresco on the Boardwalk and enjoy the sights and sounds of Downtown during Food Truck Fridays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
May means 500 Festival events
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon, the largest mini marathon in the nation, takes off on Saturday, May 2 at 7:45 a.m. The course begins at the intersection of Washington and West streets, heads west to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and does a complete lap around the 2.5 mile track before heading back down New York Street. In addition to the Mini, kids ages 3 – 10 can participate in the non-competitive Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run on May 9 at 10:30 a.m.
After the Mini, head to Military Park for the 500 Festival Post Race Party or allow yourself some R&R and deep stretching at Invoke Studio’s FREE Post Mini Marathon Yoga Class.
The IPL 500 Festival Parade kicks off at noon May 23. About 300,000 spectators from around the country will line the streets of Indianapolis for one of the nation’s premier parades. The month-long roster of events culminates with the Indianapolis 500 on May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Find all 500 Festival events here.
Go car-free this summer
WalkScore.com ranks Downtown Indy as a “Walker’s Paradise” and Sports Illustrated named Indy as “the most walkable Downtown in America.” That’s why Downtown Indy is challenging the public to go car-free this summer with the new Car-Free Indy program. Ride your bike, take the bus or walk for a more sustainable city. Participants can up online here, create a profile, set a goal and track progress from May through August. The program strives to have 1,000 participants and save 30,000 miles of commuting by the end of the summer. Prizes will be awarded monthly.
Original Farmers’ Market returns May 6
Downtown’s Original Farmers’ Market returns to Indianapolis City Market on May 6 and every Wednesday through October. The market is open from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Market Street between Delaware and Alabama Streets. Market Street will be closed each Wednesday during this time.
Bring Mom Downtown this Mother’s Day
Downtown attractions and restaurants will make Mother’s Day extra special. Visit Mother’s Day Weekend at the Indianapolis Zoo May 9 and 10 and enjoy a Zoo-wide scavenger hunt, photo stations, free cupcakes and more. Enjoy Mother’s Day at the IRT on May 10 with brunch at noon followed by a performance of On Golden Pond at 2 p.m. Brunch with mom at one of Downtown Indy’s best restaurants, including Adobo Grill, The Propylaeum, The Rathskeller and Weber Grill.
Find more Mother’s Day events here.
Hot happenings at Downtown attractions
A new type of motor spectacle is coming to Indianapolis. The much anticipated Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas opens at the Indianapolis Museum of Art on May 3. This exhibit features rare European and American concept cars from the 1930s through the 21st century. Look for the Car Design Studio where visitors can explore the process of automobile design through hands-on activities. An iPad app will showcase the cars’ hidden features and interiors, historic footage and interviews with leading automobile designers.
E
xperience a bit of the Outback when koalas return to the Indianapolis Zoo for a limited time. Koala presented by Citizens Energy Group will be making an appearance at the Indianapolis Zoo Memorial Day weekend. Get up close views of two male koalas, journeying to Downtown Indy from the San Diego Zoo. Just like all animals at the Zoo, the visiting koalas will serve as ambassadors to help guests learn more about their species and the threats they face in the wild.
Easley Winery’s outdoor music series, Groovin’ in the Garden, kicks off on May 16 and runs through September. Enjoy daily wine specials and live music in a relaxing environment every Saturday from 2 – 5 p.m. This series is FREE.
Cheer on your favorite teams
Catch one (or more) of the 18 Indianapolis Indians home games at Victory Field this month. Enjoy monthly promos including 2-for-1 Tuesdays, Thursday Craft Beer Night, Friday Fireworks and Kid’s Eat Free Sundays. There are two chances to catch the Indy Eleven at home: May 16 and May 30.
For all the hot happenings, visit their website at DowntownIndy.org.