Need something free and inexpensive Indianapolis way? Check out these tips for free Indianapolis attractions in the fall.  ‘Tis the season for football, festivals and fall fun! As the warm mornings turn into crisp ones, I have found myself looking online to find affordable fall activities for the entire family to enjoy during these cooler months. Here are seven activities you don’t want to miss this fall. Go create some special memories!

Free Indianapolis Attractions

This September 12 and 13, celebrate Indiana’s history of designing, building and innovating transportation and vehicles. Take the kids and see many beautiful machines up close including classic cars, vintage planes, military vehicles, vintage fire trucks, helicopters and tractors. The Festival of Machines is free for members and included with paid general admission. Don’t forget to visit the Apple store for apple slushies, apple or pumpkin donuts, caramel apples and much more while you are there! The Apple store is open through October 31.

Open dusk to dawn year-round, visit Coxhall Children’s Gardens and enjoy its whimsical features that allow nature and the imagination to meet. Children will love to play in the make-believe villages featuring storefronts, take a ride down the slide, and dance on the rainbow path.

On October 4th, visit 19401 Allisonville Road between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the 15th annual Fall Festival. The festival is free; go enjoy nature and the 70 plus arts and food booths, as well as live music and a Kid Zone for the children too. Potter’s Bridge is the county’s only remaining covered bridge and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Have a child who loves boats? Visit the Indiana Historical Society on October 22nd to learn about more about Indiana’s history.  Visitors will receive free admission and steamboat fun too. The event celebrates the bicentennial voyage of the first steamboat to navigate the Ohio River from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cool Creek Park has its annual Trick-or-Treat-Trails Halloween event for $1. Fright-free zone activities for little ones under 12 years of age include a free hayride and campfire.  The event runs from October 27th through October 29th this year. We went and met some friends and our kids (all under the age of four) had a wonderful evening and love the hayride! It’s on our list again for this fall.

Tuttle’s has no charge for general admission or parking.  If you are looking for ways to have fun this fall, here you go! There are additional activities such as apple picking (over 23 varieties!), a pumpkin patch, observation beehive, a Kids’ play area, straw maze, bales of hay for climbing and tractors to ride. Mom’s play date week is September 14-18; enjoy $1 off Kid’s Farm admission.  See complete list of apple orchards and pumpkins in the Indianapolis area here

This agritourism spot for young families offers $5 unlimited miniature pony rides all day long (11 a.m. through 5 p.m) every Wednesday through Halloween. Adults are free. Enjoy playground equipment or splash at the water table. This is a personal residence in Sheridan, so support a family-owned business. Take a look at the bunnies and chickens and ducks. Like Prancing Ponies on Facebook for more information.

I hope this list of free Indianapolis attractions  helps you make some plans for this beautiful season and that you and your family make memories you will always cherish.

What activities top your fall must-do list in the Indianapolis area?