The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, which most locals call 100 Acres, is one of the few major museum art parks in the country that costs nothing to enter. It sits on the Newfields campus in Indianapolis, wraps around a 35-acre lake and holds large outdoor artworks that you can sit on, climb on and walk through.
Most online listings are thin or out of date. This guide covers what you need to plan a visit: whether it’s really free, how to find the entrance, how long the trail actually is, what mud does to it, and whether it works for dogs, strollers and wheelchairs.
What Is the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park?
100 Acres opened in 2010 as the outdoor arm of what was then the Indianapolis Museum of Art, now Newfields. It is named for Virginia B. Fairbanks, and the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation was a major funder. The land is a former gravel pit that filled in to form a lake. It runs between the museum grounds, the Central Canal and the White River, and has woods, wetland and meadow throughout.
The art was commissioned for the site, and the lineup changes as works are retired, restored or added. Pieces that have become landmarks include Funky Bones by Atelier Van Lieshout, a skeleton made of bench-like fiberglass bones that kids climb all over, and Jeppe Hein’s Bench Around the Lake. Other long-running works include Los Carpinteros’ Free Basket, a playable basketball court shaped by steel arcs, and Alfredo Jaar’s Park of the Laments, a walled garden you reach through a tunnel. Check the current map before you go, because not every piece you’ll see in older photos is still standing.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free general entry, no ticket needed |
| Hours | Daily, dawn to dusk |
| Main loop | About 1.4–1.5 miles around the lake |
| Time needed | 60–90 minutes for the loop, 2+ hours with kids |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash |
| Address | Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46208 |
| Reviews | Typically about 4.5–4.8 stars across major review sites |
Location and Access: Finding the Entrance, Parking and the Map
Where it is
The park is part of the Newfields campus at 4000 Michigan Road, about 10 minutes north of downtown Indianapolis. Some listings give a West 38th Street address because 38th Street runs along the south edge of the campus. Use the Michigan Road address in your GPS.
Finding the way in
Reviewers often say the entrance is hard to find. That’s because 100 Acres sits below the museum, down a hill, and you can’t see it from the main entrance. Once you’re on campus, follow the signs for 100 Acres rather than signs for the museum entrance. The visitor pavilion at the trailhead has maps and makes a good meeting point.
You can also walk or bike in from the Central Canal Towpath, which runs along the edge of the park. If you’re coming from Broad Ripple or Butler University, this is the most pleasant way to get there.
Parking
Use the parking lot nearest 100 Acres, or the main Newfields lots if it’s full. Newfields’ parking policy for non-members has changed over the years, so check the current rules on its site before you assume parking is free. On nice weekend afternoons the closest lot fills first.
Accessibility
The main loop combines paved sections with packed gravel, and some areas have ramps beside the steps. In practice:
- Wheelchairs: Much of the main loop works, but grades near the river and the hill back up to the museum are tiring. Packed gravel gets soft after heavy rain.
- Strollers: A jogging stroller or one with large wheels does far better than a lightweight umbrella stroller.
- Off-path art: Several pieces are on grass or mulch, so you may be able to see them without being able to reach them.
The most detailed accessibility write-up online dates from 2010, and parts of the riverbank were rebuilt after erosion, with the riverfront trail reopening around 2020. For current details, call Newfields’ visitor services before you go.
Hours, Prices, and Booking
Is it really free?
Yes. General entry to 100 Acres is free and you don’t need a ticket. This is where people get confused: the museum and The Garden at Newfields are ticketed and keep their own hours. You can walk the art park without paying anything. If you also want the galleries or the formal gardens, you’ll need a general admission ticket.
Hours
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. In Indianapolis that means it closes around 9 p.m. in late June and before 5:30 p.m. in December. Newfields may close the park for storms, flooding or maintenance, so check its hours page on the day you visit.
When you do need a ticket
Some programs held in the park, such as guided nature walks, naturalist clubs, member events and seasonal special events, need advance registration or a ticket. You book these through the Newfields website. Members sometimes get early access or reduced prices.
What to Expect on the 100 Acres Trails
The loop
Sources list the main lake loop as 1.4 or 1.5 miles. Both are close enough, and the difference depends on where you start counting. Walking straight through takes about 40 minutes. If you stop at each artwork, plan on 60 to 90 minutes. With kids who want to climb Funky Bones and play on Free Basket, plan on two hours or more.
Art you can touch
Many pieces were built to be used, not just looked at. You can sit on the benches, shoot hoops and climb on certain sculptures. Not every work is built to take climbing, though. Follow the signs at each piece, and treat anything fenced or marked as off-limits.
Mud, weather and seasons
This is the part most listings skip. The park sits in the White River floodplain, so low sections stay muddy for a day or two after heavy rain. Mulched side paths can turn into sludge, and the river edge may close after flooding.
- Spring: Wildflowers and migrating birds, but this is the muddiest season.
- Summer: Full shade under the trees but humid, with mosquitoes near the water at dusk.
- Fall: The best season. Paths are dry, the color peaks around mid-October and the light is good for photos.
- Winter: Quiet and stark, and the sculptures stand out against bare trees. Expect ice on shaded paths.
Photo spots
Funky Bones is the classic overhead shot, but it works best from the hill above or with a drone where that’s permitted (check the rules first). The lake from the boardwalk sections at golden hour and the framed views inside Park of the Laments make quieter photos.
Nearby Options at Newfields and Around Indianapolis
- The museum and The Garden at Newfields: If you have half a day, pair the free park with a ticketed visit. The Lilly House and its gardens up the hill are a highlight.
- Central Canal Towpath: A flat, shaded path north to Broad Ripple’s restaurants, or south toward Butler.
- Holliday Park: A short drive north, with river trails and the Ruins sculpture garden.
- White River State Park and the Canal Walk: Downtown, about 15 minutes away, for museums and an evening walk.
A note for Florida travelers
If you’re flying from Florida, several airports in the state have nonstop service to Indianapolis. The airport is roughly 20–25 minutes from Newfields. Come in October for the leaves or in May before the humidity builds. Just like on a Florida trail after a summer storm, the low paths here hold water, so pack shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. For more trip ideas, browse our Travel section.
Visitor Tips for 100 Acres
- Wear sturdy or waterproof shoes, especially within 48 hours of rain.
- Go on a weekday morning for empty paths and soft light. Weekend afternoons from spring through fall are the busiest.
- Bring water and bug spray. Food and drink options on the trail are limited, and mosquitoes come out near the lake in summer.
- Find a restroom first. Facilities on the trail are limited, so use the ones at the visitor pavilion or the main campus before you start the loop.
- Keep dogs leashed and bring bags. Dogs are welcome in 100 Acres but not in the museum or The Garden. If your dog is new to crowds, it helps to know how to read a dog’s grin. Older or small dogs may also do better on a shorter half-loop. Our guide to how long small dogs live covers the age-related limits worth keeping in mind.
- Make it a workout. Two brisk laps plus the hill back to the museum adds up to a solid 3-mile walk. If you’re working on a fitness plan like the one in our how to get toned guide, that counts toward it.
A sample 90-minute plan
Start at the visitor pavilion and pick up a map. Walk counterclockwise to Funky Bones while the kids still have energy. Continue along the lake on Bench Around the Lake, take the river-side stretch if it’s dry, and finish at Park of the Laments for a quiet ending before you climb back up the hill.
FAQs
Is the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park free?
Yes. General entry to 100 Acres is free and doesn’t need a ticket. The museum and The Garden at Newfields are separate and need paid admission. Some special programs and events in the park also need registration or tickets.
What are the hours for 100 Acres at Newfields?
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. The museum and The Garden keep their own hours. Newfields can close the park for storms, flooding or maintenance, so check its hours page on the day you visit.
How long is the trail at 100 Acres?
The main lake loop is about 1.4 to 1.5 miles, depending on where you start. Plan on 40 minutes if you walk straight through, 60 to 90 minutes if you stop at the art, and two hours or more with children.
Are dogs allowed at the Fairbanks Art & Nature Park?
Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome in 100 Acres, and you need to clean up after them. Only service animals are allowed in the museum and The Garden.
Is 100 Acres wheelchair and stroller accessible?
Partly. The main loop combines paved and packed-gravel sections, with ramps beside some steps. Several artworks sit on grass or mulch, and the gravel softens after rain. Large-wheeled strollers do best. Call Newfields for current accessibility details.
Can you climb on the art at 100 Acres?
Some of it. Several works were designed for people to sit on, play on or climb, including Funky Bones and Free Basket. Follow the signs at each piece and stay off anything fenced or marked off-limits.
