Where to Elope in Indy!
A Wedding Officiants incomplete guide to where you can have a simple wedding.
The USS Indianapolis Memorial and Walnut Street BasinThe USS Indianapolis Memorial is located in a beautiful area of the Indy Canal Walk at the Walnut Street Basin. It's popular for military and non-military elopements. I have found it's popular on military holidays. Located on the corner of St. Clair and Senate Streets in Indianapolis, it's easy to access with strollers and to with metered parking on Senate Street. One of the best parts about this spot in the canal is you can access it easily with strollers and wheelchairs because there are ramps. There is also a footbridge over the canal so you can access both sides. There is a playground located right next to the memorial so keep that in mind if you want something a little quieter or more intimate. My fee to marry you on the Indy Canal Walk is $150. The Vermont Street PlazaThe Vermont Street Plaza is in the middle of the canal. You can access this area directly from the east side of the canal. I usually park at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Vermont Streets. Canal Overlook Apartments and Residence Inn by Marriott are at that location as well. Use those for your GPS. There are steep steps as the end of Vermont Street that lead down to the plaza. You can also access the canal at New York or North Michigan Streets. New York Street has an elevator. This location has larger area's off the beaten path if you are expecting a lot of friends to join you! The Canal Walk - Upper BasinI think the Upper Basin is the easiest location to find and park on the Canal. It's the very top of the canal There is metered Parking on West 11th Street and the surrounding areas. You have great views of the city and the canal from the street level and easy access down to the canal. It's handicapped friendly! This is a fantastic place for pictures! There is a bridge you can duck under if it rains!
A few things to think about: Timing. Canal 337 is a formal wedding venue, they may limit access around their area or have the street level area with the view of the canal reserved for private parties. You can also reserve that area of the canal for your wedding too - you do that through the city. They have bouncers limiting access to their area - but you can still use the canal - you might not want to elope while other people are getting married! The fountain walls are really cool! There are places to sit right around there and it seems like the perfect spot. BUT - it's also REALLY LOUD. Your guests probably wont hear anything we say. You may want to get married at a quieter place and then take pictures against the wall. The Ohio Street BasinThe Ohio Street Basin is probably the most popular spot to elope. It's centrally located. You can walk there easily from downtown. There is a HUGE shade tree that's great on a sunny, hot day, or if it's sprinkling. It also provides a place of the busy path for a quick exchange of vows. The fountains are usually on during the spring, summer, and fall. You can usually park on Ohio Street - there are parking meters. The easiest way to find the location is to put The Indiana Historical Society in your GPS. It's across the Street from the Fire Station. Ohio Street goes over the canal. You will need to take steps down to the canal level. There are elevators nearby. Put Indiana Historical Society into your GPS: Indiana Historical Society 450 W Ohio St Indianapolis, IN 46202 |