A beloved Hoosier state gem, Muncie is known as a bustling, thriving town, great for families, individuals, and groups to visit and live in—and full of great options for eating, recreation, and more! If you’re looking for some of the most fun things to do in Muncie, Indiana, you’ve come to the right place! Read on for our top picks of activities and eateries in this fantastic urban hub!
Restaurants in Muncie, IN
1. Savage’s Ale House
If you’ve got a hankering for some traditional, all American pub food, and maybe even a beer to wash it down with, then Savage’s Ale House is the place for you! Praised for its delicious burgers and sandwiches in particular, this restaurant is a fantastic pick for solo, couple, or small group diners. Come hungry and leave happy after you indulge in Savage’s delectable pub fare!
2. Vera Mae’s Bistro
In the mood for an elegant, classy, one of a kind dining experience? Then you’re going to love Vera Mae’s Bistro! This classy Midwest staple offers a variety of delicious dinner options, hors d’oeuvers, desserts, and cocktails. Start with a sampling of something tasty like baked brie cheese or crawfish nachos; then try the delicious Beef Wellington, dill-dusted cod, or one of the many other succulent entrees; finally, finish it off with your pick of crème brulee, bananas foster, cheesecake, and more! Your palate will absolutely sing with all the delectable options available at Vera Mae’s Bistro—you’re sure to want to come by multiple times to try everything this great eatery has to offer!
3. Amazing Joe’s
Looking for some casual, yet high quality dining the whole family can enjoy? Amazing Joe’s has you covered! This classic eatery boasts all your traditional favorites, from steak to burgers to chicken, as well as fancier eats like pasta, salmon, ahi tuna, and more! No matter what you have a craving for, Amazing Joe’s is sure to satisfy. It’s a great dining experience with a laid back atmosphere and enough variety on the menu to satisfy even the hungriest and pickiest members of your crew!
4. Fuji Sushi and Hibachi
For the sushi and hibachi lovers out there, this is a restaurant you can’t pass up! Fuji Sushi and Hibachi is a popular location with fantastic atmosphere and great food prepared by top of the line Hibachi chefs, right at your table! Relax in this beautiful restaurant that will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into the heart of Japan; order from the great selection on the menu, including chicken teriyaki, hibachi steak, shrimp tempura roll, and more; and finally, watch the masterful chef prepare your meal! Fuji is more than just a meal, it’s an experience…and one you won’t want to miss!
5. The Caffeinery
Boasting a brand slogan of “Exceptional Coffee, No BS,” The Caffeinery certainly lives up to its reputation, with delicious coffee both brewed in your favorite new and classic coffee drinks and served wholesale in an array of exotic and delicious blends. Stop in and order your favorite caffeinated (or decaf!) beverage, then grab a bag of ethically sourced beans so you can continue to experience that Caffeinery delight with your home coffee maker. This is a spot no coffee afficionados will want to pass up on—you’ll find that stopping by The Caffeinery is no doubt one of the best things to do in Muncie!
Family-Friendly Activities in Muncie, IN
6. Cardinal Greenway
For families who love nature and hiking, running, or biking together, it doesn’t get much better than Cardinal Greenway! The Muncie portion of Indiana’s longest rail-trail—spanning 62 miles in total through multiple cities—is a smooth, well-kept trail great for a peaceful walk or a steady cycling experience. With very little incline to speak of, this is a great trail for walkers, runners, and bikers of all ages and skill levels. A great option for getting outside with the family on a sunny day and enjoying the scenery and some exercise!
7. Muncie Children’s Museum
Kids of all ages will find something fun to do and fantastic to learn at the Muncie Children’s Museum! This family-friendly, kid-focused museum offers a great variety of exhibits—including Water Works, where kids can learn about the force of water through hands-on play; the Barnyard, where farm life is displayed in a safe, recreational setting; Discovery Park, a STEM focused play area where kids can explore and learn about science; the veterinarian office, where they can practice their animal care techniques—and so much more! No matter what subjects hold your youngster’s interest, you’re sure to find something to spark their imagination and bring joy at the Muncie Children’s Museum!
8. National Model Aviation Museum
Let your spirits soar at the fantastic, seasonal National Model Aviation Museum! A perfect place for aviation fans and model builders and collectors alike, this museum boasts a great array of models on exhibit and a wonderful shop…but that’s not all! Throughout the summer, model aviation enthusiasts from across the nation flock to the museum to engage in racing, aerobatics, and even dogfighting with their model airplanes. This is a one of a kind experience perfect for the whole family to get out and enjoy together!
9. Escapades Family Fun Center
Looking for a fun indoor play area for your little ones to burn off some energy for a couple hours? Stop by Escapades Family Fun Center! This location is a great option for families with younger kiddos, with plenty of space for them to run, climb, play, wrestle, and more—all while parents relax in the adults’ lounge. There’s also options for classic childhood meal favorites on site, such as pizza and fries, as well as availability for hosting birthday parties at Escapades. This is a great, fun place for families to enjoy a few active hours in a fun, safe environment!
10. Minnetrista Museum and Gardens
No matter what time of year you visit, Minnetrista Museum and Gardens is a fantastic experience the entire family will enjoy! This 40-acre public campus is open year-round, offering gardens and nature spots, a museum, play areas—and that’s just scratching the surface! With a rotating roster of exhibits and educational offerings including workshops and events, a farmer’s market and garden fair, and so much more, you can visit Minnetrista over and over again and still have an amazing, all-new experience every time.
Walk the garden paths, play indoors, explore the rotating exhibits, and enjoy time as family here at this amazing landmark of the state—one of the most fun things to do in Muncie, Indiana with the your whole family along!
Cultural and Recreational Activities in Muncie, IN
11. David Owsley Museum of Art
Art lovers won’t want to miss the beautiful, peaceful, and mentally stimulating David Owsley Museum of Art! Located on Ball State Campus, the affectionately dubbed DOMA hosts a variety of wonderful exhibitions, collections, and events that rotate regularly, as well as being a permanent home to more than 11,000 works of art, originating in six different continents and representing 5,000 years of civilization. Even if you’ve visited before, there’s likely something new to come and experience at this museum…this lovely location is just begging to be enjoyed again and again!
12. Muncie Civic Theater
Some of your absolute favorite stage shows are being performed at the Muncie Civic Theater—you won’t want to miss out on these! From Shrek: The Musical to Peter Pan, from Newsies to Legally Blonde, the Muncie Civic Theater hosts some of the most beloved shows in recent history. You can grab one time tickets, a season pass, or give the gift of theater to someone you know who loves these shows—your support means so much to the Muncie Civic Theater and helps them continue to bring the joy and wonder of the stage to this beautiful town!
13. Tonne Winery
A great location for those age 21 and up to enjoy, Tonne Winery offers delicious wine in a variety of vintages, all in a setting that’s classy, upscale, and all out relaxing! Stop by to sample the wonderful flights, bottles, and glasses of wine available at the winery; or you can book out the party room for up to 60 people for an event like a shower, birthday, retirement, reunion, and more! Whether you’re here for a group event or a laid back visit, you’re sure to enjoy the dazzling variety of delicious wine and beautiful setting that Tonne has to offer!
14. DWNTWN: The Original Muncie
If you’re in the mood for a shopping experience that combines modern chic with hometown classic, visit DWNTWN—the center of Muncie, where the origins of this popular city truly come to life! Located in the beating heart of the city, the DWNTWN area boasts a wide variety of shopping options, including clothing, decor, toys and collectibles, jewelry, and more. Stop in at the comic shop, camera shop, boutiques, florists, and more…there’s plenty to see and so much shopping to do in the DWNTWN area, minutes from Ball State University’s campus—everyone in the family is sure to find a shop that appeals to their personal shopping interests!
15. Prairie Creek Reservoir
If you love boating, hiking, and the great outdoors, then Prairie Creek Reservoir is the place for you! Located just a few miles outside of Muncie proper, this stunning reservoir and its beautiful park offer over 3 miles of aquatic recreation and more than 700 acres of nature to enjoy! You can go boating, swimming, and fishing in the reservoir; or inland, enjoy camping, hiking, biking, ATV and horseback riding—and occasionally you’ll find local events in full swing, including concerts, festivals, and triathlons. This is a fantastic place to experience both the beauty of nature and the best of what Muncie has to offer!
Conclusion
Excited about all the things to do in Muncie, Indiana? So are we! Let us know what you’re most looking forward to experiencing about this wonderful city in the comments below!
And don’t forget to check out all there is to do in our other amazing cities.