Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Hendricks County, Indiana

Hendricks County sits just west of Indianapolis, close enough to pair with an Indy trip but worth the visit on its own. And, our expert mappers visited to measure the important details at several attractions, one hotel, and a couple restaurants in the area. They measured things like door widths, turning radius for wheelchair users, entrance types, restroom details, and a whole lot more. 

This is so you can have the right information to make a good decision. Lets get into it.

Accessible Things to Do

Bowl and Play at Pinheads

Pinheads is a bowling and entertainment complex in Brownsburg with 28 standard lanes, four duckpin bowling lanes, a large arcade, and Alley's Alehouse on-site, a full bar and scratch kitchen that overlooks the arcade floor. There's also an outdoor screened patio with firepits and a beer garden.

Accessibility: The entrance is at ground level with automatic doors, turning space exceeds 60 inches throughout, and the floors are smooth hardwood and laminate. One thing worth knowing: the floors are not slip-resistant, so semi-ambulatory visitors should keep that in mind. The elevator also doesn't have auditory guidance, which is worth knowing if you have a visual disability.

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Explore W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park

W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park is a free 110-acre park in Avon that's worth a few hours of your trip. Two stocked fishing ponds, an 18-hole disc golf course, a nature-themed playground, a sledding hill, a pollinator garden, and about 3 miles of trails through woods, prairie, and along the water. It's a nice area to explore!

Accessibility: was a priority from the start. The fishing docks, trails, shelters, playground, and parking lots are all designed to be accessible. The playground even has special mulch for easier wheelchair navigation and swings with shoulder support.

You should know: the park has a GRIT Freedom Chair available to borrow at no charge, which can handle both the paved paths and the natural surface and crushed stone trails. Reserve it at least two days in advance through Hendricks County Parks. This one hasn't been verified by Wheel the World's mappers yet, so just make sure to confirm specific details before your visit.

Beat the Heat at Splash Island Family Water Park

Splash Island is a 4.3-acre outdoor water park open Memorial Day through Labor Day, with six waterslides, a 900-foot leisure river, two vortexes, a lily pad crossing, a competition pool with diving boards, and a kids' play area with water guns and jets. Your admission also gets you into the connected Richard A. Carlucci Recreation and Aquatic Center, which has an indoor water park with its own two-story slide, winding river, and vortex, is open year round.

Accessibility: Both the outdoor and indoor pools have zero-entry access and a pool lift. The indoor pool also has a water wheelchair on site, which is not typical so it's worth knowing about if you need it. There are 28 accessible parking spaces near the entrance, and the family changing room has a private accessible bathroom with grab bars, a toilet at 17.5 inches, accessible lockers, and a changing bench at 48 inches long.

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Visit Echo Hollow Nature Park

Echo Hollow Nature Park is a 209-acre nature preserve in Plainfield sitting on land that was previously protected as Indiana bat habitat. Over 100 species of wildlife call it home. There are trails, a 5.5-acre pond with a fishing pier, picnic areas, and educational programming throughout the year. It's a quieter, more removed kind of outdoor experience than Gibbs, and worth the visit if you want to get off the beaten path.

Accessibility: The park has accessible trails and an ADA-accessible fishing dock and picnic area. Designated accessible parking is available near the entrance. This one hasn't been verified by Wheel the World's mappers yet, so just make sure to confirm specific details before your visit.

Make a Splash at Murphy Aquatic Park

Murphy Aquatic Park in Avon was built from the ground up with inclusion in mind. It has the largest wave pool in Central Indiana, two waterslides, a recreational pool with basketball hoops, a toddler zone, and the first ever ADA-accessible water playground in Indiana, with wider runways for wheelchairs and ramps to access every level. Water wheelchairs are available on site for free. The park also runs dedicated Sensory Swim sessions throughout the summer at half capacity with the wave pool turned off, which requires pre-registration. Cabanas are available to rent by the hour or full day. Outside food isn't permitted but the Compass Café has pizza, burgers, ice cream, and drinks.

Accessibility: The pool has zero-entry access and the surrounding area has a very gentle 1% slope. There are 10 accessible parking spaces near the entrance. The private accessible bathroom at the pool has grab bars and a toilet at 17.5 inches. There's also a roll-in shower with a flat entrance, 36 inches wide and deep, grab bars, and a fixed shower seat. The showerhead is fixed at 65 inches, not handheld. The concession area is step-free with no door, and the general restroom has an accessible stall with a 35-inch door, grab bars, and a toilet at 18.25 inches. But, the stall turning space in the general bathroom is 48 inches rather a standard 60, so it may be tight for larger power chairs.

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Accessible Venues and Events

Catch a Show at Hendricks Live!

Hendricks Live! opened in 2024 as a nonprofit performing arts venue in downtown Plainfield with a 600-seat theater, an event space with an attached patio, and a rotating art gallery. You'll find shows from Grammy-winning artists to local theatre to top comedians. It's a smaller venue, and more intimate, so there's not a bad seat in the house. It's worth checking out their calendar to see whats happening during your visit.

Accessibility: The main entrance has an automatic push-button door option alongside a manual door, 34 inches wide with contrast markings. The lobby is fully open with no door at the main passage, a smooth stone tile floor, and both standing and seated options at the front desk. The elevator is 77 inches wide and 63 inches deep with raised numbers and Braille on the buttons. The theater is accessible via ground-level entrance and elevator with a 42-inch door and 60+ inches of turning space. There are three separate accessible restroom options throughout the building. One honest flag: the main floor lobby restroom stall has 48 inches of turning space rather than the full 60, so it may be tight for larger power chairs. For guests with hearing disabilities, Hendricks Live! has assistive listening devices, closed captioning, sign language services, and printed information. There are 12 accessible parking spaces near the entrance.

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Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex

The Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds is a 110-acre complex in Danville that hosts the annual Hendricks County 4-H Fair every July. It's a week-long event with midway rides, live entertainment, food, livestock showcases, and 4-H exhibits. Outside of fair week, the grounds host regional events like the Indiana Fishing Expo, the Indiana Guitar Show, trade shows, weddings, and community events throughout the year. If you're visiting for fair week, the 2026 fair runs July 19-25.

Accessibility: The main building entrance has an automatic push-button door option alongside a manual door, 34 inches wide with contrast markings and tactile paving from the parking area. The Show Arena and Green Cycle Arena are both step-free with 33-inch doors and 60+ inches of turning space. The conference facilities are step-free with no door at the main passage. Multiple accessible restrooms are mapped throughout the complex with grab bars and turning space. There are 8 accessible parking spaces near the main building and 20 in the fairgrounds parking area. The complex is sprawling, so the experience can vary depending on which areas are in use during a specific event — worth calling ahead if you're attending something specific.

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Accessible Hotels and Restaurants in Hendricks County

If you're planning a full trip, here are the verified spots for where to stay and where to eat.

Hotel: Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield Indianapolis Airport

The Embassy Suites in Plainfield is the natural base for a Hendricks County trip. It's an all-suite property off I-70, five minutes from Indianapolis International Airport with a free 24-hour shuttle. Every room is a two-room suite with a separate bedroom and living area, mini-fridge, microwave, and free Wi-Fi. Free cooked-to-order breakfast is included every morning, and there's a complimentary evening reception with beer, wine, and cocktails daily. The Local Kitchen & Tap on site handles dinner and room service. Indoor pool, fitness center, and free parking round it out.

Accessibility: Automatic doors at the main entrance with tactile paving from the parking area. Both standing and seated options at the front desk. The elevator is 78 inches wide with Braille and raised numbers on the buttons. The accessible room has a shower with grab bars, a fixed shower seat, and a handheld showerhead, a bed at 25 inches with 7 inches of clearance underneath, and a pool lift. Two things worth knowing: the shower has a 2.5-inch threshold rather than a fully flat entrance, and the bathroom sliding door is 30 inches wide, which is narrower than standard. So just make sure to confirm those details work for your equipment before booking.

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Eat: Bread Basket Cafe & Bakery

A local breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Danville that's been around long enough to be a community staple. Good food, casual atmosphere, worth stopping at before or after exploring the area.

Accessibility: The entrance has steps but a ramp with handrails is available. The door is 33 inches wide with a round handle, worth knowing if grip strength is a consideration. Inside, 60+ inches of turning space and step-free seating throughout. Table height is 29 inches with 28 inches of knee clearance. The private accessible restroom has grab bars, a toilet at 17.75 inches, and a sink at 32.5 inches with roll-under space. One accessible parking space on site.

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Eat: Ms B's Teas

A tea room in the small town of Clayton, about 15 minutes from Danville. It's a slower, different kind of stop — worth the detour if you want something a little off the beaten path.

Accessibility: Ground-level entrance with a 33-inch door and lever handle. Inside, 60+ inches of turning space and step-free seating. Tables are at 30.25 inches with nearly 30 inches of knee clearance. The private accessible restroom has grab bars and a toilet at 17.5 inches. A few things to know before you go: the floors are not slip-resistant, the buffet counter at 38 inches may be out of reach for some wheelchair users independently, the restroom door handle is round rather than lever, and there are no designated accessible parking spaces. Street parking near the entrance is the option.

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In Hendricks County, we welcome everyone

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hendricks Live! have accommodations for guests with hearing disabilities?

Yes. Wheel the World's assessment confirmed assistive listening devices, closed captioning, sign language services, and printed information are all available. It's a more complete set of hearing accommodations than most venues this size offer.

How was the accessibility information in this guide determined?

Most locations were physically visited and measured by Wheel the World's trained mappers in March 2026. The details come from real site visits, not self-reported claims from the venues. Two exceptions: W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park and Echo Hollow Nature Park have not been verified by Wheel the World yet and are based on publicly available information by Hendricks County.

What is the most accessible thing to do in Hendricks County for wheelchair users?

Pinheads in Brownsburg is the standout. Automatic doors, ground-level entry, and 60+ inches of turning space throughout. It's the kind of place where you show up and just have fun without having to think about it.

Is there an accessible hotel in Hendricks County?

Yes. The Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield Indianapolis Airport in Plainfield is the one verified option in the area. Accessible entrance, wide elevator, accessible rooms with a shower and pool lift, and centrally located for getting around the county. There are other accessible hotels, but this one has been assessed so you can be confident with the information you see.

Is there free adaptive equipment available at any of the parks?

Yes. W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park has a free GRIT Freedom Chair available to borrow, which works on both paved paths and natural surface trails. Just make sure to reserve it at least two days in advance through Hendricks County Parks. Reserve it here.