Indianapolis, like most cities in the Midwest, has four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with average temperatures in the 80s. 100-degree temperature days are not unheard of. Winters can be long and cold, with daily highs barely inching above freezing. Temperatures can fall into negative digits. The rainiest months are in the summer, with average rainfalls of over four inches per month, but these averages fluctuate only slightly throughout the year. Snowfall is about 20-30 inches per year.

     Summer is the season for many cultural events. The Indy Jazz Fest occurs over three days in June, and the famed Indianapolis 500 auto race takes place over Memorial Day weekend.

    Although Indianapolis can boast of a significant amount of snow each year, the region's flat topography is not conducive to good skiing. The closest major ski resort is Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceberg, Indiana, about an hour-and-a-half's drive away.

    Because of these extremes of climate and Indiana's rural quality, Indianapolis is an ideal place to view brilliant fall foliage. A good day trip for viewing the annual changing of the leaves is Brown County State Park, about an hour away in Nashville, Indiana.