Situated about 15 minutes west of the Indianapolis International Airport, the Hendricks County town of Plainfield is sure to see more visitors than usual this year as a newly expanded water park makes a splash and a 600-seat entertainment center opens its doors. And there are enough delicious dining options to keep all those visitors coming back.
Spanning nearly 4.5 acres, Plainfield’s family-friendly Splash Island was already one of Central Indiana’s most popular destinations. But the Caribbean-themed outdoor waterpark, open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, recently received an almost $8.5 million upgrade to create new attractions and improve the experience. The expansion offers guests three new waterslides (in addition to the three current ones), a new splash pad and private spaces, including new tiki hut cabana rentals. And don’t forget the 900-foot lazy river. As for food, the park’s outdoor SnacKabana will include a limited menu of grab-and-go items; coolers with outside food are allowed as well.
If you get hungry for nostalgia, head over to West Main Street in Plainfield to the Oasis Diner. You can sit at the counter or in a booth in the original 1954 diner and enjoy classic breakfast fare as well as burgers, fries, shakes, pies and Indiana’s iconic breaded pork tenderloin. In fact, road food enthusiasts will find one of USA Today’s Top 10 tenderloin sandwiches, which the publication calls “well-seasoned and fried to perfection.”
The stylish Theo’s Italian, located in the outdoor and walkable Shops at Perry Crossing, is a new Cunningham Restaurant Group eatery that features pinsa, a specific type of oval-shaped pizza. Opened in October 2023, the sexy space feels especially suited for casual dates and couples, with pastas and flatbreads to please everyone.
Over at The Prewitt Restaurant + Lounge, a glamorous refurbished 1920s movie theater, the menu features new American fare and steaks. Specialties include wagyu corn dogs, BBQ chicken flatbread, a short rib bowl, king salmon and vegetarian pasta.
Any of the above options can provide a great dinner before experiencing the area’s new Hendricks Live!, a 600-seat performing arts space that will open March 9. City officials hope the new facility, part of the Plainfield Civic Center, will become West Central Indiana’s premier art and entertainment space with year-round experiences for every age.
If you go: Be sure to check out Visit Hendricks County for more info on Plainfield-area restaurants and attractions.
