Family Tour
This tour is kid-friendly and has everything you need for a family visit (except for a picnic basket!)
1. We recommend starting at the Student Center.
You can park at the Student Center parking garage for $5.00/day or $1.00/hour for the first three hours and then $0.50/hour. If it is the weekend, parking on campus is available to anyone anywhere, except for the 45-minute metered spots.
2. Once you've found a place to park, go see Benny, short for Beneficence.
Benny is located across the student center, on the other side of University Avenue. She is the Ball State University institutional icon. The five pillars are for the five Ball brothers who donated land to the state for the creation of Ball State University. Her statue is located across and to the left of the Student Center. Rumor has it that if you kiss someone in front of her statue at midnight, and she flaps her wings, it's true love.
3. After checking out Ball State's number one lady, you can head over to The Quad for a picnic.
The Quad is located behind Benny. There is a one way road that runs just behind the statue and The Quad is just on the other side. There is plenty of open area to lay your blanket down and eat your sandwiches without worry of interruptions (except for some squirrels). While you're here, feel free to throw a ball around or toss a Frisbee. Be on the lookout for some college students walking their dogs or having a picnic of their own.
4. After you spent some quality time at The Quad, head over to the park behind Elliott Hall and The Academy.
Elliot Hall is back across University Avenue, next to the Student Center. Just behind Elliott Hall, there are small cement turtles that were made for children to crawl all over. Next, follow the cement pathway back towards Gilbert St. and the Burris School/Indiana Academy. Here, you will find a rather large playground that even college students have fun on!
5. Once, you've finished playing at the park, head over to the Student Center for come bowling!
It's just around the corner. The Cardinal Lanes Bowling Alley is located on the lower level of the building and only costs $1.50 for students or $2.00 for non-students per person, for each game. Shoe rentals are $1.00 for students or $1.50 for non-students. While you're here, you can also play billiards for $3.00/hour for students or $4.00/hour for non-students. The bowling alley opens at 1pm everyday except for Sundays when it opens at 5pm.
EXTRA'S:
Most people who come to Ball State take a few minutes to visit Frog Baby. She is located in the middle of a fountain next to the Whitinger Business Building. Frog Baby is a small statue of a happy little girl holding a frog in each hand. This is a nice place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Students often rub Frog Baby's nose for good luck during finals. When it gets cold, the water is drained and students often dress frog baby in a hat and scarf.
As mentioned in the Nature Tour, bring your own bike or check with Outdoor Pursuits inside the Rec Center about possibly renting a mountain/road bike, and take a ride along some of Cardinal Greenways trails. Cardinal Greenways includes the Cardinal Greenway, White River Greenway, Historic Wysor Street Depot and Cardinal Equestrian Trail. It is currently the longest rail-trail in the state of Indiana. It spans 62 miles through Muncie to Richmond. To help plan your trip, check out the interactive map on their website!
Also, click here for a printable map!
Remember, these stops are just suggestions. Feel free to venture off and try new things! Enjoy!
You can park at the Student Center parking garage for $5.00/day or $1.00/hour for the first three hours and then $0.50/hour. If it is the weekend, parking on campus is available to anyone anywhere, except for the 45-minute metered spots.
2. Once you've found a place to park, go see Benny, short for Beneficence.
Benny is located across the student center, on the other side of University Avenue. She is the Ball State University institutional icon. The five pillars are for the five Ball brothers who donated land to the state for the creation of Ball State University. Her statue is located across and to the left of the Student Center. Rumor has it that if you kiss someone in front of her statue at midnight, and she flaps her wings, it's true love.
3. After checking out Ball State's number one lady, you can head over to The Quad for a picnic.
The Quad is located behind Benny. There is a one way road that runs just behind the statue and The Quad is just on the other side. There is plenty of open area to lay your blanket down and eat your sandwiches without worry of interruptions (except for some squirrels). While you're here, feel free to throw a ball around or toss a Frisbee. Be on the lookout for some college students walking their dogs or having a picnic of their own.
4. After you spent some quality time at The Quad, head over to the park behind Elliott Hall and The Academy.
Elliot Hall is back across University Avenue, next to the Student Center. Just behind Elliott Hall, there are small cement turtles that were made for children to crawl all over. Next, follow the cement pathway back towards Gilbert St. and the Burris School/Indiana Academy. Here, you will find a rather large playground that even college students have fun on!
5. Once, you've finished playing at the park, head over to the Student Center for come bowling!
It's just around the corner. The Cardinal Lanes Bowling Alley is located on the lower level of the building and only costs $1.50 for students or $2.00 for non-students per person, for each game. Shoe rentals are $1.00 for students or $1.50 for non-students. While you're here, you can also play billiards for $3.00/hour for students or $4.00/hour for non-students. The bowling alley opens at 1pm everyday except for Sundays when it opens at 5pm.
EXTRA'S:
Most people who come to Ball State take a few minutes to visit Frog Baby. She is located in the middle of a fountain next to the Whitinger Business Building. Frog Baby is a small statue of a happy little girl holding a frog in each hand. This is a nice place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Students often rub Frog Baby's nose for good luck during finals. When it gets cold, the water is drained and students often dress frog baby in a hat and scarf.
As mentioned in the Nature Tour, bring your own bike or check with Outdoor Pursuits inside the Rec Center about possibly renting a mountain/road bike, and take a ride along some of Cardinal Greenways trails. Cardinal Greenways includes the Cardinal Greenway, White River Greenway, Historic Wysor Street Depot and Cardinal Equestrian Trail. It is currently the longest rail-trail in the state of Indiana. It spans 62 miles through Muncie to Richmond. To help plan your trip, check out the interactive map on their website!
Also, click here for a printable map!
Remember, these stops are just suggestions. Feel free to venture off and try new things! Enjoy!