Indianapolis
Indiana's capital city and an unbelievably welcoming and friendly place to visit, you for sure need to include Indianapolis in your American travel plans.
Indianapolis in a nutshell
When we think of Indiana’s capital, Indianapolis, the circular Motor Speedway track comes to mind, location for the iconic Indianapolis 500. As a result of this and many other fabulous sports activities, the tourist facilities here are really exceptional.
You’ll find numerous hotels, stores, eateries and stadiums all linked by a network of skywalks so that spectators can enjoy a variety of sports events here, including the Super Bowl, PGA Championship and the NCAA Final Four.
In addition, a number of American and Olympic teams use Indianapolis as their home base alongside the city’s top baseball and football teams. If you have an interest in sport then what’s not to love?!
Sports aside, this Midwestern metropolis is full of cultural activities and boasts famous author Kurt Vonnegut as its own. There are museums where you can learn all about Native American history and the American West, the largest kids’ museum in the world, superb craft breweries to explore, diverse neighborhoods where you can sample superb cuisines and nightlife, historic parts of town packed with stories to tell… it’s time to pack your bags!
Best time to visit: Come at the time of one of the events you’re keen to attend, including the Indy Film Festival in April, the Grand Prix and the iconic Indianapolis 500 around May… the list is endless.
Best Area for Sightseeing: It’s hard to choose where to explore first. See Things to do in Indianapolis for inspiration and find the best options that suit your preferences.
Shopping in Indianapolis: Each neighborhood has its specialty: visit Broad Ripple for vintage finds, Westfield Boulevard for popular modern items, Fountain Square for a wide choice including handicrafts and Downtown Antique Mall for bargains. Then there’s Castleton Square, the place to go for upmarket stores.
Food & Restaurants in Indianapolis: The steaks are legendary here, but you’ll also find plenty of global offerings, from Creole and Thai to Italian and more. Indianapolis is renowned for its craft beer, so make sure to indulge.
Nightlife: There’s plenty of options including relaxing in a pub, dancing till dawn, enjoying belly laughs at a comedy club or listening to Jazz music. There are numerous sports bars, too, where you can watch a game and enjoy a few rounds.
Things to do in Indianapolis:
- Escape the bustle and noise at the White River State Park, an oasis in the city with lush empty spaces and various sights such as Indianapolis Zoo and the Eiteljorg Museum.
- Stroll along the Canal Walk, a popular city hangout for sports-minded residents.
- See the NCAA Hall of Champions, which represents a variety of sports and boasts a basketball gym and a media room showing current games.
- Visit the iconic Indiana War Memorial Plaza, full of monuments, parks and 2 museums.
- View over 500,000 art works at Newfields, formerly the city’s Museum of Art.
- Basketball fans should make a pilgrimage to Hinkle Fieldhouse, home to the Butler University team, the Bulldogs.
- Visit the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the city center.
- Explore the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum to learn all about the city’s iconic annual sports event.
Best way to get around: Indianapolis is best explored on foot, especially downtown. There’s a local bus service to take you further and plenty of taxis, too. Otherwise, rent a car or a bike.
Best Area for Families: Irvington Historic District The city’s historic centre, Irvington, boasts lots of 19th century buildings including historic Benton House and the Stephenson Mansion. This is a very upmarket, family-friendly area. As a place to visit with a family, Irvington is the perfect place to base yourself.