Location: Indianapolis
Top Things to do in Indianapolis
Top 10 Things to do in Indianapolis, Indiana (IN)
High-speed, history and good old Hoosier hospitality are a few reasons to put Indianapolis on your list of great getaways. Sports is another. From the legendary Indianapolis 500 to the Pacers and the Colts, the city offers ample opportunities to view professional and amateur sporting events, take part in athletic events and visit sports museums. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall Of Fame Museum you can tour the famous track (try to reserve tickets if there is a race in town) or visit the museum dedicated to automobiles and auto racing. Other sporty museums include the NCAA Hall of Champions. To get in on some of the action, head to SportZone which features six acres of indoor athletic facilities the whole family will enjoy. Those less interested in sports, or with kids in tow, can still find tons to do in and around the city. History, art and other cultural attractions abound. Visit the Children's Museum or checkout the zoo. Stroll along cobblestone streets past 19th-century buildings in the Lockerbie Square District or visit any number of historic landmarks. Known as the "Crossroads of America," more interstate highways bisect Indianapolis than any other city in the country, making it an exciting and easily accessible destination.
Restaurants in Indianapolis
1. Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,894 reviews
The largest children's museum in the world just got even bigger with the addition of a new 7.5-acre outdoor health and fitness area that encourages activity through multiple sports. The new space, called Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience includes basketball, football, hockey, soccer, pedal car racing (drag strip and oval track), golf, baseball, and tennis. The indoor portion of the new area includes the National Art Museum of Sport along with the World of Sport and History of Hoops. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis itself is made up of 500,000 square feet with exhibits and activities that are fun and interesting for the entire family as they explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures and the arts through exciting interactive exhibits on five floors. Families will discover some of the most rare dinosaur fossils in the world and see what it's like to live and work in space. There's also a theater with children's plays and live entertainment.
Reviewed By harp16317 - Indianapolis, United States
Great time wonderful place to take your kids.Big and clean.Staff is always very nice & friendly as well as helpful.Many different exhibits with stuff to keep all ages interested.They sell food and drinks.
2. Indianapolis Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,446 reviews
With a collection of more than 54,000 works of art, an early-20th-century estate, 152 acres of gardens and grounds, including an outdoor art and nature park, the IMA campus offers experiences that feed both the heart and mind.
Reviewed By 732lancel - Denver, United States
IMA has an excellent and very large collection. I focused on the contemporary and modern collection and was very impressed. What is exceptional about IMA, is that in addition to the main complex, the museum is situated on 100 acres of park, including sculpture gardens, AND the Lilly country home, with extensive formal and informal gardens. What a treat!!!!!
3. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,796 reviews
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum presents the stories of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the history of the automotive industry in Indiana, and has vehicles and race trophies and memorabilia from race events around the world. It houses one of the most important collections of racing vehicles and memorabilia in the world.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
I have visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway only once before. I had a seat on the fourth turn, looking down the front stretch to the finish line, and saw Jimmy Clark win the Indianapolis 500 in 1965. The race was significant because it was run without a single accident, not a single yellow flag, only checkered. What amazed me most of all was how swiftly and efficiently all 250,000 spectators were moved in and out of the giant track. I didn't have an opportunity to visit the museum on that occasion. But I made a point of touring the facility on our recent visit to Indianapolis. Located within the famed 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in suburban Speedway, Indiana, the 37,000-square-foot museum houses one of the world's premier collections of automotive and motor racing vehicles and artifacts. It is linked to the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 but also includes exhibits reflecting other forms of motorsports, passenger cars and general automotive history. It also is home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. The original museum was established in 1956. This museum opened in 1976. It features 30 Indianapolis 500 winning cars, pace cars, the Borg-Warner Trophy and other trophies and plaques, racing paraphernalia such as helmets, gloves and driver's suits, model cars, photographs, toys and paintings. Displays include highlights of the history of the Speedway's ownership, evolution of the track and other memorabilia. Take a bus tour of the track, a lap around the oval and do what the Indianapolis 500 winners do, kiss the 1909-vintage paving bricks at the finish line. Stroll through Gasoline Alley. Also see a short film of the history of the Indianapolis 500 in the Tony Hulman Theatre. See the 1911 Marmon Wasp, the first Indianapolis 500 winner driven by Ray Harroun, all four of A.J. Foyt's winning cars, the 1965 Spirit of America that set a world land speed record, the 1931 Cummins Diesel driven by Dave Evans, the first car to complete the Indianapolis 500 without a pit stop, the 1977 Bryant Heating & Cooling Lightning/Offy driven by Janet Guthrie, the first female to qualify for the 500 and the 1965 Le Mans winning Ferrari 250 LM. Also see the picture wall featuring the drivers and cars of all Indianapolis 500 winners. Finally, visit the Auto Racing Hall of Fame, which dates to 1952 and highlights 155 inductees from Ray Harroun to Barney Oldfield to Eddie Rickenbacker to Mauri Rose to Fireball Roberts to A.J. Foyt to Mario Andretti to Al and Bobby Unser to Parnelli Jones to Roger Penske. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
4. Indianapolis Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,453 reviews
The Indianapolis Zoo is located in White River State Park, conveniently located in beautiful downtown Indianapolis with easy access to walking and biking trails into the city. The Zoo is also just minutes from multiple interstates to make travel convenient for out-of-town visitors. Triple accredited as a zoo, an aquarium and a botanic garden, visitors can experience all of these attractions for one admission price. Open year-round with 64 acres of indoor and outdoor habitats, the Indianapolis Zoo is home to nearly 1,300 animals of approximately 230 species as well as 47,000 plant specimens.
Reviewed By 932all
My husband and I and our 3 married children and their families (17 total) visited the Indy Zoo to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. We greatly enjoyed our day at the zoo....the dolphin show was a highlight as well as the Butterfly Kaleidoscope and the Dog Show. The "climbing" gorilla was fun to see. The zoo was very clean and we hope to visit it again in the next year.
5. The Eiteljorg Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 843 reviews
The museum houses Indian artifacts, as well as works by famous Western artists.
Reviewed By juliev593 - Auburn, United States
First of all, we were happy to park so close in the underground parking garage, and it was even better that they validated the parking ticket ay the museum entrance so we didn't have to pay. We expected to see Remingtons and Russels, which we did, but there was so much more. We loved the huge Grand Canyon murals and finding a hidden treasure around every corner. We spent about 3 hours there, which included a visit to the cafe (food was good and generously portioned). We happened to catch the Jingle Rails exhibit and it was outstanding. The galleries would be less interesting for younger children, but for anyone interested in the American West or history, there is a lot to see and explore.
6. Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 412 reviews
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to maintaining and preserving the Site as a museum and memorial to the only U.S. President elected from the State of Indiana. Open to the public as an educational and historical service, the Site seeks to promote patriotism and citizenship through appropriate educational activities and by artfully exhibiting the Victorian time period as Harrison and his family might have experienced it. We are proud to be designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Reviewed By TouristMD - Baltimore, United States
I recently did a tour of the Benjamin Harrison house and thought it was a great tour. It’s a very nice home filled with mostly original belongings of Harrison and his family. Great for anyone who loves history or touring historic homes. Very friendly guide.
7. Lucas Oil Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,593 reviews
Lucas Oil Stadium is a state-of-the-art, 67,000-seat, retractable roof, multi-purpose stadium featuring spectacular views of the Indianapolis skyline.
Reviewed By Vette1975
100% chance of fun! Did a colts game this year with the family and had a great time in the stadium and before tailgating. Make sure you go early to enjoy the pregame fun.
8. Central Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,130 reviews
Reviewed By 62milesl - Manitowoc, United States
Beautiful walk in the heart of downtown. Must stop to view the memorial for the UDS Indianapolis along the way.
9. Victory Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,268 reviews
Reviewed By plumbowler - Indianapolis, United States
This is the home of the Indianapolis Indians stop in and enjoy you some peanuts and popcorn and Cracker Jacks I'm pretty sure you will be back nice places downtown it's very well put together everybody is friendly and happy let's go Indians
10. Monument Circle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 889 reviews
Reviewed By JackieAaaa - Ocala, United States
Every time we come to Indianapolis we have a great time!! Love the walkability and things to do around monument circle and the rest of the downtown Indy area. Great places to eat, parties at night.
