Things to do in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is a major Midwestern metropolis, with no end of attractions for curious visitors. A walking tour of the city includes major landmarks such as the Indiana State Capitol building, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the Indiana War Memorial, and the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

On pleasant days, Indianapolis has a number of parks and gardens to enjoy, including the White River Gardens, Garfield Park Conservatory, the Oldfields-Lilly Estate, and of course the Indianapolis Zoo.

There are plenty of cultural attractions in Indianapolis, as the city boasts more than a dozen excellent museums. Families will want to visit the Holbomb Observatory and Planetarium and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis; while history buffs can enjoy the Conner Prairie Living History Museum, the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

The city also offers a number of art galleries and performing arts venues, and is home to fun summer events such as the Indiana State Fair, Bands of America Grand Nationals, and the Indy Fringe Festival.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis 500 takes place each May, but the iconic Speedway remains an exciting attraction all year round. In addition to hosting other racing events, including motorcycle r…

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis 500 takes place each May, but the iconic Speedway remains an exciting attraction all year round. In addition to hosting other racing events, including motorcycle racing, it's the home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, which has a huge collection of memorabilia and racing, classic and antique cars, as well as Brickyard Crossing, a Pete Dye-designed golf course with four holes inside the raceway oval. Visitors can explore the museum, or join a tour of the entire grounds. Buses offer the chance to take a lap on the track, and the Indy Racing Experience allows people to experience the track as a passenger in a real Indy racing car.

Website www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com

NCAA Hall of Champions photo

NCAA Hall of Champions

Americans follow university athletics with as much passion as they do professional sports. The Hall of Champions' 25,000-square-feet of exhibit space captures the traditions, histo…

NCAA Hall of Champions

Americans follow university athletics with as much passion as they do professional sports. The Hall of Champions' 25,000-square-feet of exhibit space captures the traditions, historic moments, student athletes, and coaches of the 23 sports administered by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and 88 national championships. The museum has two levels of exhibits and offers interactive areas for visitors to compete both digitally and hands-on. It even has a 1930s retro basketball gymnasium. The Campus Corner gift shop offers all the NCAA logo merchandise a college sports fan could imagine. Though perhaps not an exciting attraction for the uninitiated, fans of American college sport will be enthralled by the NCAA Hall of Champions.

Website ncaahallofchampions.org

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art photo

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

The only museum of its kind in the Midwest, the Eiteljorg Museum contains one of the best Native American and Western art collections in the world. Designed to encourage appreciati…

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

The only museum of its kind in the Midwest, the Eiteljorg Museum contains one of the best Native American and Western art collections in the world. Designed to encourage appreciation and understanding of the cultures of the indigenous peoples of North America, the museum showcases work by contemporary artists such as N.C. Wyeth and Georgia O'Keeffe. It also displays art and artefacts including pottery, woodcarvings and apparel of the Delaware, Miami, Potawatomi and many other Native American cultures. A great attraction for families visiting Indianapolis, the museum has a number of interactive exhibits children will love, including a stagecoach, totem pole and wigwam. In addition, a number of events are hosted throughout the year, including storytelling on Saturdays, outdoor markets and concerts, and social dances.

Website www.eiteljorg.org