With its vibrant public art, booming craft beer scene, iconic museums and state park right in the center, Indianapolis is much more than the host city of the biggest one-day sporting event on the planet, the Indianapolis 500.
While car culture is indeed king in Indy, countless public trails and a central canal make Indiana’s capital easy to explore on foot, scooter, bike, kayak, or in other ways. All over the city, public art installations shine.
It’s no surprise that many visitors flock to this vibrant Midwestern metropolis. So here is our list of everything you need to know before visiting Indianapolis.
Stay in Fountain Square, Chatham Arch or Broad Ripple to experience small-town charm within the city
Although Indianapolis is a big city, each of its neighborhoods has a distinct personality that gives it a small-town feel. If you don’t want to stay in a downtown hotel, opt for a boutique hotel or Airbnb in a neighborhood that matches your mood.
Southeast of the city center, Place de la Fontaine is dotted with 19th-century houses, green spaces and (of course) fountains. Local art galleries and theaters thrive in Chatham Arch, part of the Mass Avenue Cultural District. Home to Butler University, Broad Ripple Village offers a lively social scene. Indianapolis’ newest neighborhood, the Bottle district was once the largest Coca-Cola bottling plant in Indiana; today it is anchored by the luxury boutique bottle hotel (which once housed the offices of the company’s executives) and a dining room with more than 21 local suppliers.
Whether you choose to stay downtown or in a neighborhood enclave, you’re sure to experience the small-town Indiana vibe and meet down-to-earth, friendly people.
Park your car and explore Circle City on foot
Indianapolis is known as “Circle City” because of Monument Circle, a square in the heart of the city where four streets converge: East and West Market Streets and North and South Meridian Streets. An attractive free attractions, the great monument of the soldiers and sailors rises in the center of the circle. This intersection is not the only reason why Indianapolis is nicknamed the “crossroads of America”: the city is also at the junction of four major highways (Interstates 65, 69, 70 and 74).
Downtown Indianapolis is smaller and can be easily explored on foot. Thanks to its grid system, the city is easy to navigate – just be aware of a number of one-way streets. While public transport is limited to public bus system, the network is extended. You’ll likely need to hop in a car to visit key sites away from the city center, including the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indy has a lot to see on the bike
Indianapolis was the backdrop for Come off, a 1979 blockbuster film about a working-class teenager obsessed with the Italian cycling team. Some 40 years later, the city remains a fabulous place to explore on two wheels. Retrieve your ride from Indiana Pacers Bike Sharingor grab one of the many Lime scooters found across town.
Bike paths criss-cross Indy. The 8.1 cycle path Indianapolis Culture Trail loop through the city center, with three branches. The northeast one runs along Massachusetts Ave before connecting to another popular path, the Monon Trail, while the southeast spur follows Virginia Ave through the Fountain Square neighborhood. To the south, a third branch connects the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.
Dress for the fluctuating weather
Midwest weather can range from sunny and warm to rainy and cold, so you’ll want to dress in layers. The average daily summer temperature persists above 74°F, with an average high of 83°F in July, the peak summer month. (Bring a bathing suit to cool off in a local swimming pool or water park.) The winter season lasts three months, from December to the end of February, with average daily temperatures below 46°F, so bring a good winter jacket.
Fall is one of the best times to visit Indianapolis, when the air is crisp and the trees are decked in their best autumnal look. Spring is also pleasant, with mild weather and flowers growing in the city’s gardens.
See the city center differently with an offbeat means of transport
You can also explore downtown Indianapolis with more unusual modes of transportation. Rent a swan pedal boat or a kayak at Wheel Fun Rentals at Canal Walk and paddle the Indiana Central Canal, a 3-mile commercial waterway. Otherwise, jump on a surrey, chopper, sport quad or deuce coupe and hike the many trails of the 267 acres White River State ParkIndianapolis’ green gem
Plan your visit around the Indy 500
Indianapolis’ key annual event, the Indy 500 draws thousands of spectators and tons of excitement to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5-mile-long oval-shaped track. A permanent capacity of 257,325 seats makes it easy to find tickets. Just be sure to book ahead: Ticket sales typically open in late fall for the Memorial Day weekend event.
If you’re not there for the big event, you can still learn about the famous race’s history all year round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museumhome to one of the largest collections of vintage race cars in the world, including over 30 Indy 500 winners. The museum offers 30, 60 and 90 minute tours that take visitors behind the scenes of the Speedway , which dates back to 1909.
Download the Indy Craft Pass to experience the best of Indy’s brewing scene
Indianapolis is an increasingly popular destination for craft beer lovers (and was recently voted Top 5 beer cities). Five blocks from the Speedway, Daredevil Brewing Co offers a wide range of craft beers as well as a lively 8000 square foot patio. cold water brewing company pairs its hoppy IPAs with hoagies, while beer brewery specializes in Belgian dubbels and German hefeweizens. To enjoy a beer while exploring the city, hop aboard the Marinated pedalboard12 Passenger BYOB Bike. And be sure to download the Indy Craft Passa mobile passport app that lists the best craft breweries and distilleries in town: if you check in at eight locations, you’ll earn an Indy Craft Pass t-shirt.
Don’t leave without trying a Hoosier Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
You shouldn’t leave Indy without sampling Indiana’s unofficial state lunch: the Hoosier Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. This mega pork chop is served breaded, fried and nestled between two slices of bread. The sandwich is so popular that the state has even created a Filet Lovers Culinary Trail. You can find the sandwich on menus all over town; we particularly like the spicy classic version Steer-In drive-in restaurant.
Save room for a slice of the Indiana state cake, too. Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie is made from a single crust with a simple and simply delicious filling of butter, vanilla, cream and brown sugar.
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