Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis has long enjoyed fame among racing fans, who flock to this capital city every May for the Indianapolis 500. Thanks to a recent large development effort, Indianapolis now boasts several new attractions aimed at families. The city's unhurried pace and spacious layout encourages visitors to relax and enjoy the sites.
The new Indianapolis downtown features shops, entertainment centers and museums. The new Circle Centre shopping and entertainment complex opened in 1995 and draws visitors from around the region. Also recently completed is the Indianapolis Arts garden, an eight-story glass rotunda lit by fairy lights and suspended in mid-air over the busy Washington and Illinois intersection. The Arts garden is a performance and exhibition space for all of Indiana, and it is connected to the Circle Centre and several downtown hotels. Additionally, Indianapolis has added several new sports stadiums and hotels, to keep up with such events as the Pan-American games and Olympic trials. The downtown landmarks have all been remodeled into new shopping and entertainment centers.
Indianapolis boasts several excellent museums, including one of the best children's museums in the country. The Children's Museum of Indiana is a massive space designed entirely for kids, featuring theatres and a planetarium. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is quite large and is dedicated entirely to native arts and buildings. The Indianapolis Museum of Art has art from all periods; sculpture and botanical gardens surround the entire museum with a lake on the grounds. The new Indianapolis Zoo features hundreds of plants and animals in a lovely setting just outside of town.
Indianapolis has rapidly developed into a cultural and entertainment center for the Old Northwest. Thousands have flocked to the Indianapolis Speedway for the Indy 500, and now many more come to Indianapolis to enjoy the new downtown and its many opportunities for family fun.
Monument Circle
The centerpiece of Indianapolis, the Circle has avenues extending from it across the regular grid of streets. At the center is the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, a 284-ft spire crowned by the 30-ft bronze statue Victory, better known as Miss Indiana.
Hilbert Circle Theatre
317-262-1100, ext. 235
This vintage-1916 movie palace overlooks Monument Circle. It is currently the main venue for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Indiana State Museum
202 N. Alabama St.
317-232-1637
Located in the Old City Hall, this museum has numerous exhibits dedicated to the state's history and culture.
Indiana World War Memorial
431 N. Meridian
317-232-7615
This beautiful monument pays tribute to Indiana's veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Scottish Rite Cathedral
650 N. Meridian St.
317-262-3100
This Masonic structure was built around 1929 and houses a 54-bell carillon and a 7,000-pipe organ.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
500 W. Washington St.
317-636-9378;
Located in a modern adobe building, the museum displays works by Frederic Remington and Georgia O'Keeffe, among others.
Union Station
39 W. Jackson Pl.
317-267-0701
A magnificent structure, the station was built in 1888 in Romanesque style. It was recently restored, and its stained glass ceiling is a marvel to behold.
President Benjamin Harrison Home
1230 N. Delaware St.
317-631-1898
Complete with wonderful Victorian furnishings, the home has retained much of its original character from its 1875 construction. Political mementos and clothes are also part of the home of America's 23rd president.
James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home
528 Lockerbie St.
317-631-5885
This house has won praise and attention as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture and style in the country.
Indianapolis Museum of Art
1200 W. 38th St.
317-923-1331
This large five-pavilion complex and botanical gardens is situated on 152 acres of manicured lawns. It includes paintings and sculptures by old masters, neoimpressionists, and major Asian and African artists.
Indianapolis Zoo and White River State Park
1200 W. Washington St.
317-630-2001
The 250-acre park is adjacent to the Zoo, which holds more than 3,000 animals. One area of particular interest at the Zoo is the whale and dolphin pavilion
Canal Walk
This downtown landmark is a 10-block tribute to the historical 400-mile canal system linking the Great Lakes and the Ohio River. It is a stroller's delight, with benches, fountains and wide walkways lining both sides of the canal.
