Indianapolis

Understand

The population is roughly 882,000 (2022), making it the 16th largest city in the United States, and the metro area has about 2 million (#34). When Indianapolis was founded, it was expected to be a "Great Inland Port", but the White River turned out to be non-navigable most of the year. The pay-off is that this desire for a port left the city with a gorgeous canal district, though the canal itself is only useful for recreational kayaks and paddleboats. Today, Indianapolis is known as the "Crossroads of America" due to its centrality in America's Interstate Highway System. In general, travel in and through Indianapolis is safe, clean, and logical. Visitors can always find something to do without becoming overwhelmed at a sprawling metropolis. In a few minutes, you can go from a sleepy and peaceful cornfield to a vibrant downtown. City planning is intelligible to outsiders with a grid system broken up by a few major diagonal streets, a large beltway loop (I-465), and a general lack of gridlock and traffic.

Climate

Indy is warm to hot in the summer, with average highs around 85 °F (29 °C) in June, July, and August. This is paired with a typical mid-western winter—January is the coldest month, with an average high of 34 °F (1 °C). Every few years, the winter gets sharp with significant snowfall and once a generation or so there is an ice storm or otherwise impassible winter weather event. Indianapolis exists within a tornado region but has never been impacted by major twisters. Travelers really only need to beware the occasional nasty winter and sometimes overly hot summer. Summer heat indices average around 88 °F (31 °C) during the day and 68 °F (20 °C) at night; though heat indices at or above 101 °F (38 °C) and 76 °F (24 °C) at night, are not unheard of on some particularly hot and sweltering days. The city has had two droughts since 1980, neither of which was disastrous.

Visitor information Visit Indianapolis website 1 Indianapolis Visitor Center (Artsgarden), 110 W Washington St (Downtown, off of the main east–west street), ☏ +1 317-624-2563, [email protected]. M-F 9AM-5PM. A visitor's center next to the Circle Centre retail mall in the city center. The visitor's center opens earlier than the Artsgarden. The Artsgarden is open Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM for musical concerts, art viewings, and food service. Free. (updated Jan 2024) 2 Visitor Center at White River State Park, 801 W Washington St (west of Downtown), ☏ +1 317-233-2434. 5AM-11PM daily. Adjacent to a number of museums and zoos, a second visitor center is located just outside

Getting there

By car Indianapolis is known as the "Crossroads of America" for a good reason. Interstates 65, 69, 70, and 74 meet here. The city's outer belt is I-465. Travel directly through the city on I-70 (east and west) or I-65 (north and south). Direct travel using I-69 or I-74 is not possible; both are routed around the center of the city on I-465. Interstates 65 and 70 intersect at a region known as "the split" south of downtown. There is also a ramp onto Washington Street, which is the main east–west artery in the city. Traffic here can be extremely busy and construction is routine. It's possible that you'll have situations where you want to cut across five lanes of traffic going 70 mph (110 km/h) in a distance of less than 1 mi (1.6 km). Motorists wanting to experience a bit of history may wish to take a trip along Washington St. which forms part of the National Road (a.k.a. Cumberland Road). This route was the first federal highway in America that stretched from the Atlantic Ocean through most of Illinois. It has been extended into Interstates 40 and 80, so travelers can take a trip from Baltimore to San Francisco along it today. Small milestones mark all of the major cities along this All-American Road.

By plane 1 Indianapolis International Airport (IND IATA), 7800 Col. H. Weir Cook Memorial Dr, ☏ +1 317-487-9594. Indianapolis International Airport is in the southwest corner of the city, about 15 minutes from downtown without traffic. While the airport has existed in this location for decades, the current terminal was constructed in 2008, at a different location within the airport grounds, and is accessed via different roads (from the SW, rather than NE). A number of hotels are nearby, some providing free shuttles to the terminal. The airport is served by public bus (route No. 8) as well as shuttle buses to a few other nearby cities. Route No. 8 runs every 30 mins, costs $1.75 per trip and takes about 40 min to reach southern parts of downtown. There is an also an area designated for rental cars, taxis, and for people using Lyft or Uber. On Uber, it costs $20–25 from airport to downtown. (updated Oct 2024) There are several private jet companies operating near the old terminal location, at the north side of the airport, such as Jet Linx and Million Air. The following are of interest to private pilots:

2 Eagle Creek Airpark 4101 Dandy Trail. +1 317-293-6935. It's nestled inside the beltway loop in a little westside nook, just north of the International Airport. 3 Indy South Greenwood Airport 897 Airport Pkwy, Greenwood. +1 317-881-0887, South of the

Getting around

Outside of the walkable Downtown and some Cultural Districts, you'll need a vehicle to navigate the urban sprawl. The public bus system is fairly clean and efficient but routes are sometimes complex, and substantial portions of the metro area are inaccessible. Outside of peak hours, waits can be prohibitively long. Bike lanes alongside major roads have been constructed in the early 2010s, so cyclists will be sharing the road.

By car On highways, the general speed limit is 55–70 mph (89–113 km/h). On city streets, if no speed limit is posted, assume that it is 35 mph (56 km/h). Indianapolis generally lacks the aggressive driving, bad roads, and congestion associated with major U.S. cities. The city planning is largely logical and follows a grid pattern with some exceptions. A handful of streets cut across the city north–south and only a few (10th, 38th, 82nd/86th, and 96th) go across east–west. Washington Street is the main east–west through street, which bends to the south on the westside and Meridian runs north–south far past the boundaries of the city. Due to the flat terrain of central Indiana, you can see downtown from most spots in the city. If you are desperately lost, you can at least get your bearings by looking for the handful of skyscrapers. Indianapolis and the surrounding areas—especially Avon in the west and Carmel in the north—have several roundabouts. American motorists may not be familiar with them but they are safe (and have reduced collisions in the areas where they have been installed). Local drivers are accustomed to them. There is a Michigan left at 96th and Allisonville, the extreme north of the city. Parking meters are found downtown. They are controlled by a private company and parking tickets are handed out aggressively. Meters accept cards, coins, and small bills and parking is free in late hours and on weekends.

By bus

The public bus system is Indy Go. It travels through much of the city and into some suburbs. Single fares are $1.75, and day passes are $4. Purchases can be made with cash, a reloadable tap card, or the MyKey app. The fare will switch to a new system with 2-hr unlimited rides for $2.75 and daily capped fare at $6 on January 1, 2026. Half-price discount fares are available for eligible riders with the approval of an application at the Julia Carson Transit Center in downtown. If you think you will be staying longer, you can get a week-long card for $20 or a 31 days for $60; purchase them at the transit center in downtown or online. All buses are equipped with two bike racks in front. Although the city has

See

Skyscrapers

The tallest building in Indianapolis is the Salesforce Tower, standing at 830 ft (250 m), followed by the OneAmerica Tower which is 533 ft (162 m) and the Regions Tower standing at a height of 504 ft (154 m). The fourth and fifth are the Market Tower 421 ft (128 m) and 300 North Meridian at 408 ft (124 m). Other skyscrapers include the BMO Plaza 401 ft (122 m) and the JW Marriott Indianapolis 376 ft (115 m), which is the tallest hotel in the state and the largest JW Marriott in the world. All skyscrapers are in a relatively compact cluster downtown.

Outdoors and landmarks 1 Indiana State Capitol, 200 W Washington St (just west of Monument Circle), ☏ +1 317-233-5293, [email protected]. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM (closed Su). Completed in 1888, this is the hub for Indiana's state government, housing the Governor's office, the state legislature (State Senate and Indiana General Assembly) and the State Supreme Court. The first state capital was in the Southern Indiana town of Corydon, and in 1825 it was moved to Indianapolis. Featuring Italian Renaissance, Greek, and Corinthian design, the building is made from primarily of Indiana limestone. Look up while in the Rotunda to see the amazing German stained glass window, take a guided or personal tour, or observe the government at work. Free. Vehicles can be parked in nearby garages or at metered spots. Automobiles that violate the metered time policy risk receiving a ticket and having their automobiles towed. (updated Jan 2024) 2 Soldiers & Sailor's Monument, 1 Monument Cir (The center of the city), ☏ +1 317-232-7615. Th-Su 10:30AM-5:30PM. This is the well-known monument in the center of the city. It is only fifteen feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty, having been built in 1902. The monument's sculpted depictions of gory Civil War fights and emancipated slaves are powerful. With Miss Liberty facing south, she defends the north from the confederate. The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War museum is located in the basement, and visitors can ride the tower to the top for a view of the city. The grounds on the Monument are a wonderful representation of the city itself; they combine the calm of quietly roaring water and verdant grass with the energy of Downtown. It's also a great place to people watch. Additionally, there's a tiny gift shop. William Henry Harrison, the first Governor of the Indiana Territory and the United States President for a single month, is depicted on a statue at the base. The south steps are closed for renovation until November 2025, costing $10 million. Fees for elevator: a

Do

Festivals and events

May, The Indianapolis 500. One of the largest sporting events in the world. The westside of the city and Speedway gets swamped and if you like big crowds, loud cars, and tailgating, this is for you. One of several events leading up to it is the largest mini-marathon in the world, so if you're extra ambitious, come early and run for 13.1 mi (21.1 km) (or a more modest but still impressive 5 km (3.1 mi)). Early June, Vintage Indiana Wine & Food Fest, Military Park, 601 W New York St, toll-free: +1-800-832-9463. Over a dozen Indiana wineries come together in downtown Indy, offering samples of their finest. Restaurants from the city participate as well, serving up samples too. Cooking classes show you how to cook with wine, and Indy's finest live music acts perform. There is a kid's activity area too for the under 21ers Though it's rather not that exciting for the little ones. Late June, Eiteljorg Indian Market, Eiteljorg Museum, ☏ +1 317-636-9378. The Midwest's largest festival celebrating Native American culture and history. Craft and art fair, performances, food and more. Late June, Old Settlers Day and Classic Car Show, E Southeastern Ave, Wanamaker. Since 1987, the small town of Wanamaker has celebrated its founding pioneers with a street fair of over 100 booths with art, craftsmen, antiques, crafts, food, entertainment, and games. A great classic car show features over 150 classic cars. The festivities include a free community fireworks display at 10PM. Mid-July, Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration, Downtown, ☏ +1 317-925-2707. African Americans from all over head to Indy ever summer to celebrate life and culture. Lectures, community fairs, special events and don't forget the music—some of music's biggest starts come to town to celebrate. Everyone from Mary J. Blige to Public Enemy, Cameo to Barry White have made appearances. Traffic can be crazy and expect higher cover charges at nightclubs. Fun for the entire family. Mid-July, Indianapolis International Film Festival, TBA Location, ☏ +1 317-513-9379. Indie films are hosted in non-pretentious environments. Meetings, parties, lectures, and of course films. The group also hosts films throughout the city, throughout the year. Early-Mid August, Indiana State Fair, State Fairgrounds. The biggest summer event in the state. A trip to Indiana isn't complete without a trip to the fair. Animals, crafts, art, rides, dancing, education, environmentalism, Hoosier Pride and food. They also have live music and concerts. Prairie Home Companion comes every other year. Although m

Buy

Indianapolis is made up of various areas that feature unique and typical shopping alike. From Broad Ripple Village and Fountain Square—two unique areas, to typical suburban shopping malls and chains like Castleton. Every area has different options and chances to experience all levels of shopping. Below are some local, regional and national shops and districts that are frequented by avid shoppers.

Broad Ripple Village

About 20 minutes north of downtown. Broad Ripple is Indy's closest thing to "Greenwich." A big variety of vintage, hippie, trendy, and punk shops. Gift shops galore too. It's a great place for unique local fare.

1 Broad Ripple Vintage, 824 E 64th St, ☏ +1 317-255-4135. One of Indy's best known vintage shops, they offer a wide variety of retro clothes—mainly 1960s, 70s and 80s. Large array of t-shirts and accessories and drag queen sized gowns. They always are playing The Doors, and the decor is out of an old school head shop. Quite pricey, and we swear that prices go up around Halloween. 2 The Bungalow, 924 E Westfield Blvd, ☏ +1 317-253-5028. Artsy gift shop featuring artsy kitchen, textiles, art and housewares. Local and international art pieces. Very cool store. 3 French Pharmacie, 823 1/2 E Westfield Blvd, ☏ +1 317-251-9182. A very cool shop that features fashion, furniture and accessories. Carrying clothing by names such as Balenciaga, Acne, Stella McCartney and more. 18th century and modern creations in furniture, and accessories for your home and self—candles, shoes, bags, and more. 4 Good Earth, 6350 Guilford Ave, ☏ +1 317-257-9463. Indy's oldest natural living store in town. Organic and natural food, health and accessories. Great place to stop by for a snack or for much needed groceries. Upstairs is a huge selection of vitamins and supplements, shoes and clothing too. 5 Haus Love, 5901 N College Ave, ☏ +1 317-601-6521. Great clothing, housewares and furniture shop for women and children. Very cool clothes from all over the world. Great place for shabby chic fans. 6 Indy CD & Vinyl, 806 Broad Ripple Ave, ☏ +1 317-259-1012. One of Indy's most popular record shops specializing in independent musics and obscure finds. A wide selection of new and used CD's and vinyl, from indie rock to hip hop. Great selection of box sets and music-related DVDs: buy a pack 20 of loose mystery .45s for $5 and see if you get lucky. They also host in-store performances, and is a great place to pick up fliers about upcoming shows and events. 7 Luna Music, 5202 N College Ave, ☏ +1 317-283-5862. Indy's finest local record shop. Featuring CDs, vinyl

Eat

Budget

Bakeries 1 Chocolate Cafe, 30 Monument Circle, ☏ +1 317-951-4816. South Bend Chocolate Company chocolate, sweets, coffees and sweet drinks. Check out the wall of celebrities who've indulged, and get educated on chocolate by the helpful and friendly staff. Watch fudge get made, sample the goods and enjoy the best hot chocolate in town. Vegetarian friendly. 2 Heidelberg Haus, 7625 Pendleton Pike, ☏ +1 317-547-1230. Enjoy this German bakery's treats and sweets. German-born owners who have served great German eats since the 1960s here in Indy. Real Black Forest Cake, sausages, potato salad, and more. Check out the gift shop with great German beer-lover gifts. The decor is filled with antiques and German decor. Authentic as hell and a great destination for simple basic German eats. Vegetarian friendly. Long's Bakery (two locations, see below). Grab a doughnut from this Indy institution. Visit the location just off 16th Street, not far from the track or the second location in Southport on the southside. (updated Mar 2022) 3 , 1453 N Tremont St, ☏ +1 317-632-3741. (updated Mar 2022) 4 , 2301 E Southport Rd, ☏ +1 317-783-1442. (updated Mar 2022) 5 Rene's Bakery, 6524 Cornell Ave, ☏ +1 317-251-2253. Small house in North Broad Ripple owned by pastry chef A. Rene Trevino. Freshly baked, menu changes daily. Scones, croissants, muffins, cookies, truffles, eclairs, tortes, tarts and breads. Weekly bread selection includes Walnut Rye, Multi-Grain, Raisin, White, Brioche and Challah. Great place for a quick snack or to pick up a lovely breakfast. It's just a bakery—no seating—but when the weather is nice you can sit outside or relax on one of the many benches on the Monon Trail. 6 Ripple Bagel & Deli, 850 Broad Ripple Ave, ☏ +1 317-257-8326. Broad Ripple's only locally owned deli—with the only steamed bagel sandwich in town. Hippies work the counter and the bagels are fresh. Look for the giant bagel clock over the door. Vegan friendly. 7 The Flying Cupcake, 423 Massachusetts Ave, ☏ +1 317-536-0817. Regular, filled and jumbo cupcakes with a menu that changes daily, or sometimes hourly. Alternative locations at 5617 N. Illinois Street, E. 82nd Street, and Carmel. Vegan and gluten-free options available.

Other fun 8 Trader's Point Creamery, 9101 Moore Rd, ☏ +1 317-733-1700. Indy's only grass-fed USDA organic dairy. They are always open with their self-serve dairy-shop (with a bucket you pay and take your change from—honesty basis), and at 4PM you can watch the cows get milked au naturel. Creamy milk, amazing yogurt (voted #1 by the American Cheese So

Drink & nightlife

Coffee Hubbard & Cravens Coffee Co.. Two locations, H&C has their own warehouse where they custom-roast all their own beans and import over 20 types of coffees. Considered the finest coffee in town by some. 1 , 4930 Pennsylvania Ave (Broad Ripple), ☏ +1 317-251-5161. (updated Mar 2022) 2 , 6229 Carrollton Ave (Broad Ripple), ☏ +1 317-803-4155. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Monon Coffee Company, 920 E Westfield Blvd, ☏ +1 317-255-0510. Independent coffee shop, free wireless access.

Booze and cocktails To drink and get into bars you must be at least 21. Bars close at 3AM; 12:30AM on Sundays. Alcohol can be bought in stores on Sundays from Noon to 8 PM. Age requirements vary and are listed below.

4 Alley Cat, 6267 Carrollton Ave, ☏ +1 317-257-4036. A dive bar in Broad Ripple, down an alley. No windows, smoke-ridden, and open at 7AM for breakfast till 3AM for dinner. A great jukebox, legendary bar staff, numerous pool tables, and the hardest drinks in town. Sometimes bands play too. A place you know will never change. Vegetarian friendly. 21+ 5 Broad Ripple Brew Pub, 842 E 65th St, ☏ +1 317-253-2739. British-style pub in Northern Broad Ripple. It was the first brewpub in town, and is the oldest microbrewery in the state. If E.S.B., India Pale Ale, Lager, Porter and Bitter falls into your vocabulary then this is a place for you. Good food—Scotch eggs, bangers and mash, and a good vegetarian menu. Friendly and familiar bar staff. Indoor and outdoor dining makes this one of the busiest lunch and dinner spots in the area. They also have real darts (not plastic). All ages. 6 Chatham Tap, 719 Massachusetts Ave, ☏ +1 317-917-8425. English-style pub that features hi-def TVs playing soccer (err, "football") all day and night. A nice selection of high end beers and a mix of bar style food with more gourmet takes on classics. They serve some of the best fish and chips in town to a mix of hipsters, post-work yuppies, gays and jocks. 7 Coaches Tavern, 28 S Pennsylvania St, ☏ +1 317-917-1191. Popular for lunch and after-work meet ups, Coaches celebrates just that—sports and coaches. A nice wooden pub located right downtown with high tables, video games and jukebox, and of course sports on the TV. Live music and DJs offer entertainment on the small stage and outdoor seating is nice during the warm months. Thursdays is $2 pint night, and the beer choices are good and plentiful. They also serve food—and lots of it. Great place for lunch and a brew in the afternoon. Vegetarian-friendly. 21+ 8 English Ivy's, 944 N Alabama St, ☏ +1 317-822-5070. An Old Northside instituti

Sleep

There are many national/international hotel/motel chains in town; listed below are some more unique and/or regionally owned operations.

Budget 1 Clarion Pointe Indianapolis Northeast, 8325 Bash St, ☏ +1 317-577-0455. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. This hotel is a pet-friendly hotel near the Indianapolis Zoo, that offers guests free local calls, and high-speed Internet access in every room. Has an outdoor heated pool.

Mid-range 2 Brick Street Inn, 175 S Main St, Zionsville, ☏ +1 317-873-9177. A bed & breakfast home built in 1865 in the heart of Zionsville, a quaint arts and food district north of Indianapolis. It's family operated with has a restaurant and gift shop as well. 8 bedrooms offer different regional design styles common to Indianapolis' past. Zionsville is quite cute, filled with antique shops and art galleries. 3 Comfort Suites, 4125 Kildeer Dr, ☏ +1 317-791-9610. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes free continental breakfast, free coffee, free local calls, and an indoor heated pool. 4 Looking Glass Inn B&B, 1319 N New Jersey St, ☏ +1 317-639-9550. A beautiful home built in 1905 located downtown in a historic district. A mission style home filled with Victorian antiques. They also own the Villa. Movie collection available, multi-lingual innkeepers and on-call massage therapists available. Breakfast is provided. 5 Quality Inn Downtown South, 4502 S Harding St (5 miles from downtown), ☏ +1 317-788-4774. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes free continental breakfast, free coffee, free wireless internet access, a fitness center, and is a pet-friendly hotel (additional fees apply). 6 Residence Inn Indianapolis Airport, 5224 W Southern Ave, ☏ +1 317-244-1500. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Accommodations include fully-equipped kitchens in every suite. Guests also have access to complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access. $150.

Splurge 7 The Alexander Hotel (Dolce Hotel Alexander), 333 S Delaware St (Downtown Indianapolis), toll-free: +1-855-200-3002. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. US $153-189. 8 Le Meridien Indianapolis (Canterbury Hotel), 123 S Illinois St, ☏ +1 317-737-1600. One of the city's oldest and most beautiful hotels, built in 1858 and renovated and renamed in 2014. With a beautiful lobby bar and restaurant, French/European decor overwhelms you. Turndown service doesn't have a mint—it offers truffles. This is for the creme de la creme of hotel experiences in Indy, where celebrities often stay. 9 Conrad Indianapolis, 50 W Washington St, ☏ +1 317-713-5000. State of the art hotel that features plasma scr

Go next

10 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, 1 Hall of Fame Ct., New Castle (About 30 minutes east of Indy), ☏ +1 765 529-1891. This is where "Hoosier Hysteria" is celebrated. Explore exhibits celebrating Indy's basketball history, players, coaches, cheerleaders and so forth. Check out the Hall of Fame featuring amateur inductees from all over the state. $4 for adults, $2 for children. 11 Brown County (Is an hour south of Indy), toll-free: +1-800-753-3255. A quaint and cute artist commune with shops, galleries, food and drink, theaters, music halls and historical monuments. One of the most popular places for locals to check out the 'changing of the leaves' during the Fall. Make sure to get some pumpkin ice cream and take a hike through the beautiful Brown County State Park. (updated Apr 2022) 12 Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Country Star Museum (Indiana–Kentucky border). A hidden secret in Southern Indiana. This is also the site of the legendary annual bluegrass festival in June that draws people from all over the world to perform, jam out, drink, eat and celebrate bluegrass music and culture. Check out the Walk of Fame, Bill Monroe's personal collection of memorabilia and other items from the likes of Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, George Jones and more. $4 for adults, $3 seniors, children are free.. 13 Edinburgh Premium Outlets, 11622 N.E. Executive Dr, Edinburgh, ☏ +1 812-526-9765. Indy's best Outlet, about 30 minutes south of downtown. Features shops like Banana Republic, the Gap, Calvin Klein, Clarks, Adidas, J.Crew, Guess, Polo and more. They also have an Estee Lauder Company Store which features make-up by companies like MAC, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Prescriptives and Bobbi Brown at outlet prices. AAA discount available. (updated Mar 2022) 14 Hunter's Honey Farm, 6501 W. Honey Ln, Martinsville (About 20 minutes south of Indy.), ☏ +1 765 537-9430. Locally owned and operated for over 90 years. Take a tour and learn how honey is made, watch it get extracted and bottled, learn about how candles are made and explore the grounds. They also have a gift shop. $3 per person, kids under 2 are free. 15 Morse Reservoir. This man-made lake, located between Cicero and Noblesville has 1,500 acres (610 ha) for boating and water activities and 35 miles (56 km) of shoreline. More than 95% of the shoreline is residential, but recreational boating is allowed. Launch your boat from the Carrigan Road Bridge marina. Morse Lake Park, by the dam on the east side of the lake, allows supervised swimming in the lake and year-round picnicking as well as fishing.