Visit Indianapolis Marion Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the Vibrant City Indianapolis, Indiana: Experience the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy Zoo and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Enjoy traditional dishes at Shapiro's Deli or Mass Ave Food Park. An unforgettable journey!
Indianapolis attractions? Honestly, before you fall into the highway, you should know that this city was built in 1821 from a small border to connect the growing Indiana – a bit like an overambited junction in the heart of the Middle West. I have the feeling that the founders already knew that they would need a little too much space for cars later.
I like to ride with the IndyGo tram because it sprays a bit of nostalgia without feeling like a 1970 film. On the way to the Monument Circle, the heartbeat of the city, I repeatedly stumble over small cafés that have more character than some hotels here. The Circle itself is a bit overrated – a large square with a monument you know from every guide – but the surrounding streets have surprisingly cool street style and a few bars that really have something.
A short detour to the White River State Park is a must for me, because there are nature and culture, without feeling like in the zoo. And yes, I don't understand the hype around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but the adjacent museum is a real secret tip for everyone who likes to talk about speed without shaking themselves.
So when you first come to Indianapolis, let's go with the Motor Speedway start – this is not only a racetrack-Mekka, but almost a religious pilgrimage site for those who love the smell of burnt rubber. I don't understand the hype around the Indy 500, but the museum next to the track full of old racing cars and sloping memorabilia has really knocked me around. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem, because then the fans get in a crowd.
A short hop on the Canal Walk and you are in the heart of the city, where the water is silent and the city is not as loud as you would expect from a metropolis. I once experienced a spontaneous street music duel between a saxophonist and a beatboxer – no joke, that was almost better than a concert. The path is well signposted, and if you're on the bike, you can Indianapolis Cultural Trail use that leads you directly to the next highlight.
Now comes what I personally call the “hidden jewel”: Newfields, the former Indianapolis Museum of Art. Clearly, the word “museum” scares some, but here there is not only art, but also huge gardens, a planetarium and a small café serving the best espresso in the city – at least according to my verdict. I made a picnic on the meadow in a sunny afternoon, while a peacock was curious about my sandwiches. The entrance is free, and parking is free at the main entrance as long as you do not come to the main exhibition period.
If you have enough of art and speed, take a look at Monument Circle in the city centre. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument projects like an oversized index finger into the sky, and from there you have a pretty good overview of the city centre. I once tried to make a selfie while a tourist came by with a huge Indiana-Jones-Hut – the result was an image that I now described as “eptical confusion”. The area is easily accessible on foot, and parking in the surrounding garages is usually cheap as long as you don't park there on Friday night after a game.
A bit off the hustle and bustle Massachusetts Avenuebetter known as Mass Ave. Here the creative heart of the city pulsates: small boutiques, indie cafés and a theatre that performs more experimental pieces than you would see in Berlin all year. I once made an improvised poetry slam there – that was a mix of profound poetry and total nonsense, but that's what makes the charm. The road is easily accessible by bus, and if you come by car, there are a few free parking spaces at the end of the road, which are however quickly away when the students come back after the lecture.
Last but not least, Indianapolis Zoo do not leave because she is just too good to overlook her. The combination of animal park, aquarium and botanical garden is a bit like a mini-world miracle, which can be flapped in a few hours. I remember standing at the Otter basin and suddenly a little otter jumped directly on my hand – no joke, that was a moment I will never forget. Parking is paid at the main entrance, but if you leave the car in the city centre and take the bus, you save the money and the car search.
All these are just a few Indianapolis Attractions, which I personally recommend for a visit – and this is of course my slightly cynical but passionate view. Next time you're in town, let my little insider guide lead you and don't expect everything to be perfect; that makes the charm.
I have to admit that Indy-Speedway for me is more than just a place where cars race around the bet – it's a bit like a holy shrine for anyone who ever fired a motor. I stood there on a lukewarm summer afternoon, the grass was still moist from the morning dew, and the noise of the engines was like a distant thunderstorm through the stands. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't arrive after the race on Saturday night – then the field turns into a battlefield of uplifting cars and stressed drivers who desperately seek a free parking space.
A short trip to Fishers leads you Conner Prairie, an interactive historical park that offers more than just dusty farmhouses. I took part in a workshop where I tried to complete an old loom project – the result was a halfway usable scarf and a good piece of patience. The park is huge, so don't forget to take comfortable shoes; the paths are well maintained, but the terrain can become quite muddy at some places, especially after rain.
If you have enough of crowds, drive a bit south to Hoosier National Forest. There are more trees than you can count, and the noise of the leaves is almost therapeutic. I spent a weekend in a simple cabin, just with a campfire and a book about Indiana legends. Parking is possible virtually everywhere, unless you try to find a parking space in the middle of the forest – this is a No-Go.
A short jump to the east brings you to the charming Carmel Arts & Design District. Galleries, boutiques and a café, which is supposed to serve the best latte in the region – I tried this sceptically and was actually surprised. The streets are lined with sculptures that give more questions than answers, and parking is almost always a Klacks thanks to the many public garages, except when a big festival is in the city.
Only a few miles further lies the picturesque Zionsville, a historical village that looks like it came from a film by Wes Anderson. I spent an afternoon browsing the small shops for handmade ceramics while the sun slowly went behind the old brick houses. The main road is car-free, so you have to park your car on the edge – this is actually quite practical, because you can suck up the whole atmosphere on foot.
Back near Indianapolis, but still off the city center, lies the huge Eagle Creek Park. I rented a kayak there and explored the quiet waterways while I tried not to be persecuted by a horde duck. The park offers numerous hiking trails, and parking is free at most entrances as long as you don't drive to the most popular picnic places on the weekend – then it can become a bit fuller.
Another favorite for me is the Monon Trail, a 40-kilometre long cycle and hiking trail leading through several suburbs. I straightened it on a sunny autumn morning, the leaves glowed in all colors, and I felt like I was going through a living painting. Along the way there are numerous drinking water stations and small cafés that are perfect for a short break. The best thing: you can turn off your bike almost everywhere, because most cities along the trail provide generous bike stands.
So the next time you think about what you want to experience in the vicinity of Indianapolis, forget about the usual city tours and dive into this mix of speed, history, nature and small cityscape – these are the true ones Indianapolis Attractionsthat I would put to every traveler's heart.
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