Visit Monument Circle Indianapolis Marion Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. The Monument Circle in Indianapolis is the heart of the city. It surrounds the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and is a central venue for events and culture
Honestly, if you ask yourself why here in Center Township, Marion County, there is a huge stone in the middle of the city, then you have to swallow a bit of history: in 1902 the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument was built to honour the veterans of the civil war, and since then the wheel – in the truest sense of the word – turns around this colon. I stood there for the first time, while a tramway wagon squeaking past me, and thought: “No joke, that’s Indiana romanticism with a hint of bureaucracy.” The surrounding trams and the easy-to-find IndyGo line will take you directly to the circle without a big lift, so no reason to torment the car if you don't want to specify with a folding oldtimer. I don't understand the hype around the monument, but the small cafes that push into the shadows of the columns are really great – an espresso there tastes almost like triumph. And while you're wondering if you've run, because the paths are circular, you'll notice that the whole thing is more an urban labyrinth that forces you to see the city from a different angle. So, the next time you stumble over “Monument Circle Indianapolis Sights”, forget the tourist posters and let yourself be guided by the real locals – this is the true recipe for a day that is more than just a photo op.
I have to admit that my heart beats a bit faster every time I get the Soldiers and Sailors Monument see – yes, exactly the massive colossal monument in the middle of the circle you do not miss when you were in Indianapolis at all. I don't understand the hype around the monument because it's basically just a huge granite cylinder, but the view from the viewing platform is really great: a 360-degree panorama over the city, which almost lets you believe you were on a high-rise roof instead of on a 60-meter tower. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then all tourists and a few local hipsters want to park their car at the same time.
A short step to the right leads you into the Indianapolis Arts Guards, a glass dome that floats above the circle like a futuristic UFO that has just become used to the cityscape. I once saw a jazz quartet playing in the middle of the air – no joke, that was almost as surreal as a pop-up art market that suddenly appears next to you. The entrance is free, but you should keep your camera ready because the light here is a bit too perfect to not immediately shoot a selfie.
Go on City-County Buildingformerly the old town hall, which now serves as an administrative center. The building is a parade example of the type of historical architecture that you can find in many American cities, just combining the brick structure with a modern glass structure. I once found a city plan from the 70s, still hanging on the wall – a small treasure for anyone who likes to sneak into the past while trying to find the way to the next café.
Only a few blocks north lies the Indian Statehouse, the official government building of the state. I took a lead there with a rather sarcastic guide who knew more about the political scandals of the 80s than about the current legislation – that was refreshingly honest. The dome is impressive, and the interior is decorated with marble columns and artistic ceilings that almost let you forget that you are in a city that is more famous for its racetrack than for its policy.
Directly opposite, on the southern edge of the circle, the Indiana State Museum. I was there on a rainy afternoon and clicked through the exhibitions ranging from prehistoric fossils to modern art installations. The museum is not just the highlight for adrenaline junkies, but if you want to recharge a bit of culture, it is a solid stop – and the best: the café on the ground floor serves a cappuccino that is almost as strong as the city itself.
A short walk east brings you to Indianapolis Central Library, an architectural jewel that looks like a designer from the 70s had cast a futuristic dream in concrete. I spent a few hours there because I just couldn't get enough of the huge bookshelves and the cozy reading corners. The library also has a small café that offers surprisingly good bagels – perfect if you have a long walk through the Monument Circle Indianapolis Attractions want to recharge some energy.
Finally, a little hint: If you are looking for a day of sightseeing, take a look at the small, independent shops around the circle. There you will find handmade souvenirs that do not come from mass consumption, and a few bars that have more character than most tourist attractions. And yes, this is my personal favorite place to let the day end – a bit of jazz, a cool beer and the quiet marble of the city that reminds you that Indianapolis is more than just a stop-over for the Indy-500 race.
The first stop I put to every visitor is the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, about ten miles west of the circle. The smell of burned rubber is still in the air when you pass through the gate – a fragrance that you only know from movies. I stood there once in a rain competition, while a tractor cleaned the track and some fans in the rain swiveled their umbrellas like flags; that was a picture I don't forget so fast. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night after the Indy 500 – then the field turns into a battlefield of uplifting cars and stressed parents.
A short jump to the northeast leads to Conner Prairie in Fishers, where history is not dusted in dusty showcases, but becomes alive. I took part in an interactive colonial kitchen in a Saturday morning and had to find that the baking of Maisbrot in the 19th century The century requires significantly more muscle power than today's microwave wonder. Guided tour of the “Prairie Village” is a bit cheesy, but the possibility to ride with real horses makes the whole thing to bear again. On weekends there are often long snakes, but this is a good sign that there is still real curiosity.
If you have enough of history and motors, it is worth a trip to the south-west Brown County State Park. The park is about 70 miles from Monument Circle, but the ride through the gentle hills of Indiana is almost therapeutic. I spent a weekend in a rustic hut, surrounded by red beech that shine in autumn like flames. The trails are well marked, and the mountain bike trail system is so demanding that even a carved urban commuter comes to sweat. A little hint: The visitor center closes early, so better to pack a snack beforehand.
A little further south, near Bedford, this stretches Hoosier National Forest. Here there are more trees per square kilometre than in any urban park, and the noise of the leaves is the loudest sound that you can find – a welcome contrast to the constant Sirene Geheul of Indianapolis. I remember a day when I paddled a kayak on the Patoka River with a friend; the water was so clear that one could see to the bottom, and we were stolen by a deer almost the paddle. Parking is usually free, except for the official campsites where you can skip tents in summer.
For all who love the water, this is Indiana Dunes National Park on the banks of Lake Michigan a must. The path of Monument Circle takes about three hours, but the journey along Interstate 65 is a good training for the upcoming sand hike. I once stood there at the sunset at Lake Michigan and watched the dune landscape dipped into an orange-red light – a sight that is not found in every guide. Parking is free at the main entrance, but at the weekends it can be full, so prefer to be there early.
Whether you are the Adrenalinkick of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway search, in the history of Conner Prairie the nature in Brown County State Park or Hoosier National Forest explore or explore the coast of Indiana Dunes National Park enjoy – the surroundings of Monument Circle Indianapolis keeps something ready for everyone. These Monument Circle Indianapolis Attractions show that the heart of India beats far beyond the city boundaries.
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