The capital of Indiana and a typical Midwest metropolis, Indianapolis, is located on the White River, southeast of Lake Michigan. It is located on a site chosen by ten government commissioners in 1820 for the new state capital of Indiana, almost precisely in the geographic center of the state. There are many activities to do in Indianapolis, such as visiting downtown or having an evening stroll along the Canal Walk after a meal by the river.

The "Indianapolis 500," an annual automobile race held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the Sunday before Memorial Day, is what gives the city its international prominence. With hundreds of thousands of motor racing enthusiasts in attendance, this is the largest one-day athletic event ever.

With our list of the best things to do in Indianapolis, you can find even more enjoyable ways to spend your time.

1. Have fun at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

The largest children's museum in the world is located in Indianapolis. It's enormous! You don't have to be a child to enjoy this area; the whole family will love it. The museum is packed with educational, cutting-edge, and engaging exhibits. A few of the exhibits cover matters pertaining to travel, science, culture, and archaeology.

Dinosaurs are some of the museum's most popular exhibits, including the brontosaurus that is trying to peer through the top level. Visitors to the Dinosphere display can see, hear, and even touch a genuine Tyrannosaurus Rex bone as it recreates the world in which the dinosaurs once lived. A freshly found species of dinosaur named Dracorex Hogwartsia in honor of Harry Potter's alma school is among those on display.

A number of interactive exhibitions concerning toys, pop culture, science, and space flight are also available as additional attractions.

2.the Indianapolis Museum of Art

North of the city's core, in the vast Newfields park, is where you'll find the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The major halls of the museum feature pieces by legendary artists like Rembrandt, Cezanne, Picasso, and O'Keefe.

Asian and American art, dating from pre-Columbian periods to the present (including Edward Hopper's Hotel Lobby), are the focus of the Krannert Pavilion. The Hulman Pavilion, which displays artwork from the Baroque through Neo-Impressionism, is one of the gallery's other sections.

The Lilly House, a 1913 mansion with genuine furnishings and ornamental art, is also located on the museum grounds. A trip around the Gardens, an outdoor area with a broad variety of flora, including the Formal Garden, the Ravine Garden, the Rain Garden, and more, will be enjoyable for visitors.

The 100-acre Fairbanks Park, which is close to the museum grounds and features both temporary installations and breathtaking natural features, is nearby.

3. Attend the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Indy 500 race.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is located seven miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis and is the site of the most renowned auto race in the United States, the legendary Indianapolis 500. The Brickyard 400 NASCAR Race and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP are the only events that utilise it.

The 2.5-mile oval track was initially intended to be an automotive test track, but after the inaugural 500-mile race took place there in 1911, it became a yearly event. The track, which was first paved with bricks (which are still used to mark the finish line), was modified throughout time to accommodate ever-increasing speeds.

The raceway can now accommodate more than 250,000 spectators in the stands and more than 150,000 on the ground thanks to improvements made to the spectator accommodations. Each year, the race takes place in late May, and the speedway hosts a number of special activities for spectators and racing fans.

If you can't make it to the big race but still want to learn more about racing, you may visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which is situated on the speedway grounds. A 1922 Dusenburg, a 1938 Maserati, and a 1960 Watson are among the permanent automobiles in this collection, in addition to shifting displays that showcase previously successful vehicles. Photographs and mementos from earlier races are among the additional exhibits.

4. Paddle or stroll alongside the Central Canal.

Built in the early 19th century to aid in the movement of products into and out of the city, the Central Canal passes through White River State Park. Paddleboat and kayak rentals may be found directly across the canal from the Eiteljorg Museum. The totally renovated canal, which is no longer an industrial waterway, is now full of these vessels, giving tourists a fresh perspective on the downtown area.

The three-mile Canal Walk runs alongside the water, flanking both sides of it from 11th street into the park. It is a well-kept pedestrian path. Because it offers quick access to many of the city's stores, sights, and restaurants, the area is well-liked by both visitors and locals.

5. Monument Square

The Soldier's and Sailor's Memorial is the most significant landmark in Indianapolis and is situated at Monument Circle. This limestone monument, which took five years to build, was finished in 1902 and honors those who died during the Civil War.

The Mausoleum and Memorial Hall are located to the monument's north, and the enormous Circle Center Mall is located three blocks to the monument's south. The memorial has an observation deck, a number of sculptures honoring former leaders, and the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum.

Another significant memorial is the Indiana World War Memorial. This massive square memorial remembers the dead warriors and serves as a solemn reminder of the foolishness of war. The third floor's Shrine Room, which was built with supplies from all over the world, stands for peace and unity.

A museum honoring Indiana soldiers is included inside the war memorial as well. An AH-1 Cobra Attack helicopter, as well as other military-related artifacts and information, are on display.

6. Explore White River State Park's attractions

A wonderful area to get away from the hectic pace of the city is White River State Park. You might find it difficult to realize that you are in downtown Indianapolis once you enter the park.

One of the city's biggest tourist destinations, White River State Park is home to the Indianapolis Zoo, a baseball park, the Eiteljorg Museum, the Indiana State Museum, an Imax cinema, the NCAA Hall of Champions, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial. It also has a lot of open green space. White River State Park also includes the Canal Walk along Central Canal.

7. Eiteljorg Museum of Western and American Indian Art

At the entrance to White River State Park, there is a building housing the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art. A spectacular collection amassed by Indianapolis businessman Harrison Eiteljorg is on display at the museum.

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The western genres of painting and sculpture from the early 19th century are on display, along with pieces by renowned landscape painters Frederick S. Remington and Charles M. Russell as well as Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran. An vast collection of Taos Society of Artists artworks as well as indigenous arts and crafts from across North America are also on show.

8. Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo was established in 1964 and now has a significant impact on global conservation and study. It is situated in White River State Park and includes a zoo, an aquarium, and a botanical garden. The three-acre botanical garden has both permanent and cyclical gardens that showcase flora from different parts of the world.

There are numerous tanks, including one with a coral reef habitat, in the Oceans aquarium. The zoo's many habitats, which were recreated to offer both guests and the animal residents a sense of a natural setting, are divided up among the various animals.

The zoo's most well-liked animals are those from the Plains, which include some of the largest and most impressive creatures, including giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and zebra. Visitors can stroll beneath soaring birds in the Forests environment and spot creatures like the cheeky red panda peering out from the branches.

9.Holliday Park

Visitors seeking a serene natural setting will adore Holliday Park, which is situated along the White River. There are 3.5 miles of pathways that meander through the wetlands and woods, and one of the platforms along the lake is handicap accessible. In addition, the park is home to gorgeous year-round gardens that are cared for by a number of neighborhood gardening clubs, as well as a charming rock garden and an arboretum with more than 1,200 trees.

The ruins, which are the remains of a façade salvaged from the former St. Paul building in New York City, will be of particular interest to photographers. After the original building was destroyed, the magnificent stone pieces and three limestone statues were erected in the park where they still stand as a work of art. They are situated in the gardens and come with a water table for kids and a fountain.

A Nature Center with interactive exhibits and activities is one of the park's additional free family activities in Indianapolis. Children will enjoy seeing the real animals up close and seeing the birds and other animals stop by the feeding station. The park also features an excellent playground, a covered pavilion, and modern restrooms.
 

10. Go along the Cultural Trail in Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a great way to explore the city and take in all of the public art that it has to offer. There are more stops along Virginia Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, although the majority of its stops are in the downtown area. More than 20 Bikeshare stations have been placed along the route to allow tourists to pedal part (or the entire) of the trail, making the tour easier on the feet.

Martin Luther King Jr., Susan B. Anthony, and the Wright Brothers are among the light gardens and sculptures that make up a portion of the trail that follows the Glick Peace Walk. Between Capitol Avenue and Virginia Avenue on Walnut Street, many of these can be seen along the median. Even if you don't get all the way to Fountain Square at the end of Virginia Avenue, make sure to travel far enough in that direction to take in the breathtaking lights at Swarm Street, a lighting display.

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Visitors can find a selection of poems along Alabama Street at Poet's Place, and at the intersection of Alabama Street and Massachusetts Avenue, British artist Julian Opie's "Ann Dancing" stands as a digital message. Along Massachusetts Avenue, there are further provocative installations including Jamie Pawlus' Care/Don't Care and Sean Derry's Chatham Passage.

Visitors can continue to the Indiana Avenue Cultural District to witness Looking Through Windows, a stained-glass sculpture inspired by the neighborhood's historic homes, after taking in other stops along the Glick Peace Walk on Walnut Street.

A multimedia project dedicated to American history called "Talking Wall" is nearby on Blackford Street on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue. Other top-notch public art projects can be found on the IUPUI campus, including Zephyr by Steve Woolridge and a few others.

11. Presidential Museum for Benjamin Harrison

The United States' 1888 President-elect Benjamin Harrison passed away in Indianapolis in 1901. The public is welcome to visit his home at 1230 North Delaware Street, which still has its original Victorian furniture. The sixteen-room Italianate Victorian home that Benjamin Harrison erected between 1874 and 1875 played a significant role in his presidential campaign.

Visitors can find out about Harrison's legal acumen, the issues he argued before the US Supreme Court, his reputation as a military commander of men, his conservation efforts, his knowledge of international relations, and his role in expanding the U.S. Navy. They can also learn about his work as a lawyer.

Harrison's belongings are abound in this, the 23rd President of the United States' residence. The residence additionally hosts a number of noteworthy occasions throughout the year, including a Presidents Day celebration.

12. Discovery Center Rhythm!

The Rhythm! Discovery Center, a museum of percussion instruments, was established in 2009. Every facet of percussion is covered in the exhibits, from the science of sound waves to its historical and cultural influence on music. As a result of the museum's extensive collection of items from around the globe, visitors can view rare and antiquated instruments.

Exhibits provide interactive experiences that examine subjects including the development of electronic percussion, "found" percussion, and sound experiments in addition to the "Groove Space," where you can play hundreds of instruments. Concerts and educational events are frequently held at the museum.

13.Indiana State Museum 

The Indiana State Museum, which is situated in the White River State Park in the heart of Indianapolis, offers a range of displays and activities that explore the state's natural and cultural past.

The first level of the museum is devoted to the natural history of the state, including its geology and long-gone inhabitants. You may see a prehistoric mastodon here and travel through a "ice" tunnel that simulates being inside a glacier.

The second floor is devoted to the history of the area's culture, starting with a sizable display that depicts the customs and way of life of the indigenous populations. Additionally, there are displays that cover more recent Indiana history, such as Civil War items and significant cultural subjects.

The museum also features a practical naturalist's lab and frequently presents puppet performances.

14.Eagle Creek Nature Preserve and Park

With a total size of 5,300 acres with recreational amenities for both land and water, Eagle Creek Park and Nature Preserve is one of the biggest municipal parks in the United States. Visitors can rent kayaks, pontoon boats, canoes, and other watercraft at the marina in addition to a small beach. In the summer, they can even enroll in sailing classes.

A well-liked location for fishing, Eagle Creek is noted for its largemouth bass and walleye populations. There is a playground, beach volleyball, and a treetop adventure course with ziplines for kids and families. The Eagle Creek Golf Club has a 36-hole golf course, and the park often stages concerts all summer long.

15. Kurt Vonnegut Library and Museum

Any admirer of Kurt Vonnegut, an author from Indianapolis, must visit this modest museum. The author's reading glasses, sketches, and the typewriter on which he wrote many of his best works are among the collection's various artifacts. Looking at the mountain of rejection letters Vonnegut accumulated over the years can inspire aspiring novelists even more.

The museum's library contains a large number of other examples of Vonnegut's writing, along with first editions of each of his published works and signed copies. They also organize unique events all year long.