VisitIndy
This year, over 28 million people will arrive in Indianapolis. And leave reluctantly.
A glimmering canal walk, 250 acres of urban green space with one-of-a-kind museums, and a top 10 zoo. The original LOVE sculpture. The world’s largest children’s museum. The world’s spiciest dish. A professional and college sports fan’s dream. America’s most compact skywalk-connected convention and special event package. The #1 ranked Airport in North America nine years in a row (ACI). A safe, clean, and walkable urban center with 300+ restaurants, retailers, and cultural attractions. Ranked one of the Best Places to Go in 2021 (TIME Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure), Indianapolis is sophisticated but not pretentious. And so welcoming there’s actually a name for it – Hoosier Hospitality.
In fact, we’re too friendly to be called Indianapolis – just call us Indy.
NATA "Visit Indy With" Blog Series
After a 15-minute cab ride from the airport, the second notable sight you'll encounter is your downtown hotel.
From the stunning blue glass of the JW Marriott Indianapolis to the art you’ll encounter at the Conrad Indianapolis and The Alexander, Indy has a wide variety of hotel options for every style and price point.
There are 12 hotels linked by skywalk to Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center, and Circle Centre mall.
Discover an easy walk to White River State Park with 250 acres of greenspace, the scenic Central Canal, and a collection of Indy’s top attractions. Meet orangutans at the Indianapolis Zoo, journey westward at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art, or see a concert under the stars at the TCU Amphitheater.
Urban explorers can stroll to a collection of monuments and memorials rivaled only by Washington DC.
Be sure to get a photo at Monument Circle, the physical and spiritual heart of the city. Eager for a cultural encounter? Take a short drive to Newfields, where the lush grounds are the perfect complement to the expansive art galleries.
If you have kids, a trip to Indy isn’t complete without a visit to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the largest children’s museum in the world.
Want to experience Indy like a local?
Hop on a Pacers Bikeshare bike and ride the Indianapolis Cultural Trail to Mass Ave, a progressive neighborhood also known as the Theater District, or Fountain Square, with its retro vibe and live music venues. Eat and drink your way through nearby Fletcher Place where standout restaurants Milktooth and Bluebeard are drawing national attention to Indy’s food scene.
Speaking of food, clear your sinuses with the ultra spicy shrimp cocktail at either St. Elmo Steak House or Harry & Izzy's, recognized as an ‘American Classic’ by the James Beard Foundation.
Or, treat yourself to a towering reuben at Shapiro’s, which USA Today called one of America’s greatest delis.
Our many stages support thriving local music and theater scenes, while welcoming touring shows of all kinds.
In a city that built its reputation on sports, you'll almost always find some sort of competition going on. As host of the world's largest single-day sporting event (the Indianapolis 500)—we know how to show guests a good time.
Enjoy your visit and remember, if you ever need help, just find a local.
Hoosier Hospitality is what we're known for and the citizens of Indianapolis are always eager to share the best of our city with you.
1. INDIANAPOLIS ZOO & WHITE RIVER GARDENS
Pet sharks in the nation’s largest shark touch tank, suit up for an in-water dolphin experience, or interact with birds at the “Flights of Fancy” exhibit. This TripAdvisor Top 10 Zoo is triple-accredited as a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden.
2. INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY & HALL OF FAME MUSEUM
The iconic 2.5-mile oval is host to the world’s largest single-day sporting event, the Indy 500, and captures the rich 100-year old history of the “Racing Capital of the World.”
3. EITELJORG MUSEUM
Home to one of the finest collections of American Indians and Western art in the world and the only one in the Midwest. It is renowned for immersing visitors in the art, history and culture of the American West and indigenous peoples of North America.
4. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The world’s largest children’s museum is right here in Indy and provides a one-of-a-kind experience which has made it one of the most respected and loved in the nation. Discover the stories and science behind more than 120,000 artifacts on five levels.
5. CENTRAL CANAL
Explore White River State Park’s Central Canal in a Venetian-style gondola, surrey, cruiser bike, Segway, pedalboat, or on foot. Take in an impressive collection of public art, war memorials, and vast urban green space as you pass numerous museums and cafes.
6. INDIANA STATE MUSEUM & IMAX THEATER
Uncover Indiana’s secrets through hands-on exhibits exploring the state’s diverse history at this world-class institution constructed from Indiana limestone, steel and glass. Captivate your imagination on the towering IMAX screen.
7. RHYTHM! DISCOVERY CENTER
Beat on drums and learn how rhythm and percussion are a part of our daily lives at this museum for kids of all ages. Explore a wide variety of instruments and artifacts from around the world.
8. VICTORY FIELD
Take your family and friends out to the ballpark for some fun at Victory Field, named Best Minor League Ballpark in America by Sports Illustrated. Enjoy excellent views of downtown from the stands or a picnic on the outfield lawn.
9. NEWFIELDS - A PLACE FOR NATURE & THE ARTS
This museum campus features a collection of 54,000 works spanning 5,000 years and sits on 152 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, including a 100-acre sculpture park and the historic Lilly House and Gardens.
10. MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS
Aside from Washington, D.C., Indy is home to more monuments and memorials than any other U.S. city. Experience an eagle-eye view of the city from atop the Soldiers & Sailors Monument or visit the Indiana War Memorial Plaza.
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As the first airport designed after 9/11, IND combines state-of-the-art security measures with smart design and plenty of public art. Speedy service, great restaurants, and plenty of shops to find that perfect souvenir have earned the airport a wall full of accolades, including Best Airport in North America by Airports Council International (eight years running), and by J.D. Power and Associates (two of four years), Best Overall Passenger Experience by J.D. Power and Associates, and Best Airport in America by Condé Nast Traveler the past five years. It’s also the world’s first LEED certified airport and boasts the fastest free Wi-Fi of all U.S. airports.
Mass Transit
IndyGo provides bus service with over 30 fixed routes from their downtown transportation hub. The new Red Line is the city’s first bus transit line with electric buses, platform level boarding, and high frequency service to 13 miles stretching from Broad Ripple in the north, through the heart of Indy’s convention district, to the University of Indianapolis in the south.
Driving In
Known as the Crossroads of America, Indianapolis is within a day’s drive of over half of the U.S. population and within three hours of Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati. Traffic congestion is a rarity, visitors find the city’s grid layout straightforward, and downtown features over 73,000 parking spots.
Biking
Away.com named Indianapolis one of the best cities to see from a bicycle, thanks to the city’s flat landscape, innovative Indianapolis Cultural Trail, and abundance of bike paths. Some hotels offer guests complimentary bikes, or they are available at two convenient rental locations and through the new Pacers Bike Share Program.
Walking
National journalists have proclaimed Indy one of the most walkable downtowns in the country. On foot, visitors can reach hundreds of restaurants and attractions from their hotel and meeting space. An expansive network of climate-controlled skywalks connecting 4,700 hotel rooms to the convention center, Lucas Oil Stadium, a four-story mall, and restaurants keep it walkable in all weather.
Train & Bus
Other options for reaching the destination include Amtrak, Greyhound, and Megabus, which all have hubs in the downtown area.