Indianapolis

Indianapolis has rapidly developed into a cultural and entertainment centre for the Old Northwest.  Thousands have flocked to the Indianapolis Speedway for the Indy 500, and now many more come to Indianapolis to enjoy the new downtown and its many opportunities for family fun.

Attractions in Indianapolis and the surrounding area.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Tel: 800 556 4639

Join half a million other speed nuts at the annual, May Indianapolis 500 meeting. Book tickets and accommodation as far in advance as possible, otherwise you will be disappointed. If you happen to be in town at any other time check out the Indi Hall of Fame Museum on 4790 W. 16^th Street, Tel: 317 484 6747. here you can see memorabilia and visual history of the race as well as a great collection of 80 racing cars. A less than speedy bus tour will also take you on a lap of the circuit.

Monument Circle
The centrepiece of Indianapolis, the Circle has avenues extending from it across the regular grid of streets.  At the centre is the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, a 284-ft spire crowned by the 30-ft bronze statue Victory, better known as Miss Indiana.

Hilbert Circle Theatre
317-262-1100, ext. 235
This vintage-1916 movie palace overlooks Monument Circle.  It is currently the main venue for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

Indiana State Museum
202 N. Alabama St.
317-232-1637
Located in the Old City Hall, this museum has numerous exhibits dedicated to the state's history and culture.

Indiana World War Memorial
431 N. Meridian
317-232-7615
This beautiful monument pays tribute to Indiana’s veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Scottish Rite Cathedral
650 N. Meridian St.
317-262-3100
This unique Masonic structure was built around 1929 and houses a 54-bell carillon and a 7,000-pipe organ.The Scottish Rite owes its loyalty to the fundamental purpose and principles of Freemasonry that is expressed in this quest "to be made better than ourselves." It seeks to strengthen the community. It believes that each man should act in civil life according to his individual judgment and the dictates of his conscience. The Cathedral has been built to serve this meaning of Masonry.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
500 W. Washington St.
317-636-9378;
Sited in a modern adobe building, the museum displays works by Frederic Remington and Georgia O'Keeffe, among others. The Eiteljorg Museum is unique, one of two museums east of the Mississippi with both Native American and Western art. Located in downtown Indianapolis, the museum is within walking distance of the RCA Dome, Circle Centre mall and major downtown hotels.

Union Station
39 W. Jackson Pl.
317-267-0701
Built between 1886-1888, the New Union Station provides Indianapolis with perhaps the best example of Romanesque Revival architecture in the United States. The rugged strength of the Romanesque architecture has been carefully rendered here in materials, design, and space utilization.  During the golden years of the railroad era, more than 200 trains a day moved through the station. The station has recently been restored, and its stained glass ceiling is a quite spectacular. Union Station has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.

President Benjamin Harrison Home
1230 N. Delaware St.
317-631-1898
The President Benjamin Harrison Home is the former residence of US President Benjamin Harrison, now a museum dedicated to his life. The house is situated at 1230 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis and is easily reachable from downtown. Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States from 1889 to 1893. He was President 100 years after George Washington, which made him the Centennial President. The Harrison Home houses over 3,500 artefacts and 2,500 books. Three quarters of the artefacts in the home actually belonged to the Harrison family. In the home the visitors see ten of the rooms, complete with period furnishings and many of Harrison’s personal items. New exhibitions take place at least once a year and have recently covered Victorian fashion, Dresden porcelain and American war campaigns.

James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home
528 Lockerbie St.
317-631-5885
This house has won praise and attention as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture and style in the country. Take a look into society life at the turn of the century just as Hoosier Poet James Whitcomb Riley experienced it. The James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home recalls a less complicated era. The Museum Home, in the heart of Indianapolis' historic Lockerbie neighbourhood, showcases many of the great poet's personal belongings including his writing desk, portrait of his beloved dog and his top hat and cane.

 
Indianapolis Museum of Art
1200 W. 38th St.
317-923-1331
This large five-pavilion complex and botanical gardens is situated on 152 acres of manicured lawns.  It includes paintings and sculptures by old masters, neo impressionists, and major Asian and African artists.

Opening hours. Tues., Weds., Fri., Sat. 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Thursday, 10:00 am-8:30 pm
Sunday, noon-5:00 pm
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days.

Indianapolis Zoo and White River State Park
1200 W. Washington St.
317-630-2001
The 250-acre park is adjacent to the Zoo, which holds more than 3,000 animals.  One area of particular interest at the Zoo is the whale and dolphin pavilion.

Canal Walk
This downtown landmark is a 10-block tribute to the historical 400-mile canal system linking the Great Lakes and the Ohio River.  It is a stroller’s delight, with benches, fountains and wide walkways lining both sides of the canal.

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