Top Activities in Indianapolis, Indiana

Indy is known as the Crossroads of America, and as such it is bursting at the seams with things to do and places to see. Perhaps the most famous landmark in the city is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which hosts the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indy 500, each Memorial Day weekend.

Of course, there are many other sporting events in Indianapolis to appreciate: try taking in an Indiana Pacers NBA game or an Indianapolis Colts NFL game to be part of the action.

If you’d rather participate in a sport, head to Fountain Square cultural district and travel back in time by trying duckpin bowling, which is a vintage version of 10-pin bowling.

To get an even clearer sense of the past, visit the Conner Prairie living history museum. There, you can witness nineteenth century life by observing a live blacksmith, churning some butter, or speaking with any one of the villagers about prairie times. You see, the staff at Conner Prairie dress and speak as though it really were a Midwestern town in the 1800s!

Another museum the kids will surely appreciate is the Children’s Museum, which is the largest museum of its kind in the world. Over one million travelers visit annually to see the artifacts and collections housed within this institution. Check out the dinosaur exhibit to see how they once lived, or hop on the carousel for a fun-filled ride. The interactive displays are sure to keep the young ones busy for hours.

For a more conventional museum experience, visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art, or IMA. Inside and out, this is a beautiful institution filled with paintings, sculptures and other art pieces. The grounds are also worth a look, so don’t forget to venture outside.

Or, for the animal lovers among us, the Indianapolis Zoo is a great location to give your kids hands-on experience. You can see marine mammals, watch dolphins do their tricks, and even observe elephants at play.

Aside from its museums and other activities, Indianapolis also pays homage to fallen heroes with a plethora of war memorials. In the heart of the downtown core is one of Indy’s most notable landmarks: the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Monument Circle. Erected in honor of the heroes from several wars, this limestone memorial was completed in the early twentieth century. You can also travel to Cenotaph Square in Indiana War Memorial Plaza and the Korean War Monument. The Medal of Honor Memorial is a tribute to recipients of that award, while the USS Indianapolis National Memorial remembers the crew that served aboard that vessel.

Whether you’d like to study the past, absorb some culture or have an entertaining adventure, Indianapolis has got the spot for you.