Indianapolis is the capital of the state of Indiana and hosts the world famous Indy 500 car race every May. In addition to big events and racing cars at full speed, Indy (as it is also known) is blessed with a wealth of green space, glittering waterways and extraordinary memorials, making it a charming and picturesque city. Indiana is famous for its southern sensibility, basketball, for saying the word “ope” and for hosting the greatest show in motorsport. It is also known as corn country; the land is flat and full of farmland that is worked all year round.
You'll most likely think first of the Indianapolis 500, the famous car race that has been dubbed “The Greatest Show in Racing.”. If green space is what you want, look no further than White River State Park, which covers 250 acres in downtown Indianapolis. It features canals, sculptures, a summer concert hall and some of the best views of the city. The largest monument is the Indiana World War Memorial, which is more than 200 feet tall.
War Memorial Plaza covers seven blocks; no other city in the United States devotes more space to the fallen of the United States. Walking through the cultural districts and neighborhoods of Indianapolis is the Cultural Trail, a bike- and pedestrian-friendly trail that connects some of the city's most interesting places. It's located right next to White River State Park and is within walking distance of many downtown attractions. The city known for its love of racing cars is constantly evolving.
If you think you know Indianapolis, think again. With a vibrant food scene and huge reconstruction efforts downtown, Indianapolis is fast becoming a favorite destination. We've partnered with family and lifestyle blogger Kirsten Maxwell of Kids Are A Trip, who lives in Chicago and frequently visits Indianapolis. Here are seven things that will surprise you about Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis Children's Museum houses the skull of the newly discovered dinosaur hogwartsia Dracorex. Indianapolis is located within a physiographic province known as Tipton Till Plain, a flat and gently rolling terrain, supported by glacial deposits known as till. Indianapolis has many things to do, from taking an evening stroll along the Canal Walk after a dinner by the water to sightseeing in downtown. Founded in 1873, the Indianapolis Public Library includes the Central Library and 24 branches throughout Marion County.
And also recognizable is the Monument to Soldiers and Sailors, which is located in a circle that marks the physical center of the city of Indianapolis. Mile Square, also known as downtown Indianapolis, is the urban core of the city with many venues with events ranging from sporting events to party events. The area is full of museums and historical monuments, as well as lots of other things to see. Located in the White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, the Indiana State Museum features a variety of exhibits and experiences that explore the state's natural and cultural history.
Maybe it has so many nicknames because they're all easier to say and spell than Indianapolis, which was actually created by an Indiana Supreme Court judge simply by pasting the name Indiana with the Greek word for city. If you want to get out of town and travel to local areas, a small town just outside of Indianapolis that you should visit is Broad Ripple. Downtown Indianapolis is home to several of the city's top performing arts organizations and venues. On January 11, 1820, the Indiana General Assembly authorized a committee to select a site in central Indiana for the new state capital, appointing Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham to study and design a city plan for Indianapolis.
Indianapolis is also home to the National Headquarters of the American Legion and Indiana at the American Legion Mall, the Shrine Room of the Indiana War Memorial and the Eiteljorg Museum of American and Western Art. Monument Circle is the heart of Indianapolis, a focal point that people use as a meeting point within the city. If your visit to Indianapolis coincides with the Indy 500, it is a must to spend the day at Snake Pit, the center of the racetrack, surrounded by the noisy and fast 2.5-mile oval. Established under the Works Progress Administration in 1934, the Indianapolis Art Center is a nonprofit arts organization located in the city's Broad Ripple Village neighborhood.
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