Capital city of the state of Indiana, Indianapolis is popularly known as the ‘racing capital of the world’ because of the motor speedway located close by. Having experienced a period of urban decay in the 1960s, Indianapolis is now the fastest growing city in the Mid-West and a major destination for tourists, with a huge number of memorials, museums and gardens. The city is also a major arts center and hosts a large number of diverse festivals each year.
Whether its wild onions, pork ribs or indie music you’re into, there is a festival here for you in Indianapolis. Indeed, festivals are just one part of the cultural make-up of Indianapolis with its huge range of popular museums and galleries. Indianapolis is a city with abundant green space, much of which has been absorbed by the many parks that offer outdoor activities from swimming to bird-watching.
Indianapolis is also a great destination for fans of dining and drinking with its huge range of restaurants, bars and even wineries where visitors can do wine tasting although the grapes aren’t grown in Indiana. Racing is the big show in town so go to see a race at the speedway, where there is also an excellent motor sport museum tracing the history of racing in America.
Highlights
Indianapolis Motor Speedway: host of the world-famous Indy 500, the city speedway is a must for fans of motor sport, holding races from May to September.
White River State Park: full of attractions such as an IMAX theatre, the Indiana State Museum and large expanses of greenery either side of the river.
Indianapolis Arts Center: galleries, souvenir shops and much more at this, one of the Mid-West’s premier cultural centers.
American Super Heroes Museum: run by one of the leading collector’s of super hero memorabilia in America, this collection has plenty of Batman and Superman material on show.
Indiana State Capitol: take a tour around this beautifully designed complex featuring Italian, Greek and German architectural styles and an impressive stained glass window.