Indianapolis Tourist Attractions
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Indianapolis, a typical Midwest city and capital of Indiana, lies southeast of Lake Michigan on the White River - almost exactly in the centre of Indiana, on a site selected by ten government commissioners in 1820 for the new capital of the state. Indianapolis is now a university town (Indiana State University/Purdue University and University of Indianapolis) and an important commercial center. The agricultural products of the fertile surrounding area - cattle and grain - are traded and processed in Indianapolis, and among its main industrial products are medicines (insulin products), automobile parts and electrical apparatus. The city's world fame, however, comes from the "Indianapolis 500", the car race held annually on the Sunday before Memorial Day on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This is the world's biggest single-day sporting event, drawing hundreds of thousands of motor sport fans.
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The United States' most celebrated car race, the legendary Indianapolis 500, is run on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 7 mi. north-west of downtown Indianapolis, which is used only for this one race. The circuit, a 2 1/2 mi. oval, was originally designed as an automobile test track, but the first 500 mi. race in 1911 was so successful that it became a regular fixture. In the course of time the track, which was originally paved with bricks (still used to mark the finishing line), was adapted to cope with ever-increasing speeds and the accommodation for spectators increased: there is now room for 250,000 in the stands and another 150,000 in the ground.
Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
When the track is not in use for practicing and training (one month before the race) visitors are taken round it in minibuses. The Speedway Hall of Fame Museum traces the history of the race and displays numerous old racing cars, including 30 winners of the 500.
Indianapolis Museum of Art
The Indianapolis Museum of Art lies to the north of the city center in a spacious park. The Museum is housed in four pavilions: the Krannert Pavilion, which is devoted to American art from pre-Columbian times to the present day (including Edward Hopper's "Hotel Lobby") and Asian art; the Hulman Pavilion (painting from Baroque to Neo-Impressionism and the Eiteljorg Gallery of African and South Pacific Art); the Clowes Pavilion (medieval and Renaissance art, 18th c. British painting, watercolors by Turner); and the Lilly Pavilion (British and American furniture and silver, German porcelain).
Indiana Medical History Museum
The Indiana Medical History Museum is located in Indianapolis. The museum is easily located on the former grounds of the Central State Hospital. The museum has diverse collection of items, primarily from the 19th and 20th Centuries. The museum has done an excellent job of displaying the items, usually in situ. The building that houses the museum, the old Pathology building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Eagle Creek Park and Nature Preserve
The Eagle Creek Park and Nature Preserve is located in Indianapolis and is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The park features 1400 acres of water and 3900 acres of dry land. The activities available in the park include sailing, windsurfing, and bird watching; hiking, swimming, fishing, biking and walking are popular as well. The Eagle Creek Park and Nature Preserve also features a restaurant and concession stand if you work up an appetite.
RCA Dome (closed)
The construction of the huge RCA Dome in 1984 signaled the beginning of a comprehensive redevelopment of the city center. This is the home of the local football team, the Indianapolis Colts. The flag-decked Pan American Plaza in the immediate neighborhood of the Hoosier Dome, the Convention Center and Union Station was laid out to commemorate the Pan American Games of 1987.The Dome was demolished in 2008.
Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a great place to take the family for an afternoon of educational fun. The museum is full of interesting, innovative, and interactive displays sure to please all visitors. Some of the displays include Dinosphere, All Aboard, What ifS?, infoZone, Passport to the World, Playscape, Story Adventure, ScienceWorks, BioTech Learning Center, and Carousel Wishes & Dreams.
Monument Circle
In Monument Circle, an oasis in the city center, is the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial, erected in 1902 to commemorate the dead of the Civil War. To the north of the Monument whole rows of houses were demolished to make room for the Mausoleum and Memorial Hall. Three blocks to the south have recently disappeared, replaced by the large Circle Center Mall.
Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory, housed within Garfield Park, houses a collection of tropical plants and floral displays. Originally a horse track, the Park was called Southern Park but was renamed in 1881, following the death of Hoosier native President James Garfield.
Indiana State Museum
In the former City Hall is the Indiana State Museum (natural history, art and history of Indiana).Displays include early Indiana and animals that inhabited the area. Freetown Village represents an actual community that existed on the west side of town.
Hook's American Drug Store Museum
The Hook's American Drug Store Museum is located in Indianapolis. The museum traces the history of the pharmacy from its original days to what we see today on practically every street corner.
Indiana University-Purdue University
Located on the bank of the White River, the Indiana Medical center is a premier research center. Other facilities include the Indianapolis Tennis Center and the Natatorium where U.S. Olympic swimming and diving trials take place.
Indy Island Aquatic Center
Indy Island is an indoor aquatic center. It offers a water playhouse with small slide, geysers and spray features, a large water slide, a lap lane available at select times and a spa for adults only.
James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium
Located on the Butler University campus, the observatory has the state's largest telescope.
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White River Gardens
White River Gardens has more than 3 acres of botanical gardens that contain plants, sculpture, water features, flowered pathways and a conservatory.
Map of Indianapolis Attractions
Map - Indianapolis
