Things to Do in the Circle City, Indianapolis

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Advisor - Bijoy Shah
Curated By

Bijoy Shah

  • USA

  • Arts & Culture

  • City Travel

  • Domestic Travel

  • Food & Wine

  • History

View of buildings and skyscrapers in downtown Indianapolis with a cloudy, grey sky
Curator’s statement

Often a flyover city, forgotten in tourism (except in May), Indianapolis is full of treasures and comfort. The last decade has seen the city grow from culture to cuisine, making it somewhat unrecognizable to travelers who haven't been there in years. As national travel is gearing up, Indianapolis, Indiana is an excellent choice for an off-the-beaten-path getaway.

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Where to stay in Indianapolis, Indiana

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Things to do in Indianapolis, Indiana

View of city street in Indianapolis at sunset with bright red and orange sky

Explore Mass Ave

This bustling cultural district on the northeast side of downtown along Mass Ave is dotted with great restaurants, pubs, shops and theaters. Mass Ave has many culinary indulgences, too – from the cozy Coat Check Coffee to the sprawling, bustling Garage Food Hall!

Visit the Iconic Speedway

TheIndianapolis Motor Speedway is a legendary auto racing circuit home to the Indy 500, Verizon 200 and the US Grand Prix. It's been an exciting piece of Indianapolis since 1909. If you're a golfer, you can play the course with four holes inside the track and 14 holes adjacent to it. In addition, BMW recently added an M Driving Experience to the way, so you can get a unique experience. 

White River State Park 

This 250-acre park sits right in the middle of a number of other Indy attractions making it a perfect place to lounge between some other sites.

NCAA Hall of Champions

The interactive NCAA Museum adjacent to White River State Park is home to the NCAA headquarters. 

Eiteljorg Museum

The Eiteljorg is one of Indy's most unique museums with an incredible Western and Native American art collection. It's a great, unique stop with a beautiful space and one of the most peaceful terrace cafes.

Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library

The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library honor the Indianapolis native in a fun, interactive exhibit. 

Crown Hill Cemetery

This is one of the most haunted places in the country and offers the best view of Indianapolis all in one place!

Eat & drink in Indianapolis, Indiana

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Milktooth: The city's hottest brunch spot, this location offers incredible culinary delights highlighting local ingredients, classic touches and innovative style. 

Beholder: From the minds of Milktooth, this dinner spot is the perfect blend of Midwest classics and elevated dining. Like nothing else in the city, Beholder is heaven for foodies looking for the approachable, the wild and/or the mind-boggling. 

Maialina: A truly classic Italian place in the heart of the hip Fountain Square neighborhood. Excellent Italian staples with great service and a lovely bar.

Chatham Tap: This British-style pub has locations across the city, but the Mass Ave original is the best one, with a great selection of beer and the best wings in the city. 

Exchange Whiskey Bar: For the whiskey lover in your life, check out this Mass Ave bar with over 450 whiskies to sample. The bar staff also makes excellent cocktails. 

Alley Cat: This Indy institution is one of the Midwest's most iconic dive bars. 

The Saint Shack: An incredible downtown bar with a menu of frozen cocktails and gourmet hot dogs that are out of this world

The White Rabbit Cabaret: This is the spot for those looking for a night out on the town. With a charming elegance, you can watch musical acts, comedy, burlesque and so much more all in this one place.

Advisor - Bijoy Shah

Travel Advisor

Bijoy Shah

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