Want to see your child blossom into the Einstein of the future? Bring them to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and see their talents grow. Visit rare exhibits, educational displays, and child-centric festivities and events at this unique museum. With an aim to foster better cognitive abilities and out-of-the-box thinking among young ones, this museum has laid out an elaborate array of exhibits for children to explore. Children will love the variety of exhibits held here: Barbie displays, ghost hotels, space planetariums, Egyptian lifestyle, exhibits on health, science and technology among other things. When hunger pangs strike, rush to the Food Court and grab a quick bite to eat. Visit the museum store and buy exotic memorabilia to take home with you. You can also host birthday parties and kids' events at this venue.
Newfields, home to the Indianapolis Museum of Art that was established in the year 1883 and has since grown to accommodate a staggering 50,000 pieces of art also boasts of sprawling grounds, a sprawling park, gardens and is one of the most iconic attractions. The museum, which is the highlight, has a collection on par with those of some of the world's most renowned art institutions. The museum itself underwent renovations that increased its gallery space and improved both access and amenities.
Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, is one of the finest facilities in the league. The stadium's distinctive look and feel recall an Indianapolis of old, though its interior boasts every modern amenity a spectator or player could require. Additionally, its central location makes it easy to take in a game and then saunter over to any number of downtown hot spots for even more fun.
If you are a fan of auto racing, be sure to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. For a couple bucks, they will give you a bus ride around the most hallowed racetrack in the world; home of the Indy 500. The museum itself is stocked with generation after generation of retired Indy cars. Lots of other memorabilia is on display, and the gift shop is full of exciting checkered-flag-emblazoned gear for the whole family.
The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is a solemn structure built to immortalize the soldiers who fought in World War I. The memorial was originally conceived in 1919, with the hopes of luring the American Legion to make their headquarters there. Despite the cornerstone having been laid, some parts of the memorial plaza were not completed until 1960. The centerpiece of the plaza is the memorial building itself, standing at a height of 210 feet (64 meters). This building draws inspiration from the ancient Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, residing in present-day Turkey. Ornamented on all sides by pleasant bushes, rolling lawns, stunning statues, and a fountain, the memorial is home to a museum, auditorium and the Shrine Room. Proclaimed a National Historic Landmark, the Indiana World War Memorial is a stirring locus of American history and a deep sense of architectural excellence.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the world's first ever racing track to earn the epithet of a 'Speedway'. Boasting a capacity of 400,000 spectators, this track can be aptly described as the holy grail for motorsports aficionados across the globe. Since its construction in 1909, Indianapolis Motor Speedway has hosted several prestigious racing events but the revered Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 have always been its major crowd pullers. The on-site Hall of Fame Museum houses NASCAR and racing memorabilia and artifacts. At any given time at least 75 vehicles are on display for the public.
Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is located beneath the State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. The museum documents the local history of Indiana, particularly the effects of the American civil war on the people of the city. Though the museum seems to be small at first glance, it houses an extensive collection of artifacts from that time period. The museum also allows visitors to participate in video re-enactments leading to immersive civil war experiences. There is also a gift shop on-site and donations are accepted.
Nestled in the heart of Monument Circle in Cleveland, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was built in honor of the veterans of the American Revolution, Mexican-American War, Civil War, and the Spanish-American War. Built between 1888 and 1901, this beautiful monument stands 284 feet (87 meters) tall and is the largest structure of its kind in the state of Indiana. Besides the towering obelisk, the memorial also possesses an admirable collection of sculptures such as the 'War and Peace', 'Dying Soldier' and the 'Return Home' statues which convey so much more than just sentiment. The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is housed in the monument's basement.
The Hilbert Circle Theatre opened in 1916 and is one of America's earliest movie palaces. Following renovations in 1984, it became the home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. It hosts the best of concerts, plays and other cultural events, and it can be rented for meetings, seminars and other private functions. There are also tours available for those interested in the historic architecture.
A visit to downtown Indianapolis is incomplete without a stroll down the Monument Circle. This historic landmark encloses the famous Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, which pays homage to the heroes of the American Revolution. This site is also home to a wide range of cultural and local events held by the city. Attend the Marsh Cookout on the Circle, where you can expect good food for a good cause. Call the Visitors Bureau for more details on current and upcoming events.
The third-largest city in the Midwest, Indianapolis instantly strikes a chord with car-racing enthusiasts around the country, owing to the collective roar of the Indy 500, a race festival that takes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by storm each summer. Founded in the early 19th Century, on lands previously populated by the Miami and Lenape tribes, the city was designed as a one square mile expanse intended to house the state's government offices. This planned city, also known as the 'Crossroads of America' for its incredible connectivity to state and national highways, is home to historic landmarks like the Indiana State Capitol, the Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument and the Indiana War Memorial. The world's biggest Scottish Rite Cathedral, exuberant in Gothic Revival architecture is located here as well. Its cultural districts are peppered with a host of bars, cafes and restaurants that feed the city's burgeoning culinary scene.