Top Rated Attractions in Indianapolis

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 locus of Indiana's civic know-hows, this majestic statehouse dates back as far as the year 1888. Bathed in exceptional architectural excellence, it houses the Indiana General Assembly, the Governor of Indiana and the state's Supreme Court. Enlisted on the National Register of Historic Places, the statehouse is ornamented with lush greenery and rolling lawns. Fronted by statues and sculptures of glorious countrymen, Indiana Statehouse bears stunning semblances of Neoclassical architecture. A time capsule containing government reports, a Bible, crop samples, coins, and books was placed in the cornerstone at the beginning of construction. Today, the statehouse is open to visitors and contains a collection of over 40 works of art spanning 130 years. Sheltering well-furnished chambers, an iridescent central dome, and a beautifully-lit hallway, the Indiana Statehouse is, indeed, the crowning glory of Indianapolis.

The University Park is a part of the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza Historic District. The park was established in 1876 and features a number of statues and sculptures, with a grand fountain in the center. The details of the architecture in the park will make you feel like you've transported yourself to some European city, with the park seeming especially beautiful just after sunset in the lovely glow of the warm street lights.

Author Kurt Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis, and this museum and library is dedicated to the late artist for his contributions in the field of arts and literature. The facility was opened to the public in the year 2011, and is located in the Emelie Building. It serves as a library, reading room, museum, art gallery and a cultural and educational resource facility, all-in- one. On display at the museum are paintings, pictures and books related to the author's life. Other interesting items on display are the author's Pall Mall cigarettes, droll drawings and rejection letters from various publishers. The library has been replicated like the office of the author, and is complete with checkerboard carpet, red rooster lamp and blue Coronamatic typewriter. Visitors are allowed to sit at the desk and type a message in memory of the late author.

The Indiana Historical Center is offering a unique way to explore the history of Indiana. There are the "You Are There" exhibits, where actors play historical figures that you can interact with to learn about a specific period. There's the "Destination Indiana" area, where innovative touch screens let you explore different areas of the state over time. There's even a whole room dedicated to Cole Porter, with an actor belting out some of his classics. With all of these interactive displays, a trip to the Historical Center is like a trip back in time.