Indianapolis City Guide

Welcome to Indianapolis! Plan a trip using HGTV's recommendations on where to stay, where to eat and what to do in Indy.

June 14, 2022

By: Lynn Coulter

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Explore the Best of Indy

Indiana's capital city is known for its famous speedway, but there's so much more: family attractions, great breweries and restaurants, historic areas, war memorials, lively neighborhoods, outdoor adventures, shops, sports and music. If R&R is your style, you'll find that in Indianapolis, too. Beautiful White River State Park, shown here, is a great place to relax or play.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Biking is big in Indy, and lots of bike-share stations encourage you to hop on and go. Take the Cultural Trail, an 8-mile path (soon to be expanded) that takes bikers and pedestrians through five cultural districts. Each is packed with things to see and do and features public artwork. There's no official end or beginning to the trail, but you can find a map here.

Learn More: Top Family Things to Do in Indianapolis

White River State Park

White River State Park covers 25 acres of downtown Indianapolis with hiking and biking trails, waterways, a cultural trail and other attractions. It's also home to Victory Field, where the Indianapolis Indians play baseball, as well as the Indianapolis Zoo, museums, an IMAX theater, an amphitheater and the NCAA Hall of Champions. (Read on for more info on these attractions.) Visitors and locals come for live, world-class concerts, plays, fairs and festivals. See the website calendar for scheduled events.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Up to 400,000 fans can cheer on the racers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the Indy 500, the NASCAR Cup series and other races are held. Opened in 1909, this circuit was once home to the United States Grand Prix. Add a personalized brick to one of four brickyards to commemorate a loved one, a special occasion or your visit (the track was once paved with bricks). While you're there, check out the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and the Brickyard Crossing, a golf resort. Both are on the grounds of the speedway.

Indianapolis Zoo

Lions and tigers and Alaskan brown bears. Oh, my. See hundreds of animals, birds and marine creatures at the Indianapolis Zoo. You can feed a flamingo, "chat" with an elephant or step into the water to see dolphins up close. Take a spin on an endangered species carousel or rocket around on a roller coaster. This world-class zoo, which is also accredited as an aquarium and botanical garden, welcomes over a million visitors each year. It also plays an important role in worldwide conservation and research.

Circle Centre Mall

The Indianapolis Artsgarden in Circle Centre Mall hosts more than 300 free lunchtime concerts and exhibits throughout the year. You'll also find a variety of visual arts collections in this seven-story tall structure with a glass dome. The dome connects Washington and Illinois streets in downtown Indianapolis and serves as a pedestrian walkway to Circle Centre Mall and other buildings. This indoor mall offers more than 60 retail stores along with sit-down restaurants, fast foods and a movie theater.

Newfields: A Place for Nature and the Arts

Formerly known as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Newfields is a don't-miss destination for art and nature lovers, with a collection of more than 500,000 artworks and beautifully landscaped grounds. National and international exhibits rotate during the year. If you visit in the spring, take a selfie near the hundreds of flowers blooming or see how Indianapolis's most prominent families lived at the Lilly House and the Miller House and Garden, located on the Newfields campus.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse

The Gainbridge Fieldhouse, once known as the Conseco Fieldhouse and then the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, is the home court for the Indiana Pacers, the state's pro basketball team. A $360-million renovation is underway, so check the website for anything that might affect your visit. Completed in 1999, the fieldhouse is adding a new outdoor plaza, more indoor gathering spaces and other upgrades.

Vogue

Located in Indy's Broad Ripple neighborhood, Vogue is one of the most popular nightclubs in town, featuring DJs who spin Top 40, dance and '80s music. This former movie theater packs in the crowds for big dance parties and hosts nationally touring artists. It's considered the top live music destination in the city. You must be at least 21 years old to enter.

Hinkle Fieldhouse

The Butler University basketball and volleyball teams play their home games at the Hinkle Fieldhouse, located on the school's campus. This sports landmark was used in "Hoosiers," the 1986 feature film starring Gene Hackman about the Milan High School basketball team, who won a state championship with an incredible, last-second shot. The Fieldhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

Indiana War Memorial Plaza

Only Washington, DC, has more monuments commemorating veterans and military conflicts than Indy (based on numbers per acre). The Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District honors Hoosier veterans of Korea, Vietnam, World War II, sailors who perished in the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and others. Check the website for information on current tours and events. This downtown district includes two museums, three parks and 25 acres of statues, monuments, sculptures and fountains.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Kids and adults can explore five floors and 7.5 acres of indoor and outdoor fun at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, one of the largest children's museums in the world. From March to November, you can shoot hoops, climb a 25-foot tall "tree," kick field goals, walk the Avenue of Champions and try your hand at other outside activities. Just a few of the indoor experiences, which are offered year-round, include carousel rides, live plays, an immersive world of dinosaurs and a hunt for ocean treasures.

NCAA Hall of Champions

Indianapolis, home to the National Collegiate Atheltic Association (NCAA), is big on college sports. Its NCAA Hall of Champions has two levels of interactive exhibits for visitors to explore and features all 24 NCAA sports teams, including their rankings and video highlights from their games. Shoot hoops in the 1930s-style gym, ski down a virtual slope or kick soccer balls in a simulator. Call ahead for info on group tours or check the website for special events.

Lucas Oil Stadium

Home to the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, the Lucas Oil Stadium seats more than 67,000 fans and boasts a retractable roof. It also has one of the largest videoboards in the NFL. This multipurpose facility is scheduled to host the 2024 Olympic team swimming trials and is an ongoing host for Final Four Tournaments. Due to renovations, stadium tours had been canceled, but they're expected to resume in the fall of 2022. Start checking the website for details in the summer.

Canal Walk

Jog along the Canal Walk, part of a central canal created to move interstate commerce in the early 1800s. The three-mile loop is a popular urban destination for fitness enthusiasts as well as pedestrians who like a slow, relaxing pace. Rent a pedal boat from a vendor near the Indiana State Museum, go biking or glide around in a gondola on this downtown waterfront.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Named for its founder, Indiana philanthropist Harrison Eiteljorg, the Eiteljorg Museum calls itself "more than a museum." Here, you'll find the stories, art, history and cultures of the American West and native North American peoples. Collections include works by Georgia O'Keefe, Frederic Remington, Andy Warhol and Kay Walking Stick. Exhibits and events change regularly. Visit the website to confirm days and hours before you go, since the second floor, which houses Native American galleries, is undergoing renovation in 2022.

Conrad Indianapolis

Looking for a luxury hotel when visiting Indianapolis? Try the Conrad Indianapolis Downtown, voted one of Condé Nast Traveler’s picks for top US hotels. The hotel offers fine dining, a luxurious spa with a steam room and sauna, an indoor pool and a fantastic location in the heart of the city. A skyway connects the hotel to Centre Circle Mall and the Indiana Convention Center.

St. Elmo Steak House

A landmark in downtown Indianapolis since 1902, St. Elmo Steak House is known for its excellent steaks, chops and seafood. Don't miss the famous St.Elmo shrimp cocktail, served with the restarurant's spicy signature sauce. For dessert, try the New York-style housemade cheesecake topped with raspberry puree. St. Elmo, one of the oldest restaurants in Indiana, is still in its original location. Forbes called it one of the "10 Great Classic Restaurants Well Worth Visiting."

The Madam Walker Legacy Center

Sarah Breedlove, born in 1867, was the daughter of former slaves. After creating a line of hair care products and making savvy investments, she became America's first Black female millionaire and its first self-made female millionaire. After her marriage, she was known as Madame C.J. Walker. Today The Madam Walker Legacy Center works to provide cultural education, support social justice and encourage a new generation of civic leaders and entrepreneurs. Visit the website for a calendar of performances and other events.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument stands 284 feet tall; that's 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Libery. Located in the center of Indy, it honors Hoosiers who served in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Frontier Wars, the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. Climb 330 steps to the monument's observation deck at no charge or pay a small fee for an elevator ride. The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is in the monument's basement.

International Marketplace

Indianapolis' International Marketplace says it's "shrinking the globe and creating a village" by offering diverse places to eat, shop and gather. Developed by a coalition of citizens, businesses and community leaders, this non-profit venue covers 2.5 acres on the northwest side of the city. Come to taste the cuisine of Yemen, Dubai or Peru, have an African seamstress make a dress for you or attend a festival celebrating the culture, music, arts and food of the Caribbean or Asian American Pacific Islanders. See the website for a map and calendar.

Bar One Fourteen

Esquire called this cocktail bar "one of the best bars in the US." Sit back and listen to tunes from the high-end speakers, vintage turntable or vintage reel-to-reel tape player as you sip a classic Manhattan, a premium sake or wine. Adventurous sorts can order exotic drinks like the Tomorokoshi Hata "Corn Field" made with Oaxacan rum, coconut liquor, curry corn stock and other flavors. Hungry? Bar One Fourteen serves peel and eat shrimp, housemade sourdough and other delights.

Bottleworks District

One of the city's newest multi-use neighborhoods, the Bottleworks District is home to restaurants, shops, an eight-screen theater, bars, a day spa, office space and more. Too much to see and do? Book a stay at the boutique Bottleworks Hotel, located on the site of the former Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Indianapolis. Make time to play a few games at Pins Mechanical where you can choose from pinball, duckpins, foosball, ping pong or bocce while you enjoy your favorite beverage. When you've worked up an appetite, look for the contemporary, industrial-style Garage Food Hall in this district.

Bluebeard

A bar and restaurant in the city's Fletcher Place/Holy Rosary neighborhood, Bluebeard has won awards for its farm-to-table foods, wines and creative cocktails. Breads are baked daily at the in-house bakery and everything on the menu is made from scratch with seasonal ingredients. This James Beard semifinalist doesn't take reservations, but it does host regular events like patio parties, wine tastings and private dinners.

Victory Field

Victory Field is home to the Indianapolis Indians, a minor-league affiliate, or farm club, for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Located in downtown Indianapolis, it also hosts high school and college baseball games during the year, along with fun events for families. Fans like sportscaster Bob Costas have called the field one of the best minor-league ballparks ever built, and it was named the best minor league ballpark in America by Baseball America and Sports Illustrated.

Café Patachou

Café Patachou, founded by a six-time James Beard Foundation semi-finalist, has won awards for its world-class breakfasts and lunches. This "student union for adults'" prides itself on using locally grown and often organic products. Bon Appetit has called it one of the "Top Ten Places for Breakfast in the Country." Order omelets, waffles, Acai smoothies, coconut curry chicken and rice, tomato artichoke soup and other delicious dishes from the all-day breakfast or all-day lunch menus.

Fowling Warehouse

"Fowling" is a game invented by tailgaters at a 2001 Indy 500 race. This two-team sport combines bowling and football. To win, one team has to toss a regulation-size football to knock down all of the other team's 10 bowling pins, arranged like traditional bowling pins. The Fowling Warehouse is also a lively bar. You can bring your own food or have it delivered, but sorry — no outside beverages.

North Mass Boulder

The country's largest bouldering facility, North Mass Boulder has everything fitness fanatics need: a yoga studio, climbing terrain, a climbing training area, weights, cross-training and cardio equipment and more. There's even a climbing and lounging area just for families and kids. Take a class, drop in for a workout or make a reservation in advance. Signed waivers are required, as you'd expect.

SoChatti

Indulge in dairy-free chocolates sourced from around the world at Indy's SoChatti. Come for a walk-in tasting, schedule a bag-to-bean class to learn how to make chocolate or book an event. These artisanal chocolates are sold in to-go packs, pouches and tasting sets. Buy a special, low-power warmer and you can melt your favorite to the right temperature for drizzling over fruits, desserts and other foods or for mixing into drinks.

Indianapolis City Guide

Shop This Look

Explore the Best of Indy

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

White River State Park

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Zoo

Circle Centre Mall

Newfields: A Place for Nature and the Arts

Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Vogue

Hinkle Fieldhouse

Indiana War Memorial Plaza

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

NCAA Hall of Champions

Lucas Oil Stadium

Canal Walk

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Conrad Indianapolis

St. Elmo Steak House

The Madam Walker Legacy Center

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

International Marketplace

Bar One Fourteen

Bottleworks District

Bluebeard

Victory Field

Café Patachou

Fowling Warehouse

North Mass Boulder

SoChatti

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