Things to do in Indianapolis
- The city was designed by Alexander Ralston, who served as an assistant to Pierre L'Enfant during the original planning of Washington, D.C.
- Indianapolis contains the second-largest collection of war monuments in the United States, surpassed only by Washington, D.C.
- The city's street grid features a unique circular downtown plaza designed to draw eyes toward the central monument.
- Indiana's state capitol building was constructed using locally quarried limestone, a material that defined much of the state's 19th-century architecture.
- The city is home to the world's largest children's museum by square footage.
About Indianapolis
Indianapolis serves as the crossroads of America, strategically positioned as a central transportation hub in the Midwest. The city is globally recognized for its deep-rooted connection to automotive racing, centered around the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Beyond the track, the downtown core features a high concentration of monuments, such as the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, which anchors the city's unique axial street plan. Families and cultural enthusiasts frequent major hubs like The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and Newfields to explore extensive art and science programming.
Highlights of Indianapolis
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
This facility holds the title for the largest children's museum globally, featuring five levels of interactive exhibits.
Historical places
Visitors can ascend this 284-foot limestone monument for a panoramic view of the downtown grid.
Museums
The collection showcases the evolution of racing technology and the history of the Indianapolis 500.
Parks
This urban green space houses the city's canal walk and serves as a trailhead for the Central Canal Towpath.
Venues
This minor league baseball park is known for its sightlines overlooking the downtown skyline.
Museums
This site serves as a memorial to veterans and features a substantial collection of military artifacts.
Museums
This expansive site hosts both a comprehensive art museum and a hundred-acre forest with outdoor installations.
Zoos
The zoo features a unique orangutan center where animals can traverse the grounds on a high-line cable system.
Top things to do in Indianapolis
The 163 highest-rated places in Indianapolis, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
The Indianapolis Zoo is unique for being the only institution in the United States that is triple-accredited as a zoo, a...
2
Museums
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest children's museum, spanning 482,950 square feet across five...
3
Venues
Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose retractable roof facility located in downtown Indianapolis, serving as the primary...
4
Historical places
The Soldiers & Sailors Monument is a 284-foot-tall neoclassical limestone structure located at the center of Indianapoli...
5
Museums
Newfields is a 152-acre campus encompassing the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park,...
6
Venues
Victory Field is a premier Minor League Baseball park and home to the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of th...
7
Parks
Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States, encompassing over 3,900 acres of land and a...
8
Parks
White River State Park serves as Indianapolis' premier urban cultural district, spanning 250 acres of interconnected gre...
9
Parks
Fort Harrison State Park occupies 1,700 acres of former U.S. Army military base land in northeast Indianapolis. The park...
10
Museums
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is a National Historic Landmark located inside the grounds of the iconic Indianap...
11
Museums
The Indiana State Museum is a three-story institution housed in a modern building constructed primarily from Indiana lim...
12
Parks
Holliday Park is a 94-acre municipal park in Indianapolis containing three massive, salvaged limestone statues from the...
13
Museums
The Indiana War Memorial & Museum is a 210-foot tall neoclassical structure dedicated to honoring Indiana's military ser...
14
Parks
Garfield Park is the oldest city-operated park in Indianapolis, established in 1873. The 128-acre grounds contain the Su...
15
Parks
Hummel Park is a 205-acre recreational facility in Plainfield, Indiana, distinguished by its extensive trail system and...
16
Parks
The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, commonly known as 100 Acres, is a distinctive outdoor campus blending conte...
17
Venues
Clowes Memorial Hall is a primary performing arts venue located on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis. Desi...
18
Parks
Southeastway Park spans 188 acres on the southeast side of Indianapolis, serving as a hub for nature-based recreation an...
19
Historical places
Military Park is one of Indianapolis's oldest public spaces, established in 1822 and originally designated for military...
20
Parks
Broad Ripple Park sits on a 62-acre site along the banks of the White River in Indianapolis. The park features a large o...
21
Parks
Ellenberger Park is a 42-acre public space located in the historic Irvington neighborhood of Indianapolis. It is distinc...
22
Parks
White River Gardens is a 3.3-acre botanical attraction integrated into the Indianapolis Zoo campus. It features a 5,000-...
23
Parks
Washington Township Park is a multi-use recreational area spanning over 160 acres in Avon, Indiana. It features a unique...
24
Historical places
The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) serves as the primary repository for the state's documentary heritage, housed withi...
25
Amusement parks
Greatimes Family Fun Park is an Indianapolis-based entertainment complex featuring both indoor and outdoor attractions....
26
Venues
The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is a professional LORT (League of Resident Theatres) member institution housed withi...
27
Amusement parks
Sky Zone Indianapolis South is an indoor active entertainment facility centered on wall-to-wall interconnected trampolin...
28
Museums
Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens is a National Historic Landmark estate located on the campus of Newfields. The property...
29
Parks
Meadowood Park is a community recreation space managed by the Town of Speedway, Indiana. The park features a distinct pa...
30
Parks
Craig Park is a 27-acre municipal recreational area located in Greenwood, Indiana, featuring extensive walking paths and...
Around Indianapolis
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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Indianapolis on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Indianapolis
May to October, as the mild weather aligns with major racing events and extensive outdoor programming at White River State Park.
3 days, allowing enough time to explore downtown museums, the canal area, and the various sports venues.
The downtown area is highly walkable and connected by a dedicated greenway system, though a car is typically required to reach outlying attractions.
Stay in the Mile Square district to remain within walking distance of central monuments and entertainment, or look to the Fountain Square neighborhood for a local arts-focused atmosphere.
Mid-range; lodging and dining prices are generally lower than in major coastal metropolitan areas.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 163 curated attractions in and around Indianapolis, ranked by traveller ratings.
Indianapolis Zoo is the highest-rated place to visit in Indianapolis right now.
The largest category is parks, with 74 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Downtown Los Angeles, Bayonne, New Jersey, Washington, D.C..
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