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Top Things to Do in Indianapolis

Sports are a big deal in the capital city—consider the Indy 500, the Colts, the Pacers and the NCAA Hall of Champions, to name a few. But explore cultural destinations, too, including art, history and children's museums. Check out our guide for what to see, where to eat and where to stay in Indianapolis.

Do

Broad Ripple Village This diverse neighborhood has an array of cafes, art galleries, brewpubs and shops in cottages and pastel storefronts. discoverbroadripplevillage.com

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis The world’s largest children’s museum just added even more fun: a $38.5 million sports-theme addition with 15 experiences, including a mini Colts football field, Indy 500 pedal cars and mini golf courses. childrensmuseum.org

Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center  At the Indiana Experience, visitors investigate the state via interactive stage sets, a multimedia theater and touchscreens. The cabaret-style Cole Porter Room focuses on the Hoosier’s life and his music. indianahistory.org

Indianapolis Cultural Trail The 8-mile bike/pedestrian path links six cultural districts, each with its own personality. Ten public art installations, such as the Glick Peace Walk, make the trail even better. Rent wheels through Pacers Bikeshare. indyculturetrail.org

Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery Veteran Travis Barnes serves drinks named after the military phonetic alphabet (Victor Vodka, Romeo Rum) in a barnlike tasting room with exposed beams. hoteltangowhiskey.com

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Fans consider the 110-year-old home of the Indy 500 a pilgrimage site. On nonrace days, zip down the track in a car reaching up to 180 mph. The speedway’s museum displays race vehicles and organizes tours. indianapolismotorspeedway.com

Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields Two new exhibits (open through January 2020) anchor a year of programs inspired by Japan: A Brush With Beauty and Fashion Redefined: Miyake, Kawakubo and Yamamoto. discovernewfields.org

Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens Set aside a few hours to explore the five biomes. Book ahead for an Animal Art Adventure if you'd like to work with an animal to create a painting. indianapoliszoo.com

Indiana State Museum  Exhibits inspire a fresh appreciation for the state's natural and cultural history. Explore an Ice age-era cave or try loading a Conestoga wagon. indianamuseum.org

Massachusetts Avenue Alfresco dining options, comedy clubs, art galleries, theaters and a concert venue make it easy to plan dinner and a show. discovermassave.com

Massachusetts Avenue

Massachusetts Avenue

NCAA Hall of Champions Two levels of interactive exhibits let you test both your athletic abilities and your knowledge of all 24 NCAA sports. ncaahallofchampions.org

Soldiers and Sailors Monument The tallest Civil War monument in the nation soars 284 feet into the air in central Indianapolis. Take the elevator (or climb 331 steps) to the observation deck. nps.gov

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Sun King Brewery Tours of the  brewing facility downtown include samples of five beers and entertaining stories about the biggest player in Indy’s craft beer scene. sunkingbrewing.com

The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park: 100 Acres Modern works—like los Carpinteros' Free Basket—dot the former quarry’s woodlands and meadows along the west side of the Newfields art campus. discovernewfields.org

White River State Park Follow the path along the river as it flows past some of the city’s top attractions, including the zoo, Victory Field, the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteijorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and the NCAA Hall of Champions. Rent bikes and boats, or take a Segway tour to explore the 250-acre area. inwhiteriver.com

White River State Park

White River State Park. Photo: Courtesy of VisitIndy.com

Eat

Beholder Jonathan Brooks’ Milktooth is Indy’s holy grail of breakfast. At his sophomore restaurant, the chef’s inventiveness shines in dishes like grilled cucumber salad tossed in vinaigrette of the cuke’s charred skin. visitindy.com

Bluebeard The farm-to-table menu changes daily but might feature salmon with broccoli rabe or chicken with cashew-and-caper berry relish served in a renovated 1924 factory warehouse. bluebeardindy.com

Bru Burger Bar Order one of a dozen chef-inspired burger variations, including the namesake topped with taleggio cheese and onions. bruburgerbar.com

Cafe Patachou Local ingredients shine in the lineup of omelets, waffles and Broken Yolk Sandwiches (fried eggs with add-ons).    cafepatachou.com

The Cake Bake Shop French music and bejeweled light fixtures transport visitors to a Parisian bakery complete with macarons and cupcakes. thecakebakeshop.com

Harry and Izzy’s The younger, less-expensive sister of St. Elmo Steak House has an upscale atmosphere with rich wood interiors and items like a prime rib sandwich with horseradish sauce. harryandizzys.com

The Libertine Liquor Bar Prohibition-era cocktails stand out, along with gourmet small plates. Try the signature deviled eggs flavor trio or the bacon flight served with homemade sauces. libertineindy.com

Meridian Restaurant and Bar Candlelight brightens wood rafters above diners enjoying an eclectic mix of dishes, including wild boar and duck leg confit.  meridianonmeridian.com

Milktooth Breakfast is serious business here: no decaf coffee and no modifications allowed. We love the Dutch baby pancake topped with roasted apples, lemon caramel and whipped sour cream. milktoothindy.com

Public Greens The menu changes based on what’s growing in the adjacent garden at Indy’s first restaurant in which all profits help feed at-risk and food-insecure children. publicgreensurbankitchen.com

Public Greens

Public Greens

Rathskeller The menu at this grand old place is authentically German. A seasonal outdoor biergarten adds to the enjoyment. rathskeller.com 

Shapiro's Delicatessen The 100-year-old family-owned spot continues to churn out fist-thick corned beef, pastrami and brisket sandwiches. Try the key lime pie for dessert. shapiros.com

St. Elmo Steak House Filet mignon and spicy shrimp cocktail have stood the test of time at this special-occasion landmark. stelmos.com

Tinker Street Restaurant and Wine Bar Savor farm-to-table small plates of mushroom bruschetta or pork belly with kimchi in a brick building on the outskirts of downtown. tinkerstreetindy.com

Ukiyo Try sushi, homemade ramen and Japanese-inspired dishes, such as pork katsu with local Eli Creek Farms pork loin, in a small, contemporary space in South Broad Ripple. ukiyoindy.com

Vida A hydroponic wall of greens shows off the restaurant's commitment to fresh ingredients. The tasting menu lets you sample creatiosn such as foie gras and lobster terrine. vida-restaurant.com

Stay

The Alexander Works curated by the Indianapolis Museum of Art decorate the lobby of this 209-room boutique hotel. Relax with small dishes and craft cocktails at the hotel's Plat 99: Mixology Lounge. thealexander.com

Conrad Indianapolis All rooms feature plush bedding and marble in the bathrooms, but if you want to splurge, book one of four suites with original art by Picasso, Dalí and Warhol. conradindianapolis.com 

JW Marriott Indianapolis  Guests at this 33-story blue-glass behemoth enjoy easy access to downtown and the connection to the Indiana Convention Center. marriott.com

Le Méridien Indianapolis A $13 million renovation updated the 100-room 1928 hotel with a modern palette of black, white and gray. Kick back with a cocktail in the Spoke and Steele restaurant. lemeridienindianapolis.com

Omni Severin Hotel The attention to service starts at the entrance, where bellmen welcome guests by name and offer them a bottle of water. Crystal chandeliers and marble staircases in the public areas recall the hotel's 1913 elegance, but the 424 rooms are thoroughly updated. omnihotels.com

For information: Visit Indy visitindy.com

 

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