Location: Indianapolis
Top Things to do in Indianapolis
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Top 10 Free Things to do in Indianapolis, Indiana (IN)
High-speed, history and good old Hoosier hospitality are a few reasons to put Indianapolis on your list of great getaways. Sports is another. From the legendary Indianapolis 500 to the Pacers and the Colts, the city offers ample opportunities to view professional and amateur sporting events, take part in athletic events and visit sports museums. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall Of Fame Museum you can tour the famous track (try to reserve tickets if there is a race in town) or visit the museum dedicated to automobiles and auto racing. Other sporty museums include the NCAA Hall of Champions. To get in on some of the action, head to SportZone which features six acres of indoor athletic facilities the whole family will enjoy. Those less interested in sports, or with kids in tow, can still find tons to do in and around the city. History, art and other cultural attractions abound. Visit the Children's Museum or checkout the zoo. Stroll along cobblestone streets past 19th-century buildings in the Lockerbie Square District or visit any number of historic landmarks. Known as the "Crossroads of America," more interstate highways bisect Indianapolis than any other city in the country, making it an exciting and easily accessible destination.
Restaurants in Indianapolis
1. Saint John Evangelist Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By JandK444 - Lyons, United States
The four of us attended Sunday Mass here on October 1 at 10 a.m. A beautiful church and a wonderful worship experience. Organ and choir were inspirational as was the sermon by a guest priest. A surprise was a bptism in the Mass. Would love to worship here again sometime in the future when we visit Indy.
2. Crown Hill Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 285 reviews
Crown Hill is the nation's 3rd largest non-gov’t. cemetery w/555 acres of beautiful rolling hills. Thousands visit this urban oasis to enjoy its peaceful beauty; study architecture, sculptures & trees; exercise, picnic, view wildlife (incl. white-tailed deer) & study the history & heritage of the 215,000+ people buried there. A must-see is the top of "The Crown," the highest hill in the county with a 360-degree view of the Indy skyline. Crown Hill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Notables incl. Pres. Ben. Harrison, poet James Whitcomb Riley, Col. Eli Lilly, three U.S. VPs, & numerous others, incl. the infamous bank robber John Dillinger. Crown Hill's popular guided tours were twice named "The Best Walking Tour" by Indianapolis Monthly mag., featured as one of Midwest Living magazine's "Terrific Tours," and listed as one of "5 Things to Do in Indy Before You Die" by Indy Star. Visitors can attend one of many guided Public Tours or schedule their own Private Tour.
Reviewed By sheilastranc
Several famous people are buried here. There is a beautiful hill that overlooks the city. Pres. B. Harrison's modest burial site is located near the hill. It's a very pleasant place.
3. Christ Church Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
On the National Register of Historic Places, this beautiful 1857 church is known for its Tiffany stained glass windows. It is the home church and ceremonial seat of the Bishop of Indianapolis, who oversees 51 congregations in central and southern Indiana.
4. Hook's American Drugstore Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
This museum, which explores the 400-year history of the American drugstore, is set to re-open in 2002.
5. Indiana War Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 648 reviews
A tribute to Indiana war veterans, from World War I to the Vietnam War.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Perhaps no city outside Washington DC does more to honor our nation's veterans than Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza, originally built in 1924 to honor the veterans of World War I, is a plaza that covers five city blocks that includes the Indiana World War Memorial, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Cenotaph Square, Veterans Memorial Plaza, Depew Memorial Fountain, University Park, American Legion Mall and a don't-miss military museum. Located at 51 East Michigan Street, bounded by St. Clair, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Meridian Streets, the centerpiece of the plaza is the Indiana World War Memorial, which is modeled after the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and contains "the Altar of the Flag" in the Shrine Room. The memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994. The War Memorial, whose cornerstone was laid in 1927 by General John Pershing, is 210 feet tall or 75 feet taller than the original Mausoleum. Made of unrelieved ashlar Indiana limestone with six Ionic columns on each side, it is one of the most imposing neoclassical structures in the country. There are several sculptures. Most notable of all is Henry Hering's colossal male nude bronze Pro Patria, which is 24 feet high and weighs seven tons, the largest cast bronze sculpture in the United States. Also impressive is the 100-foot-tall black granite obelisk in the Veterans Memorial Plaza. Be sure to visit the Indiana World War Memorial Military Museum, which honors Hoosier soldiers in a timeline from the American Revolutionary War to modern conflicts. World War I and World War II are featured most prominently. Among the exhibits are a replica of the radio room of the USS Indianapolis, which was sunk after delivering the first atomic bomb to Tinian in WW II, a Cobra helicopter, the USS Indiana's commission plate, 300 Civil War flags, firearms of all types and a replica of Indiana's Liberty Bell. Lots of history, lots of memories, lots of time for sober reflection.
6. Medal of Honor Memorial
7. Soldiers & Sailors Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
A monument built in 1902 as a tribute to the Indiana soldiers who served in the Civil War.
Reviewed By lemonshakeup1
Dedicated to war heroes. Beautiful piece of Indiana history. From the basement (which I am sure was part of the underground railroad), to the Victory at the top. Look for soldiers bricks, have lunch on the steps, climb the zillion stairs to the top. Learn why the circle city, cross roads of America are all names for Indianapolis. Even at Christmas when it becomes a beautiful giant winter wonderland. Great for all ages.
8. White River State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 466 reviews
White River State Park is an extraordinary park in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, offering 250 acres of vibrant green spaces, waterways, trails, and attractions. The park boasts world-class attractions and destinations that offer distinctive experiences for every visitor. Enhancing the health and well-being of visitors is the mission of WRSP by providing cultural, entertainment, and recreational benefits to millions of Indiana citizens and visitors from all over the world.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
White River State Park is a 250-acre urban park located on the western edge of downtown Indianapolis that features many attractions, including the Indiana Central Canal and cultural, educational and recreational points of interest that make the park a go-to destination for one and all. Located at 801 West Washington Street, it also is a luscious piece of green space, trails, trees and waterways that provide locals and visitors with an opportunity to take a leisurely stroll through the park. Along the way, you can visit the Historic Pumphouse that opened in 1870, the Indianapolis Zoo, White River Gardens, the NCAA's Hall of Champions, the Indiana State Museum, the IMAX 3D Theatre, the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial, the Historic Washington Street Pedestrian Bridge that opened as part of the National Road in 1916, Military Park, the Indiana Historical Society, the Indiana State Capitol building, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Victory Field and the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, named one of the top 100 outdoor concert venues in the world. Over 3.5 million people visit the park annually. For trivia buffs, it is noted that one of the proposed focal points of the park, the Indiana Tower, was never constructed.
9. Central Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,130 reviews
Reviewed By 62milesl - Manitowoc, United States
Beautiful walk in the heart of downtown. Must stop to view the memorial for the UDS Indianapolis along the way.
10. Flat12 Bierwerks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Attached to the Flat12 production facility, our downtown Indy tap room is a popular place for people to enjoy pints and flights of limited releases, seasonal or their favorite Flat12 core beer. Carryout is always available on fresh-as-it-gets draft and packaged product (including Sunday!) The taproom offers the cozy, relaxed atmosphere of a rustic lounge with an outdoor biergarten, fire pit and seating area. From comedy shows, live music, seasonal parties, community meet-ups, specialty tappings, and brewery tours, there is always something going on at this Indy brewery. Flat12 is also the home of Hoagies & Hops— a sandwich shop featuring authentic Philly hoagies and cheesesteaks, with creative spins on Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Dutch specialties. Visit the all ages dining room for a pint and a bite!
