Guide to Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Indianapolis, known as the ‘Circle City’ and ‘Crossroads of America’, was created around 1821 in marshland, and has grown to become the state capital. Several industries such as farming and motor engineering initially grew, although were affected by Indianapolis being one of the biggest cities in the world not accessible by water. Consequently, service industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and paper have taken over as the main industries.

Top reasons to visit Indianapolis

Indianapolis is a famed centre for sports, including motor racing (the Indianapolis/Indy 500)

Indianapolis has also developed as tourist, cultural and arts centre in recent years to dispel the myth that it was only worth visiting for the motor racing.

Main areas of Indianapolis

Accommodation can double in price during the racing months of May, August and September.

Indianapolis International Airport

seven miles southwest of Indianapolis in Marion Countty

Downtown Indianapolis

Home to the Circle Centre, a shopping and entertainment complex, along with Indianapolis Arts Garden and Monument Circle.

Wholesale District

one of six designated cultural districts

Massachusetts Avenue

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Top Attractions in Indianapolis

• Monument Circle - Soldiers and Sailors Monument
• Indianapolis Artsgarden
• Lockerbie Square Historic District
• White River State Park
• Indianapolis Zoo
• Dallara Indycar Factory
• Indianapolis Cultural Trail
• White River State Park

Shopping in Indianapolis

Circle Centre in Downtown Indianapolis is the main shopping centre.

Must try: Ice Cream - Broad Ripple Ice Cream (BRICs)

Eating in Indianapolis

For local specialities such as grits, biscuits,gravy hickory smoked bacon and fried pork chops, try Country Kitchen Soul Food Place.

Recommended restaurants include - Le Peep Restaurant, Cafe Patachou, Three Sisters Cafe, Weber Grill Restaurant, Shapiro’s Deli, Bazbeaux Downtown, St Elmo Steakhouse, Rathskeller, Slippery Noodle Inn, The Tamale Place and Adobo Grill.

Nightlife and Entertainment in Indianapolis

• Coffee - Calvin Fletcher Coffee, Monon Coffee Company, Good Morning Mama’s Cafe
• Bars - Rock Lobster, Lockerbie Pub, Therapy, Pawn Shop Pub, Champps, Living Room Lounge, McQ’s Pub and Eatery, Checkered Flag Tavern, tini, Twenty Tap, Metro, The Sinking Ship, Plump’s Last Shot, The Pickled Pedaler, Coaches Tavern, Thirsty Scholar, Whistle Stop, Mucky Duck Pub
• Craft Beers/Brewery - Taps and Dolls, Chilly Water Brewing Company, Triton Tap
• Clubs - Bartini’s
• Live Music - Melody Inn, Chatterbox Jazz Club, The Vogue
• Arts - Indianapolis Artsgarden, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis Children’s Museum, Indiana State Museum and IMAX Theatre
• Museums - Indiana State Museum, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

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