Travel Guides > Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Travel

The Midwestern town of Indianapolis, Indiana has certainly earned its reputation as one of the best sports towns in the country. After all, more people flock to the Indianapolis 500 each year than to nearly any other sporting event in America. The city is also home to a number of major league sports teams and even calls itself the "Amateur Sports Capital of the World."

So, a good place to begin a tour of the city is with the attractions of which its citizens are most proud. Home of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing", the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world's largest spectator facility and has been the proud home to the Indianapolis 500 since 1911. It also hosts NASCAR's Brickyard 400 and the United States Grand Prix Formula 1 race.

Amateur sports fanatics can visit the NCAA Hall of Champions and relive some of the greatest highlights in college sports history. Here the stories of some of America's best student athletes come to life at this museum which attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Just because Indianapolis is a sports town, however, it doesn't mean there are no arts or cultural attractions and activities here. Much like many large cities, visitors have an excellent choice of museums, concerts, theater, and other arts-related activities to enjoy in Indianapolis.

The Indiana State Museum, located in beautiful White River State Park, educates visitors as to the past, present, and future of the Hoosier State. Opened in 2002, in addition to interesting exhibits, you'll also find an IMAX Theater here.

Conner Prairie is an excellent living history museum, fun to explore for all members of the family. Find out what it was like to be a Native American at the turn of the 19th century or a pioneer making your way across America. Learn how to turn wood or throw pottery at one of the museum's many classes.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest museum of its kind in the world. At 400,000 square feet, this structure boasts 11 galleries that cover a myriad of topics that are of interest to children and their parents, including history, cultures, physical and natural sciences, the arts, and much more. There are lots of hands-on exhibits here that the kids will just love.

The performing arts are alive and well in Indianapolis also. Throughout the city, visitors will find many theater companies including Broadway in Indianapolis; a fine selection of dance troupes, both modern and classical; community and professional choruses and opera companies; and several instrumental ensembles including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis.