Indianapolis Guidebook
Grocery
Whole Foods Market
320 E Market StWildwood Market
1015 Virginia AveSightseeing
One of the nicest and most popular zoo's in America! he Orangutan Center is a recent addition where you can play computer games with great apes!
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Zoológico de Indianápolis
1200 W Washington StOne of the nicest and most popular zoo's in America! he Orangutan Center is a recent addition where you can play computer games with great apes!
This adobe museum features Native American basketry, pots and masks, as well as a realistic/romantic Western painting collection with works by Frederic Remington, Georgia O'Keeffe and an absolutely eye-popping Grand Canyon series (Wilson Hurley's October Suite).
The museum validates the $8 parking free, so feel free to head into the underground garage.
131 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Museo Eiteljorg
500 W Washington StThis adobe museum features Native American basketry, pots and masks, as well as a realistic/romantic Western painting collection with works by Frederic Remington, Georgia O'Keeffe and an absolutely eye-popping Grand Canyon series (Wilson Hurley's October Suite).
The museum validates the $8 parking free, so feel free to head into the underground garage.
This questionably ambitious hidden green space lying off the Cultural Trail between Fletcher Place and Fountain Square might seem a tad strange, but you wouldn't be visiting Indiana if you weren't looking for Midwestern eccentricities. Landlocked between lanes of I-65/70, it features an accessible limestone trail leading to a viewing platform (complete with seats salvaged from old Bush Stadium in Indy) from where folks sit and ponder, watching the Crossroads of America fly by along the interstate. A rubberneckers dream!
Idle Park
800 Virginia AveThis questionably ambitious hidden green space lying off the Cultural Trail between Fletcher Place and Fountain Square might seem a tad strange, but you wouldn't be visiting Indiana if you weren't looking for Midwestern eccentricities. Landlocked between lanes of I-65/70, it features an accessible limestone trail leading to a viewing platform (complete with seats salvaged from old Bush Stadium in Indy) from where folks sit and ponder, watching the Crossroads of America fly by along the interstate. A rubberneckers dream!
The expansive park, located at downtown's edge, contains several worthwhile sights. The adobe Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art features an impressive collection of Native American works. Other park highlights include an atmospheric minor-league baseball stadium, a zoo, a 3-mile loop canal walk, gardens, Indiana State Museum and the NCAA Hall of Champions. The outdoor summer concert series (May to September) is also a fantastic day out (check website for details).
170 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Estatal White River
801 W Washington StThe expansive park, located at downtown's edge, contains several worthwhile sights. The adobe Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art features an impressive collection of Native American works. Other park highlights include an atmospheric minor-league baseball stadium, a zoo, a 3-mile loop canal walk, gardens, Indiana State Museum and the NCAA Hall of Champions. The outdoor summer concert series (May to September) is also a fantastic day out (check website for details).
Site-specific contemporary art abounds, along with a 35-acre lake and the largest native pollinator meadow in Indianapolis. Open from dawn to dusk every day and always free, Fairbanks Park is the perfect place to enjoy art and nature simultaneously.
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Parque de Arte y Naturaleza Virginia B. Fairbanks: 100 Acres en Newfields
1850 W 38th StSite-specific contemporary art abounds, along with a 35-acre lake and the largest native pollinator meadow in Indianapolis. Open from dawn to dusk every day and always free, Fairbanks Park is the perfect place to enjoy art and nature simultaneously.
City/town information
Indianapolis is simply a delight, from its compact and tourist-friendly downtown to its charming neighborhoods hiding an array of cool under-the-radar dive bars, hip restaurants, burgeoning distilleries and wineries, and lively music venues. Indy’s charms may not be fully apparent at first glance, but like any good travel destination, the more you explore, the more you fall in love.
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is simply a delight, from its compact and tourist-friendly downtown to its charming neighborhoods hiding an array of cool under-the-radar dive bars, hip restaurants, burgeoning distilleries and wineries, and lively music venues. Indy’s charms may not be fully apparent at first glance, but like any good travel destination, the more you explore, the more you fall in love.
Neighborhoods
The Fountain Square District is home to several standout bars, restaurants, and music venues as well as the historic Fountain Square Theatre Building, featuring the addictively fun Atomic Duckpin Bowling on its fourth floor in addition to a picturesque rooftop garden cocktail lounge overlooking the city.
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Fountain Square
The Fountain Square District is home to several standout bars, restaurants, and music venues as well as the historic Fountain Square Theatre Building, featuring the addictively fun Atomic Duckpin Bowling on its fourth floor in addition to a picturesque rooftop garden cocktail lounge overlooking the city.
Known affectionately as Mass Ave, this five-block area is ripe with theaters, restaurants, art galleries, and, most attractively for shoppers, a number of eclectic, independent boutiques. You'll encounter unique finds on each block, from Stout's Shoes (the nation's oldest shoe store, established in 1886), to Silver In The City/At Home In The City (offering silver jewelry and unique gift items), to The Best Chocolate In Town (which is fairly self-descriptive). Venture to the Athenaeum for a stein of German lager in the historic Rathskeller biergarten, try local craft beers at Ralston's Drafthouse, or sip a cocktail at the prohibition-era ball&biscuit. Foodies can indulge in American-modern cuisine at Mesh or take down a platter of tacos at Bakersfield. Take in Indy culture at its finest on Mass Ave, "45 Degrees from Ordinary."
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Massachusetts Avenue
Massachusetts AvenueKnown affectionately as Mass Ave, this five-block area is ripe with theaters, restaurants, art galleries, and, most attractively for shoppers, a number of eclectic, independent boutiques. You'll encounter unique finds on each block, from Stout's Shoes (the nation's oldest shoe store, established in 1886), to Silver In The City/At Home In The City (offering silver jewelry and unique gift items), to The Best Chocolate In Town (which is fairly self-descriptive). Venture to the Athenaeum for a stein of German lager in the historic Rathskeller biergarten, try local craft beers at Ralston's Drafthouse, or sip a cocktail at the prohibition-era ball&biscuit. Foodies can indulge in American-modern cuisine at Mesh or take down a platter of tacos at Bakersfield. Take in Indy culture at its finest on Mass Ave, "45 Degrees from Ordinary."
North of the city, the Broad Ripple neighborhood (where David Letterman was raised) plays host to funky shops, a variety of ethnic cuisine and a thriving nightlife offering a more collegiate feel thanks to the presence of nearby Butler University.
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Broad Ripple
North of the city, the Broad Ripple neighborhood (where David Letterman was raised) plays host to funky shops, a variety of ethnic cuisine and a thriving nightlife offering a more collegiate feel thanks to the presence of nearby Butler University.
Fun Things To Do
This hip Fountain Square underground indie music joint holds around 400 people and is a great space to catch a show, including touring indie rock bands, with a beer in hand.
Check the website for what's on.
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
HI-FI Indy
1043 Virginia AveThis hip Fountain Square underground indie music joint holds around 400 people and is a great space to catch a show, including touring indie rock bands, with a beer in hand.
Check the website for what's on.
Despite its buttoned-up reputation, Indy isn’t afraid to do things a little differently. For proof, look no further than the city’s stunning 152-acre art gallery/garden campus Newfields, which houses the Indianapolis Museum of Art, a 100-acre art and nature park, and the historic Lilly House estate. They also have s a beer garden. Grab a beer or a glass of wine from the leafy outdoor beer garden (open April-October) and stroll around this breathtakingly beautiful campus with drink in hand.
364 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Newfields
4000 N Michigan RdDespite its buttoned-up reputation, Indy isn’t afraid to do things a little differently. For proof, look no further than the city’s stunning 152-acre art gallery/garden campus Newfields, which houses the Indianapolis Museum of Art, a 100-acre art and nature park, and the historic Lilly House estate. They also have s a beer garden. Grab a beer or a glass of wine from the leafy outdoor beer garden (open April-October) and stroll around this breathtakingly beautiful campus with drink in hand.
Nowhere is Indianapolis’s intriguing mix of small-town charm and urban city life on more perfect display than at the family-friendly Victory Field, home to the minor league-affiliated Indianapolis Indians baseball team. Located in the heart of the downtown tourist district but often overlooked in favor of larger pro sports arenas, there’s not a bad view to be had at one of the best minor league ballparks in America.
Watch the sunset’s reflection over Indy’s downtown buildings surrounding the ballpark as you take in a game on a breezy summer night, while all of your preconceived notions about this city float away like a deep home run hit over the fence onto the stadium lawn.
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Victory Field
501 W Maryland StNowhere is Indianapolis’s intriguing mix of small-town charm and urban city life on more perfect display than at the family-friendly Victory Field, home to the minor league-affiliated Indianapolis Indians baseball team. Located in the heart of the downtown tourist district but often overlooked in favor of larger pro sports arenas, there’s not a bad view to be had at one of the best minor league ballparks in America.
Watch the sunset’s reflection over Indy’s downtown buildings surrounding the ballpark as you take in a game on a breezy summer night, while all of your preconceived notions about this city float away like a deep home run hit over the fence onto the stadium lawn.
It's the world's largest kids' museum, sprawled over five floors holding incredible exhibitions on dinosaurs, space stations and so much more. The museum is centered around a stunning 43ft sculpture by Dale Chihuly that teaches tykes to blow glass (virtually!); and the fantastic new 7.5-acre Sports Legends Experience is the outdoor playground of your dreams, with numerous fields and courts dedicated to all major sports. Within the context of children's museums, it's world-class.
The admission prices vary depending on the day (weekends cost more than weekdays) and how far ahead you buy tickets.
362 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo Infantil de Indianápolis
3000 N Meridian StIt's the world's largest kids' museum, sprawled over five floors holding incredible exhibitions on dinosaurs, space stations and so much more. The museum is centered around a stunning 43ft sculpture by Dale Chihuly that teaches tykes to blow glass (virtually!); and the fantastic new 7.5-acre Sports Legends Experience is the outdoor playground of your dreams, with numerous fields and courts dedicated to all major sports. Within the context of children's museums, it's world-class.
The admission prices vary depending on the day (weekends cost more than weekdays) and how far ahead you buy tickets.
President Abraham Lincoln famously arrived in southern Indiana as a 7-year-old child and left as a 21-year-old man, but he’s not the only celebrity Hoosier. Special exhibits at the Indiana Historical Society feature people who defy the stereotype of this agriculture-centric state, such as Jewish merchants who built ornate department stores in the Gilded Age, musicians and masters of craft and art.
See a digitally animated piano replicate the touch of Indiana-born musician Cole Porter, who conjured jazz as the original American musical genre. The Society’s History Lab gives visitors a rare glimpse of the brushes, chemicals and techniques that curators use to preserve and showcase irreplaceable artifacts.
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Indiana Historical Society
450 W Ohio StPresident Abraham Lincoln famously arrived in southern Indiana as a 7-year-old child and left as a 21-year-old man, but he’s not the only celebrity Hoosier. Special exhibits at the Indiana Historical Society feature people who defy the stereotype of this agriculture-centric state, such as Jewish merchants who built ornate department stores in the Gilded Age, musicians and masters of craft and art.
See a digitally animated piano replicate the touch of Indiana-born musician Cole Porter, who conjured jazz as the original American musical genre. The Society’s History Lab gives visitors a rare glimpse of the brushes, chemicals and techniques that curators use to preserve and showcase irreplaceable artifacts.
Home of National Football League's Indianapolis Colts!
312 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Estadio Lucas Oil
500 S Capitol AveHome of National Football League's Indianapolis Colts!
A short walk from the Speedway. Opened in 2012, visitors can test out driving simulators that let you feel what it's like to tear around the track at 200mph.
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Dallara IndyCar Factory
1201 N Main StA short walk from the Speedway. Opened in 2012, visitors can test out driving simulators that let you feel what it's like to tear around the track at 200mph.
Bars, Breweries, Distilleries
Seasonal rooftop bar providing tap beers, wine, cocktails, & bar snacks amid skyline views.
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The Rooftop Garden
1105 Prospect StSeasonal rooftop bar providing tap beers, wine, cocktails, & bar snacks amid skyline views.
Quaff German and local brews at the outdoor beer garden's picnic tables in summer, or inside the deer-head-lined beer hall once winter strikes. Rathskeller is located in the historic Athenaeum building near Mass Ave and has been one of Indy's best bars for a very long time.
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The Rathskeller
401 E Michigan StQuaff German and local brews at the outdoor beer garden's picnic tables in summer, or inside the deer-head-lined beer hall once winter strikes. Rathskeller is located in the historic Athenaeum building near Mass Ave and has been one of Indy's best bars for a very long time.
There are dive bars. And then there is Dorman Street. Located in a residential section of town seemingly in the middle of nowhere with an exterior reminiscent of notorious New Orleans dive Snake & Jake’s and a locals-heavy crowd of bar and restaurant industry workers, Dorman Street is slinging a surprisingly excellent selection of expertly crafted cocktails in a dark, laid-back oasis of drinking well past the point at which good decisions are made.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dorman Street
901 Dorman StThere are dive bars. And then there is Dorman Street. Located in a residential section of town seemingly in the middle of nowhere with an exterior reminiscent of notorious New Orleans dive Snake & Jake’s and a locals-heavy crowd of bar and restaurant industry workers, Dorman Street is slinging a surprisingly excellent selection of expertly crafted cocktails in a dark, laid-back oasis of drinking well past the point at which good decisions are made.
Tucked away at 38th and Illinois Streets and in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood, the Melody Inn is one of the oldest bars in Indianapolis (est. 1935). Whether you want to lounge in a vinyl booth from the old Teepee Restaurant, sit at the original oak bar, chill in the PBR Lounge or hang out back in the popular Smoker’s Garden, you can kick back and relax with the Best in live original music, the award-winning Melody Inn jukebox, drinks, and friendly staff members and clients! There is something for everyone including punk rock, metal, indie, pop, rockabilly, hillbilly, rock, drum ‘n bass and comedy. Cover charge is generally around $5 for a great night of music and entertainment and parking is always FREE (street parking and the lot across the street). Don’t forget to play MegaTouch or pool while you are there!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Melody Inn
3826 N Illinois StTucked away at 38th and Illinois Streets and in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood, the Melody Inn is one of the oldest bars in Indianapolis (est. 1935). Whether you want to lounge in a vinyl booth from the old Teepee Restaurant, sit at the original oak bar, chill in the PBR Lounge or hang out back in the popular Smoker’s Garden, you can kick back and relax with the Best in live original music, the award-winning Melody Inn jukebox, drinks, and friendly staff members and clients! There is something for everyone including punk rock, metal, indie, pop, rockabilly, hillbilly, rock, drum ‘n bass and comedy. Cover charge is generally around $5 for a great night of music and entertainment and parking is always FREE (street parking and the lot across the street). Don’t forget to play MegaTouch or pool while you are there!
In Indianapolis, a neon sign on College Avenue points the way to the Red Key Tavern, a local institution since 1935. Though the building started as a Piggly Wiggly grocery store in 1927, it’s housed a tavern since 1933, when British brothers Richard and George Duke opened the Old English Tavern there, recruiting their artist mother to decorate the walls with murals of the English countryside. The murals are still there, now joined by WWII-era model airplanes hanging from the ceiling, and a sign that summarizes the Red Key’s attractions: “Beer, Warm Atmosphere.” The bar played a key role in Dan Wakefield’s novel "Going All the Way" and showed up in the 1997 movie adaptation.
Longtime patrons know—and new visitors quickly learn—that the Red Key follows a code of conduct initiated by its longtime owner, the late Russ Settle, whose rules banned swearing and leaning back in chairs, along with other admonishments intended to promote good behavior and civility. Today, Russ’s son Jim runs the place, and patrons crowd around the few tables and vintage bar for drinks, cheeseburgers, and the Red Key’s signature “first come, first served” potato salad, prepared by Jim’s wife, Dollie.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Red Key Tavern
5170 N College AveIn Indianapolis, a neon sign on College Avenue points the way to the Red Key Tavern, a local institution since 1935. Though the building started as a Piggly Wiggly grocery store in 1927, it’s housed a tavern since 1933, when British brothers Richard and George Duke opened the Old English Tavern there, recruiting their artist mother to decorate the walls with murals of the English countryside. The murals are still there, now joined by WWII-era model airplanes hanging from the ceiling, and a sign that summarizes the Red Key’s attractions: “Beer, Warm Atmosphere.” The bar played a key role in Dan Wakefield’s novel "Going All the Way" and showed up in the 1997 movie adaptation.
Longtime patrons know—and new visitors quickly learn—that the Red Key follows a code of conduct initiated by its longtime owner, the late Russ Settle, whose rules banned swearing and leaning back in chairs, along with other admonishments intended to promote good behavior and civility. Today, Russ’s son Jim runs the place, and patrons crowd around the few tables and vintage bar for drinks, cheeseburgers, and the Red Key’s signature “first come, first served” potato salad, prepared by Jim’s wife, Dollie.
Indy's first distillery since Prohibition, Hotel Tango, owned by service-disabled combat veterans, sits in all its mountain lodge-like glory in Fountain Square, a superb and cozy spot to sip craft cocktails whipped up with their award-winning spirits ($7 to $10).
97 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery
702 Virginia AveIndy's first distillery since Prohibition, Hotel Tango, owned by service-disabled combat veterans, sits in all its mountain lodge-like glory in Fountain Square, a superb and cozy spot to sip craft cocktails whipped up with their award-winning spirits ($7 to $10).
A fun urban winery offering daily tastings of seven wines for just $5 that attracts a diverse mix of clientele
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Easley Winery
205 N College AveA fun urban winery offering daily tastings of seven wines for just $5 that attracts a diverse mix of clientele
Indy’s go-to spot for exotic tiki drinks and America’s largest collection of artwork from Papua New Guinea outside of a museum.
45 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Inferno Room
902 Virginia AveIndy’s go-to spot for exotic tiki drinks and America’s largest collection of artwork from Papua New Guinea outside of a museum.
'Mead' probably isn't the first word that comes to mind when you think of Indianapolis, but a couple of enthusiastic former beekeepers might change your vocabulary at New Day, their meadery and cider house in the Fountain Square district. The sunny tasting room pours flights of the honeyed elixirs, drawing locals who clink glasses over plates of Brie and charcuterie.
New Day Craft
1125 East Brookside Avenue'Mead' probably isn't the first word that comes to mind when you think of Indianapolis, but a couple of enthusiastic former beekeepers might change your vocabulary at New Day, their meadery and cider house in the Fountain Square district. The sunny tasting room pours flights of the honeyed elixirs, drawing locals who clink glasses over plates of Brie and charcuterie.
One of my favorite Indianapolis breweries, you never know what'll be flowing at its unvarnished downtown tap room. Indy's young and hip pile in to find out, swilling brews from a hot-pepper-spiced amber ale to a popcorn-tinged pilsner (made with Indiana popcorn, of course).
82 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sun King Brewery
135 N College AveOne of my favorite Indianapolis breweries, you never know what'll be flowing at its unvarnished downtown tap room. Indy's young and hip pile in to find out, swilling brews from a hot-pepper-spiced amber ale to a popcorn-tinged pilsner (made with Indiana popcorn, of course).
Music/Theater Venues
Larger touring acts gravitate more towards venues like the Old National Centre, a stunning and wholly unique multi-purpose historic structure modeled after a Moorish mosque and owned by Shriners International. The venue portion, the 2,500-seat Murat Theatre, features an Egyptian vibe while the building itself constitutes the largest Shrine Center in North America.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old National Centre
502 N New Jersey StLarger touring acts gravitate more towards venues like the Old National Centre, a stunning and wholly unique multi-purpose historic structure modeled after a Moorish mosque and owned by Shriners International. The venue portion, the 2,500-seat Murat Theatre, features an Egyptian vibe while the building itself constitutes the largest Shrine Center in North America.
Downtown's Slippery Noodle Inn is the oldest bar in the state (slinging drinks since 1850), and has seen action as a brothel, a slaughterhouse, a gangster hangout and an Underground Railroad station; currently, it's one of the best blues clubs in the country. There's live music nightly; and it's cheap.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Slippery Noodle Inn
372 S Meridian StDowntown's Slippery Noodle Inn is the oldest bar in the state (slinging drinks since 1850), and has seen action as a brothel, a slaughterhouse, a gangster hangout and an Underground Railroad station; currently, it's one of the best blues clubs in the country. There's live music nightly; and it's cheap.
Downtown’s underrated 6,800-capacity Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park hosts vibrant outdoor concerts in one of the most picturesque settings in the Midwest.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park
801 West Washington StreetDowntown’s underrated 6,800-capacity Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park hosts vibrant outdoor concerts in one of the most picturesque settings in the Midwest.