Indianapolis City Guide

Art lovers should definitely check out the Indianapolis Museum of Art while visiting the city. The museum has a collection of more than 500,000 works of art. It also features national and international traveling exhibitions throughout the year. Take a stroll through the 100-acre Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, located adjacent to the museum. Or visit the Oldfields-Lily House & Gardens to get a glimpse into the lives of Indianapolis’s most interesting and prominent families.

Lucas Oil Stadium is home to the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and the site for Super Bowl XLVI. The multi-purpose facility, with a retractable roof, seats more than 67,000 fans. Ranked as the NFL’s best artificial surface in both 2009 and 2010, the stadium has hosted the Big Ten Football Championship and the NCAA Men’s Final Four Basketball Championship.

Go shopping at the Circle Centre Mall, with more than 100 places to shop and dine. The indoor mall also has a movie theater located on the fourth level. City Market, Shadeland Antique Mall, Castleton Square, Fashion at Keystone and Broad Ripple Village are alternate options to cure your shopping fix.

Jog along the Central Canal, or take a stroll through the 250-acre White River State Park. The Canal Walk, a 3-mile loop, is a popular urban respite for fitness enthusiasts and serenity seekers. This downtown waterfront is dotted with pedal boats, gondolas, bicycles and Segways. The one and only urban state park in the city hosts popular festivals. In the summer, The Lawn has a waterfront stage and seats 8,000. It’s the perfect spot to see first-rate concerts.

Indianapolis is big on college sports because it’s home to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Sports fans will enjoy a trip to the NCAA Hall of Champions. On the first level, all 23 NCAA sports are represented. Current team rankings, video highlights and artifacts donated from colleges nationwide are on display. The second level, a fully interactive area, includes a media room to watch current games and a 1930s-style retro basketball gymnasium. Admission is $5 and under.

The 284-foot- tall State Soldiers and Sailors Monument, located in the center of Indianapolis, was erected in honor of Hoosiers who served in the American Revolution, War of 1812, Mexican-American War, the US Civil War and the Spanish American War. Get a spectacular view of the city from the monument’s observation deck for $2. The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is located in the basement of the monument.

Check out the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This racing facility seats 400,000, and hosts the both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Brickyard 400. The speedway hosted the US Grand Prix for Formula One from 2000 to 2008. Make sure you stop by the Hall of Fame Museum and the Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort -- both located on the grounds of the Speedway.

Looking for a fun trip for the family? Visit the Indianapolis Zoo, located in White River State Park. Open since 1964, the zoo has grown into a world-class attraction that sees a million visitors each year. It plays a major role in worldwide conservation and research, too. While you’re there, stop by the stunningly beautiful 3.3-acre White River Botanical Gardens.

Looking for a luxury hotel when visiting Indianapolis? Try the Conrad Indianapolis, voted one of <i>Condé Nast Traveler’s</i> picks for top US hotels. The hotel offers travelers fine dining, the luxurious Evan Todd Spa & Salon and a fantastic location in the heart of the city. The Westin Indianapolis, Omni Severin Hotel and The Canterbury are a few alternate hotel choices.

Grab a beer and food at MacNiven’s Scottish American Restaurant, located in the heart of the Massachusetts Avenue Arts and Entertainment District in downtown Indianapolis. The pub offers hearty Scottish and American fare with an impressive craft beer selection. Try the Slippery Noodle Inn, too. It’s Indiana’s oldest bar, and home of the blues in the Hoosier State.

Café Patachou is just one of several amazing restaurants in Indianapolis. This popular restaurant prides itself on using locally grown and often organic ingredients to make all of their delicious dishes. Other popular restaurants in Indy include R Bistro, Naked Tchopstix and Iozzo’s Garden of Italy.

St. Elmo Steak House has been a landmark in downtown Indianapolis since 1902, serving delicious steak, seafood and chops. If you’re looking for lighter, fast-food fare, we suggest you head to Bazbeaux Pizza, Boogie Burger or King David Dogs.

Located in Indy’s Broad Ripple neighborhood, Vogue is one of the most popular nightclubs in the city, with DJs who spin ’80s, dance and Top 40 music. The former porn theater packs in the crowds for big dance parties. It also hosts national touring singers, rappers and bands. Club Tropicana, Blu Martini, Pepper 2, Tiki Bob’s Cantina, Subterra Lounge, Greg’s and Mineshaft Saloon are just a few other hot spots.