Map of Indianapolis Area | What is Indianapolis Known for?

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA skyline over Monument Circle
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA skyline over Monument Circle

Map of Indianapolis Area | What is Indianapolis Known for?

 

SEARCH FOR APPARTMENTS

SEARCH FOR HOTELS

SEARCH FOR RESORTS

SEARCH FOR VILLAS

Big cities are always a blast. They offer great food, awesome places to check out, and countless things to go and do. No matter your age, a larger city has something for anyone. Whether you want to explore on your own, with your kids, or with a group of friends, you can plan a weekend full of activities.

You don’t get much more Midwest than Indiana. Right in the center of Indiana is Indianapolis. This city boasts a little of everything you could want. The nicknames are pretty fun too. Whether you call it the Circle City, Naptown, or Indy, Indianapolis is a large city with lots to offer.

Let’s check out this capital city.

Where is Indianapolis located on the US Map?

If you want to find Indianapolis on a map, it’s not that hard. Look for Lake Michigan to easily find Indiana. Luckily, Indianapolis is pretty close to the center of the state, just slightly south of the center. Not that bad. It’s in Marion County, and has the most people in the whole state.

How big is Indianapolis?

As far as size goes, Indianapolis is pretty large. It lies in the heart of Marion County. As far as the people go, Indianapolis is home to over 876,000 people as of 2019. The whole metro area of Indianapolis is home to over 1.7 million people.

In order of city size, Indianapolis ranks number 17 in the US. In the good old Midwest it’s the 3rd most populous city. If you wanted to rank state capitals, it would take number 4. The actual physical size of Indy is 368 square miles.

Is Indianapolis a good place to live?

Indy can be a great place to live if you do your research. It also depends on what kind of family life you want.

  • South side

The south side is more for people who want to be near a big city, but not live in one. It has great schools, fun parks and trails, and lots of options for shopping and dining. If you are wanting a family safe area with lots of options, the south side can be great.

  • West side

The west side has been building up and is becoming the place to be. Everything is nice and new and fresh. It used to be totally industrial, and there are still parts that are. But overall the west side is becoming more and more appealing to families, young and old.

  • East side

The east side is its own beast. The crime is higher than other sides but there are pockets of really beautiful neighborhoods. You definitely have to do your research though.

  • North side

Honestly, the north side is where it’s at. If you want nightlife, endless things to do, and beautiful neighborhoods, the north side has it all.

What are the best areas to live in Indianapolis?

Again, what you want out of where you live depends on what you would consider the best area. But overall these are the main cities that are great for families, offer a lot of amenities, and are overall just gorgeous.

  • Noblesville
  • Fishers
  • Zionsville
  • Broad Ripple

These are mostly the north side of Indy. The north side has it figured out when it comes to knowing what residents want.

There are a few cool pockets of downtown Indy that are really fun too.

  • Fountain Square
  • Lockerbie Square

If you want the downtown feel but still have beautiful views, then these areas would be great to start.

What is Indianapolis known for?

The Hoosier state is known for quite a bit more than corn, and Indianapolis is no exception. Mainly, Indy has sports on the brain.

  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Racing

Indy is known for it’s love of sports.  

Basketball is huge in Indy. From college ball to the NBA, game days are sacred. The Big 10 is a whole movement. 

You can’t talk bad about their football team, the Colts, without getting into trouble. If you wear any color other than blue on game days, you need to be prepared to defend yourself.

Indy also is home to the biggest one day sporting events on the planet. The Indy 500 is the pride and joy of Indy’s sporting lineup.

What else is Indy known for?

Other than sports Indy has a few other tricks up its sleeve.

  • Colleges

Another well-known aspect of Indy is the colleges. Indianapolis is home to some of the best colleges. A total of 4 colleges call Indy home.

  • Museums

If you like museums, then you’ll definitely want to visit Indy. The largest children’s museum, The Indianapolis Children’s Museum, is located downtown. There are dinosaurs that are always trying to get in the museum and it looks really cool. Trust us.

Indy also has an awesome art museum and arts garden attached. The Indianapolis Museum of Art and the attached Fairbanks Parks are great for anyone of any age to enjoy.

  • Monuments

If you love historical sites, Indy has enough for you. Indianapolis has the most monuments for war casualties and veterans anywhere in the US except for Washington DC.

Should you visit Indianapolis?

Yes, you should. If you love arts, history, plenty of places to eat, and a vibrant nightlife, then Indy would be a great place to get away. A long weekend would be perfect to take in the sights and be able to see a little bit of everything.

If you love the hustle and bustle, living downtown would be such an amazing time. Endless possibilities await you. From live music venues to comedy clubs, Indy has a bit of everything.

Should you live there? Also, yes. You just have to do a bit more research for which side you want to live on. As with any city, there are good and bad pockets.

But Indy has such a rich culture and friendly atmosphere that it would be a great place to raise a family and have plenty of things to do together.

So pack some bags and book a quaint little B&B or hotel, and make the most of the Circle City.

See Also

US CITIES MAPS

Interesting Facts about Indianapolis

What is Indianapolis, Indiana Famous for?

Hi and welcome to my travel blog! Based in London, I work in investment banking in a quantitative field and although I am not part of the travel industry, I have a ton of passion for travel. My blog is a reference guide for my fellow travelers with the same passion as me. Hopefully the blog is easy to navigate and my aim is to bring the most relevant and interesting information before you begin your journey!