Indianapolis is one of the most populated cities in the east-side US state of Indiana. Famous for its museums, parks and, of course, the Indianapolis Zoo, this city has a lot to offer and is definitely worth visiting.
Whether you’ve visited the US before, or this is your first time, the city of Indianapolis should be on your list to visit and here’s why.
Where is Indianapolis located on the map?
The city of Indianapolis is located right in the center of the state of Indiana. This is located on the east side of the United States and shares its southern border with Kentucky, has Illinois to the west, Michigan to the North and Ohio to the east.
Indianapolis itself has many famous attractions, but it is surrounded by some amazing states, all with plenty to do, making it a great place to visit.
Best Places to visit in Indianapolis
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
This is the largest children’s museum in the world, yes, the world! The museum is over 400,000 square feet and has 11 major galleries that aim to explore topics such as world culture, arts and science history. This is THE place to visit if you travel to Indianapolis with a young family!
Indianapolis Zoo
If you travel to Indianapolis, you have to visit the zoo, it’s a must-see attraction! There are over 3800 animals of 380 species housed in this incredible zoo. Not really into animals? Don’t worry, there is also an aquarium as well as a botanical garden so there’s an attraction to suit everyone.
The Canal
Indianapolis has one of the most beautiful canals in the world, and you can experience it first hand. It is located in the heart of Indianapolis, alongside the White River State Park. Here you can enjoy acres of green oasis, family walks, running paths and perfect picnic spots. It really is a place that shows off the true beauty of Indianapolis city.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
This speedway is the former home of the United States Grand Prix and is the largest sports venue in the world, that alone is a reason to visit! If you time it right, you can watch all sorts of racing events take place there, a perfect day out for all the family.
Where can you stay in Indianapolis?
Hilton Garden Inn
This beautiful hotel is located in downtown Indianapolis and is opposite the Circle Center Mall which is the ideal shopping spot. Perfect for avid shoppers this hotel is modern, family-friendly and close to all transport links.
Conrad Indianapolis
If your budget can be stretched, just a little, then this is the place for you. The Conrad Indianapolis hotel is pure luxury. as well as being located right in the center of town and offers spacious rooms, modern decorations and marble tiled bathrooms. If you feel the need to treat yourself, Conrad is the spot.
Country Inn and Suites
This country hotel is located 11km from the city center and boasts peace and tranquility. Only a few minutes from the airport it has free breakfast, indoor pools, modern furnishings and is only a short distance away from the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway track.
Bottleworks Hotel
Don’t be fooled by its slightly odd name, this hotel is top of the list if you want a modern and luxury stay. It offers on-site parking, presidential suites AND is pet-friendly while being surprisingly affordable too, perfect for a traveling family with a four-legged friend in tow.
How do you get around in indianapolis?
Car Hire
Renting a car is very easy in Indianapolis, due to a lot of tourism, there are plenty of trustworthy cars hire companies to choose from. You can hire a nippy hatchback for as little as $200 per week or for a bigger family, a minivan for $500.
Buses
In the past, Indianapolis wasn’t known for its public transportation options, however, in 1979 the city of Indianapolis took over the Indianapolis Transit Systems and named it ‘Indygo’. This system offers over 30 fixed bus routes in, out and around the city, 7 days a week.
They also claim you will never have to wait more than 30 minutes for your bus to come. Traveling around Indianapolis has never been easier!
Buses seem to be the best way to see Indianapolis, the red line is the fast bus line and this is also known as the Marion County Transit Plan. It features all-electric buses that run from the north to south of the city, this is the easiest way to get around.
Trains
There is the Amtrack’s Cardinal line which is a train line that runs between Indianapolis and Chicago 3 times a week. This is a great line to use if you want to visit Chicago but don’t want to stay in such a big and bustling city.
Underground
As we have mentioned above, Indygo controls the public transportation in Indianapolis and this includes the metro/underground too. However, Indianapolis hasn’t got a developed underground system because it is such a small city, metro stations are sort of pointless as there are no long distance routes needed, hence why buses tend to be the best option.
What Else Do You Need to Know about Indianapolis?
Language
In Indianapolis, they speak American English. Locals there don’t have a strong accent compared to other US states and therefore are relatively easy to understand and communicate with.
Currency
As Indianapolis is a US state, the currency is US Dollars.
Crime
Indianapolis has struggled with its crime rate for many years, and unfortunately, it has spiked during the COVID 19 pandemic. They recorded their highest crime rate in 2021 and it looks to continue for 2022. However, for tourists, Indianapolis is a VERY safe place. Crime only occurs between locals, solving their own issues and it’s extremely rare for a tourist to be harmed while visiting the city.
Climate
The climate in Indianapolis can be quite volatile and varies depending on the time of year. They tend to have very cold winters followed by hot springs and summers. During the summertime, the climate can become very wet with frequent thunderstorms.
The best time of the year to visit would be spring and autumn time, just before it hits winter.
See Also
Interesting Facts about Indianapolis
