Things to do in Indianapolis

Undoubtedly, Indianapolis is most famous for its motor racing events and huge numbers of visitors head for the city throughout the year to observe the most popular ones. The city does, however, also offer a variety of other attractions with something for visitors of all backgrounds including family centres and cultural venues such as museums and art galleries.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Part of the citys scenery since 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is hailed as one of the premier auto racing venues in the world. The citys calendar of events sees the Speedway track hosting a number of key racing events with combined attendance in figures upwards of a million spectators. The Indianapolis 500, held in May, is the most popular event in the racing calendar.

Indianapolis Raceway Park

Somewhat lower in profile and prestige than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis Raceway Park is still a must for anyone with a love of the adrenalin charged spectacle that is motor racing. The track at the Raceway Park hosts over 60 events per year of which the NHRA U.S. Nationals is one of the best attended.

Indianapolis Zoo

Since its completion in 1965, the Indianapolis Zoo has opened its doors to tens of millions of visitors with current figures suggesting over a million per year come to see the variety of enclosures that are home to over 2,000 animals. Creatures from every continent on the planet are represented with new ones being added all the time. The zoo also offers the White River Gardens, a botanical attraction covering 3.3 acres in which over a thousand varieties of plant are on display.

Greatimes Family Fun Park

The Greatimes Family Fun Park delivers exactly what its name suggests, fun for all the family! With 5 acres of land dedicated to its attractions, theres plenty here to keep both the young and the young at heart occupied for a day. Have fun on the miniature golf course, work up a sweat in the battling cages or try to beat the local best circuit time on the go-kart track. A 15,000 foot arcade offers a large selection of traditional and modern games.

Fastimes Indoor Karting

This popular Indianapolis attraction, which is open to adults in possession of valid driving licences only, offers visitors the chance to get the adrenalin flowing on two separate tracks where speeds of up to 40mph are possible. Go with friends and compete against each other or use the karts digital timing meters to monitor your personal best times.

Museums

Indianapolis offers a great selection of museums and art galleries to cater to those visitors craving attractions with a more cultural and aesthetic edge. Those interested in the general social and natural history of the state of Indiana should take a trip to the Indiana State Museum where theyll find over 400,000 artefacts on display distributed across a massive 72,000 square foot facility. The Indianapolis Museum of Art meanwhile houses a significant collection of American and international artworks with pieces by respected artists such as Rubens and El Greco. Among the other facilities worth checking out are the Indiana War Memorial Museum, the Indiana Medical History Museum and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.