Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1909, this world-famous speedway is home to Indianapolis 500 Race in May and Brickyard 400 stock car race in August – these two racing events are two of the largest in the world; if you haven't booked a room in advance during these events, don't even think about coming to the what is affectionately called the “Brickyard”; the speedway is used for high-speed testing the rest of the year. In 1994, the Speedway hosted its first Brickyard 400 NASCAR Series race; the speedway includes a Hall of Fame of Museum with about 75 cars representing a diverse collection of early 20th century American and European sports cars, motorcycles and other special interest vehicles; race fans will particularly enjoy seeing 30 cars, trophies, photographs, helmets, uniforms, goggles driven by Indianapolis 500 winners on display; a historic video is shown every 20 minutes; tour bus rides around the track available at a small fee when the track is not in use

ADMISSION: Adults $5, Age 6-15 $3, age 5 and under enter Free

DAYS & HOURS: museum March-October 9a-5p, November-February 10a-4p

ADDRESS: 4790 West 16th Street  MAP

PARKING: read the extensive parkinginformation on thwir website for big events

PHONE: 317-492-6784

WEBSITE: http://www.brickyard.com

Indianapolis Arts Garden
DESCRIPTION: Operated by the Arts Council of Indianapolis, the garden is an environment for 300 annual free performances and exhibits housed in a seven-story glass enclosure with good to the west; Arts Garden connects Circle Center Mall by and a couple hotels

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 9a-9:30p, Sun Noon-6:30p

ADDRESS: Washington at Illinois Streets  MAP

PHONE: 317-631-3301

WEBSITE: http://www.indyarts.org

City Market & Massachusetts Avenue
DESCRIPTION: City Market is a place of quaint and plentiful dining choices by local merchants and a charming Farmers Market in the 5-block Mass Ave Arts District; renovated galleries, theatres, and restaurants along intermingle with a theatre district featuring American Cabaret Theatre, Theatre on the Square, and Phoenix Theatre among them

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 6a-6p, Sat 8a-4p

ADDRESS: 222 East Market Street  MAP

PHONE: 317-634-9266

WEBSITE: http://www.indianapoliscitymarket.com

Canal Walk
DESCRIPTION: Beautifully preserved historic waterway; enjoy carefree walks, bridges, boats; great location for pictures; Blacks lived along the canal in the late 1800s/early 1900s; highlights along canal include Bethel AME Church, White River State Park, IMAX 3D Theatre, Indiana State Library and the NCAA Headquarters

ADMISSIION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: sunrise to sunset

ADDRESS: next to White River State Park at 10th Street  MAP

PHONE: 317-233-2434

WEBSITE: http://www.discovercanal.com

Indiana Soldiers & Sailors Memorial
DESCRIPTION: Hailed as one of the world’s greatest monuments, it has become the most recognizable icon of Indianapolis and Indiana; made of limestone from local quarries, the monument stands 284 feet, 6 inches high; it cost $598,318 to build in 1902; it has been estimated that building a similar structure today would cost more than $500,000,000; Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is in the lower level of the monument

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sun 10a-6p

ADDRESS: Meridian Street at Pennsylvania Street  MAP

PHONE: 317-232-7615

WEBSITE: http://www.in.gov/iwm/historical

Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial
DESCRIPTION: Situated along the canal walk in White River State Park downtown, the memorial stands in tribute to all who valiantly served our country and received the nation's highest award for valor; it consists of 27 awe-inspiring 7 to 10 foot tall curved glass walls representing 15 military conflicts as far back as the Civil War; reach about each recipient the Medal of Honor itself and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society via touch-screen monitor

ADDRESS: White River State Park oposite Indiana State Museum  MAP

PHONE: 317-826-1661

WEBSITE: http://www.medalofhonormemorial.com

Indiana Repertory Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Indiana’s largest equity theatre, features a number of classic American plays performance on repertory basis; first opened in 1972, IRT has grown into a leading regional theatre and remains the only fully professional not-for-profit theatre in the state; since 1980, the IRT has occupied the fully restored 1927 Indiana Theatre which has an ornate terra cotta exterior and 3 performance spaces

ADDRESS: 140 West Washington Street  MAP

PHONE: Ticket Office 317-635-5252

WEBSITE: http://www.indianarep.com

 

Rhythm Discovery Theatre
DESCRIPTION: interprets the role of rhythm and percussion in music and culture through dynamic educational experiences, interactive exhibits and participatory opportunities illustrate rhythm, its role in society, and its connections to daily life

ADMISSION: Adult $8, Senior $7, Student with valid ID $5

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p

ADDRESS: 110 West Washington Street  MAP

PHONE: Ticket Office 317-275-9030

WEBSITE: http://rhythmdiscoverycenter.org

 

Hilbert Circle Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1916 as one of the nation's first grand movie palaces; like other grand move palaces nationwide, it went through a period of great decline and demolition; then through the efforts of the Indiana Symphony Society, it reopened in 1984 as the home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and more recently, the Symphonic Pops Consortium; it was generously endowed by Stephen and Tomisue Hilbert in 1996 and renamed the Hilbert Circle Theatre; the intimate size at 1,781 seats, tuned acoustics and customized stage area suited to an 87-member ensemble make this a memoriable venue for concerts.

BOX OFFICE: Monday-Friday 9a-5p, Saturday 12p-4p & two hours prior to every performance

ADDRESS: 45 Monument Circle  MAP

PHONE: Box Office at 317-639-4300

WEBSITE: http://rhythmdiscoverycenter.org

Fountain Square
DESCRIPTION: A Historic commercial district that hosts more than 200 antique and art galleries among architecturally interesting buildings; refurbished Fountain Square Theater reminds you of the 1940s era with classic soda fountains and the like; you can often hear live jazz playing

ADDRESS: a few blocks southeast of downtown  MAP

Indianapolis Art Center ArtsPark
DESCRIPTION: A magical composition of art and nature, this 12-acre site designed by renowned architect and Indy native son Michael Graves opened in 2006 and operates in conjunction with the Indianapolis Art Center Marilyn K. Glick School of Art

ADDRESS: 820 East 67th Street  MAP

PHONE: 317-255-2464

WEBSITE: http://www.indplsartcenter.org/html/ARTSPARK.html