Abounding with America’s second largest collection of war memorials set amidst landscaped plazas, you get the impression that Indianapolis is one flag raising, sing the national anthem, Norman Rockwell kind of Midwest town. And born of the prairie, Indy has an efficient street-grid and freeway system that lets you navigate broad stretches of land quickly. So what’s compelling about a visit to “Pleasantville on the Flats” for us non-scouts and "Naptown" to many locals? 

    Begin with the annual Circle City Classic, a Black College Football game and pageant that manages to fill every hotel room for miles around. Ya’ know the party is on! Such popularity places the Circle City Classic in excellent company with the world-renown Indianapolis 500 race, Brickyard 400 NASCAR race, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Hot Rod Association US Nationals. During major events, the population can swell by 250,000 to 500,000 fans. Continuing with the sports attraction theme, Indy is home to the NCAA Hall of Champions, the NFL Indianapolis Colts, and the NBA Indiana Pacers and has hosted NCAA Basketball and World Basketball Championship tournaments several times. The Pacers play in a landmark basketball arena, Conseco Fieldhouse, which still draws architectural acclaim. That’s a nice honor for the “Hoosier State” where basketball playing and watching is practically a civic duty. The celebration of past time activities are so important here, there’s even a National Art Museum of Sport that collects memorabilia from 44 different sports. Enough about sports, there’s more to this city than jock fantasy.

    As state capital, Downtown Indianapolis has numerous arts, educational and dining attractions. The city has one of the nation’s best regional art museums and the Massachusetts Avenue Arts District practically bursts with artwork to satiate a diverse range of collectors. People-friendly City Market includes the ever-popular Circle Centre Mall and nearly 2,000 restaurants dot the metro area.

    Though you won’t find hillside vistas in these parts, Indy takes advantage of its assets. A bland river inlet was converted into a lovely canal lined with fountains and small bridges for walking, jogging, and people watching – it’s called Canal Walk. A wide chunk of riverside prairie was converted into a “cage-less” 64-acre zoo hosting animals in simulated natural environments. The largest children's museum in the world, White River Gardens Conservatory, Eagle Creek Park, Riverfair Family Fun Park and numerous golf courses round out the family and general attractions.

    First time visitors from other large American cities will notice an absence of blight compared to similar size cities. How’d they do it? Indy avoided most of the city-debilitating effects of middleclass flight by absorbing Marion County. As a result, suburban-like housing tracts, tax generating malls and safe neighborhoods lie within its expansive city limits.

    “Naptown” honors a number of sites on the Underground Railroad, the historic Indiana Avenue Black district, and a majestic cultural center dedicated to the first Black millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker. The city’s forward-looking prowess is best revealed as the site of the nation’s largest Black Expo, which attracts over 300,000 patrons and vendors. Indy is home to Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, of whom a portion of Interstate 65 Freeway has been named. And yes, there are clubs to get your groove on.

    Indianapolis, with its Pleasantville feel and big city attractions, grows on you like a warm blanket.