Indianapolis, Indiana doesn’t always leap to front of someones thoughts when thinking of vacation destinations. Indianapolis is located in America’s heartland and has for generations been representative of a wholesome way of living. Indianapolis however features a rich history that makes traveling through this region a fascinating learning experience. The city of Indianapolis has no shortage of things to do either, including: museums, outdoor recreational opportunities, art exhibits, professional sports contests, and more. Indianapolis has come to represent the best that can happen when big city life encounters a rural lifestyle.
Here are five things you must do when traveling to Indianapolis.
1. Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame Museum - Easily the most famous race track in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to the famed Indy 500. Hundreds of thousands flock to the track each May to watch the Indy 500 while millions more watch it on television from their own homes. The race track is much more than just this one race though, built in 1909 it houses a museum devoted to the history or race cars and their drivers alike. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame Museum will entertain even those not interested in auto racing, and for those that are it will be the experience of a lifetime.
2. Indianapolis Zoo - The Indianapolis Zoo covers 64 acres and is home to well over 2,000 different animals. It includes a petting area for children and a great number of exhibits where some of the most interesting animals of the world can be viewed in their natural settings. The Zoo also includes amusement park style attractions as well, a great place for the entire family.
3. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis - There are a great number of hands on learning opportunities featured at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The museum is actually the largest children’s museum in the world and has five floors of interactive exhibits and multimedia experiences that will excite and enthuse the mind of almost any child.
4. NCAA Hall of Champions - A unique look at the history of college athletics and dedicated to the high standards upheld by the country’s student athletes, the NCAA Hall of Champions is the kind of attraction that must be viewed to be appreciated. Any fan of college athletics will have no problem seeing and appreciating the value of the NCAA Hall of Champions.
5. Fort Harrison State Park - With its wealth of history, including being the former site of a World War II prisoner of war camp, Fort Harrison State Park is a must see for anyone interested in either the outdoors or American history. There are a great many trails available in the park that offer nice opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, and more. Take a guided hike and view a formal presentation or just fend for yourself and enjoy the great outdoors.
The city of Indianapolis proves day in and day out that it is indeed a great place to visit with a wide variety of things to do. The city itself possesses a number of different tourist opportunities and the region surrounding the city is filled with enough historical and natural physical sites to fill the schedule of almost any vacationer. With its forward thinking way of city planning and its reliance on its history as an area filled with truly good people, Indianapolis will continue to be a great place to live for many years to come. Whether a visitor to Indianapolis is seeking a trip centered on shopping, auto racing, art exhibits, or any number of other interests, they will not be disappointed.
