Indianapolis Places of Interest
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Just a short stroll from the Indiana Convention Center visitors can find one of the best collections of Western and Native American art and objects in the world. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art showcases traditional and contemporary works by such renowned artists as Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Frederic Remington and Charles Russell. The only one of its kind in the Midwest, the museum chronicles the storied past of the American West and the indigenous people of North America. The Eiteljorg Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 12 to 5 PM. Admission is $5 for children ages 5-17, $8 for adults and $7 for seniors.
For more information: 317-636-9378
Indiana State Museum
Located in White River State Park, the Indiana State Museum features numerous galleries and collections highlighting Indiana art, science, history and culture, from the Birth of the Earth Exhibit to Tomorrow’s Indiana Exhibit. Visitors are first struck by the museum’s building, an exhibit in and of itself. Built entirely from Indiana materials, the building’s façade and sidewalk showcase 92 sculptures that uniquely represent all of Indiana’s counties. Once inside, guests can explore a wigwam and listen to interpreters perform at the Native Americans Exhibit, while the Global Indiana Exhibit showcases an authentic EasyBake Oven and other everyday items from the 50s, 60s and 70s on its Pop Culture Wall.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. It is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $4 for children, $7 for adults and $6.50 for seniors. Museum parking is $3. For more information: 317-232-1637
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
Located on the grounds of the renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the famous Indianapolis 500 and Allstate 400, this 96,000-square-foot museum offers visitors a taste of Indy’s high-octane history. One of the most visible tributes to automobiles and auto racing in the world, the museum exhibits include more than 30 winning cars from the Indianapolis 500; the Louis Chevrolet Memorial, a tribute to his automotive accomplishments; and an extensive trophy collection from both the Indy 500 and auto racing events around the world. Additionally, the Tony Hullman Theater features an exciting 20-minute presentation of historic footage and Indianapolis 500 highlights. The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is $1 for children ages 6-15 and $3 for adults.
For more information: 317-492-6784
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument/Monument Circle
The most widely-recognized symbol of Indianapolis, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument towers 284 feet over the city streets in the heart of downtown and houses the Colonel Eli Lily Civil War Museum. Dedicated in 1902, the intricately-designed limestone and bronze commemorative statuary and surrounding fountain stands as a testament to the courage of Indiana men and women who served in the Civil and Spanish-American wars. Its central location makes it a bustling hub of activity, including frequent festivals and art displays. The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission is free.
For more information: 317-232-7615
Indianapolis Restaurants
Elements
The trendy Massachusetts Avenue Arts District is home to a new Indy favorite for fine dining. Voted restaurant of the year by Indianapolis Monthly magazine, this sleek space features outdoor seating, awe-inspiring views and stylish European décor. Surrounded by original contemporary paintings, guests can enjoy artfully presented fusion fare that blends modern American with French, Mediterranean and Asian accents such as Walleye Pike with fingerling potatoes or grilled Kurobuta pork chops with lentils, turnips and bacon in a garlic mustard sauce. Elements offers an extensive wine list to complement its selections. Elements is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9:30 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10:30 PM. Dinner entrees range from $25 to $30.
For more information: 317-634-8888
Rathskeller
Voted best German restaurant in Indianapolis seven years in a row, the Rathskeller delivers old world charm in the heart of the city. An authentic piece of history, the Rathskeller is located in the historic Athenaeum, built as a “house of culture” by German immigrants who settled in Indiana during the mid- to late-1800s. Among a warm ambiance of soft lighting, high ceilings, stained glass windows and glowing gothic fireplaces, visitors can mix with Indy locals while they listen to live music and enjoy authentic German fare such as schnitzels, wursts and sauerkraut. No visit would be complete without ordering a gourmet beer selected among 12 imported drafts and over 50 imported bottles. The Rathskeller offers outdoor seating in its popular Biergarten, and seven unique banquet rooms can accommodate groups of up to 500 people. The Rathskeller serves lunch daily from 11 AM to 2 PM and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 9 PM and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10 PM. Lunch entrees range from $10 to $14 and dinner entrees range from $20 to $35.
For more information: 3317-636-0396
St. Elmo Steak House
An Indianapolis institution, St. Elmo Steak House has been dishing delightful fare since 1902 and remains the oldest Indianapolis steakhouse in its original location. With a revamped décor that hasn’t lost its traditional turn-of-the-century charm, an open kitchen and an award-winning 20,000-bottle wine cellar, St. Elmo offers guests a taste of classic Indy flavor. Visitors can start with the legendary spicy shrimp cocktail and then choose from steaks, seafood, chicken or chops. St. Elmo can accommodate groups of up to 100 people. St. Elmo’s is open Monday through Saturday from 4 to 11 PM and Sunday from 4 to 10 PM. Entrees range from $24 to $49.
For more information: 317-635-0636
Slippery Noodle Inn
Established in 1850, Slippery Noodle Inn is Indianapolis’ oldest bar and was one of the first German clubs in Indianapolis. The Inn’s rich history, which includes serving as a station on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War and the location of target practice for the Brady and Dillinger gangs during Prohibition, has gotten it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it boasts several accolades, including “Best Live Music Venue” and “Best Blues Club of the Year.” Guests enjoy an impressive list of bar selections, including over five nacho dishes, quesadillas and sides such as breaded mushrooms, potato skins and buffalo shrimp. Guests enjoy libations from an impressive bottled and draft beer list, wine list and chilled Schnapps shots selections as they listen to live blues seven nights a week, starting Sunday at 8:15 PM and Monday through Saturday at 9 PM. The Inn is open Monday through Friday from 11 to 3 AM, Saturday from noon to 3 AM and Sunday from 4 PM to 12:30 AM. Entrees range from $14 to $25.
For more information: 317-631-6974
Other Indianapolis Attractions and Activities
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis holds the title of the largest children’s museum in the world with 400,000 square feet of exciting, interactive and inspiring exhibits that explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world culture and arts. Kids wander wide-eyed through 11 exhibit galleries, where they can ride a vintage carousel at the Carousel Wishes and Dreams Exhibit; discover dinosaur bones at the Dinosphere Exhibit; or gaze up at the stars at the 130-seat SpaceQuest Planetarium. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. The museum is closed Monday, September 2, 2008 to March 1, 2009. Admission is $8.50 for children ages 2-17, $13.50 for adults and $12.50 for seniors ages 61 and older.
For more information: 317-334-3322
Conner Prairie
A short, six-mile trek outside the city, Conner Prairie takes visitors on a journey to the bygone days of the 19th century. One of the nation’s leading outdoor history museums, Conner Prairie offers guests a look back at pioneer life through exciting first-hand experiences. Exhibits feature costumed performers and include a Victorian farm, pioneer village, historic house and gardens and indoor play area for the younger visitors. After a historic day, guests can treat themselves to an old-fashioned caramel apple from the Apple Store or ice-cream malt from the Creamery. Conner Prairie offers groups of 15 or more people a “Taste of the Past Dining Adventure” with live entertainment and authentic 19th century cuisine. Hours and admission vary by season.
For more information: 317-776-6000
Indianapolis Canal Walk
On the popular Canal Walk, visitors can stroll, bike or jog along the charming waterway that quietly winds through the city. After over $150 million in renovation projects over the past 10 years, the canal now features picturesque landscaping, beautiful fountains, antique-style street lamps and Indiana-themed murals. Extending through scenic White River State Park, Canal Walk delivers a serene urban oasis, where visitors can stop and eat at a waterside café, take a ride in a gondola while enjoying a serenade, or pay a visit to the numerous museums and monuments that are dotted along its path. The end of the canal is noted with a 17-foot-tall waterfall at McCormick’s Rock, which commemorates the city’s founding in 1822.
For more information: 317-233-2434
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Minutes from downtown Indianapolis is the 5th largest general art museum in the United States. The Indianapolis Museum of Art is a treasure trove of more than 50,000 works encompassing a diverse range of cultures and eras. Highlights include the most significant collection of works by J.M.W. Turner outside of Great Britain; an impressive Paul Gauguin collection; a neo-impressionist collection featuring the works of George Seurat; and one of the most outstanding collections of Japanese Edo-period paintings in the country. Beyond the galleries, the museum is also home to Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens, a 26-acre historic estate. In 2009 the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, one of the largest art and nature parks in the United States, opens. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM, Thursday and Friday from 11 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 12 to 5 PM. Admission is free.
For more information: 317-923-1331
Indianapolis Zoo
Located downtown within the lush grounds of the White River State Park, the Indianapolis Zoo is a botanical garden, aquarium and zoo wrapped into one magnificent attraction. Boasting a 3.3-acre botanical garden along with 350 different species of land and sea life, the zoo features many exciting shows and scheduled feedings as well as several interactive experiences including an in-water dolphin adventure, shark touch-tank, petting zoo and pony rides. With several banquet facilities, the Indianapolis Zoo can accommodate groups as large as 1,000 people and offers several unique event enhancements such as the “Elephant Greeting.”
Zoo hours vary based on season. Admission, January to February and November to December, is $8.50 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 2-12 and seniors ages 62 and older. Admission, March 14 to October, is $13.50 for adults and $8.50 for children ages 2-12 and seniors ages 62 and older. Admission for children under 1 is free. For more information: 317-630-2001
