Indianapolis: Crossroads of America

Indianapolis is the 13th largest city in the United States, but rarely comes to mind as a tourist destination. But as the capital of Indiana, this is a city of great culture and industry. It is the focal point of sports and history. For Spring Break 2016, my wife and I drove to this city and were pleasantly surprised by how much there is to see and do.

Here is brief journal of our trip:

Day 1:  After an 8 hour drive, we did a quick walk around Downtown Indianapolis to stretch our legs and orient ourselves with the area. We made it an early night since the days ahead would be packed with activity.

Day 2:  The Indianapolis Zoo is located just west of downtown in the White River State Park. It is a beautiful, well-maintained zoo with a wide variety of exhibits. We were particularly impressed by the dolphin show. Lunch was at the City Market, an old rejuvenated warehouse district now packed with fun restaurants. Downtown sightseeing followed with visits to Union Station, Carson's Department Store, the Artsgarden, and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.  The day ended with a performance at the historic Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre.

Day 3:  As stated, Indianapolis is steeped in history. This is evident in it's many museums including the Indianapolis War Memorial and the Indiana State Museum. Both well worth a visit. That evening we strolled along Massachusetts Avenue, a vibrant arts district lined with shops, galleries and assorted drinking establishments.

Day 4:  Built in 1874, the Benjamin Harrison Home is a must-see for any fan of presidential history. The 23rd president actually lived in the house and it is still decorated with many original furnishings. Since Indianapolis is known as the "Racing Capital of the World", we visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. Over 75 cars are on exhibit tracing the century-long history of the raceway, home of the Indianapolis 500. For an additional fee, guests can take a bus tour along the track itself.

We then journeyed back home having greatly enjoyed our trip to this often overlooked city. For more information on Indianapolis or other American cities, please check the Travel Neighborhood.

Do you have a favorite Destination City? Please share in the comments!

image by Sean Molin