A giant of the sporting world, and a legendary destination among motor racing fans, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is an oval track which roars to life every summer with the Indy 500, otherwise known as the greatest spectacle in motor racing. It's a seriously epic event, with legions of fans descending on the Speedway on race days, so book your tickets well in advance and check out the seating plans. The Speedway also hosts NASCAR's Brickyard 400 and thrilling motorcycle events.
Indianapolis Museum of Art
An art mecca on a truly massive scale, this Indianapolis institution is one of the country’s finest museums. With a site spanning 152 acres, encompassing an outdoor sculpture park set in forest, wetlands and meadowland, the museum itself contains over many thousands of works of art, including works by American titans like Edward Hopper and Georgia O'Keeffe. With extensive collection of African and Asian art as well, it's a must-visit for culture vultures.
Indianapolis Zoo
Benefitting from its location in White River State Park, right in downtown Indianapolis, the zoo is so easy to get to, yet it feels wild and far from the urban sprawl. It has state-of-the-art animal facilities, including a superb orangutan center. Both apes and humans can swing on cables high above the park, though humans can do it in the safety of a cable car. If you prefer the ocean to the treetops, then take advantage of the zoo’s in-water dolphin experience, allowing hands-on interaction.
Lucas Oil Stadium
In a city renowned for legendary sports arenas, the home of NFL’s Indianapolis Colts is no let-down. A thoroughly modern stadium, it features a retractable roof for all-weather play and seats for 67,000 spectators. In sports-mad Indy, the game day atmosphere is electric, so it’s no wonder this stadium has garnered widespread national attention. Even if you can’t schedule your trip to coincide with a game, you can still visit the stadium on a behind-the-scenes tour, giving you access to the NFL locker room, among other generally off-limits areas.
