Indianapolis—Indy to its friends—isn’t just Indiana’s state capital or one of the Midwest’s largest hubs. It’s also the “racing capital of the world,” thanks to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, host to the prestigious annual Indy 500. But it isn’t all fast cars in this friendly, approachable city. The birthplace of author Kurt Vonnegut (and home to his dedicated museum and library), Indy serves up high culture at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, while green spaces like White River State Park host enviable walking trails and family-friendly recreation spaces. There’s plenty to do in the Crossroads of America.
There’s no time like late spring in Indy. The Indy 500—the largest single sporting event in the world—is always held on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, while the warm weather makes the city’s parks, zoo, and Downtown Canal Walk particularly inviting. Alternatively, visit in late summer, when events like the Indiana State Fair and IndyFringe Theatre Festival are held.
The city is served by Indianapolis International Airport, located roughly 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) southwest of downtown. It’s also home to Indianapolis Station, a major Amtrak hub served by intercity bus services, including Greyhound. Its public transit options are limited to IndyGo bus routes, while taxis and rideshare services offer another way to get around town.
Formerly named the most underrated food city in the country, Indy should be more celebrated than it is for its wide-ranging restaurant scene and its wealth of craft breweries. But you can’t visit Indy without trying its surprising signature dish: spicy shrimp cocktail, a specialty at the James Beard Award-winning St. Elmo Steakhouse (a local favorite since 1902).
