Indianapolis, Indiana (IN)

O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis Drag Strip

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About the Venue

O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is a .686-mile oval track just a few miles away from the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This historic racing facility is now the site of three world-famous racetracks, a 4,400-foot drag strip, a .686-mile oval and a 15-turn, 2.5-mile road course, all of which are paved with asphalt.

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City Guide

Downtown Indianapolis & Wholesale District

Sidewalks overflow with excited visitors taking in the scenery. Whether world-class shopping, professional sports or concerts and theater, it’s here among fine hotels and great dining.

The Wholesale District is home to the major team sports venues Indianapolis has to offer including; Conseco Fieldhouse of the Indiana Pacers, and concerts, Big Ten Basketball Tournaments; the RCA Dome of the Indianapolis Colts; the Indiana Convention Center, which has hosted NCAA Basketball Championship games.

What's more, the Wholesale District claims Circle Centre, a unique two-block, four-story shopping, dining and entertainment powerhouse with the only Nordstrom in the state and Parisian as department store anchors.

Broad Ripple Village

Diverse street life, quaint boutiques and hot nightlife are set to the backdrop of public art, murals and beautiful greenways and parks. Unique art galleries, sidewalk cafes, and fabulous restaurants complete the village.

Quaint restaurants, authentic pubs and ethnic eateries are peppered throughout the area.  In addition, Broad Ripple Village enjoys a vibrant and active street life, day and night.  It's the hot spot for a night out with friends of all ages or a chance to make new ones.

Canal & White River State Park

Scattered throughout the Canal and 250-acre state park are the city's most inspiring museums, attractions and celebrations. Discover Indiana's heritage as you meander along the limestone walkway, enjoying a stunning backdrop of the Downtown skyline. This cultural destination boasts seven major attractions, festival space, public art, unique cafes and three miles of walkways on the refurbished historic Central Canal.

The flavor, pageantry and tradition of intercollegiate athletics are gathered under one roof at the NCAA Hall of Champions. The Hall highlights all 24 sports and 87 national championships administered by the NCAA.

Fountain Square

Good food, uncommon shops, unique architecture and entertainment make Fountain Square a must-see destination. This historic community has a town square and central fountain. It also boasts a concentration of visual, literary and performing artists who live and work in the neighborhood.

Indiana Avenue

This area unlike any in the city, where history, music, restored neighborhoods and spirituality unite to showcase Indianapolis' rich African-American heritage. Indiana Avenue is the anchor of the district that stretches between the historic Central Canal and White River.

Indiana Avenue landmarks signify a piece of the area's heritage and lasting legacy and tell the African-American story in Indianapolis.

Arrival and Information

Indianapolis International Airport (www.indianapolisairport.com) is 12 miles west of downtown, and is serviced by all major airlines.

The visitor center is lcoated at 201 S Capitol St., beside the RCA Dome. Mon-Fri 10-5:30pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; (317) 237-5200.

IndyGo, Indy's public transportation system, provides park and ride shuttles to the Indianapolis 500 and the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Fixed Route fare is only $1.25 for single rides and $3.00 for day passes. For more information, call (317) 635-3344 or www.IndyGo.net for complete route descriptions and routes to popular destinations in the city.

Driving Distances

Indianapolis is within driving distance of several major cities.  Below are just a few:

Chicago, IL, 180 miles
Cleveland, OH, 320 miles
Denver, CO, 1,100 miles
Detroit, MI, 280 miles
Pittsburgh, PA, 360 miles
St. Louis, MO, 250 miles

What to Do

Center for Agricultural Science and Heritage (www.centerforag.com)

The Center focuses on the American farmer/rancher and the science and technology of agriculture as well as rural heritage. 1201 East 38th Street, Indianapolis; 317-925-2410

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (www.childrensmuseum.org)

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum in the world. The more than 400,000-square-foot facility houses 11 major galleries that explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures and the arts. 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis; 317-334-3322. 3/5-9/3, Sun-Sat 10-5pm; 9/5-3/4, Tues-Sun 10-5pm; Closed Mondays. Adult, $12; Kids (ages 2-17), $7; Senior (60+), $11.

Conner Prairie (www.connerprairie.org)

Travel back in time in five unique historic areas: Live the farm life in 1886 Liberty Corner; Walk in the shoes of a pioneer in 1836 Prairietown; Tour the beautiful 1823 Conner House; Strike a deal with the fur trader at the 1816 Lenape Indian Camp; Work and play in PastPort, the hands-on discovery area. 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038, 317-776-6000.

April; Wed-Sat 9:30-5pm; Sun 11-5pm, Closed Mon & Tues. May-October, Tues-Sat 9:30-5pm, Sun 11-5pm, Closed Mon. Adults, $11; Seniors (65+), $10; Youth (5-12), $7; Kids (4 & under), Free. Online Coupon (www.connerprairie.org/images/coupon.jpg).

The Flower Barn (www.theflowerbarn.net)

An everlasting flower farm located in a rural setting 26 miles from downtown Indianapolis, in Lebanon Indiana. From July to October the Barn is hung with over 50 varieties of flowers. All varieties are dried naturally in drying barns. Beginning in May and ending in October, the gardens are available for tours. Contact them for tour prices (tours include lunch). 2685 Elizaville Road, Lebanon, IN 46052; 317-846-1059.

Indiana Historical Society (www.indianahistory.org)

Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s storyteller, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and disseminating Indiana history. It maintains one of the largest collections of material on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest. 450 West Ohio St. Indianapolis; 317-232-1882. Tues-Sat 10-5pm. Closed Sun and Mon.  Call for prices.

Indianapolis Museum of Art (www.ima-art.org)

The IMA is one of the largest art museums in the US, with a collection of 50,000 works that spans the range and scope of art history. Highlights include the Samuel Josefowitz Collection of Gauguin and the School of Pont-Aven; collections of Neo-Impressionism, featuring the work of Georges Seurat and his followers; the largest collection of works by J.M.W. Turner outside of Great Britain. 4000 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis; 317-923-1331. Open Tues, Wed, Sat 11-5:00pm; Thurs 11-9pm; Fri 11-9pm; Sun 12-5:00pm. General Admission is Free.  Special Exhibits: Adults, $12; Seniors (65+), $10; College Students w/valid ID, $6; Children (ages 7-17), $6; Children (ages 6 and under), Free.

Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens (www.ima-art.org/oldfieldsLHAG.asp)

Recently designated a National Historic Landmark, it is an elegant 26-acre estate and historic house museum located on the grounds of the IMA (see above). Lilly House features eight furnished historic rooms on the main level. The majority of these rooms reflect the 1930s period of the Lilly family's occupancy and almost 90 percent of the furnishings and decorative arts objects featured belonged to the Lillys and were used in the home. Open Tues, Wed, Sat 11-5pm; Thurs, Fri 11-9pm; Sun 12-5pm. Closed Mondays. Gardens and Grounds, daily from dawn until dusk. Free.

Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum (www.state.in.us/iwm/civilwar)

The structure has come to symbolize both the City of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. The monument is made of gray limestone from the Romona quarries of Owen County. It stands 284 feet, 6 inches high, only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.

NCAA Hall of Champions (www.ncaa.org/hall_of_champions)

From the first championship in 1921 to modern competition, all 23 sports and 88 national championships administered by the NCAA are highlighted. Banners hang from the 50-foot ceiling of the Great Hall celebrating the current winners of all 88 NCAA national championships. Two levels of exhibits feature interactive displays and state-of-the-art technology and multimedia video presentations to see. Located at 700 West Washington Street, Downtown Indianapolis; 317-916-HALL. Memorial Day through Labor Day, Mon-Sat 10-5pm; Sun 12-5pm. Adults $3; Seniors $3; Students $2; Children 5 and under, Free.