Top Attractions in Indianapolis

Selecting the "must do" attractions in Indianapolis is difficult because there are so many choices! The following attractions are absolute standouts for special experiences and group tour-friendly service.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

• Let the show begin at Indiana’s finest dinner theatre
• Featuring Broadway productions performed by a professional equity company
• Accompanied by a delicious buffet and cocktails
• Recent shows - Legally Blond: The Musical, Chicago, Nunsense and the always popular A Beef & Boards Christmas
• Allow 3 - 4 hours

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

• A majestic National Historic Landmark in Indy’s historic Old Northside neighborhood
• Home of Benjamin Harrison, 23rd president of the United States
• Victorian furnishings and a charming carriage house on display
• Exhibits showcase the life and times of the late 1800’s
• Allow up to 1 hour

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

• Quite simply - the largest and best Children’s Museum in the world
• Where kids play and adults become kids again
• Dinosaurs, mummies, pirates, terra cotta warriors and carousels mix it up and disguise fun with learning
• Special exhibits and events, like Jolly Days in December or the Haunted House in October, make the experience new every day
• Allow minimum of 2 hours

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

• Be introduced to the residents of Prairietown and experience town living in 1836
• Then move through time to 1859 for a historic Balloon Voyage overlooking the prairie
• Advance to 1863 and live through the gripping Civil War Journey and the infamous attack on Indiana by southern rebels
• History comes alive at this Smithsonian affiliate, the only one in Indiana
• Allow minimum of 2 hours

Crown Hill Cemetery

• The expansive Crown Hill Cemetery, the third largest in the nation, covers 555 acres
• Unique vantage points of downtown Indianapolis — bring your camera
• Tours through the serene oasis are a respite of sheer beauty and wildlife
• Many notables are buried here including Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley, Colonel Eli Lilly and the notorious bank robber, John Dillinger among others
• Allow 1 - 1½ hours

Dallara IndyCar Factory

• The Dallara IndyCar Factory is the newest must do in Indianapolis
• Tour groups can see how 220 mph race cars, the same ones run at the Indy 500, are made
• By the end of your visit you will have created your own Indy 500 car design to take home
• In keeping with the Dallara name, an Italian eatery is on premise
• Allow 1 - 1½ hours

Easley Winery

• Easley Winery is the oldest family-owned winery in Indiana, producing 20-25 wines each year, with many award-winning vintages
• "Grape to glass" winery tours showcase the full production process of turning grapes into fine wine
• Tours are enhanced with wine tastings and shopping at the gift store
• Enjoy Groovin’ in the Garden concerts, food and wine tastings on Tuesdays and Sundays, May through September
• Allow 1 - 1½ hours

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian & Western Art

• This stunning museum displays the largest collection of Native American Indian and Western art east of the Mississippi
• Breathtaking paintings, sculpture and special exhibits.
• The annual Indian Market in June is a shopper’s haven for one-of-a kind jewelry, artwork and more
• Authentic Southwestern style dining at the Sky City Café makes the experience complete
• Allow 1 hour

Indiana Historical Society

• The Indiana Historical Society is the perfect place to begin an Indianapolis visit
• Technologically "cool," visitors can walk through a photograph into a real life version of the image or interact with more than 1 million historic photos assembled in intriguing vignettes
• Visit the Cole Porter Room and enjoy legendary tunes from Indiana’s renowned songwriter
• Relax on the outdoor patio overlooking downtown’s Central Canal while sneaking in a treat from the café
• Allow 1 hour

Indiana State Museum & IMAX Theater

• The impressive Indiana State Museum explores the art, science and culture of the Hoosier state
• Magnificent special exhibits and events are non-stop — from art displays to blockbusters
• Indiana’s premier IMAX Theater is inside the museum, with 3D and 2D experiences
• Allow 1 - 2 hours

Indianapolis Motor Speedway & Hall of Fame Museum

• Names of the famous venue include "The Brickyard", "The Racing Capital of the World" and is home to the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing"
• The Indianapolis 500, every Memorial Day weekend, brings heart-pounding excitement and has earned its place as the largest single day sporting event in the world
• After the 500, comes NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 in July and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, the ultimate in international motorcycle racing, in August
• Year round, take in the Hall of Fame Museum, track tours and behind the scene tours (you may even want to get a glass of milk afterward)
• Allow 1½ - 2 hours

Indianapolis Museum of Art

• Think of the IMA as 152 glorious acres teeming with art
• In fact, the IMA is one of the largest art complexes in the nation, with extraordinary permanent collections and special exhibits
• The new 100 Acres: Art & Nature Park creates an outdoor art experience like none other, where visitors can play on "Funky Bones" or view art in a serene wooded and lakeside setting
• Robert Indiana’s original LOVE sculpture is on the grounds, making the IMA one of the most romantic places to propose in the U.S.
• Allow minimum of 2 hours

Indianapolis Zoo

• Acknowledged as one of the nation’s top 10, the Indianapolis Zoo is actually a triple accredited facility – a zoo, an aquarium and a botanical garden
• Get face to face with tigers, cheetahs and dolphins and even pet sharks, in a setting where people and animals can safely interact
• Special tour adventures include elephant bathing, penguin art and dolphin in water adventures
• The Indianapolis Zoo is proud to be internationally recognized for its conservation efforts
• Allow minimum of 2 hours

Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library

• Born and raised in Indianapolis, Kurt Vonnegut always claimed that his Indiana roots defined his life
• At this new library, guides take groups through a fascinating collection of Vonnegut materials that celebrate his contributions as writer, artist and war veteran
• Check out good friend, Morley Safer’s, account of the life and times of Vonnegut
• Discover more Vonnegut places including the historic Athenaeum (designed by his grandfather) and the giant mural of the author gracing 345 Mass Ave
• Allow up to 1 hour

Madame Walker Theatre Centre

• Home to jazz and concert performances along historic Indiana Avenue
• The Walker Theatre is a legacy of Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire in the nation and African- American entrepreneur
• This venue has anchored the historic Indiana Avenue and the African-American community since the 1920s, renowned for jazz greats Wes Montgomery, Slide Hampton, Freddie Hubbard and many more
• Tours gladly welcomed at this Historic Landmarks location
• Allow 1 hour

NCAA Hall of Champions

• The NCAA Hall of Champions is the definitive sports junkies’ haven showcasing 23 NCAA sports and the passion of collegiate student-athletes
• Shoot hoops on the vintage basketball court or take a trivia test to gage your sports IQ
• Gear up at the NCAA gift shop and take home apparel and mementos of your favorite NCAA school
• Allow 1½ hours

Soldiers and Sailors Monument/Civil War Museum

• Located at the heart of Indianapolis on Monument Circle, the historic center of the city
• The monument is a towering 284 foot sculpture built to honor those who died serving our country
• At the very top is the statue, Victory, pointed south as an expression of outreach to heal the wounds of the Civil War
• In the lower level is the Col. Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, and for those who enjoy a towering view, an observation deck is a mere 333 steps (or one elevator ride) to the top
• Allow up to 1 hour