Wholesale District: Welcome to the Main Event.

Entertainment is front and center in the Wholesale District, set in the heart of the central business district. Here you will find your favorite hotel brands surrounded by the retro-style Bankers Life Fieldhouse – home of the NBA Pacers and concerts by big-name acts, Lucas Oil Stadium – home of the NFL Colts and Super Bowl 2012, and the versatile Indiana Convention Center. Circle Center Mall, a four-story shopping hub, and Georgia Street, a unique outdoor event promenade, connect these major event venues. Just steps away are attractions such as Monument Circle, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indiana Repertory Theatre, comedy clubs, steakhouses, sports bars, and more.

Mass Ave: 45 Degrees from Ordinary.

Known for its art galleries and theaters, this free-spirited, five-block avenue is also lined with boutique shopping, independent restaurants, traditional pubs, and public art. An array of theaters, large and small, offer visitors their pick of traditional plays and musicals, off-beat productions, edgy and adult-oriented drama, or any type of comedy imaginable. Mass Ave is also the place to be for finding locally handcrafted goods and unique souvenirs.

Fountain Square: Funky. Artsy. Retro. Anything but Square.

Experience vintage charm, shop galleries of talented local artists, take swing dancing lessons, and try your hand at duckpin bowling all in this funky neighborhood. Visitors can also dine at an assortment of locally-owned restaurants, enjoy a honey wine flight at Indiana’s only meadery, and tour a microbrewery where scientists create the recipes.

Indiana Avenue: Rhythm. Reborn.

Indiana Avenue celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the African-American community in Indianapolis. The cornerstone of this neighborhood is Madame Walker Theatre, a great place to hear jazz on an historic stage that has seen the likes of Wes Montgomery and Louis Armstrong. The theatre stands in honor of America’s first self-made female millionaire and hosts an eclectic line-up of more than 100 performances a year. Before the show, visit the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library, which celebrates the literary, artistic and cultural contributions of this Indianapolis native.

The Canal & White River State Park: Discovery Runs Through It.

Located in the heart of downtown, White River State Park offers 250 acres of green space and attractions all connected by a glimmering canal walk and art-lined pedestrian pathways. Bicycles, kayaks, Segways, pedal boats, and even gondolas activate the Central Canal that is also home to three prominent memorials. Colorful murals and giant sculptures decorate paths leading to an outdoor concert venue, top-10 zoo, award-winning baseball stadium, towering IMAX theater, and world-class museums.

Broad Ripple Village: We’re Open if you Are.

Just north of downtown is a lively neighborhood with a mix of one-of-a-kind shops, art galleries, innovative chefs, and popular nightlife spots. This trendy village is also highlighted by greenways and known as where “Mr. Top 10”, David Letterman, grew up.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

City planners from Portland to Paris have traveled to Indy to see how the city managed to take away a lane of car traffic to make way for a $63 million, 8-mile bicycle and pedestrian-friendly Cultural Trail. The decorative brick path connects visitors to hotels, restaurants, attractions and cultural districts. Also lined with art and landscaping, it has garnered international attention as a model for urban revitalization.

A Sports Lover’s Dream

Indianapolis is a natural destination for people who love sports, whether amateur, collegiate, or professional. Cheer on the NBA Pacers, WNBA Fever, or USHL Ice at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Tour the home of the NFL Colts and Super Bowl 2012, Lucas Oil Stadium. Or catch a baseball game at Victory Field, which Sports Illustrated named the best minor league ballpark in America.

Discover Collegiate Athletics

The NCAA Hall of Champions showcases all 23 collegiate sports and the heart and dedication it takes to be a student-athlete. The Hall offers two levels of interactive exhibits to engage visitors, including golf, skiing and baseball simulators and a chance to shoot free throws in a 1930’s-style basketball gym. Visitors can test their knowledge at sport-specific trivia, discover past champions’ stories, and more. A short journey north to Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University puts visitors in the historic arena where ESPN’s #1 movie, Hoosiers, was born when Bobby Plump hit his famed shot in 1954.

Go 180 MPH

You can’t leave town without a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame Museum. Each year 33 drivers go insanely fast around the iconic 2.5-mile oval during the world’s largest single-day sporting event, the Indy 500. Adventurous visitors can ride in a real two-seat IndyCar around the track at speeds up to 180 mph. And after speeding past the finish line, they can kiss the famous yard of bricks like past winners. Just down the street is the Dallara IndyCar Factory with 23,000 square feet of interactive and hands-on exhibits centered around the engineering and technology of the world's fastest sport.

Play a Course to Dye Fore

For golfers, Indiana is home to legendary golf course architect Pete Dye and more of his designs than any other place in the world. The Pete Dye Golf Trail celebrates and honors his great work. Experience three distinct designs by the man who finished better than Nicklaus and Palmer at the 1957 U.S. Open, including his first 18-hole design at Maple Creek and Brickyard Crossing with four holes inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Fast Facts

Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, the Rose Bowl, the Roman Coliseum and Vatican City can all fit inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.

The first event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a helium gas-filled balloon competition on Saturday, June 5, 1909 - more than two months before the oval was completed.

116,000 visitors and a record-setting 5,100 credentialed media attended Super Bowl 2012 in Indy.

Indianapolis hosts the country’s largest half marathon – the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, where participants get to run/walk/jog around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sports Business Journal named Bankers Life Fieldhouse the finest NBA Basketball Arena in the Country.

Lucas Oil Stadium was named “best overall stadium experience in all of sports” in 2012 by Stadium Journey.

Signature Dishes

You could feast at a different steakhouse every day of your stay in Indy and still leave a few for your next visit. But to find the signature dish of Indianapolis, make reservations at the historic St. Elmo Steak House that still operates in its original 1902 location right downtown. Their world famous shrimp cocktail is made with fresh horseradish ground daily and was recognized as ‘the world’s spiciest dish’ by the Travel Channel. To tame the heat, select a glass of wine from their impressive 20,000-bottle wine cellar.

Adam Richman, host of Man vs. Food, found a signature Hoosier dish worthy of a trip to Indiana, and we think you’ll agree. The traditional breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is served as tasty as it is big. Try one at Plump’s Last Shot, a hole-in-the-wall pub owned by Bobby Plump who made the basket that inspired ESPN’s #1 movie Hoosiers.

Culinary Delights

Only-in-Indy restaurants are plentiful, surrounding visitors with rich history and richer flavors. Indianapolis’ Italian heritage can be experienced at Iozzo’s, Milano Inn and Iaria’s, that all opened in the 1930’s, while German heritage shines through at The Rathskeller. Another historic setting, City Market, offers a wide array of vendors selling fresh and local options from crepes to creole. And an Indy staple, Shapiro’s Delicatessen, has been filling stomachs with generous portions since 1905. USA Today recognized it as one of America’s greatest delis.

And more recent additions to Indy’s restaurant scene have increased the number of great dining spots. A century-old storefront took on new life as Tavern on South, with a menu featuring quality ingredients well prepared. BRU Burger Bar dishes up twists on an iconic American food. The Libertine is known for contemporary cocktails enjoyed alongside re-imagined, high-end bar food. And Black Market, a gastropub tucked at the end of Mass Ave, pairs innovative entrees and pickled everything with great local brews.

To cap off a meal for those with a sweet tooth, a Red Velvet Elvis cupcake from The Flying Cupcake or truffles from Best Chocolates in Town can’t be missed.

Farm-to-Table Favorites

With the area’s rich agriculture, Indianapolis is home to an array of farm-to-table restaurants. James Beard Award-finalist chef Regina Mehallick leads the city’s slow food movement, and her culinary expertise can be savored at R Bistro. Don’t be surprised if your meal is sourced from the garden outside the restaurant’s front door. Another James Beard Award nominee, Greg Hardesty, frequently rotates the locally-sourced menu items at his culinary playground, Recess.

Goose the Market, a “Top 10 Sandwich Shop” according to Bon Appetit, serves up quality Indiana-raised meats and crafted cheeses, and even offers a bacon-of-the-month club. And recently opened hotspots, Bluebeard and Cerulean, feature contemporary cuisine with the best ingredients surrounding farms have to offer.

Café Patachou has won legions of followers with award-winning gourmet breakfasts and healthy lunches served up in an energetic, metropolitan setting. It got noticed by Gourmet.com, who placed it on their “Top Ten Healthiest Restaurants in the Nation” list. (Don’t miss the cinnamon toast!)

And no foodie visit would be complete without a trip to Traders Point Creamery, an urban organic dairy farm. This 150-acre farm raises and serves grass-fed beef, crafts custom cheeses and serves up the best in ice cream. Their products can be found nationally on the shelves of Whole Foods but are best sampled on site.

International Flare

Nearly every continent is represented among Indy’s array of authentic international dining spots, which can be found throughout downtown and surrounding cultural districts. But an area of town known as International Marketplace takes the cake. This neighborhood consists of culinary entrepreneurs representing over 70 languages and cultures, leading the New York Times to claim Indy as “where the world comes to eat”. Turkish, Moroccan, Mexican, Middle Eastern, German, Cuban, Asian, Peruvian, Indian, Brazilian, Italian, Spanish…it’s all here.

Music to All Ears

Indy offers a wide range of music venues suitable to all musical tastes, from intimate stages and underground bars to mega stadiums playing popular national acts. Spend a summer evening outdoors with big-name acts at The Lawn at White River State Park or Klipsch Music Center north of the city, or enjoy a picnic dinner while listening to the symphony at Conner Prairie’s amphitheater. Or dance to popular local bands outside at The Rathskeller Biergarten.

Discover up-and-coming indie bands at Radio Radio and Do317 Lounge in Fountain Square, or listen to jazz at Madame Walker Theatre, Chatterbox and Jazz Kitchen.

Lively cabaret singers are on stage at Chef Joseph’s and The Cabaret! at Columbia Club. For blues, the historic Slippery Noodle Inn is the go-to spot with nightly shows. For those wanting something a little more classic, the Murat Theatre, Clowes Hall and Hilbert Circle Theatre are beautiful backdrops to great performances from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Opera, and more.

Grab a Drink

The Slippery Noodle Inn has entertained Indy since 1850. This famed blues bar has history as part of the Underground Railroad and gangster John Dillinger’s favorite watering hole. In fact, two stray bullets from Dillinger’s gun can still be found in the bar’s wall.

Located upstairs above the famous St. Elmo Steak House, 1933 Lounge is an intimate, swanky night spot with exposed brick walls that pays homage to the end of Prohibition. Enjoy a signature cherry and vanilla infused bourbon cocktail at the circa 1870s bar or relax by the fireplace with a glass of wine from their 20,000-bottle collection. And Nicky Blaines is a hidden underground jewel near Monument Circle with a posh 1920’s vibe and specialties in cigars and martinis.

For a more laid-back pub atmosphere, find MacNiven’s and Chatham Tap. A local hangout, Tomlinson Tap Room at City Market, is a hub for sampling craft beer from over ten thriving local breweries. And for crafted cocktails, some of the best mixologists can be found at Plat 99 and The Libertine. Another favorite is ball & biscuit on Mass Ave, which made Esquire’s 2012 list of Best Bars.

Wine and beer enthusiasts alike will find plenty of handcrafted, award-winning creations to sample throughout Indianapolis. New Day Meadery specializes in honey wines and hard ciders derived from Indiana orchards and honey farms. And a brewing renaissance in Indy has resulted in over ten craft breweries delivering delicious drafts to restaurants and bars. Sun King led the movement and took home more gold medals than any other brewery in the country at the 2011 Great American Beer Fest. The Indy Brew Bus is a great way to tour and sample with a personal driver, and the Handle Bar takes beer and biking to a whole new level.

Retail Therapy

Indy offers a variety of shopping destinations from the largest mall in Indiana to small, independent boutiques. The four-story Circle Centre Mall is the shopping hub of downtown with over 100 specialty shops and dining options. The mall is easily accessible, as it’s connected via skywalk to hotels and the convention center and offers plenty of affordable underground parking. On the north side of Indianapolis are two more major shopping centers, Castleton Square Mall – anchored by four department stores, and The Fashion Mall at Keystone that offers high-end retailers and dining.

The city has more unique, locally owned stores than ever before lining the streets of cultural districts. Visit Mass Ave, Fountain Square and Broad Ripple to find clothing, art and gifts. Arts a Poppin, IndySwank and Silver in the City sell wares by local artists, and parents can’t go wrong at the colorful and kinetic Mass Ave Toys. Exotic, fair-trade crafts are at Global Gifts, and Indy Reads and Big Hat Books maintain the charm of old-fashioned bookstores.

For an only-in-Indy souvenir such as a handbag, shower curtain, or iPad case, look to People for Urban Progress. This local nonprofit salvaged the roof fabric of the NFL Colt’s old stadium and five miles worth of Super Bowl banners from landfills, cleaned it, and is repurposing it into unique one-of-a-kind products. These hand-crafted items can be found in their studio in Fountain Square and at several boutiques throughout the city.

On the Mainstage

There’s something magical about live theatre and the tremendous amount of work that goes into creating a successful production. Around Indy, the big stages are alive with the sights and sounds of Broadway-style entertainment. Touring Broadway productions come to Indianapolis to deliver memorable theatrical experiences at the Murat Theatre at Old National Center and Clowes Memorial Hall.

After 40 strong seasons, the Indiana Repertory Theatre continues to offer top-notch performances that entertain, challenge and delight. And the Madame Walker Theatre Center, a National Historic Landmark named in honor of America’s first self-made female millionaire, showcases important African-American culture and history through performances.

Intimate Settings

Independent theatres along Mass Ave allow visitors their pick of traditional plays and musicals, off-beat productions, edgy and adult-oriented drama or any type of comedy imaginable. Theatre on the Square boasts two stages and diverse performances ranging from national productions to in-house originals. The Phoenix Theatre is known for thought-provoking, issues-based plays in a contemporary style that mixes in humor. And IndyFringe operates under the slogan ‘unexpected all the time’, with an annual festival each August.

Dinner and a Show

Beef & Boards dinner theater serves up a dinner buffet with a full-service bar and gourmet desserts every night during performances. And at The Mystery Café dinner theatre, murder is always on the menu. (Along with a four-course meal.)

For the Kids

The world’s largest (and according to Child magazine, the best) children’s museum, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, provides five levels of interactive exhibits and 120,000 artifacts exploring art, science, history and culture. Over a million visitors a year come to ride the antique carousel, dig for dinosaur bones, discover National Geographic Treasure of the Earth, and stare in awe at Dale Chihuly’s 43-foot Fireworks of Glass. Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, a Smithsonian affiliate, invites guests to step back in time and made Frommer’s list of “Places to Take Your Kids Before they Grow Up”. Located on 200 acres, this living museum features an 1836 Prairietown, 1863 Civil War Journey, 1859 Balloon Voyage, and more.

Rhythm! Discovery Center entertains and informs through music. This museum allows visitors to beat on drums while learning how rhythm and percussion are part of our daily lives and our history. And the Indianapolis Zoo, ranked a Top-10 Zoo by TripAdvisor, offers a new Flights of Fancy bird exhibit, the world’s largest shark touch tank, and an in-water dolphin experience. And in 2014, it will welcome an unprecedented International Orangutan Exhibit.

The Indian(a) Story

The Eiteljorg Museum is the only museum of its kind in the Midwest, immersing visitors in Western art and the many cultures of American Indians through exhibitions, performances, festivals and hands-on workshops. This award-winning museum offers one of the finest collections of its kind in the world.

Uncover Indiana’s secrets through hands-on exhibits exploring the state’s diverse history at the Indiana State Museum, a world-class institution constructed from Indiana limestone, steel and glass. Then venture down the street to the Indiana History Center to discover the state’s past via interactive experiences and archives.

And history and literary buffs can tour the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library as well as the homes of James Whitcomb Riley and President Benjamin Harrison, all Indiana natives.

Sports Lovers

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum captures the rich 100-year-old history of the world’s fastest sport in the ‘Racing Capital of the World’. And Dallara IndyCar Factory uses 23,000 square feet of interactive and hands-on exhibits to convey the intense engineering and technology behind the sport. The NCAA Hall of Champions showcases all 23 collegiate sports and the heart and dedication it takes to be a student-athlete.

Artistic Discovery

Situated on 152 pristine acres of gardens and grounds, the Indianapolis Museum of Art is an impressive institution. The collection of 54,000 works spans 5,000 years of African, American, Asian, and European history, making it one of the largest encyclopedic museums in the country. Robert Indiana’s original LOVE sculpture greets visitors on the front lawn, usually surprising them that it’s not in Philly or New York.

Those wanting a more hands-on art experience can nurture their artistic side by taking one-night pop up classes accompanied by wine and beer at the Indianapolis Art Center. The Art Center is also open to guests interested in perusing works by other talented and creative local artists. And city-wide gallery tours are available on the first Friday of every month. This free, self-guided art event brings visitors and residents alike to galleries all around the city.

The Great Outdoors

Tour the new 8-mile bicycle and pedestrian-friendly Cultural Trail that connects visitors to hotels, restaurants, attractions and cultural districts. The trail is lined with art and landscaping, leading it to garner international attention as a model for urban revitalization. Tours and bicycle rentals are conveniently available throughout downtown at The Bike Hub @ City Market and Wheel Fun Rentals in White River State Park, and some hotels provide guests with complimentary bikes during their stay.

White River State Park offers 250 acres of green space, attractions, and special event venues, all within walking distance of downtown hotels. Visitors can rent bicycles, kayaks, pedal boats, Segways and even gondolas to cruise the Central Canal and tour the park.

ActiveIndy Tours offers seven guided walking, biking and jogging tours that show off highlights of the city. More guided walking tours are available through Indiana Landmarks, and self-guided tours are available at WalkIndianapolis.com.

There are also over 30 miles of greenways and trails winding through the city for runners and avid bicyclists. And just northwest of downtown is the nation’s sixth largest state park, Eagle Creek, which offers 3,900 acres of trails, a 1,400 acre lake, ropes course, and ziplining. To the east is Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park with 1,700 acres of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Honoring and Remembering

Monument Circle is the iconic heart of downtown, and visitors can get a spectacular eagle-eye view of the city from atop the 284-foot Soldiers & Sailors Monument. Just a few blocks north, the Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District contains two museums, three parks, American Legion’s headquarters, and 24 acres of monuments, statues, sculptures, and fountains. The Shrine Room at the Indiana War Memorial is stunning, with red marble and materials from around the world to symbolize the world-wide nature of the war, 24 stained glass windows and a 30’-tall suspended American flag hanging over the Altar of Consecration. The lower level is the free Indiana War Memorial Museum that displays Indiana’s participation in wars throughout history.

The Central Canal runs through White River State Park and is home to the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial, where twenty-seven curved glass walls represent medal recipients from 15 different conflicts from the Civil War through Iraq and Afghanistan. A sound system plays recorded stories of medal recipients for visitors. Also along the canal are the USS Indianapolis Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial.

North of town, visitors can find the nation’s third largest cemetery with its peaceful, park-like grounds and beautiful architecture and sculptures. Crown Hill is the final resting place of several U.S. Vice Presidents, John Dillinger, members of the Vonnegut family, Alexander Ralston, and James Whitcomb Riley.

Indianapolis International Airport

One of the country’s most environmentally friendly airports is the most passenger-friendly as well. Air travelers receive a rousing greeting to the city when they arrive at Indianapolis International Airport. The $1.1 billion Col. H. Weir Cook Terminal opened in 2008 as the first airport terminal designed after 9/11. It combines state-of-the-art security measures with soaring, smart design and public artwork. Accolades include “No. 1 airport in North America” for performance and service from the Airports Council International, “Best Overall Passenger Experience” from J.D. Power and Associates, and the nation’s first LEED-certified terminal campus. And all this is located an easy 15 minutes from the central business district.

Buses

For visitors staying in the heart of the city, Go Express Travel Airport Shuttle and IndyGo are options to get from the airport to downtown hotels. Go Express nonstop bus service (www.bloomingtonshuttle.com/airport_shuttle) runs every 30 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for $10 one way. Passengers board the shuttle at Zone 1 of the airport’s Ground Transportation Center. In addition to the airport transfer, the IndyGo (www.indygo.net) bus system operates routes all around the city, for as little as $1.75 per ride. Megabus (us.megabus.com) and Greyhound (www.greyhound.com) terminals are also located downtown.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available at the airport, Indiana Convention Center, Circle Centre mall and major hotels. A typical fare from the airport to downtown is $35, and a $5 flat rate is available for most trips within the downtown area.

Driving

Known as the Crossroads of America, Indy is within a day’s drive of over half of the country’s population. Traffic congestion is a rarity in Indianapolis, and visitors find the city’s street layout straightforward and easy to navigate. Downtown features over 70,000 parking spots.

Walking & Biking

National journalists have proclaimed Indy to be one of the most walkable cities in the country. On foot, visitors can reach hundreds of restaurants and attractions from hotels and major meeting venues. An expansive network of climate-controlled skywalks connect the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium with 4,700 hotel rooms and a four-story mall with hundreds of specialty shops and dining options. When visitors want to be outside, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail offers a safe and scenic greenway for bicyclists and pedestrians to reach hotels, dining, shopping and entertainment in the city’s cultural districts. Bicycle rentals are available in White River State Park and at the Indy Bike Hub.

Indianapolis International Airport

Traveling to Indy just got much greener, with the Indianapolis International Airport becoming the nation’s first LEED-certified airport. The Midfield Terminal is 1.2 million square feet, making it among the largest LEED-certified projects in the country. Low impact construction, clean storm water, reduction of aircraft taxi times, low-emitting materials, and very high recycled and regional material usage contributed to the certification. And over 100 acres of solar panels are planned to surround the building.

Indiana Convention Center

The Indiana Convention Center’s green initiatives include food recycling and repurposing through Second Helpings - a nonprofit that redistributes leftover banquet food to homeless shelters, a line of biodegradable disposable serviceware, paper towels and tissues, water stations in lieu of bottles for attendees, and an abundance of natural-light flooded entry ways that reduce the need for artificial light sources.

Georgia Street Event Venue

Georgia Street serves as the connector between the Indiana Convention Center and Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It has been transformed into a pedestrian-friendly, European-style boulevard perfect for unique outdoor events. The wide boardwalk is made of sustainably harvested hardwood, and a rainwater infiltration system reduces the amount that reaches the city sewers and reduces potable water use for irrigation. The street is lined with energy efficient lighting, recycling containers, and trees and native plants reduce the urban heat island effect.

Bicycles & Walking Instead of Cars

Throughout downtown and adjacent to the convention center, a lane of car traffic was removed to make way for the innovative Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a new $63 million, 8-mile bicycle and pedestrian path that connects visitors in a green way to hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions. The walkability, bike-friendliness, and compact design of the downtown greatly reduces transportation needs for planners and attendees.

A system of climate-controlled skywalks connecting hotels, shopping and dining to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium keeps the city walkable in rainy or cold weather.

The new Indy Bike Hub at City Market, operated by Bicycle Garage Indy, and Wheel Fun Rentals in White River State Park provide easy access to bicycle rentals. Guests staying at the Conrad Indianapolis or The Alexander can utilize the hotel bicycles free of charge during their stay.

Sports Recycling

When the RCA Dome (former home of the NFL Colts) came down to make way for the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, the fabric of the dome roof was salvaged by a local nonprofit, People for Urban Progress, to repurpose as tote bags, wallets, journals, and shade structures in public parks and farmers markets. Following the Super Bowl in February 2012, People for Urban Progress also saved five miles worth of banners and signage from landfills to repurpose as shower curtains, beach bags, and other usable items. And seats from the Indianapolis Indian’s old Bush Stadium have been saved and repurposed as bus stop and public park seating.

The Alexander

The city’s newest hotel qualified for LEED-Silver certification by featuring a cistern to collect and recycle rain water, installing LED lights, using room keycard censor technology to only light and heat/cool rooms when in use, providing electric vehicle charging stations, and selecting low-flow faucets and plumbing designs. For meeting planners who would like to follow green and sustainable practices for their events, The Alexander can assist with everything from using recycled paper for meeting materials to planning organic menus made with locally sourced ingredients.

Other Places

Perfect for a board meeting or executive retreat, the 100 Acres Visitors Pavilion at the Indianapolis Museum of Art is LEED-certified and located in a serene natural wooded setting. The Nature Conservancy Efroymson Conservation Center downtown is the city’s first LEED-Platinum building and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s headquarters are LEED-Gold. And Growing Places Indy’s 6,000 sq. ft. Slow Food Garden in White River State Park promotes the benefits of urban agriculture, food access, and practices for living well.

Your Convention Services Manager and the Visit Indy team can help connect you with a service project that fits your needs and goals. Here are just a few examples of local organizations you can partner with.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful

Help people and nature thrive by planting trees, building pocket parks, or participating in a cleanup. www.kibi.org/volunteer

Indy Parks

Enjoy the outdoors while improving the recreational opportunities for Indianapolis communities. www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPR/Admin/Pages/volunteering.aspx

Second Helpings

Transform lives through the power of food by preparing or delivering meals to the food insecure in Central Indiana. www.secondhelpings.org/volunteer

United Way of Central Indiana

Promote literacy and learning among school-aged children. www.uwci.org/volunteer