Known as the Crossroads of America because of the many highways and rail routes that meet here, Indianapolis is a well-visited city with a diverse culture. The lifestyle in Indianapolis is varied, and new arrivals will find all sorts of activities and events to suit their preferences.
The people of Indianapolis, often referring to themselves as ‘Hoosiers’, know how to have fun. A typical sports-crazed city, Indianapolis has a brimming sports calendar of just about every code, including the biggest event of the year (and the largest single-day sporting event in the world), the extremely popular Indy 500.
It’s not all about blood, sweat and high octane, though – culture vultures and foodies can also get their fix in the Circle City. Indy is dotted with a variety of museums, galleries, theatres, unique bars and breweries, exciting eateries and artisanal shops. Those who like to get outdoors won’t be disappointed either, as the city is blessed with plenty of tree-lined parks and fields.
Shopping in Indianapolis
Shopping options in Indianapolis range from upscale malls to quirky independent boutiques in the city’s cultural districts. The Fashion Mall at Keystone, in the northeast of the city, is the premier destination for high-end retail. Anchored by Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, it draws shoppers from across the metro area and features a selection of luxury and lifestyle brands and restaurants. There are plenty of options for everyday essentials and big-box retail in the surrounding Keystone Crossing and Castleton corridor.
For something with more local flavour, Massachusetts Avenue (known as Mass Ave) is the place to go. This walkable downtown cultural district is lined with independent boutiques, galleries, and one-of-a-kind gift shops. Broad Ripple, a few miles north of downtown, has a similar indie streak and is home to the Broad Ripple Farmers Market, the largest in Indiana, which runs year round.
Downtown’s historic Indianapolis City Market, operating since the 1880s, hosts a weekly farmers’ market and a selection of food vendors in its grand market house.
Outdoor activities and sports in Indianapolis
Sports in Indianapolis are hard to miss. Home to NFL and NBA teams, a highly celebrated college sports programme, and the annual Indianapolis 500 motor race, the city ensures sports fans are never bored.
The Indianapolis 500 (or Indy 500 for short) is the world’s oldest currently operational automobile race, the biggest single-day sporting event in the world, and the pride of Indiana. It’s held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, lovingly referred to as the ‘Brickyard’, in an enclave suburb of Indianapolis, aptly called Speedway. The Indy 500 is one of the most famous and watched races in the world. It attracts around 350,000 people on race day and is an irresistible spectacle of speed, dares and danger.
Those with a keen interest in sports that do not involve a racetrack will be thrilled to know that Indianapolis is home to six professional sports franchises: the Indianapolis Colts (NFL) at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana Pacers (NBA) and Indiana Fever (WNBA) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis Indians (Triple A baseball) at Victory Field, Indy Eleven (USL Championship soccer), and the Indy Fuel (ECHL ice hockey). All three major downtown venues are within walking distance of one another.
Beyond spectator sport, Indianapolis has plenty to offer the active. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an eight-mile (13km) paved pathway ideal for cycling and running through downtown’s cultural districts. Eagle Creek Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country, offers hiking trails, kayaking, sailing, and fishing. Recreational sports leagues for adults are popular across the city – flag football, softball, kickball, and cycling clubs all provide a ready-made social scene.
Arts and culture in Indianapolis
While arts and culture in Indianapolis get less airtime than the racing scene, the city is rich in both, from tiny bespoke galleries in districts such as Broad Ripple to museums of just about every persuasion.
Indy has one of the most walkable downtowns of any major city. New arrivals hungry for a bit of culture will love taking in a play or a live show, or shopping for handmade collectables. Other options include sipping on local brews, sitting down to world-class meals, or simply marvelling at the city’s charming architecture and soaking up the sights.
Downtown is further characterised by sidewalk cafés, street art and graffiti murals, quaint boutiques, a buzzing nightlife scene with pumping clubs and cosy pubs, and stunning greenways and parks.
Eating out in Indianapolis
Much of the Midwest seems to be dominated by chain restaurants, but eating out in Indianapolis tells a different story. The city has undergone something of a food renaissance in recent years and has managed to climb to the top of several ‘best food cities’ lists in the US.
Downtown is chock full of world-class eateries catering to all tastes, from superb steak houses, farm-to-fork establishments, and vegan offerings to Cajun, Creole, and Italian eateries, excellent local burger joints, and delis that sell life-changing sandwiches. Many pubs also serve up surprisingly delicious and innovative grub alongside vintage cocktails and exceptional brews.
A local and traditional Hoosier speciality that keen foodies will want to try is the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich. Rarely seen outside Indiana, this delicious creation consists of a cutlet of pork tenderloin that has been pounded, breaded or battered, fried and served on a bun. The bun is topped with onions, mayo and whatever else the specific establishment chooses to add.
See and do in Indianapolis
New arrivals to this surprisingly bustling and cosmopolitan Midwest metro will have an absolute ball exploring their adopted city, as there is a wonderful array of things to see and do in Indianapolis. Below are a few highlights of the Circle City that you will want to check out first.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The most celebrated car race in the US, the Indianapolis 500 (or Indy 500 for short), is the world’s oldest operational automobile race and the biggest single-day sporting event in the world. It’s held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, six miles west of downtown. The circuit is a 2.5-mile oval track, and the race is 500 miles (804km).
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Housed on the lovely Newfields campus north of the city centre is the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The highly celebrated museum consists of four pavilions: the Krannert Pavilion (American art from pre-Columbian times to the present day and Asian art), the Hulman Pavilion (from Baroque to Neo-Impressionism), and the Eiteljorg Gallery of African and South Pacific Art. Renaissance art lovers can visit the Clowes Pavilion, while the Lilly Pavilion features British and American furniture and German porcelain.
Eagle Creek Park
One of the largest municipal parks in the US, Eagle Creek Park covers a total area of 5,300 acres of land and water. A popular destination in the summer, the park rents out all sorts of watercraft at the marina, and visitors can even take sailing lessons. There’s a giant playground for kids, treetop zip lines, beach volleyball, and a 36-hole golf course at the Eagle Creek Golf Club. Keen anglers will also have a great time casting for walleye and large-mouth bass. The park also hosts regular summer concerts.
Monument Circle
History buffs will enjoy a closer inspection of Monument Circle in downtown Indy, where the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument has stood since its dedication in 1902. It honours Indiana’s veterans from the Civil War and several other conflicts. The Mausoleum and Memorial Hall are just north of the monument.
White River State Park
Smack in the middle of downtown Indy is the sprawling White River State Park. A welcome solace from the scurry of the city centre, the park boasts peaceful greenery and leafy shade. It’s also home to an assortment of top tourist attractions, including two museums, a zoo, a baseball park, an IMAX theatre, the NCAA Hall of Champions and the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial.
Indianapolis Zoo
Also located in White River State Park, the zoo contains several habitats, including an aquarium and huge botanical gardens that cover more than three acres of permanent and changing gardens with flora from around the world. Established in 1964 and relocated to its current home at White River State Park in 1988, the Indianapolis Zoo contributes significantly to worldwide conservation and research and provides specially created, spacious environs for a wide variety of animals.
Meeting people and making friends in Indianapolis
Meeting people and making friends in Indianapolis is easier than you might expect. The city has a genuine community spirit, and Hoosiers are famously approachable.
Social media groups are a good low-barrier starting point; search for Indianapolis-specific groups on Facebook and other platforms. Meetup lists dozens of active groups across a range of interests, from hiking and board games to tech and language exchange.
Sports and recreational leagues are one of the most natural ways to connect; joining an amateur flag football, softball, or cycling league puts you shoulder to shoulder with locals who share your interests. Even attending Pacers or Colts games as a regular can spark friendships quickly.