Things to do in Indianapolis
Late spring and early fall bring mild days, blooming parks, and the city's biggest events, with May centered on the Indy 500. Summers are warm and humid, and winters are cold with occasional snow, when indoor museums and conservatories shine.
Best months: May, June, September, October
What is worth your time in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayDo not miss
The 2.5-mile home of the Indy 500 offers grounds tours, a lap of the famous oval, and a kiss of the bricks at the start-finish line.
Landmark · 2.3 hr4.8
Indianapolis Motor Speedway MuseumDo not miss
A newly renovated museum inside the oval packed with winning Indy cars, trophies, and a century of motorsport history.
Museum · 1.8 hr4.8
Indiana State MuseumDo not miss
Three floors tracing Indiana's natural history, culture, and innovation, plus an IMAX theater overlooking the canal.
Museum · 2.3 hr4.7
Indianapolis Canal WalkDo not miss
A three-mile loop along the historic Central Canal where you can stroll, jog, or paddle a pedal boat past memorials and downtown views.
Scenic Route · 1.4 hr4.7
Massachusetts AvenueDo not miss
Mass Ave is the city's walkable arts and dining diagonal, lined with theaters, galleries, indie shops, and some of the best restaurants downtown.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr4.7
NewfieldsDo not miss
A 152-acre campus pairing the Indianapolis Museum of Art with The Garden, the immersive Lume digital experience, and seasonal light shows.
Museum · 3.8 hr4.7
The Children's Museum of IndianapolisDo not miss
The largest children's museum in the world, with dinosaurs bursting through walls, a real Greek shipwreck, and five floors of hands-on wonder.
Museum · 4 hr4.7
White River State ParkDo not miss
A downtown green oasis along the river that anchors the zoo, Eiteljorg, State Museum, and riverside paths in one walkable hub.
Park · 2 hr4.7
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western ArtDo not miss
A striking museum of Native American and Western art, with renowned galleries, a sculpture courtyard, and one of the finest collections in the country.
Museum · 2.3 hr4.6
Indianapolis ZooDo not miss
A combined zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden in White River State Park, famous for its orangutan center and dolphin presentations.
Activity · 3.8 hr4.5
Rhythm! Discovery Center
A hands-on percussion museum where you can play drums and instruments from around the world, a hit with kids and music lovers.
Museum · 1.5 hr5
Scottish Rite Cathedral
One of the world's grandest Masonic buildings, a Tudor Gothic showpiece of carved oak, a 54-bell carillon, and ornate ballrooms open for tours.
Architecture · 1.1 hr4.9
Holliday Park
Wooded riverside trails and a nature center surround The Ruins, a dramatic arrangement of salvaged 1898 facade sculptures.
Park · 1.8 hr4.8
Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
A tribute to the Indianapolis-born author with his typewriter, drawings, rejection letters, and a banned-books reading room.
Museum · 1.1 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- May is Indy 500 month: the city revolves around the Speedway, hotels fill early, and race weekend snarls traffic, so plan around the event schedule.
- Downtown is compact and walkable, and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail links most major sights on foot or by rented bike.
- Many museums cluster around White River State Park, so you can pair the zoo, Eiteljorg, and the State Museum in one easy day.
- Summers are warm and humid while winters are cold, so pack layers and keep conservatories and indoor museums as rainy or snowy day backups.
- Sports drive the city, so check Colts, Pacers, and minor-league baseball schedules since a game night transforms downtown.