As the capital city of Indiana, the metropolis of Indianapolis, sporting nicknames like Naptown, Indy, The Crossroads of America, and the Circle City, boasts a bustling population topping two million. The crown city has long been a Midwest mecca for national sporting events, a fact that's earned the Indiana state capital another nickname-"The Amateur Sports Capital of the World." Indianapolis has played host to the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the 1987 Pan-American Games, and perhaps most infamously, the Indianapolis 500. Always keeping one eye cocked on thrilling attractions, Indy nestles a number of pivotal points of interests for the roving tourist, including cultural attractions, festivals, museums, quaint eateries, and a half dozen cultural districts entrenched in art, culture, and high fashion.
Located in the heart of Downtown Indianapolis, Circle Centre is a thriving shopping district that serves as the heartbeat of the passionate fashionista...or fashionisto. Designed under the guidance of European street markets, Circle Centre houses flagship establishments like Nordstrom, Carson Pirie Scott, and over 100 spots for fine dining and specialty shopping.
« hide
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest museum in the world targeted toward kids. The massive four hundred thousand square-foot facility is home to eleven galleries with a focus on the physical and natural sciences, cultures of the world, history, and the arts. The fourteen acre Children's Museum presents over one thousand programs and activities for ankle biters annually, and many of the museum's activities are largely hands-on.
« hide
The elegant atmosphere of Broad Ripple Village is located twenty minutes north of Downtown Indianapolis. Broad Ripple offers residents and visitors an array of unique storefront shops, art galleries, and outdoor dining on Naptown's sunniest days. There are also numerous pubs, restaurants, and hot local nightspots dotting the neighborhood. The Historic Monon Trail is a community favorite with residents and visitors. The trail is custom designed for walking, running, and biking.
« hide
Tucked neatly in the confines of the Holiday Inn North at the Pyramids is the underwater paradise of Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park. Caribbean Cove sports approximately fifty thousand square feet of tropical water recreation. Locals head here to the chilly plunge pool, three slick water slides, two spas, a sports activity pool, a water dumping station, and a kids island. The park also features Calypso Café & Crazy CoCo's Arcade.
« hide
White River State Park is the only urban state park showcasing a large selection of recreation, entertainment, and attractions in Indiana. In addition to the miles of waterway and grassy trails descriptive of any state park, White River contains some of the most traveled tourist attractors in Indianapolis. White River State Park includes:
Indianapolis Zoo
White River Gardens
Victory Field Baseball Park
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art IMAX Theater
Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Military Park
McCormick's Rock
Pedestrian Bridge
River Promenade
Pumphouse
Central Canal
Indiana State Museum
NCAA Hall of Champions & Headquarters
The Lawn Amphitheater
There's also a Visitor Center. Pedal boat and bike rentals are available.
« hide
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall Of Fame Museum features one of the world's most diverse collection of classic, racing, and antique motor vehicles. And that's along with more than thirty Indianapolis 500 winning cars. The museum's Tony Hulman Theatre host daily twenty minute presentations on the history of racing in America, with a sprinkling of track highlights. Track tours are also available
« hide
Situated just steps from the hustle and bustle of Downtown, the Indianapolis Zoo highlights the homes of more than 350 various species of animals. Since it's opening in 1964, the Indianapolis Zoo has hosted more than one million visitors each year, and was the world's first facility to oversee the first successful artificial insemination of an African elephant. The Indianapolis Zoo is located in White River State Park, and also includes an aquarium and an botanical garden. The zoo, where connecting animals, plants, and people is the central mission, offers seasonal train, pony, and family roller coaster rides. The complex also includes the 3.3-acre White River Gardens, which features hundreds of plant varieties on display in an collection of outdoor gardens.
« hide
CIBO means food in Italian, and the team at CIBO Ristorante Italiano offers a healthy helping of tasty cibo, with a side of wine and the old elegance of Old-World Italy. The extensive list of wines was custom-fitted to go along with multi-course dinners and gourmet pizza. Private dining rooms and limousine services just might make CIBO the place to be for that next big business meeting.
« hide
Copper-toned brew kettles and stainless steel vessels double as a backdrop for Circle Centre's new-fangled Alcatraz Brewing Company (no relation to the famed California State Prison of the same name). Flavorful salads, pastas, petite sandwiches, and wood fried pizzas make up the menu at Alcatraz Handicapped facilities.
« hide
Amalfi Ristorante Italiano is an independently owned addition to North Keystone Crossing's intense Italian cuisine scene. Dishes here are kissed with a pinch of home recipe, and specialties include fresh bread, pasta, homemade lasagna, eggplant parmesan, chicken cacciatore, veal marsala, and the Chef's personal favorite, filetto monte carlo. Amalfi's offers free parking, motorcoach parking, and facilities for the disabled.
« hide
The Hard Rock Cafe's flag flies from the skyscrapers of NYC, the monuments of Washington, and even the sunny strip of Las Vegas has an HRC of it's very own. Now the Hard Rock Cafe has brought it's classic American food under the umbrella of authentic rock-n-roll memorabilia of yesteryear smack dap to the middle to Downtown Indianapolis
« hide
Old Italy and forties/fifties supper club come together to comprised Buca di Beppo, a self-proclaimed "Immigrant Southern Italian Restaurant." House specials include spaghetti and meatballs, chicken cacciatore, and rigatoni positano. Helpings are served in large portions specifically designed to be shared.
« hide
The Fountain Diner originally opened it's doors to the beat of fifties doo-wop in what was once an Woolworth's back in 1959. Today, the Fountain Diner is still swinging as a soda fountain/grill, serving traveler's treats like burgers, fries, and arguably the best hand-dipped malt in town.
« hide
Bar-B-Q Heaven is a local carryout where the motto is "Ribs Galore." Located two and a half miles away from Downtown Indianapolis, sweet potato pie, rib tips, chicken, BBQ on a Bun, and salads top off the menu at Bar-B-Q Heaven.
« hide
Arni's has been serving up cheesy slices of "Indianapolis' Favorite Pizza" since 1965. Arni's showcases an expansive collection of motorcycles and bicycles in a dining room complete with color and the sounds of classic movies and music. The menu includes a selection of pastas, pizzas, salads, burgers, deli faves, and chicken.
« hide
Who can resist a BBQ joint so bodacious? National Barbecue News and Indianapolis' Dine Magazine ranked Dick's Downtown amongst the Best Barbecue in Indianapolis. Filled with an ambiance of smoky goodness, Dick's is world-famous (Well, not really) for featuring authentic Texas Q slowly cooked and smothered to enhance the meat's natural flavor.
« hide
Indianapolis' young professionals flock to the (7) Seven Lounge, Naptown's answer to entertainment for the "grown and sexy." The upscale and ultra-posh hot spot is patterned after the luxurious nightlife of Miami and Las Vegas and offers guest VIP bottle service and the establishment's own signature brand of cocktails.
« hide
Crime in Indianapolis' city limits have fluctuated largely over the last ten years. This trend began in the late 1990's at which point the city experienced a powerful surge in violent crime, particularly in inner-city neighborhoods. In 2005, the homicide rate in Indianapolis was five times the national average.
« hide
Gelo is the Indy hot spot where partygoers can expect to vy for the occasional celebrity sighting. Perched above CIBO Ristorante Italiano, Gelo sports a fifty foot ice bar, plasma screens, and old-school sounds for the fun-loving mature crowd. Stocked with a complete bar and sporadic sprinklings of salsa, Gelo is attractive for folks looking for a before bed nightcap, or sultry dancer searching for a night out on the town. Valet parking available.
« hide
Break out your dancing shoes and head for the largest dance floor in Indiana catering to Top 40 DJ-spun hits. A chic cocktail lounge adorned with a variety of plush white lounge seats called "Sky Bar" overlooks the rest of the cabaret style live entertainment venue.
« hide
Landsharks is the only beach party biting in the Broad Ripple Village. The twenty-one to thirty sect relish in the tropical drinks and Tequila driven atmosphere that transplants patrons to the sandy beaches of Miami. Landsharks features go-go dancers and exclusive VIP bottle service. Landsharks enforces a dress code that includes No Athletic Wear / No Jerseys, No Bandannas / No Skull Caps / No Stocking Caps, No Hats, No Baggy Clothes, No Sleeveless Shirts, No Plain White T-Shirts, No Work Boots, and No Flip-Flops for gentlemen.
« hide
Cheap Indianapolis Flights
These are the cheapest* flights to Crawfordsville found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours. Use the links to see
if you can get a better flight deal.