A Local's Guide to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Looking to explore Indianapolis on your bike? Check out the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which circumnavigates Downtown Indy's top sights!

Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Interested in Exploring
​the Indianapolis Cultural Trail?

You should be! Many are surprised to learn that Indianapolis boasts a massive biking/walking/running trail that encircles our downtown! On a beautiful day in the Circle City, it's the place to be. The easiest way to explore the city, the Cultural Trail has garnered high praise from even the New York Times ("In Indianapolis,  A Bike Path to Progress"). With a price tag of $63 million, it's no wonder Hoosiers are proud of it!

As you know, we've been lucky enough to live downtown Indianapolis since 2014, first on the Canal and now over near Mass Ave - both hot spots on the Cultural Trail.

Care/don't care sign on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail at Mass Ave

How long is the Indianapolis Cultural Trail?

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is 8 miles long! But don't worry - you can stop at any point and find your way home!

View of Downtown Indianapolis from the Indianapolis Cultural Trail at Fountain Square

Indianapolis Cultural Trail Tips

A few things to keep in mind while you're exploring the trail:

• The Cultural Trail weaves throughout Indianapolis, so beware of cars and always be smart.
• The Cultural Trail is not a rails-to-trails environment, so if you're looking to get a huge, fast ride in, select the connected Monon Trail instead, which can take you over 20 miles!
• There are very few (if any?) Cultural Trail restrooms, but you're in the middle of Indianapolis, so there are plenty of places to pop into (see below!)
• Don't have your own bike? Take part in our local bike share! Rent one of our 575 Pacers-branded bikes! For station locations and pricing, check out the Pacers Bikeshare Website!

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail has a helpful website with additional information for visitors!

Borg-Warner Trophy being put up on the JW Marriott, Downtown Indy, from the Cultural Trail

...and don't forget your map!

An online-friendly Indianapolis Cultural Trail map is available from the trail itself!

Did you know?
The Cultural Trail connects all of the major sporting arenas in Downtown Indy: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil Stadium, & Victory Field.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail Destinations

Fountain Square

We'll start in the far south-east corner of the city, in Indianapolis's trendiest spot, Fountain Square. From thrift shops to creative restaurants, music venues and breweries, Fountain Square is a great place to start your time on the Cultural Trail! Here you'll see your first of Indianapolis's diagonal streets, Virginia Avenue.

While you're there, don't forget to see Indianapolis's most...creative...park, The Idle, where you can be mesmerized...by commuter traffic.

And, of course, my dining recommendations in Fountain Square:

• Chilly Water: Just on the other side of the interstate from The Idle, you'll find Chilly Water Brewing, a fun, local brewery directly on the Cultural Trail and perfect for people watching! Try their Fire on the Mountain hummus - it's amazing.
• The Inferno Room: No, Indianapolis is not known for its Tiki bar scene, but it *should be.* The owners of the Inferno Room did copious research - and spent a few - to turn this place into a true tropical paradise.
• Upland: An Indiana-born brewery, imported from nearby Bloomington (home to Indiana University, where I went to law school), Upland only recently opened its hugely popular Fountain Square location.
• Milktooth: No Indianapolis guide would be complete without recommending Milk Tooth, the most highly-acclaimed restaurant in the city, specializing in hipster brunch. Be prepared for a wait - don't worry, you can have a Bloody Mary.

Gorgeous cocktail at the Inferno Room in Fountain Square

Indianapolis City Market

​En Route:
If you continue on the Cultural Trail up to Mass Ave next, you'll pass the Indianapolis City Market, our historic food hall, built in 1886!

Mass Ave

St. Mary's Church, Mass Ave

Time for my favorite spot in Indianapolis, Mass Ave! Based around another of the city's diagonal streets, Massachusetts Avenue, Mass Ave is the fastest-growing area in town. Mostly bars and restaurants, we also have some little boutiques to explore, and soon we'll have our own movie theatre!

If you're looking for Mass Ave restaurant recommendations, check out my full post! For taking a break from your Cultural Trail journey, here are some great stopping spots on Mass Ave (starting south and working our way north):

• The Tap: Grab a beer at another Bloomington import, The Tap, known for its huge beer selection and tasty snacks.
• Bakersfield: Craving a margarita? Bakersfield is the place to snag one on The Ave!
• The Athenaeum: Tap into Indianapolis's German heritage and indulge in a *giant* beer here at our historic German heritage center, turned gym, restaurant, theatre, and wedding venue! Not surprisingly, it has the best beer garden in town.
• Ralston's: Probably my favorite restaurant on Mass, Ralston's is named for the city planner who designed Indianapolis! They've got great outdoor dining, including a road-facing bar, perfect for people watching! They also own St Joseph's, a microbrew in a converted church!
• Gordon's Milkshake Bar: Fuel-up for your bike ride with a gorgeous milkshake from Gordon's! These things are seriously Instagram-worthy.

Sneaky day-time beer at Ralston's

Love beer? Check out my list of downtown Indianapolis's Best Breweries.

The Mall

Our next stop on the Cultural Trail is The American Legion Mall, much like DC's similarly named collection of monuments (as we discussed, our city planner was a disciple of Pierre L'Enfant, who designed D.C.).

​Featuring the Indiana War Memorial, which includes the names of Hoosier veterans (and is worth going inside, if you have time), you'll also see our Central Library. If commemorative morals are your thing, check out this self-guided tour!

View from the Indiana War Memorial, Indianapolis

En Route:
Grab at drink at another local brewery,
 Two Deep Brewing.

The Canal

 And we've made it to the Canal District, the area surrounding our downtown Canal, and closer to one of our local colleges, IUPUI (a combination of IU and Purdue here in Indy). Home to many law and medical students, this place is *popping* on any nice day. It is sometimes easier to dismount and walk, if you want to stroll along the canal without running anyone over.

Stop by Fresco, the Italian cafe serving up delicious lunch options that literally kept me alive while studying for the bar exam. Oh and they also have amazing cocktails.

View of the Cultural Trail crossing the Canal, Downtown Indy

Where does the Canal go?

Funny you should ask. It's only a partially built canal, as the state of Indiana bankrupted itself in the mid-19th century, going all-in on canals just before the rise of the railroads. Oops.

Pedal boats for rent on the Canal (no, it's not always that color)

White River State Park

The last stop on our tour of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is the White River State Park, where you'll find downtown Indy's museums and family entertainment venues. From Indianapolis's local baseball team's playing field, Victory Field, to The Indiana State Museum and the NCAA Hall of Champions, there's a museum to suit anyone's tastes!

And, of course, just across the White River is The Indianapolis Zoo, one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon! 

View over the White River, at night - the trail leading toward the Zoo

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you enjoy exploring Downtown Indy on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail as much as we always do! Don't forget to subscribe to the blog newsletter, and let me know your favorite spots on the Cultural Trail in the comments, below!

Bikes on the Cultural Trail, Indianapolis

Love it? Pin it!