16+ Classic, Hoosier Things to Do When You Visit Indy

Your favorite Indianapolis local and Indy travel enthusiast has rounded up her 16 classic, bucket list items any tourist needs to do on a visit to Indy. No visit to the Circle City is complete without completing the entire list. So let's discuss - what are the best things to do in Indianapolis for tourists?

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Looking for things to do in Indianapolis?

Basketball (Reggie Miller!), the Indy 500, and pork tenderloin. I'd say those are the three most common word associations when I tell people I'm from Indianapolis.


As the self-declared 'amateur sports capital of the world,' in addition to hosting a number of professional sporting championships (including, this year, the NBA All-Star Game), and one of the most popular cities for conventions in the US, Indianapolis regularly plays host to large number of visitors who, sadly, often have fairly low expectations for their time in Indy. 


On a happier note, I find that people who've been to Indianapolis have always found plenty of things to do, and have left our fairy city impressed by our friendly Hoosier hospitality, and the sheer number of entertainment opportunities the city offers. 


Oh and did I mention our easily walkable downtown? 


And our great collection of world-class museums?


Whenever I have friends visiting, they ask the inevitable question: "What are the things I just *have* to do in Indianapolis? And I am always ready to oblige!


So let's walk through the best things to do in Indianapolis that are easy and fun for tourists. 
Your Indianapolis bucket list. 
Consider this post my love letter to Indianapolis, the best home town there ever way. 
I promise we'll find something to entertain every member of the entire family.

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16+ Classic, Hoosier Things to Do in Indianapolis
from a local

Devour a delicious Hoosier pork tenderloin

In an effort to bring the German staple, schnitzel, to Americans, Nick Freienstein created the gigantic sandwich at Nick's Kitchen in Huntington, outside of Fort Wayne. The enormous schnitzel spills out from the bun, in an impressive display that has only grown over the last 100 years. And Hoosier have adopted the pork tenderloin with gusto. Any local restaurant will be sure to assure you they sell "Indiana's best tenderloin," and the only way to prove them wrong is to keep trying them all until you find your personal favorite! There's nothing more Indianapolis than a classic pork tenderloin.


Fittingly, but for our money, you can't beat the pork tenderloin at The Rathskeller, a very popular German spot on Mass Ave downtown Indy.


If you're looking to venture slightly outside of the downtown area, come up to my neck of the woods to The Aristocrat, which, founded in 1923, is one of the usual forerunners for "best pork tenderloin in Indianapolis."


Want to know more about this Hoosier staple? No Bun Can Contain Indiana's Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Experience Indiana's basketball obsession

In 49 other states, it's just basketball..

There are no greater basketball fans than Hoosiers. They literally made an eponymous movie about our love of high school basketball.

If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don't care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, in my book we're gonna be winners.

The days of Hoosier Hysteria may be over, but Indiana is still home to 9 out of the 10 largest high school gyms in the country. The Indiana Pacers, the IU Hoosiers, the Purdue Boilermakers, the Butler Bulldogs all attract our complete and unwavering devotion (when they're good). 


So join your dedicated Hoosier sports fans at a basketball game while you're in Indy! Downtown Indy is home to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which is actually based on Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University, and watch those Indiana Pacers. Experience some Hoosier Hysteria.

Zip around the Track & the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

Iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway plays host each year to the 'greatest spectacle in racing,' the Indianapolis 500- the largest single-day sporting event in the world. Did you know you can visit, even without 300,000 of your fellow fans? Have a poke around the pits (where they fix up the race cars during the Race)


The IMS is home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which features not only a museum portion with displays, but also the ability to take tours to see the facilities outside of Memorial Day Weekend.


And did you know that the Speedway has a golf course? Play Brickyard Crossing, a unique way to experience the IMS outside of the 500.

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Risk your tastebuds on a Shrimp Cocktail at St. Elmo's

Just off of Monument circle, in the heart of Downtown Indianapolis is the city's most popular local spot for steak, drinks, and...the world's spiciest shrimp cocktails. Testing your taste buds on a St Elmo's Steak House shrimp cocktail is an Indianapolis right of passage. They are NOT for the feint of heart.

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Stroll the Indianapolis Canal Walk

Did you know that the State of Indiana bankrupted itself in a surge of canal building in the 1840s, just as the railroad revolution swept the United States? Hoosier fun fact of the day. In addition to some amendments to our state Constitution (sorry, I'm a lawyer!), one legacy of this time is our downtown 
Central Canal, which is now home to the Canal walk, including an urban park, paddle boat rentals, gondola rides, and the USS Indianapolis Memorial, all connected to the city by the Indianapolis Cultural Trail (which we'll get to in a minute).

Climb the Soldiers and Sailors Monument

In the heart of downtown Indianapolis at Monument Circle is the true center of our city, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Want excellent views of the city? You can all the way to the top to access the observation deck. Then brag about your climbing exploits to all of your friends.

Walk the Indiana War Memorial and Mall

Indianapolis was designed by Alexander Ralston, a protege of DC designer Pierre L'Enfant, whose 1821 design of the city laid the framework for the grid, with the roundabout and diagonal streets (such as Massachusetts and Virginia avenues) that we know and love today! Like DC, Indianapolis also has a lovely War Memorial Mall, featuring a number of different monuments.

Play at the World's Largest Children's Museum

1917 Carousel at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Did you know Indianapolis is home to the world's largest Children's Museum?
Featuring 472,900 square feet of interactive exhibits, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is an unparalleled experience for the whole family. Travel to Greece, enter the Dinosphere to experience dinosaurs like you never have before, see the water clock, learn about archeology

That said, only put this spot on your list if you've brought the kiddos. We have plenty of other lovely museums for the child-free.

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

Tour the home of the only hoosier president, President Benjamin Harrison, The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The Victorian house museum showcases the president's life as you tour the historic building, under the tutelage of one of their experienced volunteer guides.

Take in an Indianapolis Colts Game at Lucas Oil Stadium

'The house that Peyton built' is yet another of Indianapolis' must-see sporting venues. Lucas Oil Stadium, our state-of-art NFL stadium, featuring a retractable roof, has enough food and beverage options to entice even the most hesitant NFL viewer. Easily walkable from downtown Indy, stop by "Touchdown Town" and grab a bloody Mary before your game.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Rent a bike and discover Indianapolis on our 8-mile bike and pedestrian path that circumvents the city. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a favorite of locals and tourists alike, connects all the areas of downtown you'll want to visit.

See all the White River State Park has to offer

From a lovely outdoor venue for music lovers, to "Indy's backyard," the White River State Park, is a surprisingly tranquil green space nestled right into the heart of the city. Featuring the Indianapolis Zoo, Victory Field (home of the Indianapolis Indians, our AAA baseball team), the Indiana State Museum, the NCAA Hall of Champions, and the Eiteljorg Museum, it's basically everything a tourist could want! 


Oh and did I mention the IMAX?

See the original LOVE statue at Newfields

Did you know that the LOVE statute that has become synonymous with Philadelphia was actually created by Robert Indiana and the original is housed at Newfields? Stop by and say hi!

​And while you're here, explore Indianapolis' world-class art museum, which includes not only the Indianapolis Museum of Art itself, but also several interesting places on the grounds, such as its awesome new, outdoor beer garden, Oldfields, a Lilly house (of pharmaceutical fame). Newfields also hosts a number of excellent special events, including Harvest Nights and Winterlights, along with their summer movie series.

Our state fair is a great state fair...don't miss it, don't even be late

If you're visiting Indianapolis in August, be sure to stop by the Indiana State Fair. Just 5 miles north of the center of downtown, the Fairground are easily accessible for tourist. Everything deep fried you could ever want, cuddly livestock, concerts, and did I mention food?

venture to the 'burbs...

Learn about Indiana's beginnings at Conner Prairie

Heading up to the suburbs, see a representation the start of European settlement in central Indianan began at Conner Prairie, an interactive living history museum featuring a living, breathing, reenanctor-staffed 19th century central Indiana town. While it's a must-see for history buffs, Conner Prairie has expanded to offer tons of programs that are so much fun for the whole family, including Symphony on the Prairie (featuring the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra), Headless Horseman, and the 1859 Ballon Voyage.

A night out on the town at the Palladium

The Palladium, Carmel

In the next northern suburb, Carmel, you'll find The Carmel Center for the Performing Arts, including its focal point, The Palladium. A Neoclassical performing arts venue, the Palladium itself is worth a visit, and with a rotating schedule of top-notch performances, keep an eye out for a great show during your visit. If you're visiting over the holidays, be sure to check out the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, an enchanting, authentic Christmas market held in the shadow of The Palladium that is consistently rated one of the best in the country.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you have a wonderful visit to Indianapolis. There are plenty of things to do to keep the whole family entertained in the Circle City! Drop your favorite things to do in Indianapolis in the comment section below. And while you're here, I hope you'll check out all of my other Indianapolis trip planning resources!

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