Tourist Mistakes in Indianapolis

Heading to Indianapolis, Indiana? Check out the things you need to know about The Crossroads of America!

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Preparing for a trip to Indianapolis?

We're excited you're coming! Whether it's a Midwest road trip, or, in happier times, a downtown Indianapolis conference or the Indianapolis 500 (the largest single-day sporting event in the world!!), there's so much to do, right here in Indianapolis. I'm your local Hoosier guide to discovering the Indianapolis food scene, museums, historic sites, & bar hopping.

We've had the pleasure of living downtown Indianapolis, first on the Downtown Canal Walk and, nowadays, near trendy Mass Ave, since 2015. We've explored most corners of the city and I'm here to pass along our tips, trips, and secrets!

Indianapolis Tourist Mistake:
​Thinking Indianapolis doesn't have a food scene

I'll admit, Indianapolis isn't considered a "foodie destination," but that list is getting a bit crowded anyway. That said, don't be shocked to learn that Indianapolis has tons of excellent restaurants, and more are popping up all the time. Do your research in advance and you'll be pleasantly surprised with the foodie scene here in Indy.

Here are a few of my favorite restaurant suggestions in Indianapolis!

Best Restaurants in Indianapolis:

• Fountain Square:
  • Milktooth
  • Bluebeard
• Mass Ave:
  • Union 50
  • Ralston's Drafthouse
  • Vida
  • The Rathskeller 
• Downtown:
  • Nesso
  • St Elmo's (touristy - sit at the bar for better service and a lower tab).
• Old Northside:
  • Tinker Street
• Meridian Kessler:
  • Twenty Tap
  • Delicia
  • Meridian
• Brunch:
  • Patachou (multiple locations)

Breweries in Indianapolis

• Sun King (downtown)
• Upland (Fountain Square, Meridian Kessler)
• RAD/Flat12 (East of Downtown)
• Two Deep (Canal Walk)
• Taxman (Southside of Downtown)
• Daredevil (Speedway, Northside, soon Mass Ave)

For more information, check out my list of the best breweries in Indianapolis!

Indianapolis Tourist Mistake:
​Selecting the wrong hotel in Indianapolis

Not all Indianapolis hotels are created equal. We're fortunate to have had several great hotels built downtown over the last few years, and the heart of our downtown is very walkable.

Better yet, hotel rates are cheap here in Indy, so I'd strongly suggest splurging a bit to make sure you're getting an ideal hotel and location.

Best Hotels in Indianapolis

• For couples: The Alexander. I *strongly* recommend The Alexander. It is a gorgeous hotel with chic furnishings, funky rooms, a nice bar and restaurant and proximity to Downtown.
• For families: The JW Marriott
• High-end: The Conrad
• COMING SOON: Bottleworks, Mass Ave

Northside & Suburbs

• Northside: Ironworks
• Northern Suburbs: Hotel Carmichael

Indianapolis Tourist Mistake:
​Not seeing Mass Ave & Fountain Square

If you're in Indianapolis for the Indy 500 or a convention, you might get trapped in the "center" of Downtown Indy. You want to be sure to venture outside of that zone, to where locals live, eat, and play. 

Mass Ave

Mass Ave, Indianapolis

Mass Ave is walkable from The Circle and the convention hotels. The nearly mile-long diagonal street is home to gift shops, restaurants of all sorts, and plenty of nightlife. Check out the full post on Mass Ave's Best Restaurants for full information.

Fountain Square

Just slightly farther outside of Mass Ave is Fountain Square, located on the Cultural Trail and bikeable from the center of Downtown. A bit funkier, you'll find hipster coffee shops, the famed Milk Tooth and one of the city's stranger endeavors, The Idle.

Fountain Square, Indianapolis

Looking to explore the Midwest? Check out my top Midwest Road Trips!

Indianapolis Tourist Mistake:
​Not biking the Cultural Trail

Speaking of The Cultural Trail, Indianapolis is home to an 8-mile urban bike path, The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, that can take you to the city's best downtown neighborhoods. Don't have your bike? Rent one from the Indianapolis bike share program!

Check out the full post, A Local's Guide to The Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

Indianapolis Tourist Mistake:
​Skipping Newfields​

Robert Indiana, LOVE statue, Newfields

Not too far north of downtown (you'll need to drive), Indianapolis boasts one of the Midwest's best art museums, thanks to the generosity of the Lilly Family. Formerly known as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the museum campus recently rebranded to "Newfields," (a take on the name of the Lilly mansion on the property, Oldfields), to showcase its outdoor offerings. Come for the art, stay for the beer garden, rotating exhibits, and walkable grounds.

Newfields Harvest Days & Harvest Nights

In October, Newfields comes alive, with pumpkins, light shows, and "ghost trains" to delight the senses! Whether during the day, "Harvest Days," or its slightly creepier "Harvest Nights," in the evenings, the fall festival has something for the whole family.

Newfields Winterlights

​In November and December, the pumpkins are removed, and Newfields is alight for Winterlights! Grab a spike hot drink, and explore the outdoors at Newfields, turned into an incredible Christmas wonderland.

For even more on Winterlights and Newfields, check out the full posts!

10 Couples Activities in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Tourist Mistake:
​Not preparing for the weather

One of very few drawbacks to visiting our fair city is the weather. Indianapolis is warmer in the summer than people expect, and perhaps more inclement in the winter. Pack a wide range of clothes, an umbrella, and be prepared to shift your plans based on the weather.

Indianapolis Tourist Mistake:
​Not exploring the suburbs

Downtown Carmel

Immediately north of Indianapolis is Carmel, a large, high-end suburb with its own thriving downtown, including an array of restaurants and shopping in The City Center & Midtown districts, and The Palladium, a remarkable performing arts venue.

Downtown Zionsville

To the northwest of Downtown is Zionsville, a prosperous suburb that maintains a quaint, charming downtown that's certainly worth visiting. Stop by Noah Grant's for great ambiance and surprisingly good seafood in the landlocked Midwest!

Downtown Zionsville, just north of Indianapolis

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you have a wonderful stay in Indianapolis! Drop your favorite things to do in the Circle City, in the comment section, below!

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