6 Things to do as a New Resident of Indianapolis

Indianapolis made the list as one of the top ten best downtowns with a cost of living 6.5% below the national average. It’s also ranked #38 in U.S. News’ best places to live in the U.S. Another reason to love Indianapolis is its great attractions. New residents of Indianapolis can find a wide variety of things to do for everyone from culture lovers to sports fans.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Children and families will love the five floors of interactive entertainment and educational experiences at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Explore a shipwreck, learn about the lives of hero children, and discover ancient and modern Greece. If you get hungry on your visit, choices in the food court include pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Best known for the largest one-day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500, you can also see the Verizon IndyCar Series, NASCAR, or LPGA races throughout the year. Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum within the Indianapolis Motor Speedway grounds. The museum contains the premier collection of racing vehicles and memorabilia, with special emphasis on the Indianapolis 500 race. Exhibits showcase Formula One, NASCAR, drag racing, American short-track racing, and motorcycles.

Indiana State Museum
Explore the history of the Hoosier State at the Indiana State Museum. The museum features three floors of changing and permanent exhibits and presents educational events throughout the year for all ages. Adults and children can enjoy interactive science exhibits, read stories about famous Indiana residents, or learn about native American culture. Other museum attractions include an IMAX theater, café, tea room, and gift shop.

Indianapolis Museum of Art
The Indianapolis Museum of Art is one of the country’s oldest and largest general art museums with over 50,000 works. Enjoy masterpieces by Rembrandt, Picasso and O’Keffe and the impressive collection of Neo-Impressionist paintings, unique in the United States. Special exhibits are showcased throughout the year.

NCAA Hall of Champions
Sports fans will enjoy a visit to the NCAA Hall of Champions. The first floor of the hall has exhibits and activities representing all 24 NCAA sports. The museum includes a sports trivia challenge, artifacts from schools around the country, team information, and video highlights. The upper level includes interactive activities for visitors to compete virtually through sports simulators.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Only Washington D.C. has more war memorials than Indianapolis. Located in central downtown Indianapolis, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument remembers Hoosiers serving in uniform from the Revolutionary War to the Spanish-American War. The 284-foot memorial was built in 1902. Scenic views of the city skyline can be seen from the observatory. Climb 330 steps for free access to the observatory or pay a small fee for an elevator ride.

When most people think of Indianapolis, the first thing that comes to mind is the racing capitol of the world, but Indianapolis is so much more. Enjoy the city by appreciating all it has to offer in its history, art, recreation, and culture.

Evan Shaner