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While best known for its iconic motor speedway and 500-mile race, Indianapolis has a surprise waiting around every turn.

A glimmering canal walk, 250 acres of urban green space with one-of-a-kind museums, and a top 10 zoo. The original LOVE sculpture. The world's largest children's museum. The world's spiciest dish. A professional and college sports fan's dream. America's most compact skywalk-connected convention and special event package. The #1 ranked Airport in North America eleven years in a row (ACI). A safe, clean, and walkable urban center with 300+ restaurants, retailers, and cultural attractions. Ranked one of the Best Places to Go in 2021 (TIME Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure), Indianapolis is sophisticated but not pretentious. And so welcoming there's actually a name for it - Hoosier Hospitality.

In fact, we're too friendly to be called Indianapolis - just call us Indy.

Downtown Indy has six thriving Cultural Districts, each offering a distinct mix of shopping, dining and entertainment. From Mass Ave to Fountain Square, the internationally acclaimed Cultural Trail connects visitors with these unique neighborhoods. Hop on one of the 850 bikes from the Pacers Bikeshare to explore the city and dock the bike at one of the 50 stations once you are done.

Wholesale District: Welcome to the Main Event.

Entertainment is front and center in the Wholesale District, set in the heart of the central business district. Here you will find your favorite hotel brands surrounded by the retro-style Gainbridge Fieldhouse – home of the NBA Pacers and concerts by big-name acts, Lucas Oil Stadium – home of the NFL Colts and Super Bowl 2012, and the versatile Indiana Convention Center. Circle Centre Mall, a four-story shopping hub, and Georgia Street, a unique outdoor event promenade, connect these major event venues. Just steps away are attractions such as Monument Circle, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indiana Repertory Theatre, comedy clubs, steakhouses, sports bars, and more.

Mass Ave: 45 Degrees from Ordinary.

Known for its art galleries and theaters, this free-spirited, seven-block avenue is lined with boutique shopping, independent restaurants, traditional pubs, and public art. An array of theaters offer visitors their pick of traditional plays and musicals, off-beat productions, edgy and adult-oriented drama, improve, and stand-up. Before the show, grab your locally handcrafted Indy souvenir from one of the boutiques.

Fountain Square: Funky. Artsy. Retro. Anything but Square.

Experience vintage charm, shop galleries of talented local artists, take swing dancing lessons, and try your hand at duckpin bowling all in this funky neighborhood. Visitors can also dine at an assortment of locally-owned restaurants, enjoy a cocktail at the home of more artifacts from Papua New Guinea than any museum in the world, and tour a microbrewery where scientists create the recipes.

Market East: An Emerging District.

This up-and-coming district has grown into a popular location with many new developments and accommodations. Located in the heart of the district is City Market, a historic market with 36 artisan food vendors and a farmer’s market every Wednesday. More than $225 million in investment is bringing retail, residential, and new office towers online. Access to the district has become easier than ever before with the recent opening of the state-of-the-art Julia M. Carson Transit Center, home of the city’s public transit.

Indiana Avenue: Rhythm. Reborn.

Indiana Avenue celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the African-American community in Indianapolis. The cornerstone of this neighborhood is Madam Walker Legacy Center, a great place to hear jazz on an historic stage that has seen the likes of Wes Montgomery and Louis Armstrong. Across the street stands the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library which champions the life and works of the late author.

The Canal & White River State Park: Discovery Runs Through It.

Located in the heart of downtown, White River State Park offers 250 acres of green space and attractions all connected by a glimmering canal walk and art-lined pedestrian pathways. Bicycles, kayaks, pedal boats, and Venetian gondolas activate the Central Canal that is also home to three prominent memorials. Colorful murals and giant sculptures decorate paths leading to an outdoor concert venue, top-10 zoo, award-winning baseball stadium, towering IMAX theater, and world-class museums.

Broad Ripple Village: We’re Open if you Are.

Just north of downtown is a lively neighborhood with a mix of one-of-a-kind shops, art galleries, innovative chefs, and popular nightlife spots. This trendy village is also highlighted by the popular Monon greenway and known as where “Mr. Top 10”, David Letterman, grew up.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

City planners from Portland to Paris have traveled to Indy to see how the city managed to take away a lane of car traffic to make way for a $63 million, 8-mile bicycle and pedestrian-friendly Cultural Trail. The decorative brick path connects visitors to hotels, restaurants, attractions and cultural districts. Also lined with art and landscaping, it has garnered international attention as a model for urban revitalization.

Collegiate, amateur, professional – Indy has it all, from top-ranked teams to award-winning facilities, and the experience of hosting over 400 national and international sporting events over the past 30 years.

A Sports Lover’s Dream

Indianapolis is a natural destination for people who love sports. Cheer on the NBA Pacers, WNBA Fever, NFL Colts, NASL Indy Eleven soccer team or ECHL Indy Fuel hockey team. Tour the home of the Colts and Super Bowl 2012, Lucas Oil Stadium. Catch a baseball game at Victory Field, which Sports Illustrated named the named the best minor league ballpark in America.

Discover Collegiate Athletics

The NCAA Hall of Champions showcases all 24 collegiate sports and the heart and dedication it takes to be a student-athlete. The Hall offers two levels of interactive exhibits to engage visitors, including golf, skiing and baseball simulators and a chance to shoot free throws in a 1930’s-style basketball gym. Visitors can test their knowledge at sport-specific trivia, discover past champions’ stories, and more. A short journey north to Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University puts visitors in the historic arena where ESPN’s #1 movie, Hoosiers, was born when Bobby Plump hit his famed shot in 1954.

Go 180 MPH

A visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a bucket list event. Each May, 33 drivers zoom around the iconic 2.5-mile oval during the world’s largest single-day sporting event, the Indy 500. But the track offers attractions year-round. Adventurous visitors can ride in a real two-seater IndyCar around the track at speeds up to 180 mph. And after speeding past the finish line, they can kiss the famous yard of bricks like past winners. Just down the street is the Dallara IndyCar Factory with 23,000 square feet of interactive and hands-on exhibits centered around the engineering and technology of the world's fastest sport. Speedway Indoor Karting offers a multi-level go karting track for groups or individual visitors. The Motor Speedway Museum houses of the world's largest, and most varied collections of racing, antique and classic cars, including more than 30 that have won the famous Indianapolis 500

Play a Course to Dye Fore

For golfers, Indiana is home to legendary golf course architect, Pete Dye, and more of his designs than any other place in the world. The Pete Dye Golf Trail celebrates and honors his great work. Experience three distinct designs by the man who finished better than Nicklaus and Palmer at the 1957 U.S. Open, including his first 18-hole design at Maple Creek and Brickyard Crossing with four holes inside of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Indianapolis offers over 300 diverse dining and nightlife options for all palates and price points. With its rich soil and surrounding agriculture, Indy has been supporting farm-to-table restaurants for decades, with local farmers providing the freshest in produce and protein to menus. International fare, world-famous steakhouses, and sports bars with plenty of televisions for viewing the big game are also just around the corner.

Signature Dishes

You could feast at a different steakhouse every day of your stay in Indy and still leave a few for your next visit. But to find the signature dish of Indianapolis, make reservations at the historic St. Elmo Steak House that still operates in its original 1902 location right downtown. Their world famous shrimp cocktail is made with fresh horseradish ground daily and was recognized as ‘the world’s spiciest dish’ by the Travel Channel. To tame the heat, select a glass of wine from their impressive 20,000-bottle wine cellar.

Adam Richman, host of Man vs. Food, found a signature Hoosier dish worthy of a trip to Indiana, and we think you’ll agree. The traditional breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is served as tasty as it is big. Try one at Plump’s Last Shot, a hole-in-the-wall pub owned by Bobby Plump who made the basket that inspired ESPN’s #1 movie Hoosiers.

Farm-to-Table Favorites

Surrounded by rich agriculture, authentic farm-to-table dining featuring locally sourced ingredients comes naturally to Indianapolis. And visitors seeking innovative chefs don’t have to look far.

Condé Nast Traveler claimed Indy as the “Most Underrated Food City in the U.S.” They also named Milktooth one of the “Best Restaurants in the World.”

Thriving neighborhoods like Mass Ave, Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, and SoBro are experiencing renaissances heavily uplifted by local, chef-driven dining concepts.

Goose the Market, a “Top 10 Sandwich Shop” according to Bon Appetit, serves up quality Indiana-raised meats and crafted cheeses, and even offers a bacon-of-the-month club.

Café Patachou has won legions of followers with award-winning gourmet breakfasts and healthy lunches served up in an energetic, metropolitan setting. It got noticed by Gourmet.com, who placed it on their “Top Ten Healthiest Restaurants in the Nation” list. (Don’t miss the cinnamon toast!)

And no foodie visit would be complete without a trip to Traders Point Creamery, an urban organic dairy farm. This 150-acre farm raises and serves grass-fed beef, crafts custom cheeses and serves up the best in ice cream. Their products can be found nationally on the shelves of Whole Foods but are best sampled on site.

International Flare

Only-in-Indy restaurants are plentiful, surrounding visitors with rich history and richer flavors. Indianapolis’ Italian heritage can be experienced at Iozzo’s and Iaria’s, that both opened in the 1930’s, while German heritage shines through at The Rathskeller. Another historic setting, City Market, offers a wide array of vendors selling fresh and local options. And an Indy staple, Shapiro’s Delicatessen, has been filling stomachs with generous portions since 1905. USA Today recognized it as one of America’s greatest delis.

For Greek food, head over to Greek Islands where you can taste the authentic flavors of Greece. Experience Mexican dining with a modern twist at La Margarita. Want to step out of your comfort zone? Head to Fountain Square for Thai food at Siam Square.

Nearly every continent is represented among Indy’s array of authentic international dining spots, which can be found throughout downtown and surrounding cultural districts. But an area of town known as International Marketplace takes the cake. This neighborhood consists of culinary entrepreneurs representing over 70 languages and cultures, leading the New York Times to claim Indy as “where the world comes to eat”. Turkish, Moroccan, Mexican, Middle Eastern, German, Cuban, Asian, Peruvian, Indian, Brazilian, Italian, Spanish…it’s all here.

When the work day is over, Indianapolis comes alive with hundreds of places for good times, good drinks, and good conversation. From happy hour hotspots to late night live music venues, attendees will find themselves in an activated downtown with endless entertainment and networking options conveniently close by.

Music to All Ears

Indy offers a wide range of music venues suitable to all musical tastes, from intimate stages and underground bars to mega stadiums playing popular national acts. Spend a summer evening outdoors with big-name acts at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park or Ruoff Music Center north of the city or enjoy a picnic dinner while listening to the symphony at Conner Prairie’s amphitheater. Or dance to popular local bands outside at The Rathskeller Biergarten.

Discover up-and-coming indie bands at The Hi-Fi and Radio in Fountain Square, or listen to jazz at Madam Walker Legacy Center, Chatterbox and Jazz Kitchen. Catch a blues act at the Slippery Noodle Inn, and find live music to dance to almost every night at Howl at the Moon and Tin Roof.

Murat Theatre, Clowes Hall and Hilbert Circle Theatre are beautiful backdrops to great performances from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Opera, and more.

Grab a Drink

The Slippery Noodle Inn has entertained Indy since 1850. This famed blues bar has history as part of the Underground Railroad and gangster John Dillinger’s favorite watering hole. In fact, two stray bullets from Dillinger’s gun can still be found in the bar’s wall.

Located upstairs above the famous St. Elmo Steak House, 1933 Lounge is an intimate, swanky night spot with exposed brick walls that pays homage to the end of Prohibition. Enjoy a signature cherry and vanilla infused bourbon cocktail at the circa 1870s bar or relax by the fireplace with a glass of wine from their 20,000-bottle collection. Nicky Blaines is a hidden underground jewel near Monument Circle with a posh 1920’s vibe and specialties in cigars and martinis.

Stop by Bakersfield for tacos, tequila and whiskey or go to Metazoa Brewing Company, a dog-friendly spot with unique craft beers. For a fun experience head on over to Hotel Tango Distillery to taste artistically crafted drinks or take a tour of the famous Sun King Brewery.

For crafted cocktails, some of the best mixologists can be found at Plat 99, ball & biscuit, and Sundry & Vice.

Wine and beer enthusiasts alike will find plenty of handcrafted, award-winning creations to sample throughout Indianapolis. A brewing renaissance in Indy has resulted in over forty craft breweries delivering delicious drafts to restaurants and bars. The HandleBar takes beer and biking to a whole new level while you ride around Indy.

Use the Indy Craft Pass to check in at each brewery and winery you visit. To sweeten the deal, you'll win a free t-shirt for checking in at eight locations or the ultimate craft beverage prize pack if you check in at each one.

While the four-story Circle Centre Mall connected to hotels and the convention center is a favorite among attendees, Indy’s cultural districts are the places to go for locally made goods and unique finds.

Retail Therapy

Indy offers a variety of shopping destinations from the largest mall in Indiana to small, independent boutiques. The four-story Circle Centre Mall is the shopping hub of downtown with over 100 specialty shops and dining options. The mall is easily accessible, as it’s connected via skywalk to hotels and the convention center and offers plenty of affordable underground parking. On the north side of Indianapolis you’ll find The Fashion Mall at Keystone, with high-end retailers, luxury designers, and fine dining.

Visit Mass Ave or Fountain Square to find clothing, art and gifts. Silver in the City sells wares by local artists and Indy Reads maintains the charm of old-fashioned bookstore.

For an only-in-Indy souvenir look to People for Urban Progress. This local nonprofit salvaged the roof fabric of the NFL Colt’s old stadium and five miles worth of Super Bowl banners from landfills, cleaned it, and is repurposing it into unique one-of-a-kind products. These upscale, artist-crafted items can be found in their studio in Fountain Square and at several boutiques throughout the city.

Live theatre is thriving in Indianapolis, and talent can be found around every corner. From professional productions to eclectic and quirky performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

On the Mainstage

Around Indy, the big stages are alive with the sights and sounds of Broadway-style entertainment. Touring Broadway productions come to Indianapolis to deliver memorable theatrical experiences at the Murat Theatre, Old National Center and Clowes Memorial Hall.

After 50 strong seasons, the Indiana Repertory Theatre continues to offer top-notch performances that entertain, challenge and delight. And the Madam Walker Legacy Center, a National Historic Landmark named in honor of America’s first self-made female millionaire, showcases important African American culture and history through performances.

Intimate Settings

Independent theatres along Mass Ave allow visitors their pick of off-beat productions. The District Theatre boasts two stages and diverse performances ranging from national productions to in-house originals. IndyFringe operates under the slogan ‘unexpected all the time’, with an annual festival each August.

The Phoenix Theatre is known for thought-provoking, issues-based plays in a contemporary style that mixes in humor.

White Rabbit Cabaret is an authentic cabaret bar in Fountain Square complete with burlesque bingo nights and vaudeville-style variety shows.

Dinner and a Show

Beef & Boards dinner theater serves up a dinner buffet with a full-service bar and gourmet desserts every night during performances.

The Cabaret is a premier nightlife destination and that features performances by some of the most highly acclaimed artists, from Broadway stars to jazz divas and European chanteuses, all while sipping craft cocktails from the venue's killer bar.

Indianapolis museums have garnered international recognition for creativity and excellence. With numerous quality and unique institutions throughout the city, there is bound to be one that appeals to every interest and age.

For the Kids

The world’s largest children’s museum, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, provides five levels of interactive exhibits and 120,000 artifacts exploring art, science, history and culture. Over a million visitors a year come to ride the antique carousel, dig for dinosaur bones, discover National Geographic Treasures of the Earth, and stare in awe at Dale Chihuly’s 43-foot Fireworks of Glass. The Sports Legend Experience allows children of all ages to run, jump, putt, drive and play in a 7.5 acre facility that promotes a fun and healthy lifestyle.

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, a Smithsonian affiliate, invites guests to step back in time and made Frommer’s list of “Places to Take Your Kids Before they Grow Up”. Located on 200 acres, this living museum features an 1836 Prairietown, 1863 Civil War Journey, 1859 Balloon Voyage, and more.

Rhythm! Discovery Center entertains and informs through music. This museum allows visitors to beat on drums while learning how rhythm and percussion are part of our daily lives and our history.

The Indianapolis Zoo signature exhibits range from the International Orangutan Center to the world’s largest shark touch tank and Dolphin Dome.

The Indian(a) Story

The Eiteljorg Museum is the only museum of its kind in the Midwest, immersing visitors in Western art and the many cultures of American Indians through exhibitions, performances, festivals and hands-on workshops. This award-winning museum offers one of the finest collections of its kind in the world.

Uncover Indiana’s secrets through hands-on exhibits exploring the state’s diverse history at the Indiana State Museum, a world-class institution constructed from Indiana limestone, steel and glass. Then venture down the street to the Indiana History Center to discover the state’s past via interactive experiences and archives.

And history and literary buffs can tour the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library as well as the homes of James Whitcomb Riley and President Benjamin Harrison, all Indiana natives.

Sports Lovers

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum captures the rich 100-year-old history of the world’s fastest sport in the ‘Racing Capital of the World’. And Dallara IndyCar Factory uses 23,000 square feet of interactive and hands-on exhibits to convey the intense engineering and technology behind the sport. The NCAA Hall of Champions showcases all 24 collegiate sports and the heart and dedication it takes to be a student-athlete.

Artistic Discovery

Situated on 152 pristine acres of gardens and grounds, the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields is an impressive institution. The collection of 54,000 works spans 5,000 years of African, American, Asian, and European history, making it one of the largest encyclopedic museums in the country. Find Robert Indiana’s original LOVE sculpture here, not in Philly or New York.

Those wanting a more hands-on art experience can nurture their artistic side by taking one-night pop up classes accompanied by wine and beer at the Indianapolis Art Center. The Art Center is also open to guests interested in perusing works by other talented and creative local artists.

City-wide gallery tours are available on the first Friday of every month. This free, self-guided art event brings visitors and residents alike to galleries all around the city.

As one of the country’s most walkable cities, Indianapolis already promotes active, healthy travel. But numerous parks, paths, and recreational amenities make Indy conducive to hosting energetic visitors of all ages and ability.

The Great Outdoors

Rent a bike through the Pacers Bikeshare and tour the 10-mile bicycle and pedestrian-friendly Cultural Trail that connects visitors to hotels, restaurants, attractions and cultural districts. Once you are done with your bike you can dock it at any of the 50 convenient stations.

Tours and bicycle rentals are also available throughout downtown at Indy Bike Hub YMCA at City Market and Wheel Fun Rentals in White River State Park, and some hotels provide guests with complimentary bikes during their stay.

White River State Park offers 250 acres of green space, attractions, and special event venues, all within walking distance of downtown hotels. Visitors can rent bicycles, kayaks, pedal boats, and even gondolas to cruise the Central Canal and tour the park.

Here is a list of tours around the city! Guided walking tours are available through Indiana Landmarks, and self-guided tours are available at WalkIndianapolis.com.

There are also over 30 miles of greenways and trails winding through the city for runners and avid bicyclists. And just northwest of downtown is the nation’s sixth largest state park, Eagle Creek, which offers 3,900 acres of trails, a 1,400-acre lake, ropes course, and ziplining. To the east is Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park with 1,700 acres of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Indianapolis is home to more memorials honoring our nation’s veterans than any other city in the United States, second only to Washington, D.C. Acres upon acres are dedicated to honoring and remembering past heroes.

Honoring and Remembering

Monument Circle is the iconic heart of downtown, and visitors can get a spectacular eagle-eye view of the city from atop the 284-foot Soldiers & Sailors Monument. Just a few blocks north, the Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District contains two museums, three parks, American Legion’s headquarters, and 24 acres of monuments, statues, sculptures, and fountains. The Shrine Room at the Indiana War Memorial is stunning, with red marble and materials from around the world to symbolize the world-wide nature of the war, 24 stained glass windows and a 30’-tall suspended American flag hanging over the Altar of Consecration. The lower level is the free Indiana War Memorial Museum that displays Indiana’s participation in wars throughout history.

The Central Canal runs through White River State Park and is home to the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial, where twenty-seven curved glass walls represent medal recipients from 15 different conflicts from the Civil War through Iraq and Afghanistan. A sound system plays recorded stories of medal recipients for visitors. Also along the canal are the USS Indianapolis Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial.

North of town, visitors can find the nation’s third largest cemetery with its peaceful, park-like grounds and beautiful architecture and sculptures. Crown Hill is the final resting place of several U.S. Vice Presidents, John Dillinger, members of the Vonnegut family, Alexander Ralston, and James Whitcomb Riley.

Traveling to and around Indianapolis is easy, convenient and affordable. Known as the Crossroads of America, Indy is within a day’s drive of over half of the country’s population. For those arriving by air, the LEED-certified Indianapolis International Airport is a short, low-traffic 15 minutes from downtown.

Indianapolis International Airport

One of the country’s most environmentally friendly airports is the most passenger friendly as well. Air travelers receive a rousing greeting to the city when they arrive at Indianapolis International Airport. The $1.1 billion Col. H. Weir Cook Terminal opened in 2008 as the first airport terminal designed after 9/11. It combines state-of-the-art security measures with soaring, smart design and public artwork. The Indianapolis International Airport has been consistently named the best airport in North America and is located an easy 15 minutes from the central business district.

Buses

For visitors staying in the heart of the city, the IndyGo (www.indygo.net) bus system operates routes all around the city, for as little as $1.75 per ride. Megabus (us.megabus.com) and Greyhound (www.greyhound.com) terminals are also located downtown.

The Red Line is Indy's first bus rapid transit line with electric buses, platform boarding, and high-frequency service along 13 miles stretching from Broad Ripple in the north the University of Indianapolis in the south.

The Julia M. Carson Transit Center downtown gives bus rides from 5 am to midnight Monday-

Saturday and 6 am to 9 pm on Sundays.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available at the airport, Indiana Convention Center, Circle Centre mall and major hotels. A typical fare from the airport to downtown is $35, and a $5 flat rate is available for most trips within the downtown area.

Car service in addition to taxis is available through Uber and Lyft. Both app-based services connect visitors with resident drivers.

Driving

Known as the Crossroads of America, Indy is within a day’s drive of over half of the country’s population. Traffic congestion is a rarity in Indianapolis, and visitors find the city’s street layout straightforward and easy to navigate. Downtown features over 70,000 parking spots.

Environmentally-friendly Ways

National journalists have proclaimed Indy to be one of the most walkable cities in the country. On foot, visitors can reach hundreds of restaurants and attractions from hotels and major meeting venues. An expansive network of climate-controlled skywalks connect the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium with 4,700 hotel rooms and a four-story mall with hundreds of specialty shops and dining options. When visitors want to be outside, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail offers a safe and scenic greenway for bicyclists and pedestrians to reach hotels, dining, shopping and entertainment in the city’s cultural districts. Bicycle rentals are available at the White River State Park, the Indy Bike Hub, or a Pacers Bikeshare location.

Both Bird and Lime offer options for scooter rentals that are fun and convenient for short distances.

Indianapolis, its hotels and venues, and the Indiana Convention Center are committed to green operations and environmentally-conscious meetings. Visit our guide to Sustainability in Indy to learn more.

Indianapolis International Airport

Traveling to Indy just got much greener, with the Indianapolis International Airport becoming the nation’s first LEED-certified airport. The Midfield Terminal is 1.2 million square feet, making it among the largest LEED-certified projects in the country. Low impact construction, clean storm water, reduction of aircraft taxi times, low-emitting materials, and very high recycled and regional material usage contributed to the certification. They also own the world’s largest area of solar panels, over 100 acres.

Indiana Convention Center

The Indiana Convention Center’s green initiatives include food recycling and repurposing through Second Helpings - a nonprofit that redistributes leftover banquet food to homeless shelters, a line of biodegradable disposable service ware, paper towels and tissues, water stations in lieu of bottle for attendees, and an abundance of natural-light flooded entry ways that reduce the need for artificial light sources.

Georgia Street Event Venue

Georgia Street serves as the connector between the Indiana Convention Center and Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It has been transformed into a pedestrian-friendly, European-style boulevard perfect for unique outdoor events. The wide boardwalk is made of sustainably harvested hardwood, and a rainwater infiltration system reduces the amount that reaches the city sewers and reduces potable water use for irrigation. The street is lined with energy efficient lighting, recycling containers, and trees and native plants reduce the urban heat island effect.

Bicycles & Walking Instead of Cars

Throughout downtown and adjacent to the convention center, a lane of car traffic was removed to make way for the innovative Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a $63 million, 8-mile bicycle and pedestrian path that connects visitors in a green way to hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions. The walkability, bike-friendliness, and compact design of the downtown greatly reduces transportation needs for planners and attendees.

A system of climate-controlled skywalks connecting hotels, shopping and dining to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium keeps the city walkable in rainy or cold weather.

The Indy Bike Hub at City Market and Wheel Fun Rentals in White River State Park provide easy access to bicycle rentals. Guests staying at the Conrad Indianapolis or The Alexander can utilize the hotel bicycles free of charge during their stay.

Whether your group is interested in planting trees, working with local students, or cleaning up a neighborhood, Indianapolis and its wide range of organizations provide ample opportunities for your attendees to engage in corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Your Convention Services Manager and the Visit Indy team can help connect you with a service project that fits your needs and goals. Here are just a few examples of local organizations you can partner with.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful

Help people and nature thrive by planting trees, building pocket parks, or participating in a cleanup. www.kibi.org/volunteer

Indy Parks

Enjoy the outdoors while improving the recreational opportunities for Indianapolis communities www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPR/Admin/Pages/volunteering.aspx

Second Helpings

Transform lives through the power of food by preparing or delivering meals to the food insecure in Central Indiana. www.secondhelpings.org/volunteer

United Way of Central Indiana

Promote literacy and learning among school-aged children. www.uwci.org/volunteer

Read our guide on CSR opportunities here.