Top Things to Do in Indianapolis
12 must-see attractions and experiences
Indianapolis confounds expectations in the best possible way. Most visitors arrive expecting a flat Midwestern grid of convention hotels and highway exits. Instead they find a city that has quietly assembled one of the most walkable, food-forward, historically layered downtown cores in the American interior. The White River curves along the western edge of downtown. Trails trace old canal towpaths past brick warehouses. Charcoal smoke drifts from neighborhood barbecue spots long before lunch. Indianapolis punches well above its weight in craft brewing, live music, and neighborhood character, from the neon glow of Massachusetts Avenue's theater marquees to the warm, rounded facades of Fountain Square's 1920s commercial architecture. What sets Indianapolis apart from other Midwest cities of similar scale is the concentration of its walkable center. The Mile Square, the original platted downtown, contains an improbable density of history, architecture, food, and nightlife within easy walking distance. A day on foot yields far more than expected: a war memorial larger than the Arc de Triomphe, a canal district that gleams silver in morning light, and a food scene ranging from honest Hoosier comfort cooking to creative tasting menus. The city's famous motorsport heritage hums in the background but never dominates the visitor experience, it's there when you want it, easy to ignore when you don't. Indianapolis follows a dramatic Midwest weather calendar. Summers bring heavy humidity and afternoon thunderstorms rolling in off the plains. Springs bloom briefly and brilliantly with the smell of freshly turned earth. Autumns turn the urban canopy copper and amber. Winters can lock in sharp cold with occasional ice. The sweet spots for a visit are May, before the heat consolidates, and late September through October, when the air carries a crisp edge, the city's festival calendar fills up, and outdoor tours feel effortless underfoot.
Hand-Picked Experiences in Indianapolis
The best of every kind, whatever you're in the mood for
Food & Drink
Massachusetts Avenue Food Tour
A food tour explores historic Massachusetts Avenue.
Insider tip This tour borders two of the city's earliest and most historic neighborhoods.
Fountain Square Food Tour
A food Tour explores the laid back atmosphere of Fountain Square.
Insider tip The neighborhood has beautifully designed buildings and a laid back atmosphere.
Culture & History
Indy Walking Tours
A complete guided walking tour through the city streets of Indianapolis.
Insider tip Expect an easy 90 minute stroll. Wear comfortable shoes for city streets.
Smartphone Guided Indianapolis Downtown Sites Audio Walking Tour
A smartphone guided audio walking tour discovers well-known landmarks.
Insider tip You can go at your own pace, anytime, to see landmarks.
Day Trips Further Afield
Private Arrival Transfer from Indianapolis Airport IND
A private arrival transfer ensures peace of mind from the Airport.
Insider tip This transfer goes to your hotel or surrounding areas. Arrive relaxed.
Adventure & the Outdoors
Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Indianapolis by Wacky Walks
A scavenger hunt adventure explores Indianapolis in fun Wacky Walks.
Insider tip Use an app to find items and do challenges for points around the city.
More to Explore
Even more of the best of Indianapolis
Indianapolis Mobile Pub Tour and Experience
Guided ExperienceThe Indianapolis Mobile Pub Tour loads riders onto a pedal-powered wagon and sets them loose across the downtown bar landscape, cycling through neighborhoods as an unified group while contributing to the collective effort of getting somewhere worthwhile. The city's limestone facades and canal views scroll past as the group generates its own momentum, and the warm outdoor air and the sound of the wagon rolling over the brick-paved streets create a sensory experience no conventional bar crawl can replicate.
Wicked Wraiths of White River: Indianapolis Ghost Tour
Walking TourThe White River has witnessed more of Indianapolis's darker chapters than any other landmark in the city, and the Wicked Wraiths tour walks the terrain where those stories are anchored: old bridges, the shadowy grounds near the statehouse, the corridors along the water where early history left its residue. The guides deliver their material with theatrical precision, timing revelations to the ambient sounds of rustling cottonwoods and water moving in the dark below, and the cool night air rising off the river adds an atmospheric chill that no indoor ghost experience can manufacture.
Outdoor Escape Room in Indianapolis - Mile Square in Downtown
OtherThe Mile Square Outdoor Escape Room transforms Indianapolis's original platted streets into a live puzzle board, sending participants through the grid armed with clues that require them to look at the city, at architectural details, historical plaques, and street-level features that most people walk past blind. The format rewards curiosity over speed.
Top Shelf 14-Passenger Winery Tour
Guided ExperienceIndiana wine traces its lineage to German and Swiss immigrant communities who planted the Ohio River valley in the 19th century, and the Top Shelf Winery Tour carries visitors through descendant producers of that tradition, including some who have quietly built nationally recognized portfolios. The full 14-passenger vehicle books as a private experience, which means winemakers and tasting room staff can pour and explain without the distractions of a public tasting crowd, and the conversation that develops over an afternoon of serious wine is a different quality of experience entirely.
Indianapolis Murder Mystery Quest Outdoor Detective Escape Game
OtherThe Indianapolis Murder Mystery Quest plants participants in a fictional detective scenario set against the real geography of the downtown streets, tasking them with gathering clues and resolving a narrative that develops across actual Indianapolis locations. The format leans theatrical and playful rather than seriously puzzling, it's closer to a costumed city walk than a high-stakes escape room, and the campy pleasure of playing detective while moving past genuine historic sites has its own particular charm.
Planning Your Visit
Practical tips for getting the most out of Indianapolis
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See All Indianapolis Tours on ViatorFrequently Asked Questions
indianapolis museum of art indianapolis
The Indianapolis Museum of Art is now called Newfields and is located at 4000 Michigan Road on the north side of the city. The 152-acre campus includes art galleries, gardens, and a historic mansion called Lilly House. General admission to the art galleries is free, though some special exhibitions and the gardens require paid admission.
indiana state museum
The Indiana State Museum is located downtown at 650 W. Washington Street on the Canal Walk. It covers Indiana's natural and cultural history across three floors, including exhibits on everything from Ice Age fossils to Indiana's role in sports and manufacturing. Adult admission is typically around $17, with discounts available for children, seniors, and military members.
indianapolis city market indianapolis
Indianapolis City Market is a historic marketplace at 222 E. Market Street in downtown, operating since 1886. It houses local food vendors, restaurants, and specialty shops in a beautiful brick building with a European-style market hall feel. The market is open Tuesday through Sunday with varying vendor hours, and it's a good spot for lunch or picking up local products.
free museum indianapolis
The Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields) offers free admission to its permanent art collection galleries. The Eiteljorg Museum offers free admission on select days throughout the year, and the NCAA Hall of Champions is free to visit. We recommend checking each museum's website for current free admission days and any restrictions, as policies can change seasonally.
visit indiana
Indianapolis serves as Indiana's capital and largest city, making it a natural base for exploring the state. From Indianapolis, you can easily day-trip to Brown County State Park (about an hour south), the Amish communities in northern Indiana, or Indiana Dunes National Park on Lake Michigan. The city itself offers museums, sports venues, the Canal Walk, and a growing food scene in neighborhoods like Mass Ave and Fountain Square.