7 Must-See Indianapolis Landmarks

Indianapolis has a lot to offer visitors and tourists. From sports, to culture, museums and art, Indianapolis has it all. These seven places are unique city venues that you won't find anywhere else. Don't miss this when you visit Indy!

Museums and Cultural Centers

The Indianapolis Children's Museum is the world's largest children's museum, weighing in at about 400,000 square feet with over 1 million attend each year. The Children's Museum is full of hands-on, interactive learning experiences for children, from science, to other cultures, and more. This is a one of a kind opportunity that Indianapolis offers. The Children's Museum is located at 3000 North Meridian Street. It is open from 10am - 5pm daily from the beginning of March to Labor Day, and Tuesday - Sunday from Labor Day through the end of February. Parking is free. Normal admission is $9.50 for youth ages 2-17, $14.50 for adults, and $13.50 for seniors 60 and over. However, check out the Children's Museum website for more information about free days and Target Free Family Night.

A zoo is a zoo the world around, but in Indianapolis, it is the White River Gardens that set the Indianapolis Zoo apart. The 3.3 acres of the White River Gardens showcase over 1000 plant varieties. The greenhouse hosts special exhibits, like bonsai. Located at 1200 West Washington Street, the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens are usually open daily from 9am-4pm, with later hours on the weekends during warmer months. Admission is $14 for adults and $9 for youth (2-12) and seniors (62+). During November and December, prices drop to $8.50 and $6.50, respectively.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is located at 500 West Washington Street. Open for just 20 years, the Eiteljorg is one of only two such museums east of the Mississippi, truly a must-see for any Indianapolis visitors. An odd find in the middle of a Midwest city, the Eiteljorg fulfills its mission with an exotic beauty. The Eiteljorg is open Monday through Saturday from 10am - 5pm and Sunday from noon - 5pm. Adults get in for $8, seniors (65+) for $7, and children (5-17) and full time students $5. Park in the garage by the Eiteljorg, and get your parking validated at the museum. I also highly recommend eating lunch in the unique and fantastic Sky City Café, located within the museum.

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra plays at the Hilbert Circle Theater, at 45 Monument Circle. The ISO always offers an outstanding experience to visitors. Programs include full symphony classical music, renowned guests like Joshua Bell, and more laid-back, pop series as well. Truly, for every type of music lover, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has something to offer. If you are visiting Indianapolis, treat yourself to one of these performances. In addition to evening performances, the ISO offers a "Coffee" series at 11am. Prices range from $16 - $68 for evening seating, and $26 - $40 for the coffee hour. I recommend theIndianapolis Symphony Orchestra website for a detailed guide to upcoming performances.

Sports

Whenever you drive through Indianapolis, you will notice two massive structures dominating the landscape. One is Lucas Oil Stadium, the new home for the Colts and host for the 2012 Super Bowl. The massive stadium, with its fancy retractable roof, covers 1.8 million square feet. If you can't get to a Colts game, check out the website for other events happening in the stadium. If you do get to visit Lucas Oil Stadium while visiting Indianapolis, I recommend making the climb up into the south balcony for the best view of the Indianapolis skyline through the opposite window.

Anyone from Indiana will tell you that Indiana basketball is all about high school. That's why, although the massive Conseco Fieldhouse is home to NBA's Indiana Pacers and the NWBA's Fever, the stadium was modeled off of an old high school gymnasium. The halls serve as a sort of Indiana basketball museum, where Pacers all-stars like Larry Bird share wall space with legendary Indiana high school coaches like John Wooden. As they say on the website: "If you have a religion, you must build the appropriate cathedral. In Indiana, basketball is religion. Conseco Fieldhouse is the cathedral." Watching a game, or seeing a concert, in Conseco is all very fine, but the real treat is to walk the halls of this overblown high school gymnasium and get a feel for what Indiana basketball is all about. In addition to several events, Conseco Fieldhouse offers 30-45 minute tours by appointment.

Finally, nothing says Indianapolis like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located at 4790 West 16^th Street. Completed in 1909, the 2 ½ mile over has hosted car and motorcycle races for 100 years. The first Indy 500 was held in 1911. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people gather to witness the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing," so it's no wonder that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a must-see tourist stop for Indianapolis visitors. The Grounds Tour lasts 90 minutes, and includes all the landmarks and history that make the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a legend. The tour also includes the Hall of Fame Museum and a trip around the 2 ½ mile track itself. Scheduled tours leave from the Hall of Fame Museum four times a day: 9:30am, 11:15am, 1:15pm, and 3pm. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for youth ages 6-15 and free for children age 5 and younger. Contact Mary Geiss at the Hall of Fame Museum office at (317) 492-6747 or mgeiss@brickyard.com.