Indianapolis
A compact capital built around racing and sport.
Points of interest
- Motor Speedway
- Cultural Trail
- Canal Walk
- Mass Ave
State guide
Things to do in Indiana
The Indianapolis 500 and a walkable capital, the dunes and beaches of Lake Michigan, the wooded hills of Brown County, a lively college town in Bloomington and the domed spa hotel of West Baden Springs.
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Hostels across its 3 main cities
500
Miles in May's big race
Racing, dunes and small-town Midwest
Indiana is the Hoosier State, best known for basketball and motor racing. Its capital, Indianapolis, hosts the Indianapolis 500 every May, the biggest single-day sporting event in the world, at a speedway you can tour all year. The city itself is compact and easy to explore, with a walking and cycling trail linking its neighbourhoods, a canal walk and a big sporting calendar.
In the north, Indiana Dunes National Park has beaches and tall sand dunes on Lake Michigan, with the Chicago skyline on the horizon. In the south, the land turns hilly and wooded. Brown County is known for its autumn colour and the arts town of Nashville, Bloomington is a lively university town, and West Baden Springs has a historic hotel with one of the largest domes in the country.
Give Indiana three or four days, ideally with a car. Late spring to autumn is the best time; May is busy around the Indy 500.
Where to base yourself
Indianapolis for the city, Bloomington for the hills, and West Baden Springs for the far south.
Bloomington
A lively university town in the southern hills.
Points of interest
- Indiana University
- Kirkwood Avenue
- Brown County nearby
West Baden Springs
1 hostel
A small spa town with a famous domed hotel.
Points of interest
- West Baden Springs Hotel
- French Lick
- Hoosier National Forest
Regions of Indiana
Lake Michigan dunes in the north, Indianapolis in the centre, and wooded hills in the south.
Indianapolis
City, racingThe capital, its trail and the Speedway.
Indiana Dunes
Beaches, dunesLake Michigan shore, an hour from Chicago.
Brown County and Bloomington
Hills, autumn colourWooded hills, galleries and a college town.
Southern Indiana
Spa towns, cavesFrench Lick, West Baden Springs and the Ohio River.
Things to do
Things to do in Indiana
In Indianapolis, tour the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its museum, and see the Indy 500 in May if you can get a ticket. Walk or cycle the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which links downtown neighbourhoods, stroll the Canal Walk and White River State Park, and explore the bars and restaurants of Mass Ave and Fountain Square. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is one of the largest in the world.
In the north, hike the Three Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park and swim at the beaches of Indiana Dunes National Park.
In the south, drive through Brown County State Park in autumn and browse the galleries of Nashville. Spend a day in Bloomington, home of Indiana University, and see the atrium of the West Baden Springs Hotel, near French Lick.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the Canal Walk and White River State Park are free. The Indiana War Memorial and its museum are free, and so is Monument Circle.
The West Baden Springs Hotel atrium is open to visitors. Indiana's state parks and the national park charge entry.
In Bloomington, the university campus is free to walk around.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Indiana's signature dish is the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, a thin fried cutlet much bigger than its bun. Sugar cream pie is the state pie.
Indianapolis has a good food scene, with restaurants along Mass Ave, in Fountain Square and at food halls downtown. St Elmo Steak House is famous for its fiery shrimp cocktail.
Indiana has many craft breweries, and southern Indiana has wineries. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
In Indianapolis, Mass Ave, Broad Ripple and Fountain Square have bars, live music and breweries. Bloomington has a busy student nightlife on Kirkwood Avenue.
Indianapolis hosts big sporting events and concerts all year.
Bars can stay open until 3am.
Getting around
Getting around
Indianapolis International Airport is the main gateway, and Chicago's airports are close to the north of the state. Indianapolis has buses, including the Red Line rapid bus, and bike share.
The South Shore Line train runs from Chicago to the Indiana Dunes. Amtrak services are limited.
A car is the easiest way to see the rest of the state. Most of Indiana is on Eastern Time, but the north-west and south-west corners are on Central Time.
Costs
What Indiana costs
Indiana is good value, cheaper than Chicago and the coasts. Prices in Indianapolis rise sharply during the Indy 500 and big events.
Sales tax is 7 per cent across the state. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
The national park and state parks charge entry.
Safety
Safety and scams
Indiana is generally safe. Downtown Indianapolis is busy and fine; take normal city care at night and ask locally about other neighbourhoods.
Lake Michigan has dangerous rip currents, so swim at lifeguarded beaches and check the flags.
Spring brings severe storms and occasional tornadoes, and winters are cold. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Racing, state fairs and autumn colour.
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Jonas Brothers
Indianapolis
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The Smashing Pumpkins
Indianapolis
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Gabriel Iglesias
Indianapolis
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15 November
Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins
Indianapolis
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: The Greatest Show On Earth
Indianapolis
Prepare to be dazzled, amazed, and delighted as the greatest show on Earth comes to town. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is…
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Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Giants
Indianapolis
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Chris Tomlin
Indianapolis
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Buena Vista Orchestra
Indianapolis
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Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Indiana, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
May to October is the best time. May is race month in Indianapolis, summer is beach season at the Dunes, and October brings autumn colour to Brown County. Winter is cold and grey.
Jan
Cold
Feb
Cold
Mar
Cool
Apr
Spring
May
Indy 500
Jun
Summer, beaches
Jul
Dunes season
Aug
State Fair
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Brown County colour
Nov
Cold
Dec
Festive lights
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Indianapolis, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Indianapolis prices.
Treat these as a guide. Race weekends cost much more.
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- Doing things—
Indiana questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is the Indianapolis 500?
On the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, at the end of May.
Can you visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway outside race day?
Yes. The museum is open all year, with track tours.
How do I get from Chicago to the Indiana Dunes?
By the South Shore Line train, or by car in around an hour.
How many days do you need in Indiana?
Three or four for Indianapolis, the Dunes and the southern hills.
Do I need a car in Indiana?
It is the easiest way to see the state outside Indianapolis.
When is the best time to visit Indiana?
May to October, with autumn colour in October.
What time zone is Indiana in?
Mostly Eastern Time, with the north-west and south-west corners on Central Time.
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