Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Activities
Sitting at 33, Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C. for its number of war memorials and monuments. Near downtown, there is the seven-block War Memorial Plaza National Historic District. A majority of the memorials and monuments are in this area.
The crown jewel is the Indiana War Memorial. This is a free museum that has artifacts from every war. It is worth the time just to go to the very top floor in the Shine Room which commemorates WWI and has the largest American flag I have ever seen in person.
A few blocks away is Monument Circle where the Soldiers and Sailors Monument stands in the middle. The architecture is absolutely amazing and if you go to the top of the observation deck, you will have a 360-degree view of the Indianapolis skyline. Grab lunch from a restaurant nearby and sit on the monument steps watching the cars go by while listening to the fountains.
For kids, the Indianapolis Zoo, White River Gardens, and White River State Park are great options. You can eat lunch along the river at the White River Trail which spans miles on both sides of the White River.Â
For the racer in all of us, visit Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum located inside the racetrack! You can see all kinds of classic racecars and motorsports memorabilia. Make sure to jump in a simulator and see how fast you can go at IMS!
Restaurants
- St. Elmo Steak House
- Everyone will tell you to eat there, but they are only open for dinner and very expensive. They are known for their shrimp cocktail and, of course, steaks. If you want the St. Elmo experience with the cheaper price then you want to check out the next option.
- Harry & Izzy’s
- This is the sister restaurant to St. Elmo’s. While it sits right next door, they are open for lunch and dinner and have a similar menu (including the shrimp cocktail). The steaks are still pricey, but the rest of the menu is decently priced, especially if you go during their lunch hours. It’s worth it for the experience! Trust me.Â
- BRU Burger Bar
- This restaurant has multiple locations around the city. It has a huge burger menu as well as other sandwiches and salads. Don’t skip dessert! I was told they have a phenomenal white chocolate bread pudding!
- Dawson’s On Main
- Located within walking distance of the racetrack, this is the place to go if you want homestyle food. The dinner menu does have steaks, as well as many seafood and fish dishes. I was told you don’t want to miss their pork tenderloin or beef stroganoff! It also features indoor or outdoor seating.
Are you an Indianapolis regular? Where are some of your favorite attractions and restaurants?
