Things to do in Indianapolis
Monument Circle to Broad Ripple, the way locals actually do it
This is Indianapolis for someone who wants to eat and drink well, skip the tourist traps, and still come away knowing the city. Three days covers downtown's best corners, the art and garden campus at Newfields, and a full afternoon in Broad Ripple and Meridian-Kessler. It suits a solo traveller or a couple who'd rather spend on one great dinner than on anything with a view tax.
Day 1: Mass Ave, monuments, and a steak
Start with coffee and a free climb at Monument Circle, work through a classic pork tenderloin lunch and the Eiteljorg's galleries, then end the night at the city's best steakhouse and a proper cocktail on Mass Ave.
- 9:30 AM
Café Patachou
Beloved local café on the edge of downtown, solid morning coffee and a relaxed start.
Map - 10:30 AM
Monument Circle and Soldiers & Sailors Monument
Climb the 1902 monument's observation deck for free city skyline views, a genuine local ritual.
Map - 12:30 PM
Loughmiller's Pub
Order the breaded pork tenderloin, pounded wide as a dinner plate, a true downtown tavern classic.
Map - 2:00 PM
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
The Midwest's only museum of Native American and Western art, strong permanent galleries, genuinely worth the time.
Map - 7:30 PM
1933 Lounge
Top-rated steakhouse in the Wholesale District, the one splurge of the trip, and locals swear by it.
Map - 9:30 PM
Ball & Biscuit
Local hangout on Mass Ave for proper cocktails, the neighbourhood bar everyone ends up.
Map
Day 2: Children's Museum, Newfields, and jazz
A day that moves from one of the country's great museum buildings to a 152-acre art and garden campus, finishing with a serious dinner and live jazz worth staying late for.
- 10:30 AM
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The world's largest children's museum: real dinosaur fossils, space gear and five floors to roam.
Map - 12:30 PM
Goose The Market
Goose the Market's deli counter: a sandwich of house-cured salumi to eat on the go.
Map - 2:30 PM
Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art + Gardens + Fairbanks Park)
152-acre campus with 54,000-piece art collection, 52-acre gardens, and the historic Lilly House, the heart of the day.
Map - 6:00 PM
The Dining Room at RH Indianapolis
RH's dining room in the former DeHaan mansion on Michigan Road; it closes at 8pm most nights, so eat early.
Map - 9:30 PM
The Jazz Kitchen
Serious jazz club and Indy Jazz Fest fixture hosting national acts to a listening audience.
Map
Day 3: Broad Ripple and Meridian-Kessler
A slow morning in the neighbourhood, trails at Holliday Park, fresh Vietnamese for lunch, and a Brazilian dinner before a low-key final night at the local bar.
- 10:30 AM
Holliday Park
Stretch your legs through Holliday Park's trails and ruins plaza, a quiet, leafy escape that locals love.
Map - 12:30 PM
Eating Fresh
Bright, fresh Vietnamese in Broad Ripple, top-rated and great value for a casual lunch.
Map - 2:00 PM
Broad Ripple Park
Walk off lunch at Broad Ripple Park along the canal, easy, pleasant, and right in the neighbourhood.
Map - 7:30 PM
Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine
Mexican and Brazilian plates in Broad Ripple; go for the Brazilian side of the menu.
Map - 9:30 PM
Where to stay
Hyatt Place Downtown Indianapolis
Solid mid-range downtown location, steps from Monument Circle and Mass Ave, priced right for a trip that saves its money for food and drink.
Hotel Broad Ripple
Right in Broad Ripple for travellers who want to wake up in the neighbourhood and walk to everything on day three.
Make Indianapolis your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum: weeks ahead
- The Children's Museum of Indianapolis: a few days ahead
- Newfields: a few days ahead
- Indiana Medical History Museum: weeks ahead
- Brickyard Crossing: weeks ahead
- The Fort Golf Course: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Circle Centre Mall and generic chain dining on Maryland St when Mass Ave and Virginia Ave are a 10 minute walk away.
- Expecting the Zoo to be a best in America zoo. It is good, but Newfields plus the Children's Museum is usually the stronger day.
- Planning lunch at Indianapolis City Market: the market house has been closed for redevelopment since March 2024 with no reopening date. Use The Garage Food Hall instead.
- Paying luxury hotel money for highway motels in May, and treating the Canal as a nightlife destination when it quiets at night.
The full Indianapolis travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around