|
Indianapolis Attractions
Bus and Carriage Tours
A popular way to see the area at night is on a horse-drawn carriage ride offered by companies stationed along Illinois and Maryland streets: Blue Ribbon Carriage Co., (317) 631-4169; or Yellow Rose Carriages, (317) 634-3400. Carriages also pick up passengers on request at hotels in the downtown quadrant bounded by North, South, East and West streets.
Walking Tours
An especially interesting area for a walking tour is Lockerbie Square, a seven-block district bounded by Michigan, New York, Fulton and East streets. Dating to 1847, the city's oldest surviving neighborhood is noted for its Victorian renovations. Italianate, Greek Revival and Federal-style houses and cottages--including the home of James Whitcomb Riley--line the cobblestone streets. Here you can see antique gas streetlights and limestone mounting blocks used for horse-drawn carriages. The neighborhood is about a mile northeast of Monument Circle.
The Old Northside was the place to live for business and civic leaders at the turn of the last century. Bounded by I-65 and 16th, Pennsylvania and Bellefontaine streets, the neighborhood features Victorian mansions and grand homes in Gothic Revival, Second Empire, Queen Anne and other styles. As wealthy residents migrated farther north, the neighborhood became known as the "old" northside; more than half of the dwellings were demolished before the area could be declared a historic district. Galleries, cafes and coffee shops are on the southern edge.
Another interesting area for a stroll is Broad Ripple Village, a neighborhood north of the downtown area along the White River. The village became the center of commerce in 1839 with the opening of the Central Canal. Similar to New York City's Greenwich Village, this trendy area contains boutiques, art galleries, sidewalk cafes, antique shops and ethnic restaurants. Among the restored cottages and bungalows are several Sears kit homes.
Irvington used to be a country address, but this neighborhood is now considered part of the city's east side. Named after Washington Irving, the historic enclave between 10th, Emerson and Arlington avenues and Brookville Road features cozy Craftsman bungalows and American Foursquares nestled against Tudor, Colonial and Georgian Revival mini-mansions. Ellenberger Park was designed in 1909 by architect and urban planner George Edward Kessler.
A relatively new addition is the Canal Walk, a portion of the historic Central Canal that has been renovated into a pathway popular with walkers, joggers and downtown workers. The junction of Ohio and West streets is a good starting point. At Walnut Street and Senate Avenue is the USS Indianapolis CA-35 National Memorial, a granite memorial to the shipmates who died when the USS Indianapolis sank in World War II.
An observation tower atop the City-County Building offers a 360-degree view from more than 300 feet above street level and includes exhibits and binoculars; phone (317) 327-4345. Commemorating Civil War and Spanish-American War veterans, the Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument at Monument Circle also provides a panorama of downtown.
Another good vantage point is Crown Hill Cemetery at 3402 Boulevard Pl., where such notables as James Whitcomb Riley, John Dillinger, President Benjamin Harrison and three vice presidents are buried. Covering 555 wooded acres, the cemetery is one of the largest in the country.
Sports and Recreation
Indianapolis' 113 city parks provide sports-minded visitors and residents with almost every recreational activity imaginable. Eagle Creek Park, 10 miles northwest via 56th and 71st streets, is well equipped for such activities as bicycling, boating, cross-country skiing, fishing, golfing (27 holes), hiking, ice skating, jogging, picnicking and swimming (beach).
Centrally located White River State Park is a diverse urban oasis suitable for hiking, bicycling and roller skating. In addition to museums and the zoo, the park features a sports fitness center, outdoor entertainment venues and picnic areas. Bicycles, tandems and four-wheel surreys are available for rent.
Ice skating facilities are at Carmel Ice Skadium, 1040 3rd Ave., Carmel; Pepsi Coliseum Ice Rink at the State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St.; Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W. 56th St.; Ellenberger Ice Rink, 5301 E. St. Clair St.; Pan Am Plaza, 201 S. Capitol Ave.; and Perry Park Ice Rink, 415 E. Stop 11 Rd. Eagle Creek Park, 6801 E. 91st St., offers cross-country skiing.
Boating and sailing are available at Geist and Morse reservoirs, both north of the city, and at Eagle Creek Reservoir in Eagle Creek Park; boats can be rented at Eagle Creek. Phone (317) 327-7110 or (317) 327-7130. Two- and four-person pedal boats are available for rent on the Central Canal at the corner of West and Ohio streets; phone (317) 767-5072.
Golfing is available at 12 public courses. Some of the most popular are Eagle Creek, 8802 W. 56th St. (nine and 18 holes); Pleasant Run, 601 N. Arlington (18 holes); Riverside Park, 3501 Cold Spring Rd. (18 holes); Sahm Park, 6800 E. 91st St. (18 holes); and South Grove, 1800 W. 18th St. (18 holes).
Fans of swimming, running and bicycling enjoy specially designed facilities in Indianapolis. The Natatorium, 901 W. New York St., is one of the most advanced swimming and diving pools in the country; phone (317) 274-3518.
Across the street is Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium, available 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m. for running, except during official meets. The stadium also contains fitness trails. The Major Taylor Velodrome at 3649 Cold Spring Rd. has a concrete surface banked at 28 degrees. It is open to bicyclists daily from May to November, unless it is being used for competitions; professional racing is held on Friday nights and is free to spectators. Phone (317) 327-8356. Eagle Creek Park has 1,000 acres with bicycle routes.
In addition to the many public tennis courts, the Indianapolis Tennis Center, 150 University Blvd., has 14 outdoor hard-surface courts, four outdoor clay-surface courts and six indoor hard-surface courts. Phone (317) 278-2100 to reserve a court. The Indianapolis Tennis Center is the site of the RCA men's professional tournament held each August.
Automobile racing is another popular pastime. The Indianapolis 500 race, held during Memorial Day weekend, is considered the biggest 1-day sporting event in the world, drawing more than 400,000 fans to the speedway each year. Also at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is NASCAR's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, held in early August, and the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix held annually. Rounding out the summer are the National Hot Rod Association Championship Drag Races on Labor Day at O'Reilly Raceway Park; phone (317) 291-4090.
The city also is home to the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts, and beginning with the 2008 season, the team will play in the Lucas Oil Stadium; phone (317) 262-3389 or (317) 239-5151. The 18,500-seat Conseco Fieldhouse is the showcase for the National Basketball Association's Indiana Pacers and the Women's National Basketball Association's Indiana Fever; phone (317) 917-2500 or (317) 239-5151. The Indianapolis Indians, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, plays baseball at Victory Field in White River State Park; phone (317) 269-3545 or (317) 239-5151.
Performing Arts
The arts are a priority in Indianapolis, as the city is undergoing a sustained cultural renaissance. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is directed by Swiss-born Mario Venzago and performs in the renovated Hilbert Circle Theatre at 45 Monument Cir. The regular season runs from September through May and includes classical, pop and family series as well as morning coffee and Yuletide concerts.
In the summer the symphony presents its free Concert in the Park programs. Summer also brings the Symphony on the Prairie series to Conner Prairie in nearby Fishers, where music is combined with picnics and sunsets. For ticket and performance information phone (317) 776-6004.
Local chamber groups play on a regular basis at Butler University, the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the University of Indianapolis. National and international chamber group performances include the Festival Music Society's July series at the Indianapolis Art Center; the Ensemble Music Society's concerts at the Indiana History Center, October through May; and the Ronen Chamber Ensemble's season at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, November through May.
The American Pianists Association presents nationally known jazz pianists at White River State Park, downtown Indianapolis, in June.
The Indianapolis Artsgarden, run by the Arts Council of Indianapolis, has various other performing arts presentations and a celebration of song at Christmas. The Artsgarden, in Circle Center Mall on W. Maryland Street, also has family shows, art exhibits and a Black History Month celebration; phone (317) 631-3301.
Concerts regularly take place at Clowes Hall on the Butler University campus; at Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville; at the Indiana State Fairgrounds; and at Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Local jazz groups perform frequently at the Madame Walker Urban Life Center, 617 Indiana Ave.
Opera buffs can enjoy presentations of the Indianapolis Opera at Clowes Hall, 4600 Sunset Ave. For information phone (317) 283-3470.
The Indiana Repertory Theatre, housed in the restored Indiana Theater at 140 W. Washington St., presents a variety of comedy and drama plays. Phone (317) 635-5277 for information or (317) 635-5252 for tickets. In the historic Athenaeum Building at 401 E. Michigan St., the American Cabaret Theater offers musical shows throughout the year; phone (317) 731-0334.
The MacAllister Center for the Performing Arts, in Garfield Park, presents theatrical performances and concerts throughout the summer.
Professional dance is represented by Dance Kaleidoscope and the Ballet Internationale, both of which present a regular concert series. Dance Kaleidoscope offers contemporary dance by nationally known choreographers at the Indianapolis Museum of Art; Ballet Internationale presents several major ballets October through April at Murat Centre.
The Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 Michigan Rd., presents well-known entertainers in concert and in Broadway musicals all year; phone (317) 872-9664.
|
|
