Last minute trip to Indianapolis-what to do?

[tink fan]

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon for a two day, last minute trip to Indianapolis. I will have two boys--12 and 14 years old.

Any suggestions on what to do?

We are staying at the JW Marriott.

Thanks!!

 

[emksmama]

The Children's Museum is AMAZING....and there is plenty to see & do for older kids. Right now they have a huge Hot Wheels exhibit I'm sure your boys would enjoy, and a big Lego one too...let them revisit their childhood a bit.

So you're downtown...the canal is a gorgeous area to walk, rent paddleboats, have a picnic. Lots of history downtown, plus a big mall. The Indianapolis Zoo is also downtown, and my kids love it there. If they are baseball fans, Victory Field is a beautiful field, but unfortunately no home games this week.

Sports? History? Auto racing? If they are into cars or racing at all, you can take them to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum (you'll need to drive from downtown) and that's a must do for any Indy visitor. The NCAA Hall of Fame is downtown on the canal, as well as the Indiana State Museum and the Eiteljorg Museum (American West & Indians).

Hope you have a great time in the Circle City!

 

[mrsklamc]

I have heard that the new "You are there" exhibits are really cool:

http://www.indianahistory.org/indiana-experience/you-are-there

But I agree with everything already mentioned too. Indy is really a great city.

 

[hops&dreams]

What are your kids into?

Sports:
Tours of Lucas Oil Stadium, where the superbowl was just hosted:
http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/visitors/getting-around-los-tours.aspx

Racing:
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Speed Museum
http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/about/35204-Museum/

Art:
Indianapolis Museum of Art & 100 Acre Park
http://www.imamuseum.org/

College sports:
NCAA Hall of Champions Museum (NCAA Nationa HQ is walking distance from your hotel)
http://www.ncaahallofchampions.org/index.php

History / architecture:
Indianapolis catacombs tour - these were first given/popularized by VIPS during the week leading up to the Superbowl
http://www.indianalandmarks.org/tours/calendar/Pages/SearchResults.aspx?EventID=567

There's also a new Trampoline park on the northeast side that i've heard is fun, but expensive... (and tiring!)
http://indianapolis.skyzonesports.com/

You can also rent segways and go through White River State Park (although that might just be weekends?)

The zoo also has some cool exhibits, but they might be to old for the zoo? Shark touch tank, feed giraffes, feed all kinds of birds at the new Flights of Fancy Exhibit (my construction crew got a kick out of doing it, and they're in their 30's, but they also built the exhibit!), race a cheetah, SUPER up close to a tiger. (literally, they are on the other side of the glass that's about 2" thick - almost creepy).


So, really... what are your kids into? I'm sure I could probably come up with something suited to their tastes...

 

[hrslvr142]

And since this is a budget board....here is a coupon site for food/etc:

coupons4indy.com.

You are only a few blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium as well where the Super Bowl was this year, there used to be tours..not sure if they go on all the time but you can google it and see.

Enjoy your visit to our city

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

Another Indy-area DIS'er here.

The other posters really hit on the great things to do in Indianapolis. Just wanted to say have a great visit!!

It's not cheap but dinner at St. Elmo's is always a treat. Watch out for the horseradish in those yummy shrimp cocktails!

Debbie

 

[Ali]

I'll be there next week so these tips are great.

 

[amez]

We are visiting Indy late summer or early fall-love these ideas!

 

[mrsklamc]

There are also coupons here http://visitindy.com/indianapolis-discounts-coupons

 

[ceemys]

I hope you have an awesome time in Indy. Our downtown is a great place to visit! PP listed everything that is fun! I love our zoo! Tons of animals, splash park, great dolphin show, shark petting , feeding giraffes, cute little roller coaster, train that takes you around the park, merry go around, and more.

Walk the circle. You can go up the monument ( I think it is open) and look at our city at the top. We just had our strawberry festival at the circle this past weekend. They might have something else going on, not sure.

The IMAX theater is at the state museum. http://www.indianamuseum.org/visit/exhibit/

Have fun in our wonderful Circle City!

 

[mrsklamc]

There is plenty to keep you busy downtown but I bet boys those ages would love:

http://www.ftik.com/

 

[rainynight]

I also live in Indianapolis. One thing I have to disagree with is our zoo..it's tiny and not worth the price. Of course, I grew up in Cincinnati which has an amazing zoo that you can spend days at. The Indy zoo is like 2-3 hours tops.

Conner Prarie is great, we love it there. It's on the north side of Indy.

Incredible Pizza Company is a large arcade place that's really fun. Our "older" nephews, ages 9 and 12, love when we take them there. You need to go hungry since you have to buy the buffet to play there, the foods decent though, not fine dining but serves it's purpose. There's 2 locations, I've only been to the Greenwood one but there's another closer to downtown.

Indy has an AMAZING children's museum. It's huge and has so much to see and do.

Our downtown is beautiful, and a walk by the canal is lots of fun.

Tibbs Drive-In is really fun if you're into watching movies. A lot of people think the area around the drive-in is bad, but don't worry. You're safe there

If you're into exercise the Monon Trail is great.

Indianapolis also has some great parks and aquatic centers with indoor pools and slides, very inexpensive too. Here's you a link. http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPR/Amenities/Pages/Indy Island Aquatic Center.aspx

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Hope it helps!

 

[harleys mom]

Try visitindy.com. I would recommend an Indians game. It has been voted the best minor league park in the United States. Circle Center Mall is right downtown.

 

[beansmom]

i second the Children's Museum and the Brickyard. Both great places.

Shoot...now I think I'm gonna haff to drag dh to Indy sometime soon and show him the old stompin grounds.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

If anyone visiting INDY has the time to drive about 2 hours the FORT WAYNE CHILDREN'S ZOO is incredible!

 

[delmar411]

I also live in Indianapolis. One thing I have to disagree with is our zoo..it's tiny and not worth the price. Of course, I grew up in Cincinnati which has an amazing zoo that you can spend days at. The Indy zoo is like 2-3 hours tops.

I disagree. I think the zoo is fantastic. It is perfect for a day trip and for locals the annual pass makes it a very inexpensive place to take the kids for just a few hours. There is a dolphin show, a dog trick show, rides, a splash pad, a playground, opportunities to interact with the animals plus the regular zoo part. I grew up with the National Zoo at my doorstep too so I don't think bigger = better. JMO though.

Incredible Pizza Company is a large arcade place that's really fun. Our "older" nephews, ages 9 and 12, love when we take them there. You need to go hungry since you have to buy the buffet to play there, the foods decent though, not fine dining but serves it's purpose. There's 2 locations, I've only been to the Greenwood one but there's another closer to downtown.

Just an FYI, you don't have to purchase the buffet to play there. They give wristbands for you to wear if you are just playing. That's at the Greenwood one, I'm not sure about the one.

 

[Mirax]

I am an Indianapolis native that moved away for almost 15 years and just returned almost a year ago. I have to say the things listed sounds really great. However, as much as I love the children's museum it is not for 12 and 14 year olds. The Indianapolis Zoo is a nice zoo but very expensive and you really don't get a whole lot for your money.

If your children are history buffs I would recomend Conner Prarie. However it is not downtown it is located in the suburbs.

I know you have already visited our great city I hope you had a great time.

 

[DJT]

OP, how was the JW Marriott? We are looking to stay on our drive back from Northern Indiana in September. Trying to locate a place for overnight in the downtown area.

 

[mrsklamc]

The JW is very nice, though pricey. There is a Fairfield attached to it that is cheaper...The JW, in the words of a friend, "went retro...it looks like it was designed by Mike Brady."