Indianapolis is the largest city in Indiana and the state capital. If you're heading to Indy on business, a little planning will save you some time and help you make the most of your trip.
Work and Play Sit Side-By-Side
The trip between Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and downtown is 20-to-30 minutes, depending on traffic – though you'll be happy to learn that Indianapolis is quite low on lists of cities with the worst traffic congestion. You can pick up your National rental car outside the terminal. From there, the signs are easy to follow to get on I-70 and head toward downtown.
You’ll find the Indiana Convention Center in the heart of downtown. An indoor, climate-controlled walkway connects the Indiana Convention Center with one of the city's top attractions; Lucas Oil Stadium. Check the Stadium schedule for a list of concerts, football games and a variety of other events you can attend after a full day of work.
With all that work and all that play, you’re bound to work up an appetite. The premier restaurant of Indianapolis is St. Elmo’s Steakhouse. Any celebrity who passes through can usually be spotted ordering a steak and a bottle of wine or cocktail. Impress your clients or treat your business associates to a dinner at St. Elmo’s. If you’re looking to go off-the-beaten-path with a unique lunch, look no further than Rook. This Asian street food inspired contemporary restaurant as a variety of eclectic Asian dishes perfect for hitting the spot during a day meeting.
Race to Top Indianapolis Attractions
Of course, you don't want to spend your whole Indianapolis trip at the convention center, even if there is a stadium right next door. One of the best ways to get a feel for the city is the Indy Canal Walk. This man-made waterway forms a 3-mile loop that takes you past attractions such as the Indiana State Museum and Indianapolis Zoo. If you don't feel like walking, book a Segway or gondola tour. However you opt to get around, you'll enjoy views of the skyline and city architecture, murals along the underpasses, and even a waterfall.
No list of local attractions would be complete without the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While it hosts the famous Indianapolis 500 every Memorial Day weekend, the speedway, built way back in 1909 and now a National Historic Landmark, is also home to races all year round. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum came along about 50 years later and features dozens of race cars and a theater that shows historical race footage. Hardcore fans should opt for the comprehensive grounds tour, which allows visitors to stand at the start and finish lines and go behind the scenes in other exciting areas of the speedway.