If you visit Indianapolis with your loved one, check out my list of the best things to do in Indianapolis for couples. It will help you plan your trip and add the best places to your itinerary.
About Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the state of Indiana and is located in Marion County. The city was founded in 1821 and has grown rapidly, by 1910 there were already 60 car manufacturers in Indianapolis. Today it is one of the largest cities in the world, with numerous Victorian-style buildings, cobbled streets, restaurants, and shops.
If you are passionate about the car industry, you probably know that the city is also called The Racing Capital of the World. It hosts the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a famous place among car racing lovers.
There are a lot of things to do in Indianapolis for couples, with countless gardens, parks, and the largest children’s museum. Among the parks, the most spectacular is River State Park, which will surprise you with the beauty of flowers and alleys. The price of access to the gardens includes a visit to the Zoo.
Indianapolis is also a city that has not forgotten its history. There are many cemeteries and memorials as well as the famous Monument of Soldiers and Sailors which is located in the city center.
Best time to visit Indianapolis
The best time to visit Indianapolis is when the average temperatures are at a comfortable level – between 20 ° C and 30 ° C, in other words during the months of June, July, and August. Other months in which it is advantageous to visit Indianapolis are April, May, September, and October when the average temperatures are a little lower, but still pleasant – 10 ° C and 20 ° C. During March and November, the average temperatures are quite cold – 0 ° C and 10 ° C.
The warmest time of the year is in July when the average temperature is 24.05 ° C, but it could reach 29.7 ° C. On the other hand, the coldest time of the year in Indianapolis is in January when they can record an average of -3.65 ° C but could reach -8.2 ° C.
What to pack for a trip to Indianapolis
Indianapolis has all 4 seasons. If you go on vacation between November and early April, you will need warm clothes and boots. In summer you need a pair of comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes or sandals). Pants and jeans can be worn more than once, so pack one pair of each. T-shirts are the basic items that everyone needs. Depending on the season, take waterproof clothes and an umbrella with you.
Getting around Indianapolis
Tourists in Indianapolis will find that they can best visit the city by car because public transportation is limited.
Downtown Indianapolis is a relatively small area and visitors to the city will find that walking through the neighborhood is a much more enjoyable experience than if they tried to see it through the windows of a car.
Because public transportation in Indianapolis is not famous for its efficiency, visitors are advised to rely on rented cars or taxis when traveling a significant distance.
Shopping in Indianapolis
Indianapolis is one of those great magical cities where you can do a lot of shopping. No visit to this city is complete without going to at least one of the big malls. These giant malls offer everything you could want. A visit to the Ripple Village is essential for anyone looking for a unique retail experience, but not in big-name stores.
Things to do in Indianapolis for couples
If you are visiting Indianapolis as a couple, there are a lot of romantic and fun things you can do. From outdoor walks through the gardens and parks to visiting history museums and monuments. Of course, if you are a couple that loves cars and races, then you’re definitely in the right city.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The first entry on my list of things to do in Indianapolis for couples is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was founded in 1909 and is a symbol of motorsports a symbol. It is one of the largest sports centers, hosting multiple events each year. Among the most popular events hosted here is the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race or IZOD IndyCar Series, the Brickyard 400 or NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP or MotoGP World Championship.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is such a large construction that it can be compared to Wimbledon Campus, Yankee Stadium, or the Colosseum. Inside is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, which was founded in 1956, and Brickyard Crossing, a golf resort opened in 1929. The latter has been named the Speedway Golf Course.
The opening ceremony of the 1987 Pan American Games was hosted by Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
World War Memorial
The next entry on the list of things to do in Indianapolis for couples is the World War Memorial. It’s a museum built to pay homage to fallen heroes during World War I. The museum is divided into several sections: the military museum, the altar, and the auditorium. To the south of the museum is University Park where you can admire a fountain and various statues. The park is the oldest part of War Memorial Plaza.
The location, between the federal building and the public library, was established by the building’s architects, Walker and Weeks. Work began at the museum in 1926. Five of the seven buildings now on the site of the Memorial had to be demolished before construction began, and the other two, Presbyterian Church and First Baptist Church, were not demolished until 1960. General John Pershing laid the foundation stone of the World War Memorial on July 4, 1927.
The design of the building is based on the Maousel of Halicarnassus, which is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. With a height of 64 meters, the Museum is 23 meters higher than the Mausoleum after which the design was inspired. Due to its size, the World War Memorial is the most imposing building in the city.
Photo by Intiaz Rahim
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame
The museum is located inside Indianapolis Motor Speedway and is considered one of the most interesting museums dedicated to racing and cars.
Initially, the museum allowed the exhibition of a small number of cars, the positioning of the museum being established in 1956 by the first directors. In 1975 it was decided to build a modern museum, which houses both the exhibition space and the administrative spaces. The exhibition space has an area of approximately 30,000 square meters, out of a total area of 96,000 square meters.
The collection owned by the museum totals 75 vehicles and is open to the public all year round. The museum’s souvenir shops allow you to take home a souvenir of your visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame.
Indianapolis Zoo
If you like animals, don’t hesitate to visit the next entry on my list of things to do in Indianapolis for couples. At the Indianapolis Zoo for the price of a ticket, you can visit both the zoo, the botanical garden, and the aquarium.
The garden hosts over 1,200 animals from almost 250 species, and in the botanical garden, you can admire over 45,000 species of plants. The total area of the garden is 64 acres, so it will take you some time to visit it in its entirety.
The Zoo is located in the city center, the access is made easy on foot or by bike, on one of the tracks specially dedicated to cycling.
Photo by Intiaz Rahim
NCAA Hall of Champions
It is a museum and conference center and is located near the Nationa Collegiate Athletic Association. The building was designed by Michael Graves and aims to celebrate the academic and athletic performance of students. The Champions Hall has information, exhibits, photos, videos, and artifacts from 89 sports championships.
Photo by Nathan Rupert
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Las, but not least on my list of things to do in Indianapolis for couples is the Museum of Art. If you visit Indianapolis, the Museum of Art should not be missing from the itinerary. The museum has an area of 152 acres and was opened in 1883.
The museum will surprise you with an encyclopedic collection with over 50,000 works spread over a period of 5,000 years. Among the works are collections of African, American, European, and Asian art. Visits and programs organized in the museum are mostly free and dedicated to the whole family.
Do not hesitate to visit the park that surrounds the museum to see the amazing flora of shrubs, flowers and conifers, the fabulous view, beautiful fountains, bridges, and benches where you can relax while admiring the landscape.
The alleys make the walk through the park a relaxing and soothing one. Among other things, you can see and admire the Library of the Horticultural Center, Lilly House, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as well as a greenhouse with various types of plants, including orchids.
Conclusion
There are a lot of parks and monuments in Indianapolis, so if you decide to visit the city, don’t forget to bring comfortable walking shoes. You will love the outdoors and the monuments scattered around the city, just waiting for tourists to admire them.
Just take your time and enjoy the relaxing walks, nature, and fresh air by yourself, with a loved one, or with your entire family. The city’s tourist attractions are for everyone.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your list of the best things to do in Indianapolis for couples and start exploring the city! If you want more information about the city, visit the official Indianapolis website.
For more tips and information about travel destinations, check out the travel tips section.