Standing at Monument Circle: Indianapolis's Civic Heart
Stand at Monument Circle on a clear afternoon and you're at the exact center of a city that was platted in 1821 as a perfect square mile. The Soldiers & Sailor's Monument rises before you—only fifteen feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty, built in 1902, with Miss Liberty facing south to defend the north. The sculpted Civil War scenes carved into the monument are visceral and unflinching. You can ride the elevator to the top for a view that sweeps across downtown, or climb the steps for free and take in the grounds: water features, grass, and the constant motion of people moving through the city's nerve center.
At the monument's base, the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum sits in the basement, where you can deepen your understanding of the city's role during the war—Indianapolis was a crucial Union military hub, and President Lincoln's funeral train stopped here in 1865 with an estimated crowd of over 100,000 paying respects. Just west across the circle stands the Indiana State Capitol, completed in 1888 in Italian Renaissance style and built largely from Indiana limestone. Walk inside to see the stunning German stained glass window in the rotunda, observe the state legislature at work, or take a guided tour. The building houses the Governor's office, the State Senate, the General Assembly, and the State Supreme Court.
- Soldiers & Sailor's Monument: elevator $3 (adults), free for ages 12 and under, seniors 65+, and US military; stairs always free. Open Th–Su 10:30AM–5:30PM.
- Indiana State Capitol: free tours. Open M–F 8AM–5PM, Sa 10AM–2PM.
War and Memory: A Landscape of Monuments
Indianapolis holds the largest collection of monuments dedicated to veterans and war casualties outside Washington, D.C. This is not abstract history—it's carved into stone, etched into glass, and preserved in buildings across the city.
The Indiana War Memorial & Museum, a pillared structure slightly north of downtown, houses both a war museum and an elaborate auditorium with a shrine honoring World War I troops. Admission is free. Just west of downtown, the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial pays tribute to over 3,000 Medal of Honor recipients spanning from the Civil War to modern conflicts. The monument consists of 27 curved glass walls, each 7 to 10 feet high, etched with names—especially striking at night. The Indiana 9/11 Memorial, located on the westside of downtown, opens from dawn to dusk and is free to visit. Crown Hill Cemetery, ten minutes north of downtown, is the third largest cemetery in the United States and a contemplative walking destination. Its Gothic Chapel and Waiting Station date from the late 1800s. Famous graves include President Benjamin Harrison, John Dillinger, and James Whitcomb Riley at the highest point in Indianapolis. Hundreds of soldiers rest in a beautiful war burial ground. Maps are free at the office, and you can explore by foot, car, or bike.
- Indiana War Memorial & Museum: free admission. Open W–Su 9AM–5PM.
- Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial: free. Open dawn to dusk.
- Crown Hill Cemetery: free. Oct–Mar 8AM–6PM, Apr–Sep 8AM–8PM.
Architecture and Grandeur: From Limestone to Glass
The Scottish Rite Cathedral, slightly north of downtown on North Meridian Street, is the largest Scottish Rite cathedral in the world and a masterpiece of architecture. Tours are free and reveal an enormous pipe organ, a floating dance floor, hand-crafted art glass windows, and the cathedral's mysteries related to Freemasonry. There's also a café if you need sustenance. Nearby, the American Legion National Headquarters on the northside of downtown contains a museum with hundreds of World War I and II posters and artifacts, a diorama of Jessica Lynch's rescue, and beautiful grounds that echo the layout of Washington, D.C. Admission and parking are free.
Downtown's skyline clusters around the city center. The Salesforce Tower rises 830 feet, followed by the OneAmerica Tower at 533 feet and the Regions Tower at 504 feet. The JW Marriott Indianapolis at 376 feet is the tallest hotel in the state and the largest JW Marriott in the world. These buildings define Indianapolis's modern profile against the sky.
- Scottish Rite Cathedral: free. Open M–Th 8:30AM–4:30PM, F 8:30AM–3:30PM.
- American Legion National Headquarters: free. Open M–F 8AM–4:30PM.
Museums and Collections: Art, Science, and Wonder
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, ten minutes north of downtown, is the largest children's museum in the world. Inside, Dale Chihuly's Fireworks of Glass—a blown glass sculpture rising 43 feet—dominates the space. Visitors can dig for "dinosaur fossils," catch a planetarium show, view miniature trains, and ride the carousel. It's a destination for children and adults alike.
Just west of downtown, the Indianapolis Zoo features the Dolphin Adventures Gallery and Dome—an underwater dolphin viewing dome that was the first of its kind and is included free with admission. The "Oceans" exhibit has a shark touch tank. Other areas include the Plains, the Forest, the Desert, botanical insects, and a petting zoo. The Zoo incorporates White River State Park, with over three acres of gardens and pathways along the White River. The Hilbert Conservatory within the park showcases different flowers, plants, and rotating special attractions like butterflies throughout the year. The Garfield Park Conservatory, on the southeast side of town, houses 10,000 square feet of plants from around the world. The Sunken Gardens, built in 1916, are three acres of European classical formal gardens that change with the seasons.
The Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens, ten minutes north of downtown, sits on the grounds of Newfields art museum. This 22-room mansion on 26 acres was the former estate of the Lilly family. Explore the home and its antiques, walk the beautiful gardens with pathways and fountains, and visit the garden shop selling plants grown on the grounds.
- Children's Museum of Indianapolis: Tu–Su 10AM–5PM. Check website for current admission.
- Indianapolis Zoo: W–Su 9AM–4PM. Child $11.75, senior/military $13.75, adult $15.75. Hours vary seasonally.
- Garfield Park Conservatory: Tu–Sa 10AM–5PM, Su 1–5PM. $1 admission; $1 per person for guided tours; shows $3 per person or $8 per family.
- Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens: Tu–Su 11AM–4PM. Free.
Science and Observation: Telescopes and the Night Sky
The Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium, located on the Butler University Campus about ten minutes north of downtown, houses one of the largest public observatories in the world. The 38-inch Cassegrain telescope is the largest in Indiana. Weekend tours are available (students use the facility during the week), and private tours can be arranged. Cash only; $3 admission, $2 for children.
Start planning your visit to Indianapolis by anchoring yourself at Monument Circle, then radiating outward to the war memorials and museums that define the city's character. Whether you stand in the rotunda of the State Capitol, ride to the top of the Soldiers & Sailor's Monument, or lose yourself in the gardens at Oldfields, you'll find a city built on deliberate streets and meaningful landmarks.