Indy offers big-city amenities in a convenient, easy-to-navigate package wrapped in a friendly, inviting atmosphere. The nation’s 13th largest city (population 876,804) has gone through a dramatic revitalization and a stunning renaissance that makes it a different place than it was just a decade ago. Indy is the perfect balance of cosmopolitan style and small-town charm that makes it a successful destination for leisure travel, conventions and group tours, catering to nearly 22 million visitors a year.
The buzzing metropolis known as Indianapolis became Indiana’s state capitol in 1825. Indianapolis, also known as the Circle City, was originally designed as a city of one square mile with the Governor’s mansion sitting in the middle of what was once known as Governor’s Circle. Indianapolis has gained many nicknames over the years, including Hoosier Country, Indy, Circle City , Naptown and Crossroads of America.
Here are a few of the many attractions Indianapolis offers:
- Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
- Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- NCAA Hall of Champions
- Indianapolis Children’s Museum
- Indianapolis Zoo
- American Cabaret Theatre
- Indianapolis Air Show
- Garfield Park Conservatory
- Monument Circle
- Conseco Fieldhouse (hosts the NBA Pacers and the WNBA Indiana Fever)
- Lucas Oil Stadium (NFL Colts)
- Victory Field (minor league baseball Indianapolis Indians)
- The Canal & White River State Park
- Indiana State Fairgrounds
- Fashion Mall at Keystone, Circle Centre Mall
- Indiana LIVE Casino
Famous Hoosiers with Indianapolis Connections
- Larry Bird, President of Basketball Operations and former coach of the Indiana Pacers
- David Letterman, late night talk show host
- Jane Pauley, news personality
- Oscar Robertson, basketball legend
- Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, songwriter
- James Whitcomb Riley, poet
- Michael Graves, architect
- Madame C.J. Walker, first female self-made millionaire in the US
- Benjamin Harrison, 23rd president of the United States
- Vivica Fox, actress
- Mike Epps, comedian
- Wes Montgomery, jazz guitarist
About Indy: What’s a Hoosier?
That’s the question most asked by Indiana visitors. No one seems to know exactly where the word “Hoosier” (hoo-zhur) came from but there are plenty of stories on its origin — 30 at last count. Here is one of the more popular theories: Hoosiers are well-known for their questioning and it is possible the nickname originated because they could not pass a house without pulling the latchstring and crying out “Who’s yere (here)?”
Next time you find yourself in the Circle City, get out and explore all the offerings this great city has to offer.
You won’t be disappointed with what you find!