Indianapolis, Indiana 2025

Indianapolis is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Indiana. It is located in the central part of the state, near the center of the Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 887,642. It is the 15th largest city in the U.S., the third-largest city in the Midwest, and the largest city in the American Midwest outside of Chicago.

Historically, Indianapolis has oriented itself around government, business, and transportation. The city is perhaps best known for hosting the world's largest single-day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race (held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) and the Brickyard 400. Indianapolis is also known as the "Crossroads of America," the national headquarters of the American Legion, and its nickname, the " amplit "City."

INDIANAPOLIS HISTORY

A longtime crossroad for many Indigenous peoples, Indianapolis was founded in 1821 as a planned city for the new seat of Indiana's state capital. The state legislature narrowly voted to move the capital from Corydon, Indiana, and a team of commissioners convinced the state to choose a site near the geographic center of the state. The commissioners' choice of the site and design for the city's layout was approved by Indiana's General Assembly, with Indianapolis being central to the state and near the state's center.

INDIANAPOLIS CULTURE

Indianapolis is home to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a multi-use walking and bicycling path that links six cultural districts: and neighborhoods, and entertainment amenities, and a major hospital and medical research center – the IUPUI Campus, White River State Park, The Lawn at White River State Park, Indiana State Museum and Historical Society, Indianapolis Zoo and Eiteljorg Museum, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the Indiana State Capitol, crown hill cemetery, and many other sites. Other museums include the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, which opened in 1883, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis Art Center, an urban arts center with galleries and working studios, and the Greater Indianapolis Art Association.

Indy (as Indianapolis is commonly known) was named the third “most walkable” city in America by a survey, and also was identified as the 18th “most liveable” neighborhood city in America in Relocate America’s latest “Top 100” ranking for 2009. As you walk around town, enjoy the city’s cultural pockets such as Massachusetts Avenue, “Mass Ave,” – recognized nationally as one of America’s “Great Streets” – and Fountain Square, a traditional arts and entertainment area led by renovated historic theaters such as the historic Fountain Square Theatre Building.

FOOD INDIANAPOLIS

Indianapolis may be home to as many restaurants as residents: more than 600 dining options offer everything from traditional American fare to international cuisines like Thai, Vietnamese, and Ethiopian. Casual sit-down restaurants and locally owned ethnic eateries serve up comfort foods, home-cooking, and Midwestern favorites such as breaded pork tenderloins (the official state sandwich of Indiana), but there’s also a collection of fine dining options, gourmet burgers, food trucks, and artisanal cuisine trailers. And, all things barbecue can be found in Indy, from classic styles like Memphis- and Texas-style barbecue to contemporary twists on international flavors. Go no further than Gator’s Grub for a saucy Cajun and Creole menu of barbecue that pays homage to the owner’s Louisiana roots.

From farm-to-table to table-to-farm, Indianapolis- area chefs, farmers' markets, brewers, and vintners focus on local and organic ingredients. Indianapolis boasts a lively arts and culture scene, rich history, exciting nightlife, and an entertainment schedule certain to keep visitors busy year-around. But the city also is recognized for its high quality of life, which includes an unsurpassed standard of dining options. USA Today says of the city, “Indianapolis may not be the first city to come to mind when thinking about great food cities, but the culinary scene is really blossoming.”

Stay a while and sample a bit of everything. Start with a hearty Midwest breakfast and follow up with a tenderloin sandwich (don’t forget the peppy sauce!), and don’t miss out on generous BBQ portions and homemade pies at local eateries and roadhouses. Indiana is, after all, the “Crossroads of America,” and Indianapolis’ mealtime offerings reflect that title. Indianapolis restaurants bring international flavors from every direction, meaning hungry eaters can experience new tastes from across the globe without a passport.

So, there you have the vital statistics on feeding Indy’s visitors. You may want to throw in a food challenge while you are in the area – try a hot dog and all the fixin’s at the famous downtown eatery, Dog Haus. Now, put all this newfound knowledge in your “fuel” tank and visit Indy!