Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Birthplace of Author Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007), actor James Dean (1931-55),
TV host David Letterman (b 1947), rocker John Mellencamp (b 1951), King of Pop
Michael Jackson (1958-2009)
Home of Farmers, corn
Politics Typically Republican
Famous for Indy 500 motor race, basketball fanaticism, pork tenderloin sandwich
Official pie Sugar cream
Driving distances Indianapolis to Chicago 185 miles, Indianapolis to Bloomington
53 miles
TOP OF CHAPTER
Indianapolis
Clean-cut Indy is the state capital and a perfectly pleasant place to ogle racing cars and
take a spin around the renowned speedway. The art museum and White River State Park
have their merits, as do the Mass Ave and Broad Ripple 'hoods for eating and drinking.
And Kurt Vonnegut fans are in for a treat.
Sights & Activities
Downtown's bulls-eye is Monument Circle. White River State Park and its many attrac-
tions lie about three-quarters of a mile west.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway MUSEUM
( 317-492-6784; www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com ; 4790 W 16th St; adult/child $5/3;
9am-5pm Mar-Oct, 10am-4pm Nov-Feb) The Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500 motor
race, is Indy's supersight. The Hall of Fame Museum features 75 racing cars (including
former winners), a 500lb Tiffany trophy and a track tour ($5 extra). OK, so you're on a
bus for the latter and not even beginning to burn rubber at 37mph, but it's still fun to pre-
tend.
The big race itself is held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (late May) and at-
tended by 450,000 crazed fans. Tickets ( 800-822-4639; www.imstix.com ; $30-150) can be
hard to come by. Try the prerace trials and practices for easier access and cheaper prices.
The track is about 6 miles northwest of downtown.
 
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