Take a Video Tour of the City from Visit Indy and see what you're in the mood for.
The Indianapolis Fun City Finder's "365 fun things to do in Indianapolis" starts with 18 categories, then drills down, noting "there are way too many attractions to keep track of." So its list helps, whether your interest is arts, parks, racing, history, music, or something else. Do Indy Right , part of the Do Stuff Network, lists events and concerts, things to do, and featured venues.
Bloggers enjoy the range of "things people from Indianapolis love" and "things you learn while living in Indianapolis."
Feeling overwhelmed? Consider a smaller list, such as 10 Things to Do and See in Indianapolis, or narrow down your options by researching comedy clubs or theatre.
Or start with the Indiana History Center to get some "Indiana's StorytellerTM" perspective on the past and how it's influenced our present. Whether you like auto racing or history, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway provides a lot of ground to cover - 1,025 acres - and a fine venue for various types of auto racing, concerts, and more.
The Benjamin Harrison home and James Whitcomb Riley home are architectural and historic gems with well-informed tour guides. For several years following his death, Harrison's home served as a dormitory for the Arthur Jordan Foundation's music school. When the school moved to Butler University in 1951, the foundation restored the house and opened it to the public. The home at 1230 N. Delaware St. is now a national historic landmark. Riley's home at 528 Lockerbie St. is also a National Historic Landmark.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
World's largest Children's Museum
Features five floors of interactive learning in the arts, world cultures, sciences, and humanities; Hosts different exhibits and galleries, so there is often something new to see with each visit
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Located in the center of downtown Indianapolis
Surrounded by shops and restaurants
Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs in the historic Hilbert Circle Theatre on Monument Circle, presenting classical, pops, family, and holiday concerts, plus a popular summer series outdoors. Student tickets for any age with a valid student ID are great budget option, with tickets as low as $10 available online or from the box office for many of the performances.
Indianapolis Opera Indianapolis Opera is a regional professional opera company. It's considered regional because the company does performances in Michigan, Illinois, and Kentucky as well as Indianapolis. They perform at the Basile Opera Center, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St.
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis This is a competition held in Indianapolis every four years to both "discover major violin talent" as well as "nurture the careers of those identified." It is a highly regarded competition in the music industry and draws performers and audiences from around the world. The headquarters are at 32 E. Washington Street, downtown.
The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, located at the Schrott Center for the Performing Arts at Butler University, performs and holds educational programs.
The Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey, hosts musicians, comedians, musicals, ballet, and other shows.
Jazz, rock, and just about any other kind of music are highlighted in Nuvo's article about the Indianapolis music scene. VisitIndy highlights some popular Indoor and outdoor venues.
Like other major cities, Indianapolis has a thriving theater life. On Broadway or off, Indianapolis has shows to offer every kind of theater-goer. In addition to Clowes Hall on the Butler University Campus, check out some other theater places below!
Phoenix Theatre Inc. The Phoenix prides itself on "having the hipster mentality before it was cool." They focus on contemporary theater and do not perform any shows that have been done in Indianapolis before their production.
Indiana Repertory Theatre The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is a classic theater that shows all sorts of productions, and offers a student diiscount. IRT also sponsors youth writing competitions.
The historic Athenaeum includes a theatre, restaurant, and fitness facilities.
IndyFringe Festival and Theatre "IndyFringe exists to encourage, support, and assist independent artists by providing an accessible, affordable outlet." Both the two theaters that IndyFringe hosts events in and the 11 day festival on Mass Ave both work to produce shows by up-and-coming artists who just need help getting their foot in the door of the theater world.
The Cabaret at the Columbia Club presents musical and storytelling cabaret artists with food and drinks available in a beautifully preserved building on Monument Circle downtown.
Footlite Musicals Footlite Musicals produces seven shows per season, and they are almost always some of Broadway's most popular musicals (go figure!). Fun fact, the theater also uses one of the few remaining two-manual, eleven rank Page Theatre pipe organs in the U.S.
Young Actors Theatre Young Actors Theatre is a program that produces shows cast by young people, often those who participate in one of their many programs. The theatre is the pioneer of "self-empowerment theatre," in which they work on building the actors' self-esteem while also encouraging their growth in the profession.
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Beef & Boards is a professional dinner-theater experience. Attendees begin with a buffet-style meal followed by live programming such as Broadway shows, plays, and children's theater.
The Indianapolis Museum of Art, entered from the corner of Michigan Rd and 38th Street, is close enough to walk to! Butler students may receive free annual membership. The museum is home to art from all over the world from ancient to contemporary.
The grounds also are home to the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, the Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens, additional Gardens and Greenhouse, and Tobias Theater (The Toby). Admission to the Art & Nature Park comes with admission to the museum.
Clowes Memorial Hall, on Butler's campus, is a performing arts venue for Butler dancers, actors, and musicians, and local, regional, and national speakers and performers.
Dance Kaleidoscope is a professional contemporary dance company in Indianapolis since 1972. Inspiring, educating, and entertaining are part of its mission.
Indianapolis Ballet, Inc., home of the Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB), 502 N. Capitol Ave., includes classes, performance, and community outreach.
The Indianapolis City Ballet offers master classes, Evening With the Stars, promotes the Indianapolis International Ballet Competition, and has been featured on PBS.
The Indianapolis Ballet Conservatory is a pre-professional ballet school that trains students from around the country and stages two major performances a year.
The Madam Walker Theatre Centre at 617 Indiana Ave., is on the National Historic Landmarks registry. The former headquarters and manufacturing plant of Madam CJ Walker Hair Care and Beauty Products now houses educational, music, outreach, and theater programs.
The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, north of Indianapolis, hosts theater, dance, music, lectures, and speakers in the Palladium, Studio Theater and the Tarkington. The center hosts six resident music, dance and theater companies and the foundation and archives dedicated to preserving the Great American Songbook.
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