Perhaps it is the basic Midwestern practicality and friendly, common-sense nature of its residents, but few places in this country are more all-American and family-centered than Indianapolis. If you want a family getaway that gets back to the basics, no better choice could be found than the capital of Indiana.
With a basketball hoop in nearly every driveway and a passion for sports that at times touches fanaticism, especially when it comes to a little drag strip-turned-international-phenomena called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this city and its people are always in motion. There's always something going on outdoors, and the city provides numerous biking trails and an expansive urban park to ensure that. Adding to the sporting thrill that beats in its residents is the honor of hosting the 2012 Super Bowl and the 2015 NCAA Men's Final Four. But with world-class museums, exciting retail options and unexpected variety of interesting dining options, those who prefer a more sedate entertainment will be equally exhilarated. In fact, Indianapolis is home to more monuments and memorials than any other city in the U.S.
Indianapolis is known as The Circle City, but before you challenge your children with their thoughts on why it is called that, here's the two-part answer: The focal point of downtown is the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, a magnificent 284-feet-tall monument surrounded by an equally impressive fountain. The intersection of Market and Meridian Streets is a massive circle around the monument where almost any celebration or event in Indianapolis takes place. Families can take a ride to the top of the monument for $2 each or explore a museum beneath or simply walk the circumference and enjoy the shops and cafes nearby.
Of course the other main circle is not really a circle, but an oval -- the one at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is here that the world-renowned Indianapolis (Indy) 500 takes place and drivers prove their prowess in hours upon hours of pure excitement.
Combined all of these nuggets and you've got a city that lures vacationers from the beaches and to visit the Midwest for a truly great family vacation.
Indianapolis Family Vacations
Indianapolis Family Vacations
Families will love:
- A sports-friendly city that is home to the renowned Indy 500
- More monuments and memorials than any other U.S. city
- A children's museum and toy museum not to be missed
Written by Diana Lambdin Meyer
Read more about Indianapolis Attractions
Best Indianapolis Family Hotels
© Copyright 2012. The Independent Traveler, Inc.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
- Independent Traveler independenttraveler.com
- Cruise Critic cruisecritic.com
-
FREE Family Travel Newsletter -
Family Travel Tips (10 New)
– Family Planning and Tips
Sure, free drinks and complimentary Wi-Fi rank high on the lists of most desirable hotel perks among travelers in general, but when it comes to visiting with kids in tow, which hotel amenities are most revered by families? From onsite airline check-in to in-room babysitting and kid concierges, con...
Favorite family biking locales in North America combine stunning scenery with a relatively easy grid of bike trails and uncongested backcountry roads. All of these locales offer exhilarating rides, guaranteed to inspire all ages to travel on two wheels. Many of the cities on the list, like San Anton...
1. Celebrate a Historic Anniversary. Boston's historic Fenway Park celebrates its 100th anniversary this year -- the perfect time to take in a ballgame while enjoying the history of America throughout the city. Give your school-aged children an up-close and personal history lesson by visiting some ...
The unofficial start to summer is nearly here, and this May 25 to 28 weekend is filled with enticing deals for families. Get out there and start your summer!
Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Escape to the Colorado mountains for a two-night Memorial Day Family Escape at the Broadmoor. ...
There are few rites of passage as exciting as taking a child on his or her first camping trip. Families bond while roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, making shadow animals on the tent wall, chasing after fireflies and inhaling fragrant whiffs of pine. Whether you are an experienced camper from pre-...
1. The National Mall
There's no question that the National Mall, the two-mile strip of wide-open green stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol and surrounded by Smithsonian museums and national monuments, is a must-see destination for kids. "The Mall," chock full of our nation'...
1. gogo Kidz Travelmate
If you're traveling with a child weighing less than 50 pounds, you won't want to leave home without this ingenious contraption that in seconds lets parents convert most car seats into a stroller. With the gogo Kidz Travelmate, there's no more lugging both a heavy car seat ...
On a recent ski vacation, my family of five traveled with five cellphones, three laptops, three iPads, two iPods and just for good measure, a GPS! Given the prevalence of electronic devices in our daily lives and our somewhat compulsive reliance upon them, taking a true vacation feels almost imposs...
The 1969 film, "If It's Tuesday, This Must be Belgium," depicted a funny, but sometimes all too true, look at a tour group of Americans traveling through Europe so quickly they barely knew where they were and what they were seeing.
Today, tour groups are quickly becoming an attractive option for ...
When you think of an all-inclusive vacation, your mind goes straight to the Caribbean, doesn't it? But you don't need to leave the country to get an all-in-one vacation -- resorts in the U.S. also provide all-inclusive getaways with accommodations, meals, and activities all packaged in one easy pric...