Top Things to Do in Downtown Indianapolis

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Downtown Indianapolis

Top Things to Do in Downtown Indianapolis

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Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
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119 results sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
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Showing results 1-30 of 119

What travelers are saying

  • Jon N
    O'Fallon, IL355 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was our first visit to Lucas Oil Stadium and that place was awesome. Fairly easy to get around, lots of food stands and bathrooms. Clean, comfortable and concessions priced fairly well. We were there for Super Cross, now I want to come back for a football game to experience that.
    Written February 10, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • kdwright2
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enjoyed the canal front on a sunny afternoon while killing time before flight.
    It's a great place for a walk. Beautiful scenery and paths.
    Written May 30, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • M C
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We spent a long time here - reading everything. Not only were we able to view artwork made by individuals of the First Nations but there was an extensive exhibition of artwork about individuals of the First Nations. It is a must ..... it opened our eyes to viewing these amazing individuals in a completely different prespective.
    Written August 19, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Letti O
    18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    On a road trip with my dog, this was a great way to see the cityscape of Indianapolis and also take my dog for a walk along the river & canal. The park is beautifully kept up with plenty of space to explore. I am very happy I chose this as one of our pitstops! I would plan an hour if you want to take your time walking. The zoo, NCAA Hall of Champions, and other museums are also located in the park. If you are also visiting any of those sites, then plan on being there for the day.
    Written September 5, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Emily M
    United States1,456 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is an impressive memorial! We got there too late in the day to see anything inside, but it's quite something to look at outside. It's part of a large veterans park in Indianapolis. Recommend going to see the memorial and park even if it's closed.
    Written October 2, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cheri N
    Peoria, Illinois, United States111 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were in Indianapolis to see Jeff Lynne's ELO in concert. Although their opening band wasn't the greatest, ELO put on an excellent show. There might have been some sound issues. It seemed that the singers' microphones were not turned up enough so it was sometimes hard to hear their words. We were seated in the balcony, and we did have some trouble finding our seats because the sections were not well-marked. Once we found our seats, we had a good view of the bands. There were also drink stations and restrooms at every level, which was convenient. This was our second time at Gainbridge, but our first concert experience and we'll definitely consider more concerts here. We were pleasantly surprised to be able to park just 2 blocks away from the venue for only $20.
    Written September 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KMM
    West Terre Haute, IN256 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was our first time there. It was so much fun and we learned a lot. It was easy to find and had a great underground parking garage. The staff were very nice and helpful. Do not go to the other museum nextdoor.
    Written February 10, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Emily M
    United States1,456 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    There was a lot of construction in mid-September, making it difficult to get close. With its height, though, we could still see it well. Hoping construction ends soon!
    Written October 2, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dave H
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great environment for baseball. We had a fun day. My only negative was the concession food quality. The chicken tenders breading was mushy. The chicken sandwich was very bland. The cheeseburger was pictured as a thick patty with lettuce & tomato, but what I got, after a 'cooking wait', was cold shoe-leather that was still pink in the middle. I recommend eating before you go. 4 meals with waters cost $75.
    Written June 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kade J
    Ogema, MN3 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    I have never been to the Indianapolis Area before the National FFA Convention, and the mall was mostly abandoned. I have been to other malls around the United States, and they were better than this mall. But one of the good things about this mall is that it's connected to Lucas Oil Stadium & Downtown Indianapolis.
    Written November 3, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Carl B
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Malik was our game master and was super nice and helpful.

    This sentence is here to meet the 100 character word count. Ignore this
    Written February 8, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • MichiganMelissa04
    Michigan862 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is an absolutely beautiful and touching monument. We were not able to go up in it, but just walked around at night. It was lit up beautifully. Nearby police helped us feel safe.
    Written September 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • nagiffag
    Orlando, FL353 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We travel for competitive cheerleading. One of the major competitions is held here every year. The facility has enough space to hold the competition and our gym has always been able to secure a large team room to use. While the local area has a number of good dining options, there aren’t enough options offered inside. Another note about the local area is that every year they run out of hotel rooms and people need to stay miles away from the convention center. Parking around the convention center is easier than I thought it would be. Getting an Uber/Lift hasn’t been hard either.
    Written January 14, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David E J
    Minneapolis, MN582 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice museum. Good overview of the various sports and some interesting stories. Takes a bit over an hour to tour the museum. Nice spot.
    Written September 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Chase
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I visited IRT this evening for the first time since recently moving to downtown Indianapolis to watch the current running production of Frankenstein. Previous to this my only experience with the Repertory Theatre was attending the rooftop space years ago when I was in high school.

    I must say that both the venue itself as well as the production were phenomenal.

    The Venue:

    Considering the IRT is a historical building, marveling at the architecture before a show is a worthwhile experience unto itself. After navigating to your seat across from One America Stage, you are treated to an absolutely delightful and intimate viewing experience. I can't say that I am anything beyond a novice theatre attendee, but what I can say is that I have always loved and admired theatre production and the actors and actresses that make it come to life. I have not been to as many as I would have liked at this point, but have made it a point to attend when my schedule has allowed. In all of my experiences, I haven't quite felt as close to the performers or performance as this evening. The seating is not overly abundant and the stage is not starkly gargantuan. The audience is warmly and neatly wrapped around the performers and the performers have a cozy amount of space to interact with each other. The dialogue provided is crisp and clear through well EQ'd microphones and the audio is nicely surround with what seemed like both rear and side speakers. The lighting (which I'm sure varies from production to production) was tastefully crafted and enhanced the narrative without overshadowing it or the performers. Outside of all of this, the venue provided a bar with themed specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages for those such as myself whom choose not to imbibe.

    The Production:

    While I know this is meant to be a review of the IRT itself, I would be remiss to not dote on what was an absolutely lovely evening thanks to all of the performers involved with this production of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The writing of the production itself was wonderfully unique in that it wasn't a strict reenactment of the author's work, but yet a depiction of Shelley's conceptualization of the story itself during an evening amongst prolific literary company. This provided ample moments for comedic relief from what is otherwise a fairly dark story. The actors and actresses absolutely basked in this spotlight.

    In what I believe I read to be her IRT debut, Rebecca Marie Hurd was astonishing in her leading role (although all actors and actresses were leads in what was a small ensemble). Her performance was a masterclass in the ebb and flow of excitability, joy, hesitance, agony, dismay, and confidence. The cadence of her multiple-accent shifting dialogue delivery was impeccable. I can't seem to remember a single flummox amidst what was a sea of positive moments. As the author herself, Hurd was tasked with not only performing, but being an anchor of a narrator to a timeless classic. To punctuate the evening, Hurd stoically shrugged off the pervasion of an audience member's unsilenced phone without skipping a beat. I personally cannot wait to see the next production at the IRT she graces us all with. Incredibly beautiful. Incredibly talented.

    As Victor Frankenstein, Ty Fanning delivered a performance that seemed struck by the very same lightning the titular character wished to harness in making his creation. There were several memorable moments in which Fanning commanded the stage with thunderous emphasis. You could truly feel him lose himself to the characters he portrayed throughout the evening. While the writing of the production lended them the opportunity, Fanning, like the others, did not hold back in delivering a stellarJekyl-and-Hyde-esque performance of drama and comedic punctuation.

    Nate Santana spent the evening being wrenched to and fro from playing Lord Byron to Frankenstein's Creature. He was marvelous as both. In one particularly memorable moment, Santana finds himself alone on the stage with a simple backdrop, tossing back and forth as a confused monstrosity seeking understanding. Without as many lines as some of the others, Santana more than made up for it with a physical performance that perfectly portrayed the ambivalent innocence of the physically grotesque castoff. The youthful inexperience of The Creature was palpable as Santana's performance crescendoed into the climax of both the production and The Creature's internal dilemma.

    As was apparent from nearly the first five minutes of the show, Andrea San Miguel made it habit to beckon the spotlight away from the others. In what was in comparison somewhat limited time on stage, Miguel made more than the most of each visit. Several appearances brought about audibly shared laughter amongst the crowd. While there was clearly a comedic element to the show in general, Miguel provided it times two. Although she didn't get as many chances as some of the others in displaying drama, her performance nonetheless felt as if more mature than any of the others. It almost felt as if she served to comfort the others in her presence as someone who has performed enough to simply relax and elicit ease and humor amongst the tension.

    As Frankenstein's childhood friend, Terry Bell provided spark to the play from the beginning. In what felt like perfectly depicted aloofness, Bell, like Miguel, became a beacon of humor from the moment he turned bowl into helmet as an imaginary crusader of knighthood during the titular character's childhood. Bell showed great range in his portrayals of a multitude of fundamental characters who often served as links to tie together the emotions of the character's on stage at a given time.

    In conclusion, I was absolutely thrilled by this production and each of it's members. I cannot wait to follow the rest of each of the actor and actresses careers and hope to be able to attend several more performances.

    In conjunction with the acting, the performance was given in front of an absolutely perfectly simple set design. It was enough to provide a narrative ambiance without being overtly distracting visually. it gave the performers space to emote while also providing elements to enhance the storytelling. At times it gave the performers a chance to rest, and at others it provoked them to embrace their talent in order to maintain the captivity of the audience's attention.

    I believe the production has a week or more left. I highly, highly recommend the experience if you are in town visiting or live here. The on average $75 tickets are well beyond worth a 2 hour experience in which one might spend twice as much wasted on a status quo evening of standard affair.

    If you can't make Frankenstein due to short notice, do yourself a favor and find a show in the season's lineup. Even if you don't frequent theatre, visit the IRT, give it a chance, and let yourself be surprised by the intimacy of a live performance. I am confident that at the very least you will enjoy an evening of something starkly different than what can tend to be a coldly robotic rehashing of time spent watching television.
    Written October 8, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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