My Indy weekend: a lap at the Speedway, St. Elmo's fiery shrimp cocktail, Mass Ave nights, and bike rides on the Cultural Trail. These are the spots I send every friend visiting the Circle City.
Map
I tour the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and take the bus lap around the 2.5-mile oval to kiss the yard of bricks.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
I pull into Mug-N-Bun, a classic drive-in near the Speedway, for a tenderloin and a frosty mug of homemade root beer.
Mug-n-Bun
I climb to the observation deck of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument for the best view over Monument Circle.
Soldiers & Sailors Monument
I order the famously fiery shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House, a downtown institution since 1902.
St. Elmo Steak House
I grab lunch at the Indianapolis City Market, a historic market hall packed with local food stalls.
Indianapolis City Market
I duck into the Central Library to see the glass atrium connecting it to the gorgeous 1917 original building.
Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library
I catch a Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium, and the retractable roof and big window to the skyline make it special.
Lucas Oil Stadium
I watch the Indianapolis Indians from the lawn seats at Victory Field, one of the nicest minor league ballparks I've been to.
Victory Field
I get the corned beef on rye and a slice of cake at Shapiro's, a cafeteria-style deli that's been feeding Indy since 1905.
Shapiro's Delicatessen
I spend a sunny afternoon at White River State Park, walking the river and the museums that ring the green.
White River State Park
I check out the Indiana State Museum for local history and natural science, and the building itself is a showpiece.
Indiana State Museum
I see the Native American and Western art at the Eiteljorg Museum, one of the best collections of its kind.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
I visit the dolphins and the orangutan center at the Indianapolis Zoo inside White River State Park.
Indianapolis Zoo
I walk or rent a pedal boat along the Central Canal, a three-mile loop right through downtown.
Central Canal Fountain
I drink a German beer in the biergarten at the Rathskeller, inside the historic Athenaeum building.
The Rathskeller
I start a Mass Ave night with tacos and a whiskey at Bakersfield.
Bakersfield Mass Ave
I pay my respects to Indy's favorite son at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library.
Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library
I wait in line for brunch at Milktooth, the creative former-garage restaurant that put Indy brunch on the map.
MILKTOOTH
I walk through the Indiana World War Memorial and its free military museum on the stately downtown war memorial plaza.
Indiana War Memorial & Museum
I bowl a few frames at Action Duckpin Bowl, the retro duckpin alley on top of the Fountain Square Theatre Building.
Atomic Bowl Duckpin
I warm up among the tropical plants at the Garfield Park Conservatory and walk the sunken gardens outside.
Garfield Park Conservatory
I line up early at Long's Bakery for warm yeast doughnuts that are cheap and absolutely worth it.
Long's Bakery
I order the double cheeseburger with the crispy smashed edges at the Workingman's Friend, an old-school tavern.
The Workingman's Friend
I bring kids to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, the world's largest children's museum, with dinosaurs bursting out of the building.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
I drive up to James Whitcomb Riley's tomb at Crown Hill Cemetery for the highest point and best skyline view in the city.
Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery
I spend a day at Newfields, with the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the gardens, and the original LOVE sculpture.
Newfields
I catch a Butler basketball game at Hinkle Fieldhouse, the historic gym where they filmed Hoosiers.
Hinkle Fieldhouse
I rent a bike and ride the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which links Mass Ave, Fountain Square, and the canal.
Massachusetts Ave & Indianapolis Cultural Trl
I bike the Monon Trail up through Broad Ripple Village, stopping for coffee along the way.
Monon Trl & Broad Ripple Ave
I hike and kayak at Eagle Creek Park, one of the largest city parks in the country.
