Indianapolis IN – A Great Weekend Getaway

Indianapolis IN is the capital of the state of Indiana. It is a city on the White River in almost the centre of the state.

It is served by the Pittsburg,Cincinnati,Chicago & St Louis and Evansville & Indianapolis electric interurban railways.

The General Assembly consists of the Senate and House of Representatives. The two “houses” have co-equal powers,although bills with a revenue purpose must be originated in the House of Representatives.

1. The Crossroads of America

Indianapolis is a Midwest city that has gained world fame for its auto racing. It also has a number of other fun things to do and is a great spot for anyone looking for a weekend getaway.

Unusual landmarks,museums,roadside attractions and hidden wonders make up many of the points of interest in Indianapolis. Highlights include a real autopsy room at the Indiana Medical History Museum,which can also be viewed via a virtual reality experience.

The Indiana State Museum is another fun Indianapolis attraction. Its core galleries show how Hoosiers connected with each other,from the state’s natural history through its cultural history. You can even walk through an “ice” tunnel to recreate the feel of being inside a glacier or check out artifacts from Benjamin Harrison’s presidential campaign.

2. A Sports Town Unlike Any Other

While many top down economic development plans that bring in teams and stadiums fail,Indianapolis has made it work. The city has become a world class center for amateur sports,which have led to a massive economic boost in the area,as well as a downtown revitalization.

From the heyday of meatpacking and metalworking,the economy has diversified into manufacturing,retail and tourism. Today,Indianapolis is a cosmopolitan blend of education,arts and culture thats experiencing an all-around quality of life resurgence. Its a great place for people who want to move to Indianapolis for work,as there are lots of opportunities in the tech,healthcare and manufacturing industries. Some of the most famous companies in the world are headquartered in the city,including Eli Lilly and Company and Anthem Inc.

3. The City of Festivals

For a city with such a sports-heavy reputation,Indianapolis also has an impressive array of festivals that celebrate arts,food,religion,ethnic heritage and much more. These annual events draw visitors from across the region for their unique experiences and festivities.

Founded in 2005,the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival,or Indyfringe,is a multi-day event that showcases performances from local and international theater and performance groups. The festival takes place every August in the Massachusetts Avenue Arts and Cultural District.

A celebration of the Swiss-German community and culture,the Schweizer Fest features a queen pageant; athletic events; marketplace vendors; a wide range of culinary dishes and drinks including beer and wine; and a huge tyre tree. The 21-and-older event is produced by Wisconsin-based Brothers Molloy Events.

4. The Home of the Indiana Pacers

The city grew rapidly during the American Civil War as a transportation hub for Union supplies. Indianapolis today is a centre of commerce and industry,manufacturing pharmaceuticals,chemicals,machinery,wood products,and transportation equipment.

The Indianapolis franchise of the NBA (National Basketball Association) was launched in 1967. The team was dubbed the Pacers for its desire to set the pace in professional basketball,and to differentiate itself from the ABAs struggling teams.

Despite an off-court legal distraction that cost the team Jamaal Tinsley and Jermaine ONeal,the Pacers showed signs of improvement this season under coach Rick Carlisle. Veteran guard Paul George paired with rookie Myles Turner to lead the team to the playoffs. But,they lost in seven games to the Toronto Raptors.

5. The City of Food

From upscale restaurants to casual eateries,Indianapolis has something for everyone. Try the potato Gruyere croissant at Cafe Patachou,stuffed with an intact fingerling potato,a dab of Dijon,and a lava flow of cheeseit’s enough to make your morning.

The city also boasts a robust beer scene; downtown gastropub Taxman Brewing Co. has twenty house beers on tap in a renovated livery building from the 1850s. And the fried chicken at Root & Bone,brined in sweet tea and fried to perfection,is so good you’ll think it was the best thing since Wonder Bread.

Many general treatments of Indianapolis’s history are available,but the most useful is The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis (Arcadia,1994).