Tourism in Indianapolis
Tourism in Indianapolis is a vital sector of the local economy. According to Visit Indy, 28.8 million visitors generated $5.4 billion in 2017, the seventh straight year of record growth.[1] In 2015, the hospitality and tourism industry employed 77,800 people in the region.[2]
Indianapolis has long been a sports tourism destination, but has more recently relied on conventions.[3] The Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and Lucas Oil Stadium are considered mega convention center facilities, with a combined 750,000 square feet (70,000 m2) of exhibition space.[4] ICC is connected to 12 hotels and 4,700 hotel rooms, the most of any U.S. convention center.[5] In 2008, the facility hosted 42 national conventions with an attendance of 317,815; in 2014, it hosted 106 for an attendance of 635,701.[3] Since 2003, Indianapolis has hosted Gen Con, one of the largest gaming conventions in North America.[6]
Events
Athletic
Auto racing
![](../I/m/Indianapolis_500_2008.jpg)
- Freedom 100
- Grand Prix of Indianapolis (Indy Lights)
- Hoosier Hundred
- Indianapolis 500
- IndyCar Grand Prix
- Indy Legends Charity Pro–Am race
- NHRA U.S. Nationals
- Super Weekend at the Brickyard
- Brickyard 400
- Lilly Diabetes 250
Conventions
Culture
![](../I/m/COLISEUMedited.jpg)
- Indiana Black Expo
- Indiana State Fair
- Indy Irish Festival
- Indy Pride Festival
- Marion County Fair
Memorials
![](../I/m/Soldiers_and_Sailors_Monument_Indianapolis.jpg)
- Crown Hill National Cemetery
- Indiana World War Memorial Plaza
- Medal of Honor Memorial
- Project 9/11 Indianapolis
- Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
- USS Indianapolis National Memorial
Museums
![](../I/m/Bucky_the_T._Rex_1.jpg)
- Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
- The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
- Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
- Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
- Indiana Historical Society
- Indiana Medical History Museum
- Indiana State Library and Historical Bureau
- Indiana State Museum
- Indiana World War Memorial Military Museum
- Indianapolis Art Center
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
- Indianapolis Museum of Art
- The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres
- Oldfields, Lilly House and Gardens
- James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home
- Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
- NCAA Hall of Champions
Outdoor attractions
Parks
Shopping and dining
- Castleton Square
- Circle Centre
- City Market
- The Fashion Mall at Keystone
- Glendale Town Center
- Lafayette Square
- St. Elmo Steak House
- Sun King Brewing Co.
- Washington Square
Venues
Athletic
- Bankers Life Fieldhouse – home to the NBA Indiana Pacers and WNBA Indiana Fever; also hosts other athletic events and concerts
- Hinkle Fieldhouse
- Lucas Oil Stadium – home to the NFL Indianapolis Colts and USL Indy Eleven; also hosts other athletic events, concerts, and conventions
- Indiana Farmers Coliseum
- Indiana University Natatorium – home to IUPUI swimming; hosts national and international swimming competitions
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Major Taylor Velodrome
- Michael A. Carroll Stadium – primary track and field facility for IUPUI athletics
- Victory Field – home to the International League (AAA) Indianapolis Indians
Performing arts
- Athenæum (Das Deutsche Haus) – houses the American Cabaret Theater and Young Actors Theater
- Clowes Memorial Hall
- The Emerson Theater
- Hilbert Circle Theatre – home to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO)
- The Amphitheater at White River State Park – outdoor concert venue
- Indiana Theatre – home to the Indiana Repertory Theatre
- Indianapolis Artsgarden
- Madam Walker Legacy Center
- Old National Centre – oldest stage house in downtown Indianapolis and the largest Shrine temple in North America.[8][9]
- Phoenix Theatre
Other
References
- Shuey, Mickey (January 23, 2019). "Visit Indy reports seventh straight year of rising visitor spending". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- Bartner, Amy (January 24, 2017). "Visit Indy touts 4th year of record tourism". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
- Schoettle, Anthony (September 25, 2015). "Expand the Indiana Convention Center again?". Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- "350 Big Changes at Nation's Biggest Convention Centers" (PDF). Trade Show Executive. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
- "Connected Hotels in Indianapolis". Visit Indy. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
- "Gen Con LLC – Gen Con Attributes Record-Breaking 2014 Numbers to Growing Partnership between Gamers and Indianapolis Community". gencon.com.
- "About Children's Museums". Association of Children's Museums. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
- Bodenhamer, David. The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis (Indiana University Press, 1994) pg.1026, 1027
- "Downtown Indy". DowntownIndy. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2014.