Discover the Charm: 12 Surprising and Entertaining Fun Facts About Indianapolis

1. Fast & Furious: Indianapolis 500 Edition

In a twist worthy of a Fast & Furious movie, the Indianapolis 500 races into the hearts of a new generation, fueled by international appeal and millennial gusto: The famous race has recently announced two sellouts, attracting larger crowds and a more diverse fanbase, thanks to global superstars like Pato O'Ward and Alex Palou.
Source => arkansasonline.com

2. Indy's Film Festival Fame

In the land of popcorn and Hoosiers, where dreams are born and films take flight: Indianapolis hosts the internationally renowned Heartland International Film Festival and the Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival. These cinematic celebrations have secured spots on MovieMaker Magazine's Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee list in 2021 and Best Short Film Festivals in the World list in 2022. Heartland International Film Festival, active since 1992, is North America's most generous cash-prize-giving fiesta, with over $3.5 million awarded to indie auteurs, providing them a reel chance to shine within the frames and beyond the screen.
Source => heartlandfilm.org

Did you know the term "Hoosier" was once an insult, but Indiana's residents turned it into a symbol of pride? Discover how they embraced this nickname and its impact on their culture!

=> Fun Facts about Indiana

3. Fashionably Clear: Lucas Oil's Bag Policy

In a city where the only deflated balls allowed belong to Tom Brady, Lucas Oil Stadium ensures fan safety with a touch of fashionable clarity: The NFL's strict Public Safety Policy in Indianapolis requires visitors to carry clear plastic bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12", 1-gallon plastic freezer bags, or small clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5", while non-approved bags remain outside the stadium's hallowed gates.
Source => stadiumroofstatus.com

4. Pedal-Powered Pints: The HandleBar

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to walk the plank with a pint in hand, search no more: Indianapolis' The HandleBar provides thirsty adventurers with a bar on wheels that can accommodate up to 16 people who pedal their way through the city while enjoying their food and drinks at a very affordable price. Team-building experiences for companies are also offered, and the one-of-a-kind tour lets people experience the city's lack of public consumption laws firsthand.
Source => handlebarindy.com

5. Crown Hill Cemetery: History (and Ghosts) You Can Walk Through

They say dead men tell no tales, but Indianapolis' Crown Hill Cemetery begs to differ and invites you to tour their grounds filled with lively history: From walking tours exploring the graves of Civil War personalities to birdwatching and discovering heavenly angelic sculptures, Crown Hill Cemetery is the eternal resting place of over 220,000 stories waiting to be heard and enchant visitors from all over.
Source => crownhillhf.org

6. Letterman's Weatherman Beginnings

Before he found his calling forecasting punchlines and interviews, David Letterman was a humble weatherman blowing the wind in the direction of many a farmer's barn door: In fact, the longest-serving late night talk show host in American television history graduated from Ball State University in 1969, starting his career in radio and weather forecasting on local Indianapolis stations, before storming the world of late night television for 33 years and donating millions to his alma mater, even launching the David Letterman Communications and Media Building in 2007.
Source => visitmuncie.org

7. Garfield Park: A Slice of Tropics in Indy

Hey there, plant enthusiasts, and those craving for a tropical escape without jetlag and nasty bug bites: Behold the Garfield Park Conservatory! Designed by gardening deity George Kessler, the conservatory was first built in 1916 and later transformed into an art-deco aluminum wonder in 1955 - the first of its kind in the U.S. This magnificent metallic marvel now houses a cornucopia of tropical splendors, from fancy ferns and photogenic palms, to swoon-worthy vanilla and chuckle-inducing bananas.
Source => garfieldgardensconservatory.org

8. World's Largest Playroom: Indy's Children's Museum

If you think your playroom is big, you ain't seen nothin' yet: Indianapolis boasts the world's largest children's museum, covering a whopping 472,000 square feet and featuring everything from high-tech science displays to global cultures and art, a 43-foot tall water clock, and a colossal dinosaur skeleton that's sure to leave you and your family in awe.
Source => bestplaces.net

9. German Wonders at the Athenaeum

Hold on to your Lederhosen and grab a schnitzel: The Athenaeum in Indianapolis, originally named Das Deutsche Haus and built in 1893, is not only a National Historic Landmark reflecting German Renaissance Revival style, but also home to the city's oldest restaurant, The Rathskeller.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Lucas Oil: Megasized Football, Concerts, & More

When the Indianapolis Colts aren't horsing around and singing "Take Me Home, Country Roads" at their own monster truck rallies: behold the Lucas Oil Stadium – a mammoth of modern architecture, with a capacity of over 67,000 people and a mind-bending retractable roof, serving as home to the Colts and the stage for concerts and college basketball games.
Source => lucasoilstadium.com

11. Calming Chaos: Indy Airport's Meditation Room

Ever felt the need to sit in solemn silence and think about that hysterical baggage carousel ride on your way to Indy's main terminal? Fear not, weary traveler: Indianapolis Airport sports a Haflich Meditation Room/Chapel near one of the ticketing counters on the East side of the Main Terminal, providing a serene haven for passengers and visitors of all religious affiliations to find their calm amidst the hustle and bustle of air travel.
Source => ifly.com

12. A Scenic Stroll: Downtown Canal Walk

If you're ever in Indianapolis and feeling "in the mood for a stroll," make your way down the canal: the Downtown Canal Walk is not just a scenic paved pathway, but also a 2.88-mile loop that takes you through White River State Park and past well-known Indiana museums. This wheelchair-accessible, dog-friendly trail is open year-round for bird watching, running, road biking, and leisurely walks, with ample benches and picnic tables for resting your weary bones.
Source => alltrails.com