Located at the intersection of several major interstates and U.S. highways that provide access to the city from virtually every part of the country, Indianapolis, Indiana, is aptly nicknamed the Crossroads of America. Home to sporting events, cultural centers and a nationally recognized zoo, Indianapolis offers a host of fitness-oriented, educational, and entertaining activities available for children of all ages.
A Carousel, a Planetarium and Dinosaurs
The world’s largest children’s museum, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a museum of diverse collections and exhibits. Among them are the historic Carousel, featuring carved wooden animals by early 20th-century carousel designer Gustav Dentzel, and Dinosphere, home to a large collection of real dinosaur fossils, a hands-on dig and a functioning Paleo lab. It also hosts various traveling exhibits throughout the year and is home to the SpaceQuest Planetarium.
Lions, Tigers and . . . Butterflies?
A nationally recognized zoo, the Indianapolis Zoo is home to various exhibits such as the Oceans exhibit, where children and adults can pet real sharks, the world’s only underwater dolphin dome, and the Encounters Biome, a petting zoo. The Deserts exhibit features meerkats, while the Plains exhibit allows visitors to observe giraffes, zebras and elephants. The zoo is also home to White River Gardens, and the Hilbert Conservatory, which is hosting a Butterflies display until September 2010.
Home Runs, Touchdowns and Things That Go Zoom
Take your kids to a sporting event. From minor league baseball to world-champion football, Indianapolis is home to professional sports. The Indianapolis Indians are a Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Indians season runs from April to September at Victory Field, overlapping with the season of the Indianapolis Colts, who begin their regular season in September and finish in early January. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts two major car racing events every year, the Indianapolis 500 (IRL) in May and the Brickyard 400 (NASCAR) in midsummer.
Hiking, Biking and Rollerblading
One of the nation’s largest city parks, Eagle Creek Park, located in western Indianapolis, provides visitors an array of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking and boating. The Monon Trail, which, in Indianapolis, extends from 96th Street in the north to 10th Street in the south, allows for biking, walking and rollerblading. White River State Park, the nation’s only urban state park, is home to the Central Canal, along which visitors can jog, walk or bicycle.
From the Farm . . .
Each August, Indianapolis plays host to the Great Indiana State Fair, featuring 4-H participants exhibiting their animals, an extensive midway and the Riley Fun Park, where kids can learn about farming and take pony rides. Visitors can also learn about native Indiana wildlife and discover various professional crafts of yesteryear from craftspeople in the Pioneer Village.
. . .To the Stage
Indianapolis is also home to the Indianapolis Civic Theatre, considered to be the country's longest continually running community theater program. Indianapolis Civic, in addition to its mainstage productions, has an extensive education outreach program, including a multitude of programs for children, from classes for ages three to grade nine, summer day camps for ages four to 16; Act One, ICT’s Jr. Civic performing troupe; and musical theatre workshops.
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