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Indianapolis

Indiana, United States · North America

About Indianapolis

Indianapolis is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Beech Grove, 7km from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Indianapolis is a city located in Indiana, United States. With a population of 887,642, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Indianapolis sits in United States, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Indiana/Indianapolis time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Indianapolis to your route.

About Indianapolis

Indianapolis ( , IN-dee-ə-NAP-ə-lis), colloquially known as Indy, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County. Indianapolis is situated in the state's central till plain region along the west fork of the White River. The city's official slogan, "Crossroads of

Read more America", reflects its historic importance as a transportation hub and its relative proximity to other major North American markets. According to the 2020 census, the Indianapolis proper had a population of 887,642. Indianapolis is the 16th-most populous city in the United States and the fourth-most populous state capital. In the Midwest, it ranks third among cities, after Chicago and Columbus, Ohio. The Indianapolis metropolitan area is the 33rd-most populous metropolitan statistical area in the United States, home to 2.1 million residents. With a population of more than 2.6 million, the combined statistical area ranks 28th. Indianapolis proper covers 368 square miles (950 square kilometers), making it the 18th-most extensive city by land area in the country. Indigenous peoples inhabited the area dating to as early as 10,000 BC. Under the Treaty of St. Mary's (1818), both the Lenape and the Miami Nation relinquished their tribal lands in central Indiana. The Miami Nation of Indiana (and its branch, the Miami Nation of Oklahoma) held primary claim to the territory, which forms part of Cession 99. In 1821, Indianapolis was established as a planned city for the new seat of Indiana's state government. The city was platted by Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham on a one-square-mile (2.6 km2) grid. Completion of the National and Michigan roads and later arrival of rail solidified the city's position as a major manufacturing and commercial center. Since the 1970 city-county consolidation, known as Unigov, local government administration operates under the direction of an elected 25-member city-county council headed by the mayor. Indianapolis anchors the 28th largest metropolitan economy in the United States. Prominent industries include trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; professional and business services; government; leisure and hospitality; and manufacturing. The city has notable niche markets in amateur sports and auto racing. As of 2019, Indianapolis has been home to two major league sports teams, three Fortune 500 companies, eight university campuses, and numerous cultural institutions, including the world's largest children's museum. The city's international reputation rests primarily on the Indianapolis 500, the world's largest single-day sporting event. Among the city's historic sites and districts, Indianapolis is home to the largest collection of monuments dedicated to veterans and war casualties in the United States outside of Washington, D.C.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Indianapolis

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Indianapolis?

Plan your road trip to Indianapolis with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Indianapolis as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Indianapolis located?

Indianapolis is located in Indiana, United States, North America. The coordinates are 39.7684 latitude, -86.1580 longitude.

What is the population of Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a population of approximately 887,642 people, making it a city in United States.

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Quick Information

Population
887,642
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Region
Indiana
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
Coordinates
39.7684, -86.1580

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United States

Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire
911
Driving side
right

AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.

Full driving guide for United States

Tags

North AmericaUnited StatesIndianaCity

Worth the detour from Indianapolis

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

racetrack

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Brickyard - home of the Indy 500, the greatest spectacle in racing

7 km · about 15 min drive

museum

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

Museum inside the legendary Brickyard showcasing Indy 500 winning cars and offering track tours of the 2.5-mile oval.

7 km · about 15 min drive

racetrack

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park

Home of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, drag racing's most prestigious event, this Indianapolis-area complex pairs a legendary quarter-mile strip with a short oval and road course.

16 km · about 20 min drive

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Indianapolis.

Beech Grove

🇺🇸 United States

8 km awayPop. 14,548

Warren Park

🇺🇸 United States

9 km awayPop. 1,539

Speedway

🇺🇸 United States

10 km awayPop. 12,127

Broad Ripple

🇺🇸 United States

11 km awayPop. 17,041

Southport

🇺🇸 United States

12 km awayPop. 1,712

Meridian Hills

🇺🇸 United States

14 km awayPop. 1,682

Lawrence

🇺🇸 United States

14 km awayPop. 47,809

Clermont

🇺🇸 United States

15 km awayPop. 1,408

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence