More About
Indianapolis, IN

Introduction Think of Indianapolis, and you think of car racing. It's that simple. Since AAA established its national driving championship and sanctioned the first Indy 500 in 1911, millions of people around the world have watched the checkered flag come down at the Brickyard. But there's so much more to see—the stately homes of presidents and poets, stunning art collections, one of the largest children's museums in the world. Visitors to Indiana's capital are surprised to find a canal inspired by the waterways of Venice, a Grecian shrine modeled after the ancient mausoleum at Halicarnassus and a spacious urban park often compared to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In fact, the city was laid out by Alexander Ralston—apprentice to Pierre L'Enfant in designing the federal capital—and his vision of broad avenues radiating out from a central hub gives Indianapolis an Old-World feel.

At night, the downtown sidewalks and the newly built Cultural Trail throng with pedestrians, and music spills from open-air bistros. Another surprise—this third-largest (and fastest-growing) city in the Midwest is consistently ranked one of the country's cleanest and safest. With more than 20 million visitors a year, Indy's no longer a best-kept secret. On your first trip, a tour of Indianapolis Motor Speedway is de rigueur, but be sure to make time for the fine museums and gardens, the zoo, the NCAA Hall of Champions and the Colts and Pacers. Chances are you'll drive here—seven spokes of four national highways converge at the “Crossroads of America”—but we recommend you leave speeding to the professionals.

Getting There

By CarBoth I-70, a major east-west superhighway spanning two-thirds of the country, and I-65, the Lake Michigan-Gulf of Mexico link, pass directly through downtown, enabling travelers to reach the city's center from the suburbs in 15 to 20 minutes.

I-74, connecting several important highways, angles toward Indianapolis from Cincinnati to the southeast and from the Quad Cities area to the northwest; it merges with part of the Indianapolis bypass route, I-465. I-69 brings in traffic from central and southern Michigan.

Approaches serving local traffic include east-west routes US 40 (which closely parallels I-70), US 36 and US 52, and north-south highways US 31, US 421 and SRs 37 and 67. The beltway, I-465, encircles the city and provides direct access to all main approaches and to all parts of Indianapolis.

Getting Around

Street SystemThe Indianapolis street system is a grid with four broad avenues branching at angles from a central circle. Meridian Street runs in a north-south direction and divides the city into east and west. Washington Street runs in an east-west direction and divides the city into north and south. Street addresses emanate from the junction of Washington and Meridian, beginning at 0/0. Numbered streets are generally found north of Washington Street, with the numbers corresponding to the distance in blocks from Washington Street.

Most north-south routes are named avenues, roads or boulevards. The four angled avenues—Virginia, Massachusetts, Indiana and Kentucky—can be disconcerting to first-time visitors, who might find the I-70/I-65 inner beltway more convenient. The city has several one-way streets, and during rush hour many left turns are prohibited. Consult a good city map and plan to avoid rush hours, 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Speed limits generally range from 25 to 45 mph.

ParkingOn-street metered parking is often difficult to find. Rates begin at $2 for 1 hour. There are many parking lots and garages in the city, and most hotels provide parking for their guests. Lots and garages cost between $1.50 and $8 per hour, with a maximum of $6 to $28 per day. The Pan American Plaza next to Union Station provides convenient parking.

Read More

Indianapolis, IN

Top AAA Diamond Hotels

AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.

Sponsored Listing

The Alexander - A Dolce Hotel

333 S Delaware St. Indianapolis, IN 46204

Book Now

Save 5% or more when booking AAA/CAA rates plus earn bonus points with the AAA Preferred™ BWR Program

Best Western Plus Anderson

2114 E 59th St. Anderson, IN 46013

Book Now

Members save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!

Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

350 W Maryland St. Indianapolis, IN 46225

Book Now

Members save up to 10% and earn Honors points when booking AAA/CAA rates!

Embassy Suites Indianapolis Downtown

110 W Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204

Book Now

Travel Information

City Population

852,866

Elevation

708 ft.

Sales Tax

Indiana's statewide sales tax is 7 percent. Counties may impose a 1 to 2 percent food and beverage tax. Restaurant tax is 9 percent, lodgings tax is 3 to 10 percent and rental car tax is 6 percent.

Emergency

911

Police (non-emergency)

(317) 327-3811

Time and Temperature

(317) 635-5959

Hospitals

Indiana University Hospital, (800) 248-1199; St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, (317) 338-2345; and Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital, (317) 880-0000.

Visitor Information

200 S. Capitol Ave., Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46225. Phone:(317)262-3000 or (800)323-4639

Air Travel

The city is served by

Rental Cars

Hertz, (317) 243-9321 or (800) 654-3080, offers discounts to AAA members.

Rail Service

Passenger train service is available through Amtrak, which departs from Union Station, 350 S. Illinois St. For details phone (800) 872-7245.

Buses

Greyhound Lines Inc. bus connections can be made at 350 S. Illinois St.; phone (317) 267-3074 or (800) 231-2222.

Taxis

The major cab company is Yellow Cab, (317) 487-7777. The average fare is $3 per pickup and $2 per mile.

Public Transportation

IndyGo operates 29 city bus routes serving downtown and most of Marion County. The fare is $1.75; 85c (ages 0-18 and 65+). A day pass is $4; $2 (ages 0-18 and 65+). Multiday and multi-trip passes also are available.

call or visit a AAA Travel Agent Today!

Find a AAA Office

As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.

Not a Member?

Join Now