Discover Marion: Motorsport, Museums and Greenways

With more than 55,000 artifacts, works of art and automobiles, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum’s collection offers a striking motorsport history highlight among the experiences to consider when planning your trip. Marion County combines Indianapolis’s urban attractions with green spaces for outdoor recreation. During your stay, you can choose what to focus on based on your interests: racing, culture or outdoor activities.

Motorsport and Behind-the-Scenes Insights

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Track Tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the racetrack. They depend on track activities and availability. Check these conditions before adding the tour to your plans. Another guided option is the Kiss the Bricks Tour at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Marion County. You should also check its availability before your trip.

Museums, Art and History

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites offers hands-on, informative experiences for visitors of all ages. It is also considered a leading institution for the study of Indiana’s Ice Age paleontology. Visitors interested in history and science will find two distinct points of interest here: interactive experiences and a special focus on Ice Age paleontology.

The Eiteljorg Museum shares diverse stories about the history and cultures of Indigenous peoples of North America and the American West. Eiteljorg Museum tours are free with paid admission; arrangements may change. If you plan to take a tour, check current options before your visit.

Newfields also brings together art and designed outdoor spaces. The grounds cover 152 acres. The permanent collection of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields includes more than 50,000 works from various cultures and eras. The Garden at Newfields covers 52 acres of landscaped grounds. Lilly House at Newfields, a National Historic Landmark, is also part of the site’s historic character.

Trails and Gardens in Indianapolis

For navigating trails, the Canal Walk and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail offer different points of reference. The Canal Walk is a 3-mile loop along the Central Canal, running from White River State Park to 11th Street in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail, by contrast, has no official starting or ending point. If a clearly defined loop is important to you, this difference can help you choose a route.

Garfield Park is home to the Sunken Garden, a 3-acre formal garden with active fountains. White River Gardens includes the Hilbert Conservatory, a 5,000-square-foot tropical oasis. Each destination offers a distinct experience: the Sunken Garden combines formal landscaping with fountains, while the Conservatory is defined by its tropical focus.

Green Spaces, Water and Outdoor Activities

Eagle Creek Park covers 3,900 acres of forests, meadows and ponds. It includes a 1,300-acre reservoir. For time on the water, visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, pontoon boats, rowboats, pedal boats and stand-up paddleboards from Eagle Creek Outfitters. Since rental offerings may change based on operations, check current availability before your visit.

The Indianapolis Rowing Center offers classes and programs for adult rowers with different experience levels. Availability may vary by season. Rental boats and rowing programs offer two different ways to spend time on the water; the classes are specifically intended for adults.

Fort Harrison: Historic Sites and a Paved Trail

Fort Harrison State Park includes two National Historic Districts. The Museum of 20th Century Warfare in the park features exhibits about the lives and history of the soldiers who once served at the site of the old Fort Harrison. Since visitor information for the museum depends on operating hours, plan your visit around the relevant schedule.

The Harrison Trace Trail is a 3.2-mile paved trail for pedestrians, cyclists and joggers. Trail conditions and access may change seasonally. Its designated user groups and paved surface make the trail a different way to spend time in the park than visiting the historic districts or the museum.

Discover more destinations: Speedway, Beech Grove, Decatur, Indianapolis, Lawrence, Warren Park, Pike, Laporte.

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