Two Days in Indianapolis

With the 92nd Indy 500 just around the next turn, it's not a stretch to acknowledge a lot of folks have racing on their minds this time of year. There's no denying the thrill of having a seat in the grand stand and watching 40 or so IRL IndyCar Series drivers push for position as they urge their accelerators well past 200 mph.

With all the glitz and fervor surrounding the race, it's easy to forget there's a big, cool city just a few miles away that's all spruced up for summer and begging you to check it out. Focusing on the downtown area, here are some suggestions for burning up two days in Indianapolis:

Since it's Memorial Day weekend, let's use the first day to focus our attention on the sights of War Memorial Plaza Historic District. The first stop is the 284-feet tall State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, dedicated to the Indiana-born servicemen who died in wars fought prior to World War I. Designed by German architect Bruno Schmitz, the obelisk rests at the very center of the city. It's free to see – unless, of course, you choose to splurge on the $1 elevator to the glass-enclosed observation level, which affords panoramic views of the downtown area.

Stretching north from Monument Circle, the manicured, green expanse of War Memorial Plaza is a great place to lose oneself in patriotic contemplation. Chief among the memorials here is World War Memorial, an impressive product of the City Beautiful Movement. The three-level structure contains an awe-inspiring Shrine Room, free military museum and, on the main floor, the names of all native Indianians who fought in WW I and all those killed or missing in action from WW II, Korea, and Vietnam.

To learn even more about Hoosier involvement in US military, go up one more block and stop by the American Legion Mall. In addition to the state's Korean and Vietnam Memorials, the mall is where you'll find the Cenotaph, which remembers Evansville's Corporal James B. Gresham, the first American casualty of World War I.

On a more lighthearted side of the spectrum, a few other downtown attractions are also worth checking out. To get your shopping fix, look no further than Circle Centre Mall, a huge boon to the city when it opened in the mid-90s. With brand retaliers like Nordstrom, Lucky Brand Jeans, and Charlotte Russe, several full-service and fastfood restaurants, and even a United Artists Theatre, Circle Centre is truly a destination unto itself. Moreover, its climate-controlled atmosphere may be just what you need after hitting the pavement so hard all day.

Since time will probably be a consideration on day two, plan to spend most of it at White River State Park in the southwestern corner of downtown. Indiana's first state park may be gray of beard, but it's still top-of-the-class when it comes to offering a fun day out. In addition to vast greenspaces and outdoor performance venues, the park is where you'll find Indy's IMAX® Theater and numerous other surprises.

Like collegiate sports? You don't want to miss the NCAA Hall of Champions. An animal lover in your group? Here, too, is the mega-cool Indianapolis Zoo that also features an aquarium and 3.3-acre botanic garden. Who'd have thought African elephants, Siberian tigers and Kodiak bears would thrive just a few miles away from one of the most prestigious motorsports venues in the world?

White River is also home to the sleek, glass and steel digs of the Indiana State Museum, which moved here from Old City Hall in 2002. From prehistoric fossils and Native American artifacts to a one-of-a-kind assemblage of work by contemporary Indiana artists, the museum is sure to teach you a few things about the Hoosier State.

As for eating out downtown, since we've dedicated so much time to learning what Indianapolis is all about, why not try two of the town's oldest dining spots? For night one, St. Elmo's is a always a good bet. This legendary local is revered for top quality steaks, and the space is peppered with plenty of turn-of-the-century attitude. On the second night, another longtime favorite beckons, only this time it's Rathskeller, a cozy German joint that's been serving delish fäegerschnitzel and rouladen since 1894.