Nestled amid Indiana’s beautiful green pastures and farmland, Indianapolis is one of the largest cities in the Midwest and serves as the state’s capital and cultural hub. Its streets are full of soaring skyscrapers, grand government buildings, and Art Deco masterpieces. A variety of vibrant murals add splashes of color to the urban landscape, and the riverfront promenade offers sweeping views of the White River. An eight-mile walking trail connects Indy’s cultural districts, a convenient thoroughfare for exploring the city’s top attractions without getting behind the wheel of a car.

Then again, cars helped put Indianapolis on the map. Just beyond downtown, you’ll find its legendary speedway, home to one of the country’s most famous motor circuits. People come from all over the world to catch a race here and visit the on-site museum. If motorsports exhaust you, Indianapolis and its surrounding area has plenty of green space to go around, including a handful of top-notch parks like Brown County State Park and Mounds State Park, where you’ll find well-marked trails full of locals hiking and biking in no particular hurry.

Indianapolis experiences cold winters, hot summers, and mild temperatures in the spring and fall. Although the weather in Indiana can be extreme, there is no bad time to secure an Indianapolis vacation rental. During the spring, summer, and fall, you can take advantage of the walkable downtown and riverfront promenade and put some mileage in on the nearby hiking trails. In winter, the downtown lights up in a sea of Christmas lights, and you can go sledding on one of the many hills or lace up your ice skates for a whirl around one of the city's many outdoor skating rinks. Indianapolis hosts several city-wide festivals and events, including a lively St. Patrick's Day Festival in March, a celebration of independent film in April, and a world-famous car race in May with more than 50 events and programs. In August, the Indiana State Fair rolls out 17 days of concerts, carnival rides, and high-caloric snacks like deep-fried cheesecake bites.

Conner Prairie Park

This fascinating living history museum, located in a northwest suburb of Indy, takes you back in time to the 19th century. Experience life in a small prairie town, learn about Indiana's role in the Civil War by visiting a recreated army camp, and discover how human-crewed flight became possible by riding in a tethered hot air balloon.

Monon Trail

Following the historic railway line that connected Indianapolis to Chicago, the Monon Trail is a 27-mile rail-trail that you can follow on foot or bike. The path takes you through residential neighborhoods, emerald green fields, and farmland and across brightly colored bridges as you make your way out of the city.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

Located within the 2.5-mile oval track of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this museum is home to the Indianapolis Speedway Hall of Fame and more than 25 winning cars representing more than a century of motor-racing history. Don’t leave without taking a selfie from inside a real race car.