Dusk view of a city square with a central monument, lit streets, and surrounding buildings

Museums and Monuments in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is filled with museums, monuments, and historic attractions that give visitors a deeper look into the city’s culture and history. Founded in 1821 as a planned capital city for Indiana, Indianapolis was designed around a central circle that still serves as the heart of downtown today. 


Over the years, the city grew into an important transportation and industrial hub thanks to its central location and expanding railroad system, eventually becoming internationally recognized through events like the Indianapolis 500. 


Today, Indianapolis blends that rich history with modern attractions, offering visitors everything from nationally recognized museums and historic memorials to family-friendly exhibits and cultural institutions that celebrate both the city’s past and present.

Canal at sunset with city buildings, walkway lights, and trees reflecting in calm water

Indiana State Museum

Located inside White River State Park, the Indiana State Museum offers an in-depth look at the people, landscapes, and history that shaped the Hoosier State. The museum’s exhibits cover millions of years of Indiana history, including prehistoric fossils, Ice Age animals, Native American artifacts, and exhibits on Indiana’s industrial growth and cultural heritage.


Interactive displays and rotating exhibits help keep the experience engaging for visitors of all ages. The attached IMAX theater adds another educational and entertainment option for families spending the day downtown.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum celebrates the rich racing history that helped make Indianapolis famous around the world. Located within the grounds of the legendary speedway, the museum features an impressive collection of historic race cars, Indianapolis 500 winners, driver memorabilia, and exhibits dedicated to motorsports innovation. 


Visitors can learn about the evolution of auto racing while seeing iconic vehicles up close, including championship-winning cars from some of the sport’s most famous drivers. For racing fans, it’s one of the city’s must-see attractions.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

Aerial view of a dense downtown with high-rise buildings and streets in bright daylight.

Monument Circle

Monument Circle sits at the heart of downtown Indianapolis and serves as both a historic landmark and a gathering place for the city. At the center of the circular plaza is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Erected in 1902, it honors the Hoosier State soldiers who served in the 19th-century wars, including the Civil War. The area is lined with restaurants, hotels, shops, and historic buildings, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the year. 


Seasonal events, holiday light displays, concerts, and community festivals regularly take place around the monument, making it one of the most photographed and visited areas in Indianapolis. Its central location also makes it a convenient starting point for exploring nearby downtown attractions.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum in the world and attracts families from across the country. The museum features five floors packed with hands-on exhibits focused on science, history, sports, archaeology, dinosaurs, and space exploration. Popular attractions include the massive dinosaur skeleton displays, interactive STEM exhibits, and sports experiences that allow kids to actively participate rather than simply observe. 


Outside, the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience combines sports history with play areas, creating a fun and educational destination that can easily fill an entire day.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art offers one of the Midwest’s most unique cultural experiences. Its galleries feature Western paintings, Native American artifacts, contemporary Indigenous artwork, sculptures, and photography that highlight the stories and traditions of the American West. 


The museum places a strong focus on authentic representation and regularly hosts cultural demonstrations, festivals, and educational programs throughout the year. Its beautiful architecture and riverside location inside White River State Park also make it one of downtown Indianapolis’s most visually distinctive museums.

Bronze statue on a circular pedestal in a park with stone walls and green trees behind it

Standing prominently in the center of Monument Circle, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is one of Indianapolis’s most recognizable landmarks. Built to honor Indiana soldiers who served in the Civil War and other major American conflicts, the monument rises more than 280 feet above the city streets. Its features include detailed sculptures, fountains, and bronze memorial artwork. 


Visitors can climb to the observation deck for panoramic views of downtown Indianapolis or explore the small museum located beneath the monument, which contains military artifacts and exhibits explaining the memorial’s history and construction.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Indianapolis

Stay at Lafayette Inn & Suites

Lafayette Inn & Suites is the perfect place to begin–and end–your monument tour of the city. With comfortable and quiet rooms, thoughtful touches, and a convenient location just minutes from downtown, we help make your stay relaxed and memorable.


Our amenities include Wi-Fi, free parking, breakfast, a fitness center, in-room refrigerators, and more. In addition to our standard rooms, we also offer suites with whirlpool tubs for extra relaxation or for special occasions. 


Book your stay today. We look forward to seeing you!