I Love Indianapolis

People complain about the hot, humid summers and the cold, icy winters, but spring and fall in Indianapolis are glorious! And they last longer than two weeks. At least we truly experience all four seasons.

Indianapolis is flat! But seriously, this is due to glacial drift and makes for rich, fertile soil, great for farming. When you think of Indiana, you think of corn and soybeans and, yes, the corn is delicious. Organic farming is increasing dramatically and farmers' markets with locally grown fruits, vegetables, and pasture-raised meat are prevalent.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children's museum in the world. The more than 400,000-square-foot facility houses 11 major galleries that explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures and the arts. It is a place to learn and do. I spent a lot of time there when my kids were younger.

Learn more about the Indianapolis Children's Museum at this link.

A very exciting project in Indianapolis that is getting national attention is The Cultural Trail. This will be a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system.

The five downtown cultural districts connected by the Indianapolis Cultural Trail include Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave, The Canal & White River State Park, and the Wholesale District. The Cultural Trail will also connect with the Monon Trail, allowing visitors easy access to Broad Ripple Village from downtown.

XLI Super Bowl Champions- Indianapolis Colts Poster

Besides being known as the crossroads of America, Indianapolis is most known for the Indianapolis 500 . I must admit that, growing up in Canada, this is all I knew of Indianapolis. In all the years I have lived here, I attended the race only once, but it is an experience not to be missed. They call it a spectacle and it is. Many people I know go to the race every year and it dominates the Sports section of the local newspaper in May.

I live about a 15-minute drive from the track but on race day, it took us about two hours to get there. Approximately 400,000 people converge on the Speedway and people that live in the surrounding neighborhoods make a bundle on parking in their yards. It is quite a party.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway #3 Art Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

No, there actually are some famous Hoosiers. One of the most famous is Kurt Vonnegut Jr., whose descendants were among the first settlers here. His great grandfather built some of Indianapolis' landmark buildings. 2007 was named the year of Vonnegut in Indianapolis with many events planned. The man himself was to speak here in May of that year, but died two weeks before his speaking date, so his son came and gave the speech. Here is a link to an interesting interview where he refers to his Indianapolis roots.

Other famous Hoosiers are James Whitcomb Riley (poet and author), Kenneth "Baby Face" Edwards (musician and record producer), Jane Pauley (journalist), David Letterman (comedian), John Dillinger (bank robber), Alan Henderson (basketball player), Michael Graves (architect), Vivica Fox (actress), and Wes Montgomery (jazz guitarist). To read about more famous people from Indianapolis, click here.

One of my favorite things to do inIndianapolis is experience public art and art in nature. The city highlights an artist every year for its public art program. The photo above was from the exhibit for George Rickey, an Indiana artist known for his kinetic (or moving) sculptures.

Other places to see outdoor art are: The Indianapolis Art Center with Artspark and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, with The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park.

Photo: George Rickey sculpture at Artspark

Indianapolis is surrounded by acres of farmland. When you think of Indiana, you think of corn and soybeans and, yes, the corn is delicious. Organic farming is increasing dramatically and farmers' markets with locally grown fruits, vegetables, and pasture-raised meat are prevalent. There is a strong local food movement.

Image: Trader's Point Creamery