Cultural Features
Indianapolis prides itself on its rich cultural heritage. Several initiatives have been made by the Indianapolis government in recent years to increase Indianapolis's appeal as a destination for arts and culture.
- Cultural Districts
Indianapolis has designated six official Cultural Districts. They are Broad Ripple Village, Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square, The Wholesale District, Canal and White River State Park, and Indiana Avenue. These areas have held historic and cultural importance to the city. In recent years they have been revitalized and are becoming major centers for tourism, commerce and residential living.
- Cultural Trail
Scheduled for completion at the end of 2012, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: is an urban bike and pedestrian path that connects the city's five downtown Cultural Districts, neighborhoods and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system. The trail includes benches, bike racks, lighting, signage and bike rentals/drop-offs along the way and also features local art work.
- Monument Circle
At the center of Indianapolis is Monument Circle, a traffic circle at the intersection of Meridian and Market Streets, featuring the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Monument Circle is depicted on the city’s flag. It is in the shadow of Indiana's tallest skyscraper, the Chase Tower. Until the early 1960s, Indianapolis zoning laws stated that no building could be taller than the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Each Christmas season, lights are strung onto the monument and lit in a ceremony known as the Circle of Lights, which attracts tens of thousands of Hoosiers to downtown Indianapolis on the day after Thanksgiving.
- War Memorial Plaza
A five-block plaza at the intersection of Meridian and Vermont surrounds a large memorial dedicated to Hoosiers who have fought in American wars. It was originally constructed to honor the Indiana soldiers who died in World War I, but construction was halted due to lack of funding during the Great Depression, and it was finished in 1951. The purpose of the memorial was later altered to encompass all American wars in which Hoosiers fought.
The monument is modeled after the Mausoleum of Maussollos. At 210 feet (64 m) tall, it is approximately 75 feet taller than the original Mausoleum. On the north end of the War Memorial Plaza is the national headquarters of the American Legion and the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's Central Library.
- Indiana Statehouse
The Statehouse houses the Indiana General Assembly, the Governor of Indiana, state courts, and other state officials.
- Monuments
The city is second only to Washington, D.C., for the number of war monuments inside city limits.
- The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, located at Monument Circle in the geographic center of the city.
- Indiana World War Memorial Plaza
- Medal of Honor Memorial
- USS Indianapolis Memorial
- Landmark for Peace Memorial
- Project 9/11 Indianapolis
- Other heritage and history attractions
- American Legion National Headquarters
- Crown Hill Cemetery
- James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home
- Lockerbie Square
- Cole-Noble District
- Indianapolis City Market
- Madame Walker Theatre Center
- Morris-Butler House
- Obelisk Square
- President Benjamin Harrison Home
- Scottish Rite Cathedral
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