About Indianapolis, IN

Thinking about making the move to Indianapolis? There's a lot to consider. What's the weather like in Indianapolis? What things are Indianapolis most known for and how does that match with your interests? How much is the cost of living? What's the culture like? We've compiled all of this information for you in order to give you a sense of what life is like in Indianapolis year round, and also made it easy for you to compare against other cities that you might be considering.

About Indianapolis - "The Crossroads of America"

There's a lot more to Indiana than just corn. Especially in Indianapolis. Despite its nickname "Naptown" which was given to it by jazz musicians in the 1930's, Indianapolis today is known as the Crossroads of America due to the six major interstate highways that intersect the city.

Since Indianapolis is located near the middle of the state of Indiana, the highways put locals in proximity to a few hours drive of just about everything the state has to offer including state parks, beautiful college towns, and unique country sites. The Indiana Dunes, for example, is a popular tourist destination for people interested in seeing in the gigantic sound mounds just off of Lake Michigan.

But any Hoosier will tell you that there's plenty of things to keep you occupied in town. Washington, D.C. is the only city in America with more monuments and memorials.

The city is also home to the world-class Children's Museum, which might just be the best of its kind in the whole country.

The Indianapolis zoo holds the rare distinction of being a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden all at once. It is the only such facility in the United States to earn this distinction.

If you're into motorsports, Indianapolis is an automobile mecca. The city hosts the Indianapolis 500, one of the oldest major races in the United States. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, meanwhile, is the largest sports facility in the world, by capacity.

Indianapolis is also home to one of America's largest municipal parks, Eagle Creek. This park spans nearly 4,000 acres, and is home to lakes, trails, high rope climbing and other sights. The White River snakes through downtown, and its many canals have given Indianapolis the nickname "a poor man's Venice."

Indianapolis also claims itself to be the home of the world's largest Christmas tree. On display in the "Circle of Lights", the massive tree supports nearly 5,000 lights, as well as 52 strands of garland.

In the winter you can use the downtown skywalk system to get around without ever having to step outside. This system lets you get to Lucas Oil Stadium, the Convention Center, and Circle Center Mall, among other sites, without ever having to step outside.

You can explore the "Cultural Trail" that winds through the urban areas of Indianapolis. The city has been a trailblazer with this bold ambition. Filled with art, bike paths, and pedestrians, the Cultural Trail offers a great chance to go on a stroll and take in the city. It connects with many of the best spots in town.

Another popular option is the historic City Market. The vendors at the Market offer a wide range of goods. Filled with cheese and wine shops, great foods, fresh produce, baked goods, fish & meats, and artisan crafts, the City Market continues to gain in popularity. On certain days of the week you can head to the Tomlinson Tap Room and enjoy one of the 16 rotating taps of craft beers made right in Indiana.

Other neighborhoods, such as Broadripple, Irvington, and Fountain Square, are enjoying a cultural renaissance of their own. On the whole, Indianapolis offers a wide variety of choices and most people will be able to find something that suits their tastes.