Indianapolis Awaits Your Arrival for #OTOMTG25
Known for fast cars and blockbuster events, the city of Indianapolis is a burgeoning metropolitan area quickly becoming known for its culinary and brewing scene, thriving cultural institutions, cool neighborhoods, and much more. Join the Academy in the city affectionately known as “Indy” for the AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO℠, from October 10 – 14.
Fun Facts About Indianapolis
- Indianapolis has the second-biggest population amongst U.S. state capitols.
- “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” the unofficial anthem of North American baseball, was written by Indianapolis native Albert Von Tilzer.
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the world’s largest museum with over 130,000 artifacts + 472,900 square feet.
- Indianapolis is considered the largest city in the U.S. that is not on a navigable body of water. The White River does run through the city, but it was deemed too shallow for trading and hasn’t been used for commercial transportation.
- Sliced bread was invented in Indianapolis. Wonder Bread’s Indianapolis branch was the first place to start selling pre-sliced loaves of bread.
Dining in Indianapolis
Casual Dining: Looking for a quick bite that won’t break the bank? These restaurants are perfect for a nice sit-down meal or a quick pick-up/delivery.
Fine Dining: If beautiful views and authentic dining experiences are more your speed, then these options will satisfy your appetite and provide you with a perfect atmosphere for a plea.
Sports Bars and Brew Pubs: There will be plenty of sports taking place in October, so if you’re looking to watch a game or race, one of the following sports bars or brew pubs are perfect to enjoy delicious food and uniquely crafted brews.
International: Indianapolis has a variety of international dining options. From Jamaican to Japanese, whatever region of the world you’re hoping to get a taste of, there’s a restaurant for it in Indianapolis.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Craving something on the healthier side? Indianapolis has plenty of restaurants across the city that offer equally delicious and nutritious vegetarian and vegan options.
Cultural Institutions
Historical Sites and Monuments
American Legion Mall is home to World War II, Korean, and Vietnam memorials, and the American Legion’s national headquarters. Indianapolis has the second most monuments and memorials out of any other U.S. city, only behind Washington, D.C.- Indiana State Library: Since 1825, the Indiana State Library (ISL) has served Indiana citizens. Located just a few steps away from the Indiana Statehouse, the ISL is open to the public, offering resources on Indiana history, genealogy, and its Talking Books and Braille library.
- Visit French Lick West Baden: Visit French Lick West Baden offers a little bit of everything for visitors. If you want to relax, there’s a spa. There are also plenty of outdoor experiences to partake in including cabins and cottages, a drive-thru safari, and a chocolate tasting train.
Outdoor Adventure
- White River State Park: Located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, White River State Park’s 250 acres includes a scenic canal and multiple attractions. Some activities that might draw your interest include taking a trip on the Central Canal, visiting Museum Hop, and strolling through White River Gardens.
- Canal Walk: Part of the Indiana Central Canal, the Canal Walk serves the downtown community as a waterside promenade for walkers, runners, bikers, and sightseers. You can also experience the canal itself by renting a pedal boat.
- Indianapolis Cultural Trail: If you’re looking for a safe, healthy, and convenient way to explore the city, the Indianapolis Cultural trail checks all of those boxes, as the eight-mile biking and walking trail connects all six of Indy’s Cultural Districts.
Shopping
- A Taste of Indiana: With 29 years of experience, A Taste of Indiana supports many Indiana family-owned companies by using their Indiana-made food products in their gift baskets and boxes. Unique Indiana-related novelty items are also a part of their product line.
Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station (BRICS) offers more than 40 hand-dipped flavors, fair trade coffee and teas, or hot chocolate during the winter. The ice cream shop is located inside the Monon Railway Station, which is also known as the Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville Railway.- Stomping Ground: Stomping Ground is a local gift boutique, florist, and small-scale and seasonal garden center that sales gifts, fresh florals, houseplants, annuals, and native plants. The store features handcrafted items and products created by women-owned, minority-owned, and LGBTQ-owned businesses.
Public Parks and Gardens
- Go Ape Treetop Adventure: Feeling adventurous? Go Ape might be able to scratch that itch, as the location features five zip lines and more than 40 treetop obstacles.
- Glick Peace Walk: Part of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Glick Peace Walk celebrates the lives of individuals who made peaceful contributions to humanity. Its linear garden allows Trail users to learn about and reflect at each luminary.
White River Greenway: Also known as the White River Trail or White River Wapahani Trail, the White River Greenway is the perfect location for walking, bicycling, inline skating, and cross-country skiing. Its downtown stretch has amazing views of the Indy skyline, and you can also catch great views of all the wildlife the river has to offer.
Arts and Culture
Galleries
- Butler Arts Center: Serving Indianapolis’ Butler University and larger central Indiana communities, the Butler Arts Center welcomes more than a quarter million visitors annually for a variety of presentations that provide shared experiences in the performing and visual arts. The Butler Arts Center is anchored by Clowes Memorial Hall, which has seen the likes of Maya Angelou, Jimmy Fallon, and Sir Elton John perform there.
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields: One of the nation’s largest and oldest general art museums, the Indianapolis Museum of Art is home to more than 50,000 works. Those works include one of the nation’s largest and most significant collections of Asian art, as well as the newly designed Eiteljorg Suite of African and Oceanic Art.
Museums and Attractions
- Dallara IndyCar Factory: Whether you’re a racing enthusiast or brand new to the sport, Dallara IndyCar Factory is the perfect place to visit. And, it’s conveniently located 1/3 of a mile southwest of the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is home to the Indianapolis 500.
- Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library: The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library champions the literary, artistic, and cultural contributions of Indianapolis native Kurt Vonnegut, a renowned writer and artist. The museum features Vonnegut’s drawings and doodles, as well as many of his prized possessions including his typewriter, reading glasses, and Purple Heart.
Wooden’s Legacy: Basketball fans can pose for a photo next to the bronze sculpture of legendary basketball coach John Wooden. Born in Central Indiana, Wooden is one of the most successful coaches of all time, winning ten national championships at UCLA.
Performing Arts
- Freetown Village: Described as a museum without walls, Freetown Village Living History Museum holds a variety of interactive programs that present African-American history and culture in unique, entertaining formats. Programs may include elements of theater, music, hands-on craft or heritage workshops, and more.
- The Mind Tripping Show: The Mind Tripping Show is an interactive show designed to keep guests laughing and scratching their heads at the same time. The equally unique and fun environment stimulates engagement and connection for all visitors.
- Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra: Created to “preserve and advance the rich and dynamic history of the big band,” the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra (IJO) features professional musicians and vocalists from Central Indiana. IJO has been described as Indiana’s “premier professional repertory big band jazz ensemble.”
