Top Attractions for Groups in Indianapolis
Even though Indianapolis is best known for high-speed race cars, that’s far from the city’s only claim to fame. From educational museums and beautiful parks to historic landmarks and live entertainment, Indianapolis offers diverse attractions for all interests, ages, and group sizes.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
If you’re traveling with a group of kids, The Children’s Museum needs to be at the top of your Indianapolis must-see list. As the largest children’s museum in the world, this exciting, interactive museum will captivate and educate little ones for hours on end. Exhibits include Dinosphere with animatronic dinosaurs, ScienceWorks full of kinetic exhibits teaching physics concepts, Treasures of the Earth with gems and archaeology, All Aboard! focused on planes, trains, and other modes of transportation, and much more. There are also daily Planetarium shows. Outside, your group can explore the Sports Legends Experience and the expansive outdoor garden spaces.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Home of the legendary Indy 500 race, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame Museum is a must-visit regardless of if race cars are “your thing” or not. At the museum, your group can learn about the fascinating history of motorsports and see racing cars and memorabilia spanning the past century. If you visit during the spring or summer, you may be able to take tour laps in a real IndyCar! The museum’s Grounds Tour trolley will even take you out to see the famous 2.5 mile oval track up close.
The Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo is a world-class facility home to over 1,400 animals across 230 species. Some favorites include orangutans, meerkats, dolphins, penguins, lions, tigers, sea lions, giraffes, and so much more. The zoo’s biggest draw is its underwater dolphin viewing dome where your group can experience the dolphins swimming all around you. Other highlights are the Plains exhibit with African animals roaming “freely” and the Deserts Dome with creatures from extreme environments. The zoo also has an aquarium, carousel, train, and butterfly garden.
White River State Park
Create your own outdoor adventure at White River State Park just west of downtown Indianapolis. The urban state park features 250 acres of green space, cultural sites, and recreational opportunities. Must-see spots include the Indianapolis Zoo, Victory Field minor league baseball stadium, White River Gardens, Indiana State Museum, IMAX Theater, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, NCAA Hall of Champions, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial. White River State Park gives your group endless options to mix and match for a fun-filled day outdoors. Ride bikes along the Canal Walk, play mini golf or sand volleyball, relax by the river, tour museums, and so much more all in one place.
Indianapolis Museum of Art
For groups interested in art and culture, you can’t miss the Indianapolis Museum of Art located just north of downtown. The IMA is one of the largest art museums in the country and is home to over 54,000 works spanning 5,000 years of history. Your group can explore the museum’s expansive permanent collection with pieces ranging from African art to contemporary works. The gardens are also a must-see with 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park featuring large scale modern art installations set amongst woodlands, wetlands, and a 35-acre lake.
The Canal and White River Wapahani Trail
If outdoor recreation and nature are more your group’s speed, lace up your walking shoes and spend the day strolling along Indianapolis’ scenic trails and waterways. The iconic Indianapolis Canal Walk stretches almost 3 miles through White River State Park and downtown Indianapolis. You’ll also find scenic trails along White River like the White River Wapahani Trail offering 8 miles of pathways on the city’s north side. Bring a picnic lunch, take Instagram worthy photos, go for a relaxing paddle along the river, and get your steps in while experiencing Indianapolis’ natural side. The trails allow leashed dogs too, so your pup can join in on the fun!
Soldiers and Sailors Monument
No trip to Indianapolis is complete without seeing the epic 284-foot Soldiers and Sailors Monument, an iconic city landmark and the first National Military Park in America. Your group can visit the interior Memorial Hall and Civil War Museum or climb the 330 stairs to the top of the monument’s Observation Deck for stunning 360-degree views over Indy. The Monument Circle area also features fountains, sculptures, and the city’s original 1820s layout. Be sure to rub the statue of widow Mary Todd Lincoln’s nose for good luck too according to tradition.
How to Get Around Indianapolis
As a city that’s still growing into its big city shoes, public transportation options are expanding but still limited in Indianapolis compared to older coastal cities. Traffic and parking are generally better than other major metros, but also keep in mind that Indy covers a large geographic area so attractions can be spread far apart. Here’s a rundown of your group transportation options when visiting Indy:
Public Transportation
Indianapolis has come a long way with improving public transit accessibility in recent years. That being said, the IndyGo bus system still has room for growth. Over 30 local routes serve popular attractions and neighborhoods Monday through Saturday. The Red Line is IndyGo’s first bus rapid transit route with electric buses, traffic signal priority, and platform stations. IndyGo plans to expand the bus rapid transit system with a Blue Line, Purple Line, and more by 2031. If your group is up for an adventure navigating public buses, IndyGo is an affordable option to get around the city without a car. You can plan routes using the IndyGo Trip Planner and pay fares with the IndyGo Mobile app.
Taxis and Rideshares
The easiest way to travel flexibly as a group is booking multiple taxis or rideshares simultaneously. Uber and Lyft both operate throughout Indianapolis. Local taxi companies like Yellow Cab Indianapolis provide group transportation options as well. Taxis are available on demand at taxi queues outside the airport, major hotels, the convention center, and popular tourist spots like Monument Circle. You can also call and request an on-demand taxi pickup or schedule an advance reservation for a large group. Slow zones and surge pricing may increase fares further during rush hour and big events.
Charter Buses
For seamless, affordable group transportation in Indianapolis, renting a charter bus is the way to go. A charter bus rental simplifies logistics allowing your entire group to travel together in comfort to events and attractions across the city and region. You’ll have the freedom and flexibility to customize your own Indianapolis itinerary without worrying about public transit schedules and planning multiple transfers to reach your destinations. Charter bus features like luggage storage, WiFi, power outlets, and entertainment systems will keep your crew happy while in transit too. Since parking is limited and pricey in popular areas like downtown Indianapolis, our bus team will handle dropping your group off curbside before finding a designated motorcoach parking area, saving you time and hassle. Indianapolis has an excellent network of experienced charter bus providers ready to handle all your group’s transportation. Contact us at (317) 229-6481 to reserve a top-rated charter bus for your Indy getaway!
Ready to Get Started?
As you can see, Indianapolis offers unique attractions and experiences that appeal to all sorts of groups from families to school field trips to touring music ensembles. The city provides a friendly Midwestern welcome while still boasting big city culture, dining, and entertainment that rivals coastal metros. Whether your travels bring you to world-class museums like the Indianapolis Museum of Art, an event at Lucas Oil Stadium, or outdoor adventures in White River State Park, Indianapolis Party Bus Company has your group covered for streamlined transportation solutions around Indy. Let us match you with the ideal charter bus so you can focus on creating lifelong memories in this spectacular city. Call 317-229-6481 anytime to receive a personalized quote and get your next Indianapolis group trip on the road!