Indianapolis, the state’s capital, is Indiana’s largest city and is now ranked the 14^th largest city in the U.S.  Indianapolis is also referred to as ‘The Circle City’ in recognition of the downtown Monument Circle; ‘The Racing Capital of the World’ in tribute to the world renowned annual auto race; and simply ‘Indy’.

Indy was settled in 1820 and high rise construction started in 1888, when the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument was completed. This 284-foot tall monument sits at the heart of the city and creates a scenic traffic circle at the intersection of Meridian and Market Streets.  Each holiday 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.

Major revitalization of the city’s downtown began in the 1990s and led to an acceleration of growth.  A series of modern skyscrapers were constructed, including what is currently the tallest building in the state; the newly renamed Chase Tower.  The opening of Circle Centre in downtown Indy jumpstarted a major revitalization of the central business district.  Indy's future continues to appear bright as the city invests heavily in improvement projects such as the expansion of the Convention Center; the construction of the new airport , the  Indianapolis International Airport; and the Lucas Oil Stadium, the new home of the Indianapolis Colts. 

Indy has designated six official Cultural Districts: Broad Ripple Village, Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square, The Wholesale District, The Canal and White River State Park, and Indiana Avenue; which have evolved into major centers for tourism, music fests, commerce and residential living.  The city has a vibrant arts community and hosts annual fairs celebrating a wide variety of arts and crafts such as the Broad Ripple Art Fair, Talbot Street Art Fair, Carmel Arts Festival, Indian Market and Festival, and the Penrod Art Fair.

In addition to arts, music and theatre, the city plays host to numerous sporting events such as the annual Indianapolis 500 auto race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway every May.  The 500 Festival also draws the largest mini-marathon in America that takes place downtown.  The Mini has been sold out every year, with well over 35,000 runners participating. 

Scheduled to be complete by 2011, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects five of the city's six downtown Cultural Districts, neighborhoods and entertainment amenities.  It will serve as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system. The trail will include benches, bike racks, lighting, signage and bike rentals/drop-offs along the way and will also feature local art work.  The Cultural Trail will also connect with the existing Monon Trail to allow visitors easy access to Broad Ripple Village from downtown.