Indianapolis, IN
A travel guide to Indiana full of family fun, historic landmarks and unique experiences
While in Indiana, there are plenty of tourist attractions that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
The town of Santa Claus is an adored spot for a touch of holiday cheer any time of year.
If the timing is right, you can catch the infamous Indianapolis 500 while in the state. If not, there are plenty of other races that take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the year and tons of history to be learned at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
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If you need inspiration about what to do while you’re in the Hoosier State, below are a few ideas to add to your itinerary.
- Visit the town of Santa Claus
- Stop at the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln
- Catch a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Museum
- Explore Marengo Cave
- Go to Indiana Dunes National Park
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Dunes National Park are two of many favored tourist attractions in Indiana. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images I DIANE DESOBEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
1. Visit the town of Santa Claus
There are so many attractions that fill the town of Santa Claus, Indiana.
There is plenty to see and do in Santa Claus, including Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari.
This theme park is full of exciting roller coasters and tons of attractions for the little ones in your family. Water rides are available to enjoy during the warmer months.
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While at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, there are lots of shows, including ones full of magic and comedy, to see while you’re visiting.
If you are in need of holiday spirit before the season officially comes around, you can shop at the Santa Claus Christmas Store in the town and also visit the Santa Claus Museum & Village.
Santa Claus, Indiana, is home to a family-friendly theme park and plenty of festive stops throughout the town. (Kevin Pang/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
2. Stop at the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln
A short five miles away from Santa Claus is Lincoln City, where you can find the home where former President Abraham Lincoln spent much of his childhood.
Lincoln was born in Kentucky, but his family later moved to Indiana, where he lived from 1816 until 1830, according to the National Park Service’s website.
While there, you can visit the park museum to learn more about the life of Lincoln, visit the Lincoln Living Historical Farm and walk the Boyhood Trail, just as Lincoln did while he was growing up.
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3. Catch a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Museum
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to the famous Indy 500, which has taken place since 1911, according to Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s website.
The Indy 500 is usually held in May, but the attraction is still worth a visit whatever time of year you find yourself in Indiana.
Check the website to see what events are happening during your visit.
While in Indiana, catch a thrilling race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
If you’re visiting at a time when no events are taking place, you can always take a tour of the track for a behind-the-scenes look at the space.
There’s also a museum on site, but it is closed for renovation until April 2025.
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4. Explore Marengo Cave
Many visitors head to Marengo Cave on their trip to Indiana.
The cave’s formation dates back around a million years, according to Marengo Cave’s website, but it was not discovered until 1883.
In 1984, Marengo Cave was named a National Natural Landmark.
If you love to camp, you can pitch a tent in the campground at Marengo Cave and bring your furry friends with you. (iStock)
Tours of the cave take place year around, with two different walking tours offered to visitors.
One is the “Crystal Palace” tour, which takes about 40 minutes, and the “Dripstone Trail,” which is a 60-minute tour.
There are many other activities that are available at the cave beyond the walking tours, like a waterfall crawl and an underground adventure.
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If you want to stay close to Marengo Cave, there is a campground where you can pitch a tent or rent a cabin for a more luxurious camping experience.
5. Go to Indiana Dunes National Park
If you like to camp, fish and hike, Indiana Dunes National Park is for you.
Dunewood Campground is open for overnight stays from April 1 through Oct. 31, according to the National Park Service’s website, though the park itself is open year round.
Make sure to take your camera with you, as you will be surrounded by stunning views worth snapping a photo of.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Democrat Andrea Hunley to seek bid for mayor’s job in 2027
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — State Sen. Andrea Hunley, a Democrat representing Indianapolis, has announced her candidacy for a bid to run for mayor of Indianapolis in 2027.
Hunley, who had previously teased a mayoral run, has scheduled a launch event for May 8 as her official kickoff her campaign to lead the city, said her campaign website. The Assistant Minority Leader in the Senate announced in January that she would not seek another term in the Indiana Senate, to which she was elected in 2022.
Hunley’s website says, “Indianapolis is my city. Our city. As someone who knows this city, someone who has served this community as a public school teacher leading our children and supporting families, I am committed to the future of the people of Indianapolis.
“Indianapolis is the economic driver and a key cultural hub for our state. Our city boasts creative entrepreneurs and long-standing local businesses, vibrant neighborhoods and corporate headquarters, community-centered nonprofits and public schools. I aim to champion a better quality of life by listening to and working alongside the people, businesses and neighborhoods that make up our great city.”
Mayor Joe Hogsett has not disclosed if he’s seeking a fourth four-year term.
City-County Council Member Vop Osili in January announced his campaign for the Democratic nomination.
In the same month, Pike Township Trustee Annette Johnson announced her intention to seek the Democratic nomination to run for mayor. She’s running this year to continue in the trustee’s job, which she has held since 2019.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, who had been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for mayor, announced in January he would seek another four-year term this year for his current job. However, he did not rule out running for the Democratic bid for mayor in 2027.
Indianapolis, IN
Louisville native set to make debut in Indianapolis 500
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – While Louisville is famous for one race in May, a Derby City native is set to make his first appearance in a different iconic May race.
Jacob Abel will be making his first appearance in the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, racing for Abel Motorsports, founded by his father, Bill Abel.
“I am excited and grateful to be able to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to have a shot at the Indianapolis 500. It’s been a lifelong dream to compete in that race and to have the opportunity to do it with Abel Motorsports and Chevrolet makes it even more special,” Jacob said.
Both Abels, the driver and the team, had breakout years in 2024 with three pole positions and three wins in the INDY NXT drivers’ championship, propelling the 25-year-old driver to the NTT INDYCAR Series the following year.
Practice for the 110th Indianapolis 500 begins on Tuesday, May 12 with qualifying being held on May 16 and May 17. The race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway goes green on May 24, coverage begins at 10 a.m.
Copyright 2026 WAVE. All rights reserved.
Indianapolis, IN
IMPD: Man stabbed in downtown Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS — A person was stabbed in downtown Indianapolis Sunday evening.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called to the intersection of East Market and North Delaware Streets around 8:28 p.m. to investigate a stabbing. When police arrived at the scene, they located an adult male victim with apparent stab wounds.
IMPD has confirmed that the victim was transported from the scene to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.
Investigators believe the stabbing “stemmed from a disturbance between multiple individuals and the victim.”
IMPD has reported that it has not identified or detained any suspects or persons of interest at this point in its investigation of the stabbing. Police have indicated that they are hoping witnesses come forward with information that can help them identify or locate the suspects.
“The officers now are doing a complete investigation,” IMPD Lieutenant Frank Wooten said during a media briefing Sunday night. “They’re going to investigate this to the best of their ability. We’re going to try to locate our suspect, arrest the suspect, prosecute the suspect and hold that suspect accountable for this heinous crime in Indianapolis. This is not an indication of what our city is about. This is not an indication of what we do downtown, and we hold this to be very serious. So, we will hold whoever did this responsible for their actions tonight.”
Sunday night’s stabbing represented a continuation of a violent weekend in downtown Indianapolis.
Early Sunday morning, two men were critically injured in a shooting near a White Castle on South Street. Before that shooting occurred, police arrested two juveniles on gun charges at Monument Circle.
Police also conducted a shooting investigation near the Hilton hotel located at 120 W. Market St. around 4 a.m. Sunday. Nobody was injured in that shooting.
Elsewhere in the city, a person was injured in a shooting in a CVS parking lot on Kentucky Avenue Saturday evening. Another individual was killed in a shooting outside a residence in the 2300 block of South Pennsylvania Street Saturday night.
Public police reporting systems indicate IMPD has investigated nine shootings that caused injuries since midnight Saturday. During that same timeframe, IMPD has investigated six shootings that did not result in any injuries and five stabbings.
Numbers available on shootings and stabbings in IMPD’s public reporting system may not be complete, as some reports on weekend shootings and stabbings may not have been entered yet.
“This is not what we want Indianapolis to be,” Wooten said. “This is not what we expect out of the citizens of Indianapolis. We expect them to be safe, come downtown and have a good time, and be able to go home the same way they came down here. So, we will hold these suspects, once located, accountable for this crime.”
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