Indiana's capital city center, home to Monument Circle, the Indianapolis Canal Walk, and the world's largest children's museum.

About Downtown Indianapolis

Downtown Indianapolis is anchored by Monument Circle, a grand traffic roundabout surrounding the Soldiers and Sailors Monument—a 284-foot limestone column that has been the city's geographic and symbolic center since 1902. An observation deck at the top offers panoramic city views. The surrounding blocks contain the Indiana State Capitol, the historic Indiana Repertory Theatre, and Circle Centre Mall.

The Indianapolis Canal Walk is a vibrant 1.5-mile urban waterway flanked by the Indiana State Museum, NCAA Hall of Champions, and the White River State Park. Mass Ave (Massachusetts Avenue) is the city's most dynamic dining and entertainment corridor, with craft breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, and live music venues. Fountain Square, south of downtown, adds a hipster flair with vintage shops and duckpin bowling.

Indianapolis punches above its weight in sports and culture: beyond the famous 500 and Colts football, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest, and the Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library honors the city's most famous literary son.

Nearby Landmarks

Monument Circle Indianapolis Canal Walk Mass Ave Indiana State Museum Lucas Oil Stadium

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost $25-35
Time 15-20 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost $18-28
Time 15-20 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Exit the terminal and take a taxi or rideshare to downtown ($15-22, 15-20 min). For the bus, take IndyGo Route 8 from the airport to downtown (30-40 min, $1.75). The bus stops along Washington Street near Monument Circle.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi $25-35 15-20 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare $18-28 15-20 minutes Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Taxis and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) operate 24/7 at IND. A nighttime ride to downtown costs $18-25. The IndyGo Route 8 (airport bus) runs until about 11 PM. Mass Ave bars and restaurants stay open until midnight-2 AM. Downtown is well-lit and walkable at night.

Luggage Tips

Taxis and rideshares handle luggage easily. The IndyGo bus has limited luggage space. Downtown Indianapolis is compact—most hotels are within a few blocks of Monument Circle. No public luggage storage downtown, but hotels accommodate early arrivals.

Accessibility

Indianapolis Airport is one of America's most modern and accessible (opened 2008). IndyGo buses are wheelchair accessible. Downtown sidewalks are flat and ADA compliant. Monument Circle and the Canal Walk are fully accessible. The Indiana State Museum and Children's Museum have excellent accessibility programs.