Indianapolis is a city with a rich history and culture, and it's no surprise that it has become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. From its professional sports teams to its vibrant food scene, Indianapolis has something for everyone. We've partnered with family and lifestyle blogger Kirsten Maxwell from Kids Are A Trip, who lives in Chicago and visits Indianapolis frequently, to share seven things that will surprise you about this amazing city. Indigenous peoples inhabited the area from 10,000 BC. C., and in 1818, the Lenape relinquished their tribal lands in the Treaty of St.
Mary's. In 1821, Indianapolis was founded as a planned city for the new seat of Indiana's state government. The city was placed by Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham on a 1 square mile (2.6 km) grid next to the White River. The completion of the Michigan and national highways and the arrival of the railroad later consolidated the city's position as a manufacturing and transportation center. Two of the city's nicknames reflect its historic links to transportation: Crossroads of America and Railroad City.
Professional sports are also popular here with the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts. Since the consolidation of the 1970 city-county, known as Unigov, local government administration has operated under the direction of an elected 25-member city-county council headed by the mayor. The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) is a quasi-governmental agency that organizes regional carpool and van rides and operates three connections to the public workforce from Indianapolis to employment centers in Plainfield and Whitestown. Health care in Indianapolis is provided by more than 20 hospitals, most of which belong to the private, non-profit health systems of Ascension St. Vincent Health, Community Health Network and Indiana University Health. The city is also known for its love for racing cars, with the legendary Indy 500 held every May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located seven miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis.
Even if your trip to Indianapolis doesn't coincide with this event, stopping at the Speedway is still a must because of its vast racing history. The city is also home to many important attractions, such as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Zoo, and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial. One of its most popular attractions is Mass Avenue, or Mass Ave., which is a cultural center located inside Indianapolis. Here you'll find murals that cover the sides of buildings, street art and live music. Indiana is also famous for its 26-mile-long asphalt trail that begins north of Indianapolis and heads to the city center. This former railroad route has been transformed into the state's largest hiking trail. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) is the city's main law enforcement agency.
The Indiana State House is also located in Indianapolis, which serves as the capital of Indiana. Maybe it has so many nicknames because they're easier to say and spell than Indianapolis, which was actually made by an Indiana Supreme Court judge simply putting together the name Indiana with the Greek word for city. With a vibrant food scene and enormous reconstruction efforts downtown, Indianapolis is quickly becoming a go-to destination. If you think you know everything there is to know about this amazing city, think again!.
