Explore Indianapolis, IN while attending the National Conference in Sales Management. Find specific entertainment information available in Indianapolis or see the list below of things to do that we found.

Indianapolis culture

Indianapolis Cultural Trail, A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick is a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the Downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system. The eight-mile path allows users to pass by and through many destinations that make Indianapolis a recognized leader in the arts community. The trail will be completed by 2012.
Indianapolis boasts The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, not only the largest museum of its kind in the world, but also rated “the best museum” by Child magazine. Among the interactive, hands-on attractions are the Dinosphere; featuring life-size, roaring dinosaur skeletons and simulated fossil digs. In 2006, the 43-foot Fireworks of Glass was installed, the largest permanent sculpture of blown glass ever created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Since then, the museum has expanded even more, adding a fabulous new lobby, new exhibits and more.
Indianapolis is home to the Madame Walker Theatre Center, which stands as a memorial to America’s first female self-made millionaire, Madam C. J. Walker.
The Indianapolis Museum of Art was ranked by USA Today as one of the top 10 locations for marriage proposals -- in front of the famous LOVE sculpture. Adjacent to the Museum and located on 100 acres that includes woodlands, wetlands, meadows and a 35-acre lake is the 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. The parkopened in June 2010 and is one of the largest museum art parks in the country, and the only one to feature the ongoing commission of site-specific artworks.
The Indianapolis Zoo is the first institution to be triple-accredited as a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden. The zoo's Oceans exhibit features the world's largest shark touch tank; while the Dolphin Adventure offers the world's first totally submerged dolphin viewing experience. During summer 2010, the Indianapolis Zoo opened its newest exhibit – Cheetah: The Race for Survival.
The Old National Centre (originally named the Murat Temple when it opened in 1910) is the largest Shrine temple in North America.
The Indiana State Museum features art, science and culture. The museum not only has exhibits inside, but is an exhibit itself with its 92-county walk, Indiana material-made exterior and more. It will feature Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Sept. 25 – Jan. 16, 2011.
Indianapolis houses the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, one of only two museums east of the Mississippi with both Native American and Western art. A NEW exhibit featuring replicas of national treasures, Jingle Rails, will be unveiled in November 2010. Every canyon, mesa, lodge, Mt. Rushmore and even the replica of Indianapolis’ own Soldiers and Sailors Monument—are made with natural materials by renowned-artist Paul Busse.
Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C. in itsnumber of monuments and memorials commemorating veterans.
The 35th Running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon takes place Saturday, May 7, 2011. The Mini has sold-out for the past nine years with 35,000 registrants, and an additional 4,000 participants in the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K. The Mini-Marathon is the largest half-marathon in the U.S., and overall, the sixth largest running event in America.

Anyone would agree there’s A LOT to do in Downtown Indianapolis. People of all ages can be entertained at numerousmuseums and historic sites, performing arts and theatres, memorials and parks, major sports venues and various unique attractions.

If you want to see what’s only in Indianapolis, discover Indianapolis’ Cultural Districts.
Indianapolis is bursting with pride over its six unique Cultural Districts: Broad Ripple Village, The Canal and White River State Park, Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave and Wholesale District. Four of the six districts have homes directly in Downtown Indianapolis, while Fountain Square is just a mile southeast and Broad Ripple Village nine miles northeast. The districts showcase distinct pockets of cultural opportunity thriving in the city. You’ll find delightful public art, unique galleries, inspiring museums, quaint shops and engaging recreation. Satisfy your appetite at exquisite restaurants, ethnic eateries and cafes. Laugh out loud or dance the night away at one of dozens of night clubs and theaters. The districts also have your ticket to professional sports and performances.

Downtown is home to baby elephants, Duckpin Bowling, a working indoor carousel, a world-class symphony orchestra, a 55-foot “Indiana” sculpture, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and so much more to explore.

Indianapolis Downtown dining and shopping

Circle Centre, Downtown’s world-renowned shopping and entertainment complex, is celebrating its 15-year anniversary in 2010.
Indianapolis is home to the 1886 City Market, which has remained a ‘market’ ever since and is undergoing a makeover through spring 2011 to further enhance the market.
Indianapolis’ Mass Ave, one of the few remaining diagonal streets on the original 1821 plat, is Downtown’s premier arts and entertainment district where people live, work and play in the same eight-block area.
Downtown Indianapolis has nearly 300 eating and drinking establishments to enjoy.

The dining options are endless ranging from national eateries like Capital Grille, Fogo De Chao, Weber Grill, Palomino and Ruth’s Chris to the unique local hot spots such as Saffron Cafe, R bistro, Harry & Izzy’s and Bazbeaux pizza.

St. Elmo Steak House’s infamous shrimp cocktail was named “World’s Spiciest Food” by Food critic and Travel Channel blogger Alison Stein Wellner in May 2009.
The Slippery Noodle Inn is Indiana’s oldest, continually-operated bar (since 1850). It won the Keeping the Blues Alive - Blues Club of the Year from the Blues Foundation.

With more than 210 shops Downtown, residents and visitors can enjoy everything from the trendy, one-of-a-kind shops such as Windsor Jewelry Company or At Home in the City/Silver in the City, to the popular national chains like Nordstrom, Carson Pirie Scott, T.J. Maxx and Border’s.

Indianapolis sports

Indianapolis is the only city to boast four professional sports teams, playing within a four-block radius, all in the heart of Downtown. (NBA Pacers, WNBA Fever, NFL Colts and AAA Indians)
In 2012, Indianapolis will host Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. The spectacular new venue opened in 2008.
Lucas Oil Stadium was named the Sports Facility of the Year in May 2009 by Street and Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal.
Conseco Fieldhouse was ranked the best NBA arena by The Orange County Register.
Indianapolis is home to a football team of world champion caliber. In 2010 the Indianapolis Colts returned to Super Bowl XLIV. In 2006, the Indianapolis Colts dominated the Chicago Bears for a Super Bowl XLI victory.
Indianapolis is the only city to have hosted the NCAA Men's Final Four three times in a decade: 1991, 1997 and 2000. Downtown hosted again in 2006 and 2010 and is set for 2015 too. In 2005, the city hosted the NCAA Women’s Final Four for the first time and will again in 2011. (The Sporting News named Indianapolis as the "Best Final Four Host" stating "there's no better basketball town than Indy.")
Indianapolis IS basketball in March. The city hosts the Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments from 2008 – 2012. The Women’s Tourney also visited in 2007. Indianapolis hosted the World Basketball Championship, which is held every four years, in 2002. This was the first time in the event’s 52-year history that it had ever taken place in the United States.
The Indianapolis 500 race is the largest, single-day sporting event in the world. Coincidentally, the second largest is the Brickyard 400.
A national spotlight shone on Indianapolis as we hosted the 2005 VISA U.S.A Gymnastics National Championships at Conseco Fieldhouse. Circle of Stars Gymnastics Invitational will be in Indy January 2011.
Indianapolis played host to the USA Swimming Nationals and ConocoPhillips Swimming Championships and World Championship Trials in July 2009. Indianapolis also welcomed the USA Diving Olympic Team Trials in 2008.
The city hosted the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2006 and 2007 at the Indiana University Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium.
Indianapolis ranked as the second best sports host city in the U.S. in May 2009 in The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live by Robert Tuchman

Of course, Indianapolis earned its bragging rights early as the amateur sports capital of the world. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long been noted as the city’s icon. The addition of Victory Field, “the Best Minor League Ballpark in America" according to Sports Illustrated, as well as the state-of-the-art Conseco Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium, have furthered the city’s sporting image. In addition, the USHL Indiana Ice is a Tier I junior hockey team that entertains the Indianapolis community.

During any given season, sports fans are sure to find an Indianapolis team to rally or event to attend. From the annual Coca-Cola Circle City Classic or Indiana High School Athletics Association championships to the Big Ten Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournaments, the action is non-stop.

What’s more, various national governing bodies either originated in or have moved their headquarters to Indianapolis including the Black Coaches Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, USA Gymnastics Federation, USA Track & Field, USA Diving, Inc., U.S. Synchronized Swimming and others.