racetrack
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Brickyard - home of the Indy 500, the greatest spectacle in racing
7 km · about 15 min drive
North AmericaUnited StatesIndiana
Indianapolis
Indiana, United States · North America
About Indianapolis
Indianapolis is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Beech Grove, 7km from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indianapolis is in Indiana, United States, with about 890,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Beech Grove, about 8 km away.
Indianapolis ( IN-dee-ə-NAP-əl-iss), colloquially known as Indy, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County. Indianapolis is situated in the state's central till plain region along the west fork of the White River. The city's official slogan, "Crossroads ofRead more
America", reflects its historic importance as a transportation hub and its relative proximity to other major North American markets.
According to the 2020 census, the Indianapolis proper had a population of 887,642. Indianapolis is the 16th-most populous city in the United States and the fourth-most populous state capital. In the Midwest, it ranks third among cities, after Chicago and Columbus, Ohio. The Indianapolis metropolitan area is the 33rd-most populous metropolitan statistical area in the United States, home to 2.1 million residents. With a population of more than 2.6 million, the combined statistical area ranks 28th. Indianapolis proper covers 368 square miles (950 square kilometers), making it the 18th-most extensive city by land area in the country.
Indigenous peoples inhabited the area dating to as early as 10,000 BC. Under the Treaty of St. Mary's (1818), both the Lenape and the Miami Nation relinquished their tribal lands in central Indiana. The Miami Nation of Indiana (and its branch, the Miami Nation of Oklahoma) held primary claim to the territory, which forms part of Cession 99. In 1821, Indianapolis was established as a planned city for the new seat of Indiana's state government. The city was platted by Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham on a one-square-mile (2.6 km2) grid. Completion of the National and Michigan roads and later arrival of rail solidified the city's position as a major manufacturing and commercial center. Since the 1970 city-county consolidation, known as Unigov, local government administration operates under the direction of an elected 25-member city-county council headed by the mayor.
Indianapolis anchors the 28th largest metropolitan economy in the United States. Prominent industries include trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; professional and business services; government; leisure and hospitality; and manufacturing. The city has notable niche markets in amateur sports and auto racing. As of 2019, Indianapolis has been home to two major league sports teams, three Fortune 500 companies, eight university campuses, and numerous cultural institutions, including the world's largest children's museum. The city's international reputation rests primarily on the Indianapolis 500, the world's largest single-day sporting event. Among the city's historic sites and districts, Indianapolis is home to the largest collection of monuments dedicated to veterans and war casualties in the United States outside of Washington, D.C.
Where to Stay in Indianapolis
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Indianapolis?
Within an hour or so of Indianapolis: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (7 km), Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum (7 km), Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (16 km).
Where is Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is in Indiana, United States, about 8 km from Beech Grove.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 887,642
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Indiana
- Timezone
- America/Indiana/Indianapolis
- Coordinates
- 39.7684, -86.1580
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United States
AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.
Full driving guide for United StatesTags
Worth the detour from Indianapolis
3 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Museum inside the legendary Brickyard showcasing Indy 500 winning cars and offering track tours of the 2.5-mile oval.
7 km · about 15 min drive
racetrack
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Home of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, drag racing's most prestigious event, this Indianapolis-area complex pairs a legendary quarter-mile strip with a short oval and road course.
16 km · about 20 min drive
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