You won't see animals in cages at the Indianapolis Zoo. Instead, they are in habitats designed like the ecosystems the animals would live in out in the wild: Deserts, oceans, plains that are like African Savannahs and forests that simulate a tropical forest. There's another area called Encounters, which features bird species. The zoo's 65 acres contains 250 different species of animals. It's geared toward families and people of all ages and ability levels because it is completely wheelchair accessible.
When to Go and When to Stay Away from the Indianapolis Zoo
The best time to go to the zoo is morning, especially if you need to rent one of the electric carts, wheelchairs or zoo strollers that are available on site on a first-come, first-serve basis. Avoid weekdays in May and the first two weeks of June when the zoo is filled with students on school field trips. Go anytime in April, September, October and early November when the animals are more active in the cooler temperatures.
Must See at the Indianapolis Zoo
- The International Orangutan Center with eight orangutans that you can watch and interact with.
- The free daily Dolphin Presentation and the underwater dolphin viewing dome in the Oceans exhibit.
- The Animal Keeper Chats where you can learn first-hand about the animals from those who care for them.
Admission to the Indianapolis Zoo
Admission prices vary widely based on when and where you buy your tickets, and whether you buy individual tickets or specially-priced packages. Prices also vary by season. The lowest prices are online from the zoo's website. Discounts apply for children 2 to 12 and seniors. Children under 2 get in free. Military discounts are also available, and all current and former members of the military are admitted free on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Parking at the Indianapolis Zoo
Parking is free to zoo members, and $10 or less for non-members, depending on the size of your car, RV or camper. If the parking lot is full, you may be able to park at the adjacent White River Gardens.
Public Transportation to the Indianapolis Zoo
The Indy Go Route 8 bus takes visitors to and from the Indianapolis Zoo every 15 minutes, with other stops, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays, and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. every 30 minutes Saturdays and Sundays. Check the indigo.net website for more updated information.
Food Options at the Indianapolis Zoo
The zoo has several cafes and food carts on the grounds so you don't even have to leave when you need to grab a meal or a snack. Ice creams, drinks or pretzels can be bought at the food carts, or eat at one of the cafes for burgers, barbecue, pizza, hot dogs, salads, veggies with hummus, yogurt parfaits and fresh fruit. You can't bring your own food into the zoo, but can picnic at tables provided at the entry plaza.
Insider Tip for Visitors to the Indianapolis Zoo
Buy your tickets online from the zoo's website before you go for the best price and to avoid standing in line at the window. To avoid heavy traffic in downtown Indianapolis during rush hours and special event dates, route your trip to the zoo from the west side of town.
Author's bio: Susan Hoskins Miller is a writer who lives in metropolitan Indianapolis and works in a university library. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and exploring places in the Midwest.
There's a joke that there are two rules for Indianapolis City Market: 1) arrive hungry, 2) leave full. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and Indianapolis City Market is one of the top lunch destinations in Indianapolis. Restaurants range from a French-style bakery (the bacon and cheddar brioche is excellent) to an artisan chocolate vendor (the Mayan Spice Bar was ranked one of the world's best chocolate bars by Selfridges, London). Each vendor has his/her own hours, but Indianapolis City Market doors are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Parking and Public Transportation at Indianapolis City Market
Parking in downtown Indianapolis is complicated, but there are several parking garages near the East Market district. Your best bet is to park in the Circle Centre Mall parking lot and walk. Indianapolis City Market is easily accessible via IndyGo, with Routes 2, 11, 17, 19, and 21 stopping directly beside the market.
Best and Worst Times to Go to Indianapolis City Market
The best times to go are the morning and afternoon, when it is not so crowded and the vendors have time to talk to you about their business and the foods they offer. The most popular time to go is during lunch, starting around 11 a.m. and ending around 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Market is closed Sunday.
Admission to Indianapolis City Market
Free, although the excellent and infrequent Catacombs tour may cost money.
Must See/Do at Indianapolis City Market
To be honest, it's hard to narrow it down to just three things. But one absolute must is enjoying a beer at the Tomlinson Tap Room, which sells only Indiana craft beer (by the pint or by the growler). The selection is rotating, so ask the server what is currently on tap. If you're visiting Indiana, no trip to the Hoosier State is complete with trying a tenderloin sandwich, which is a center cut of pork hammered thin, breaded, deep-fried, and served on a comically small bun with a minimum amount of condiments. Papa Gus sells tenderloins the size of your head, and if you don't care for pork, the vegan restaurant Three Carrots has a similar dish made from seitan (not nearly as big, but with an excellent aioli). Finishing off the list is browsing at the weekly farmer's market--in winter, it's held Saturday mornings, and in summer, it's held on Wednesday mornings.
Other Places to Visit Near Indianapolis City Market
Circle Centre Mall is within walking distance, and the parking garage there is the best place to park your car. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a short walk away. The City-County Building is across the street, and its Observatory offers the best view of Indianapolis in the city.
Insider Tip for Visitors to Indianapolis City Market
The City of Indianapolis has a bike share program, but it is confusing and gets expensive quickly (a day pass lets you check bikes out for half an hour multiple times each day, not for hours at a time). To avoid this and get a flat rate on a top-of-the-line bicycle, go to Bicycle Garage Indy in the Market's East Wing. Reservations are recommended. ActiveIndy Tours offers two bicycle tours that depart from this location, and are a must for those wanting to know about the city's hidden gems.
Author's bio: Becky Oberg is a professional writer who has lived in Indianapolis on and off for almost thirty years. Her hobbies include acting, reading, singing, and playing video games.