The Indy 500 may be the most highly-attended, one-day sporting event in the world, but as any Indy-native will tell you, the revelry goes on for much longer.
With the help of Indy’s experts, the Yelp Indy Elite Squad, we’ve curated picks for an amazing Indy 500 experience. Whether you’re attending the race or not, we have your list of must-see spots before you leave our glorious city. Click here to save and follow this special Indy bookmark collection on the Yelp app.
8 a.m. to Noon
Reason to go: Specialized coffee within a historic German building. “They weigh the espresso, carefully steam the milk, measure the temperature of the water and even rub a burnt orange/lime slice along the rim so you have a burst of flavor in each sip.” — Yelp Elite Hayley B
Monument Circle (and The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum in the base of the Soldiers and Sailors monument)
Reason to go: Indy’s iconic city center. “If you’re an out-of-towner, please visit Monument Circle, sit down and enjoy its glory. Step inside to tour the museum or be brave and climb the stairs for a spectacular 360-degree view.” — Yelp Elite Kristie K
Reason to go: Upscale, fresh brunch in a photogenic space. “Delicia gives your brunch favorites a Latin-American spin. The usual skillet becomes a flavorful dish of roasted potatoes and cornmeal biscuits topped with thick chorizo-thyme gravy and two fried eggs with wonderfully-runny egg yolks.” — Yelper Amanda W
Photo by Delicia on Yelp
Noon to 4 p.m.
Reason to go: Custom scents and chic candle-making. “Such a cute spot! I enjoyed making candles and scented sprays with my friends. (We) got to choose between 90+ scents to customize our own fragrances.” — Yelp Elite Jimi D
Reason to go: Shopping for locally-made goods at Silver in the City, Homespun and Pumkinfish, unique truffles at The Best Chocolate in Town and an adorable bookstore that doubles as a non-profit: Indy Reads Bookstore. “The (east) end of Mass Ave is really one of my favorite spots in town as there are several businesses/restaurants/bars that really tickle my fancy. I count The Best Chocolate in Town amongst them.” — Yelp Elite Peter P
Reason to go: Weekend day-drinking at a new, local distillery. “I loved the ‘Silent D’: an apple cider and bourbon cocktail. The ‘Beet and the Brat’ was a cool, red color with beet juice. The taste is difficult to describe only because it was so unusual and not like anything I’ve tasted!” — Yelp Elite Libby B
Photo by West Fork Whiskey on Yelp
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
Reason to go: Fascinating history behind the famous race. “This is a must for anyone visiting the city! It’s a great way to see why we’re the racing capital. Having past Indy 500 winning cars on display was neat to see.” — Yelp Elite Sara B
Reason to go: Local snacks for your ride home. “This gem was formerly a gas-station-turned neighborhood market! It is foodie heaven with a dedication to fresh and creative offerings.” — Yelper Stacy A
Reason to go: Stellar Asian-fusion recipes in a funky setting. “Don’t be shy, order the thing on the menu that you can’t pronounce. Everything I’ve tried here has blown me away. Truly a unique and delicious culinary experience.” — Yelper Nicole M
Photo by Yelper Yurui M
8 p.m. to Midnight
Reason to go: Craft cocktails distilled in-house (and a large garage door open to the outside). “Each cocktail I saw coming from the bar was prettier than the next. These boozy drinks are made from the finest ingredients around and it shows.” — Yelp Elite Lauren M
Reason to go: An ever-changing popsicle menu (that you can get dipped in chocolate). “I’ve dabbled in many flavors but the best of them all is the pineapple basil. The strawberry mint is second. The grapefruit lavender is third. All three of these are totally refreshing and delicious.” — Yelp Elite Kayla V
Reason to go: Unlimited arcade games and a full bar. “Hello 1980’s! Tappers is calling! This place is awesome. No cover to get in and tons of arcade games to play – FOR FREE!” — Yelp Elite Keneshia B
Photo by Yelper Cara S
Midnight to 4 a.m.
Reason to go: A favorite neighborhood dive bar. “Don’t let the house-party vibe fool you into walking up to the bar and automatically ordering a Miller High Life. While you can get that, you might want to first take note of all of the craft beer options as well as the craft cocktails they conjure up.” — Yelp Elite Tracy A
Reason to go: Delicious, quick Mediterranean food. “The falafel sandwich was phenomenal and the pita bread was fresh, warm and perfectly baked. Also, they’re open till 4:30am on the weekends.” — Yelp Elite Brady R
Reason to go: Luxe atmosphere with pro mixologists. “Ball & Biscuit has an uncanny way of making you feel like a regular despite having all of the bourgeois trappings of an upscale lounge. Every cocktail is inspired.” — Yelp Elite Ronak S
Photo by Yelper Nina S
4 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Reason to go: Guac all night, baby. “Cheap and delicious tacos. It looks like a hole in the wall, but don’t let that fool you- this place is great. Plus, open 24 hours? Can’t beat it. My go-to’s are the pollo asada and carne asada tacos with green salsa.” — Yelp Elite Jace G
Reason to go: An Indy donut staple that opens bright ‘n early. “I cannot even begin to explain how a scrumptious warm yeast donut from Long’s can change your whole day. Reasonably priced at less than $ 0.70 a piece, each donut is a small slice of heaven!’ — Yelp Elite Andria G
Reason to go: A sunrise stroll towards the Indy skyline. “This is by far my favorite place in Indianapolis. It’s a nice relaxing walk with some really great views. You can definitely walk the whole canal in probably 30-40 minutes. There are several open areas to sit and relax and maybe even have a picnic!” — Kristin H
Photo by Yelp Elite Brady R
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