Indianapolis Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ===Attractions=== {{See also|List of attractions and events in Indianapolis}} [[File:Bucky the T. Rex 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"[[Specimens of Tyrannosaurus#"Bucky": TCM 2001.90.1|Bucky]]", a juvenile ''[[Tyrannosaurus]]'' specimen at [[The Children's Museum of Indianapolis]]]] [[File:COLISEUMedited.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Indiana Farmers Coliseum]] during the 2015 [[Indiana State Fair]]]] [[The Children's Museum of Indianapolis]] is the largest of its kind in the world, with {{convert|433000|sqft|m2|2}} of exhibit space and a collection of over 120,000 artifacts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.childrensmuseums.org/childrens-museums/about-childrens-museums|title=About Children's Museums|publisher=Association of Children's Museums|access-date=July 26, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613131739/http://childrensmuseums.org/childrens-museums/about-childrens-museums|archive-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/43728979|title=Delving into the world's largest children's museum|author=Eileen Ogintz|publisher=NBC News|date=July 13, 2011|access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref> Due to its leadership and innovations, the museum is a world leader in its field.<ref>Sandler, p. 186</ref> ''[[Child (magazine)|Child]]'' and ''[[Parents (magazine)|Parents]]'' magazine have both ranked the museum as the best children's museum in the U.S.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/us-destinations/the-10-best-childrens-museums/?page=2|access-date=October 20, 2010|magazine=[[Parents (magazine)|Parents]] magazine|title=The 10 best children's Museums}}</ref> It is one of the city's most popular attractions, drawing nearly 1.3 million visitors in 2019.<ref name="Attractions">{{cite web |title=Most Popular Attractions |url=https://www.ibj.com/data?/d/83/most-popular-attractions |date=September 1, 2021 |newspaper=Indianapolis Business Journal |publisher=IBJ Media |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> The [[Indianapolis Zoo]] houses more than 1,400 animals of 235 species while the adjoining [[White River Gardens]] contains more than 50,000 plants of nearly 3,000 species, respectively.<ref name="2020 Annual Report">{{cite web |title=2020 Indianapolis Zoo Annual Report |publisher=Indianapolis Zoo |url=https://online.fliphtml5.com/npqq/zzqp/?1625771088656 |pages=18, 28 |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> The zoo is a leader in animal conservation and research, recognized for its biennial [[Indianapolis Prize]] award.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indianapolis Prize|encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=March 2021 |last=Hillier-Geisler |first=Megan |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indianapolis-prize/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> It is the only American zoo accredited as a zoo, aquarium, and zoological garden by the [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Mejia Lutz |first=Elena |date=July 24, 2017 |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/07/24/indianapolis-zoo-named-one-10-best-zoos-u-s-and-out-of-towners-agree/506715001/ |title=Indianapolis Zoo named one of '10 best zoos in U.S.' and out-of-towners agree |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |publisher=Gannett Co. |access-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref> It is among the largest privately funded zoos in the U.S.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indianapolis Zoo |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Hurst |first1=Richard M. |last2=Hillier-Geisler |first2=Megan |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indianapolis-zoo/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> and one of the city's most visited attractions, with 1.1 million guests in 2019.<ref name="Attractions"/> Located inside the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]], the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum]] exhibits an extensive collection of [[auto racing]] memorabilia showcasing various motorsports and automotive history.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Chenoweth |first1=Shelly |last2=Davidson |first2=Donald |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indianapolis-motor-speedway-hall-of-fame-museum/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> Daily grounds and track tours originate from the museum. Located at the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] headquarters, the [[NCAA Hall of Champions]] contains exhibits on [[College athletics in the United States|collegiate athletics in the U.S.]]<ref name="Opsahl Verderame">{{cite encyclopedia |title=NCAA Headquarters and Hall of Champions |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=June 2021 |last1=Opsahl |first1=Sam |last2=Verderame |first2=Jyoti A. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/ncaa-headquarters-and-hall-of-champions/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> The [[Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site]] includes the archives and restored home of the 23rd president of the U.S., [[Benjamin Harrison]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Zeigler |first1=Connie J. |last2=Capps |first2=Jennifer |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/benjamin-harrison-presidential-site/ |access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref> Harrison is buried about {{convert|3|mi|km}} north of the site at [[Crown Hill Cemetery]]. Other notable interments at the cemetery include three [[List of vice presidents of the United States|U.S. vice presidents]] ([[Charles W. Fairbanks|Fairbanks]], [[Thomas A. Hendricks|Hendricks]], and [[Thomas R. Marshall|Marshall]]), notorious American gangster [[John Dillinger]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Crown Hill Cemetery |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Sanford |first1=Wayne L. |last2=Fischer |first2=Jessica Erin |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/crown-hill-cemetery/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> and [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Caroline Harrison]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=February 2021 |last1=Badertscher |first1=Katherine |last2=Capps |first2=Jennifer |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/caroline-lavinia-scott-harrison/ |access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref> State-specific historical institutions based in Indianapolis include the [[Indiana Historical Society]], [[Indiana Humanities]], the [[Indiana Jewish Historical Society]], [[Indiana Landmarks]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indiana Landmarks |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last=Rollins Stanis |first=Suzanne T. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indiana-landmarks/ |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref> the [[Indiana Medical History Museum]], and the [[Indiana State Museum]]. Two museums and several memorials in the city commemorate armed forces or conflict, including the [[Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum]] and [[Indiana World War Memorial#Indiana World War Memorial Military Museum|Indiana World War Memorial Military Museum]] at the [[Indiana World War Memorial Plaza]]. Outside of [[Washington, D.C.]], Indianapolis contains the largest collection of monuments dedicated to veterans and war casualties in the nation.<ref name="MemorialsMonuments"/><ref name="IWM"/> Other notable sites are the [[Crown Hill National Cemetery]], the [[Indiana 9/11 Memorial]], the [[Medal of Honor Memorial]], the [[Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (Indianapolis)|Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument]], and the [[USS Indianapolis (CA-35)#Memorials|USS ''Indianapolis'' National Memorial]]. Many annual fairs, festivals, and parades take place in Indianapolis.<ref name="festivals">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Festivals |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=July 2021 |last=Fischer |first=Jessica Erin |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/festivals/ |access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref> The city's largest event, the [[Indiana State Fair]], is held from mid-July to mid-August and regularly draws 800,000 attendees. Another major event in Indianapolis is the [[500 Festival]], a series of more than 50 programs and events preceding the [[Indianapolis 500]] during the "[[Indianapolis 500 traditions#Month of May|Month of May]]".<ref name="Attractions"/> Other notable annual events include the [[Indy Pride Festival]] and the [[Marion County Fair (Indiana)|Marion County Fair]] in June,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indy Pride |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |date=July 2021 |last=Opsahl |first=Sam |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indy-pride/ |access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Marion County Fair |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last=Hale |first=Michelle D. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/marion-county-fair/ |access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref> the [[Indiana Black Expo]] Summer Celebration in July,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indiana Black Expo |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last=Gadzekpo |first=Audrey S. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/indiana-black-expo-ibe/ |access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref> the [[Historic Irvington Halloween Festival]] in October,<ref>{{cite web |last=Lindquist |first=Dave |date=October 20, 2022 |url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/in-irvington-the-thrills-of-halloween-are-back |title=In Irvington, the thrills of Halloween are back |work=Indianapolis Business Journal |publisher=IBJ Media |access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref> and the [[Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (Indianapolis)#Circle of Lights|Circle of Lights]] in November.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tufts |first=John |date=November 20, 2023 |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2023/11/20/circle-of-lights-2023-is-back-in-indianapolis-how-to-go-or-watch/71657571007/ |title=Circle of Lights 2023 is happening earlier this year in Indianapolis: What to know. |work=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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