The best way to get your bearings on a first day in Indianapolis is to walk the Mile Square with a local, and Indy Walking Tours is the most highly rated way to do it. This 90-minute small-group walk, rated 4.9 from 56 reviews on Viator with 98 percent of travellers recommending it, is run by a local operator whose owner often leads it himself, and reviewers single out his stories and humour. It starts on West Washington Street and threads through the heart of downtown: Monument Circle and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the Indiana War Memorial, one of the largest war memorials in the country, the Gothic Christ Church Cathedral on the Circle, and the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, the city's great Shrine temple and concert hall. Along the way there is a 15-minute break at Tavern at the Point, a neighborhood bar, before the walk loops back to the start. It covers the city's founding plan, its monuments and its architecture, and it will point you to places to come back to on your own.
Booking and price: tickets are from about $55 per person, and gratuities and parking fees are included. You choose your start time when booking, and the tour is booked about three weeks ahead on average, so reserve early for weekends. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start. Groups are capped at 20.
Meeting point: meet at 24 West Washington Street, at the Taco Bell Cantina, and look for the guide in an orange jacket and hat. Metered street parking is available nearby, but if you are staying downtown it is an easy walk. The tour ends back at the meeting point.
Good to know: the walk is not wheelchair accessible, though service animals are welcome. November in Indianapolis can be cold and windy, so dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes. Inside visits are not part of the tour; it focuses on the outside of the buildings and the stories behind them, so plan to return to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument observation deck or the War Memorial museum on your own time.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group guided walk of about 90 minutes through the downtown Mile Square, with a short break at a local tavern.
Best time
Your first morning or afternoon in the city, so you know the layout for the rest of the trip.
How long
About an hour and a half, ending back at the start on West Washington Street.
Tips
Book a couple of weeks ahead for weekends, look for the orange jacket at the meeting point, and dress for the wind.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want the city's story and layout in one easy walk.
- Families
- Best for older children and teens; it is a walking tour with history rather than activities.
- Couples
- Take the tour in the afternoon, then stay downtown for dinner on Mass Ave or around the Circle.
- Pair with
- The Soldiers and Sailors Monument observation deck and the Indiana State Museum.
- Time needed
- An hour and a half.
Good questions
Where does the Indy Walking Tours walk start?+
It starts at 24 West Washington Street, at the Taco Bell Cantina. Look for a guide in an orange jacket and hat.
How long is the Indianapolis walking tour?+
The walk lasts about 90 minutes, including a 15-minute break at Tavern at the Point. It ends back at the meeting point.
What does the Indy walking tour cover?+
It passes Monument Circle, the Indiana War Memorial, Christ Church Cathedral and the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre. The guide covers the history and architecture of downtown.
Is the Indy Walking Tours walk accessible?+
It is not wheelchair accessible, though service animals are allowed. Expect around an hour and a half on foot.
Can I cancel the walking tour?+
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start. Gratuities are already included in the price.
