City: Indianapolis, IN

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (800) 323-4639

Description: Every city has one—a famous landmark that serves as a symbol for the city. In Indy, it’s historic Monument Circle, the site that the Goodyear blimp broadcasts during football games and postcards promote with their colorfully perfect renditions. The Circle (as locals call it) is a favorite gathering spot. It’s a great place to enjoy lunch or sit on the steps on a sunny day and watch people. It’s where free concerts are performed and the annual Christmas tree lighting is observed the day after Thanksgiving. The geographic heart of Indianapolis, Monument Circle is the large circular plaza at the union of Meridian and Market Streets. At the center of the Circle is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The four city blocks that front the Circle are bounded by Ohio Street to the north, Pennsylvania Street to the east, Washington Street to the south, and Illinois Street to the west. Today, the busy plaza is surrounded by small shops, radio station studios, the Hilbert Circle Theatre, financial institutions, the Columbia Club (one of the oldest social clubs in Indianapolis), and the historic Christ Church Cathedral. Take time to admire the architecture of Circle Tower. Built eight years after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922, the tower displays “hieroglyphics” above its Market Street door, a reflection of the Egyptian craze of the day. The tallest building directly on Monument Circle, each level above floor 10 features a setback, designed to reduce the amount of shadow cast on the Circle in the morning hours.