Travel Tips: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway “The Brickyard” will play host to the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series this weekend.  Two of the most highly anticipated races of the regular season are held at this racetrack: Indianapolis 500 (IZOD Indy Car) and Brickyard 400 (NASCAR). 

The speedway, which can seat a little over 250,000 spectators, is located in the state capital city of Indianapolis nestled within Marion County. For this week’s edition of Travel Tips, I decided to just focus on this area because it offers an abundance of sights to see as well as things to do.

In addition to the sights and activities listed below, make sure that you don't miss the 4th Annual NASCAR Hauler Parade that will take place on Thursday, July 26 scheduled from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.  Admission is FREE. The procession of over 40 haulers will travel down Main Street in Speedway, Indiana then park in two lines on Main between 10th and 15th Streets. Race fans will have the chance to get an up close view of their favorite driver's hauler.  Legendary NASCAR Team Owner Leonard Wood will be the Grand Marshal. For additional information, click here.

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-Golfing:

Eagle Creek Golf Course is considered to be “one of the Midwest’s premier public facilities, offering 36 holes of Pete Dye championship golf.” It consists of two 18-hole courses, which are the Pine Course and Sycamore Course, for beginners as well as frequent golf players. Pricing Information. 

Saddlebrook Golf Course is located approximately 15 minutes from the speedway and offers a relaxing golf experience for the avid player as well as some family fun. Pricing Information.

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-Fun Parks/Indoor Karting:

Greatimes is five-acre family fun park, which includes a 22,000 square foot indoor facility that houses a multi-level arcade and indoor playland. It is located less than 30 minutes from the speedway. Pricing Information.

Fastimes Indoor Karting Indy is great for folks who may want to get an adrenaline rush by getting behind the wheel themselves.  Travel time is estimated to be about 30 minutes from the speedway. There is adult (must be 18 years or older) and junior (53 inches or taller) karting available during specific times. Pricing Information.

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-Parks/Sites:

Eagle Creek Park & Marina is one of the largest parks in the nation and covers over 3,900 acres of land which offers visitors the opportunity to canoe, fish, hike, picnic, sail or walk. It is located approximately 10 minutes from the speedway. The facility link will take you to the pricing information for the various activities.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum is located approximately five miles from the racetrack and has been designated as a national historic landmark. Some of the items on display are approximately 75 vehicles, historical timing and scoring equipment and several trophies as well as awards.  Additionally, there is a theatre that shows a 20-minute video presentation on historic race footage and Indy 500 race highlights.  Admission Costs: Adults $5.00, Children (6-15) $3.00 and Children (under 6) FREE.

100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park sits adjacent to the Indianapolis Museum of Art on 100-acres of land.  It is the nation’s largest museum art park consisting of a 35-acre lake, meadows, wetlands and woodlands. Admission is FREE.

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-Restaurants

Indianapolis offers a variety of food choices; therefore, I will list a few categories and add the links to those restaurants, which fall under that particular one … Bon Appetit!

Farm-to-Table: Café Patachou ($12 and under) and The Loft at Trader Point’s Creamery ($12 - $24)

Kid-Friendly: Holly Hock Hill ($12 - $24), Mug N Bun  ($12 and under) and The Old Spaghetti Factory ($12 and under)

Steakhouses: Mo’s…A Place for Steaks ($24 - $40) and St. Elmo Steakhouse ($24 - $40)

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For additional visitor information to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, click here.       

For weather updates, click here. 

 

Enjoy race fans!

Race Broadcast Schedule:
July 28 – NASCAR Nationwide Series: Indy 250 

TV: ESPN, 4:00 p.m. ET

July 29 – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Crown Royal presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard

TV: ESPN, 12:00 p.m. ET

Unique Hiram is an Associate Editor/Contributing Writer/Media Rep for Skirts and Scuffs. Additionally, she is also the author of "Fast Lane Poetry" which was published April 2011. Unique can be contacted via email or through Twitter.