Indianapolis, also known as The Crossroads of America, owing to a large network of roads connecting several cities like Chicago, Louisville and Cincinnati, is the capital of Indiana and the fourteenth largest city in the United States. With an estimated population of 807,584, the city rapidly developed into a modern metropolitan city starting from the 1970s towards the late 1980s. Indianapolis experiences four distinct seasons each year. Summer can get temperatures as high as ninety degrees Fahrenheit, but spring and autumn are both mild and pleasant. Winters are distinctly cold but only a few inches above freezing temperatures at maximum. Indianapolis has an average income of $40,154 per household and generates most of its economic revenue from its unified labor and media market. Attractions in the city are extremely diverse, with all sorts of entertainment being highly popular. There are a great number of war memorials in the state, surpassed only by Washington DC, including monuments such as the Monument Circle and the War Memorial Plaza. For those interested in history there are also lots of other places such as President Benjamin Harrison's home, or the Madam Walker Theatre Center. There are also a great number of festivals and events hosted in the city each year, such as the Indiana State Fair and the Indy Jazz Fest. For those that favor outdoor activity, Indianapolis has a great number of outdoor recreation parks, including parks such as White River State Park or the Eagle Creek Park.
It was in 1821 when Indianapolis was founded as the state capital. A judge of the Indiana Supreme Court, Jeremiah Sullivan, invented the name Indianapolis. He combined Indiana with “polis,” a Greek word which means city. Hence, Indianapolis means “Indiana City.” Alexander Ralston was commissioned by the state to design the new capital city. His original plan was for a city of only one square mile, and, at the heart of the city would be the Governor's Circle and the site of the Governor's mansion. In 1857, the Governor's mansion was demolished, and a neoclassical limestone and bronze monument standing 284 feet was built in its place. The monument was called the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, and now known as the Monument Circle.
The discovery of natural gas and oil deposits in the surrounding areas in the late 19th century contributed to Indianapolis' prosperity. An acceleration of growth in and around the Metropolitan Area of Indianapolis occurred in the 1990s. The population rapidly increased in the first half of the 20th century.
Indianapolis is reputable for its strong fondness in sports which the city government encourages. The city is called The Amateur Sports Capital of the World, and the Racing Capital of the World. The people of Indianapolis have hosted several sporting events like the 1987 Pan American Games, the NCAA Basketball Tournament, and the United States Grand Prix.
Indianapolis is the county seat of Marion County, Indiana with around 790,000 dwellers. Living in the city is affordable and the place is easy to navigate. The city is fun for the entire family. The city's low cost of living and several world-class amenities are the reasons why the place is getting worldwide attention. Indianapolis offers a great quality of living for families.
There are different museums that the children can explore and enjoy. There are several parks perfect for family outings and activities as well. The city has also attracted tourists with its great parks and places worth-seeing. Sporting events are also abundant here. Indianapolis is a home to sports governing bodies like the NCAA that will host the 2012 Super Bowl. Indianapolis has earned good reputation with sports because of the people's fondness of these activities. Arts and culture abound in this city and there are museums that offer free entrances through the year.
The city is served by many kinds of transportation making workplaces, shopping centers, business offices and others accessible for the residents and tourists. There are airports, intercity transportations, buses and many others to use for public transportation. The city is not quite populated that's why it has a low amount of traffic congestion.
WellPoint, IBM, Clarian Health Partners, ELI Lilli and Company and Taco Bell are among the most popular firms with Indianapolis jobs. The occupations common in the city are management, professional and related careers with 31 percent, while the occupations in sales and office have 27 percent of the Indianapolis jobs. Other occupations like the production, transportation, and material moving jobs, 14%. An estimate of 80% of Indianapolis employees work for the companies, while the 10% work for the government and the 5% are self-employed.
The common jobs listed for Indianapolis jobseekers are front desk jobs, registered nurse jobs, physical therapist jobs, dental assistant jobs, office management jobs, and sales representative jobs. The leading industries of Indianapolis, Indiana are educational, health and social services, manufacturer and retail trade, and these industries are hiring the most workers. The average wage for jobs in the city is $32,020. The average income of households is $40,051. Indianapolis has an unemployment rate of 5.5% according to surveys, compared to the national average of 5.8%. According to some data, the jobs in Indianapolis have significantly increased since December 2008 by 10%. In 2008, Indianapolis was recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 10 Best Cities in the country for jobseekers to search and secure good jobs, making this an advantage for the young adult professionals and those who are looking for their first career opportunities and those who wish to make transitions in their career path.
Indianapolis restaurants do not just satisfy hunger and cravings but also nourish the spirit. There are hundreds of excellent restaurants in Indianapolis that contribute to the fascinating and unique character of the city. And because Indianapolis, Indiana is a home to a diverse population, more variety in dining have been available. These places are known for their outstanding services and delicious cuisines. In downtown Indianapolis there are famous restaurants that will surely make a memorable dining experience for the visitors and denizens alike. 14 West Restaurant brings an old-world charm and elegance. Agio's Restaurant is a stylish and upscale restaurant. In the north side of Indianapolis are other restaurants that satisfy the appetite of any palate.
The Sakura Japanese Restaurant is a place perfect for those craving for sushi. They have 25 years of experience making Japanese favorites of which the Sakura Maki and Nigiri Yokozuna have earned regular customers and invited new comers. St. Elmo's Steak House is a place to go for steak. This is one of the oldest restaurants in Indianapolis. Their best cuisine is the spicy shrimp cocktail. At Eagle's Nest, couples can have a romantic evening of dining with a great view of the downtown skyline and pleasant atmosphere. These are just some of the many great restaurants in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis is not only known for the sporting events the city is hosting. Indianapolis culture is one of the most important parts. Naptown is all about Indianapolis art. In any large city, art is a basic cultural standard. Notable organizations in Indianapolis like the Hoosier Salon and The Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis take direct approach to enhance the community by concentrating and giving much focus on art and its benefits. In the art community of this city, the satisfaction and craving for Indianapolis art range from fine art or modern art to Native American art which can be found in Indianapolis art museums. The Eiteljorg Museum, located in downtown Indianapolis, exhibits both Native American and Western art. The Indianapolis Museum of Art contains more than 50,000 works of art from different periods in history. There are several other museums and galleries throughout Indianapolis that will satisfy and please the visitors.
Fabulous performances are everywhere in Indy for everyone to get entertained. The American Cabaret Theatre is renowned for its professional productions. Children can get their training at Asante Children's Theatre, where children from age of nine to twenty-one can develop their talents. Regular full-length musicals and stage plays can be adored in the Buck Creek Players Theatre. The young performers are reputable for producing professional and exemplary performances.
There are several tourist attractions in Indianapolis that the visitors surely love and enjoy. Theme parks, tours, national parks, historic sites and more are some of the reasons to marvel the city. Planning a vacation in this city will be a full-packed adventure and excitement. The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard are two of the largest sporting events in the world.
Around 250,000 people from different places flock to Indianapolis to witness these events. Indy is also known for the Indianapolis museums, which are one of the most unique museums in the world. The Indianapolis Children's Museum is a good place to visit for the entire family. The museum is youth-oriented, educational and fun especially for the kids.
There are other attractions on the northern part of the city. The North Meridian Street is a historic district that has been preserved for the residents and visitors to enjoy. The Broad Ripple Park is an extraordinary place for fun activities. The beautiful park has athletic fields, trails, picnic grounds and a family center. Fishing, boating and swimming can be done here. Across the south of Indianapolis, attraction like the Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden or Garfield Park is here. This is a home to one of most popular conservatories in the country. The place has 10,000 square feet of botanicals and other living things. Going east to Fort Harrison State Park and Fort Golf Course is another place worth-visiting. This park is named after President Benjamin Harrison. There are more attractions that tourists and residents will have fun with in Indianapolis.
The denizens of Indianapolis love to have fun once the sun goes down, and the city has so much to offer to make night escapades more enjoyable. The adventures range from dining at favorite restaurants in the city, watching movies or partying at the bars. In Indy, locals are free to go wherever the night takes them. The city offers some of the finest nightlife in the country. There are pubs and tons of bars to choose from. Unforgettable nights can be experienced in Broad Ripple Village where dance clubs and bars are for a great barhopping adventure. If the club scene is not a choice, there are places for playing pool, bowling, video games and much more in Jillian's downtown. Couples can have a romantic night riding a horse-drawn carriage around Monument Circle. Indianapolis' nightlife is vibrant and awesome.
After dark, great times can be enjoyed at 31 Bar & Grill. This fun place is one of Indianapolis' great places with dancing bars and downtown clubs. The 6 Lounge and Restaurant and Andrus O'Reilly's Sports Bar are also favorite places of the locals to enjoy the night. Unwind and listen to music here in Blu Lounge, this is a perfect martini bar to be with friends and simply have fun chatting and catching up. The Chatterbox Jazz Club is only for those over 21 years old. It is a popular bar in Indianapolis since this is also a smoking establishment. Locals and visitors can also get an amusing night at Crackers Comedy Club.
Indianapolis is one of those big cities that make shopping like strolling in wonderland. There are many wonderful shopping centers in the city for the locals' and visitors' delights. In downtown Indianapolis is where the Circle Centre Mall is located, a favorite of locals and tourists alike. The Fountain Square District has several shops having a unique old-time feel that link to the hip population of the cultural districts. In North Indianapolis, the shops along Broad Ripple Village offer funky and new stuffs. The Castleton Square Mall has all the popular stores that the locals and tourists are looking for. Clay Terrace Mall is also a hot destination. Upscale stores and one of the coolest art cinemas in Indianapolis are found in Fashion Mall at Keystone Mall. Glendale Mall is better than ever, brand new shops are in this newly refurbished mall.
The Hamilton Town Center welcomes visitors from all over Indianapolis. There are many other shopping centers for a glorious shopping experience namely the Indianapolis Pavilions, Village Park Plaza, College Park Plaza, Traders Point, Greenwood Park Mall, Shadeland Antique Mall, Washington Square Mall, Lafayette Square and others. These places offer best buys for the shoppers to marvel and take pleasure in.
Indianapolis denizens who want, need and love to get in shape have countless options for that. Gyms and fitness clubs are abundant in Indianapolis. Right classes and equipment guarantee a perfect workout for visitors and locals alike. The Anytime Fitness is open 24/7 and 365 days a year. Those who are late and early exercisers can always catch up in this fitness center. Low cost fitness classes are available in Bally Total Fitness.
The place has a simple gym but good enough to take care of every visitor's fitness needs. Other fitness centers like Baxter YMCA and Benjamin Harrison YMCA have one of Indy's finest fitness facilities. Kids can also enjoy fitness classes in Kids Fitness. The kids who are not interested in sports can gain self-confidence and learn healthy eating. They also get to enjoy burning calories. This is a fun avenue for young athletes to be trained and learn proper techniques to keep themselves fit and active. Lifetime Fitness has a structured group classes and programs for children. They get to have fun in climbing wall, basketball courts and indoor/outdoor pool. Personal training and nutritional counseling are all offered here. Indianapolis has many more of these fitness centers for the whole family and active individuals.
Indianapolis, Indiana is one of our nation's most walkable cities and is filled with an array of hotels and inns for visitors to choose from. Home of the White River State Park, this area is rich in outdoor adventures, art, and culture. Conrad Indianapolis Hotel, tucked away in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, offers the convenience of location and comfort, making this grand 23-story building a tourist's delight. Nearby, guests can enjoy a performance of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, spend a night at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, or browse an art gallery. Hilton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites is filled with luxurious amenities and beautiful accommodations.
The Indiana Art Museum and Indiana Children's Museum are close by and ready to be experienced by visitors. Romantic options abound throughout the city: simply step outside and enjoy the sites the old-fashioned way on a horse-drawn carriage ride. Explore the Old Northside Neighborhood, and find the Yellow Rose Inn. This historic colonial-style mansion offers warm hospitality with a whimsical touch. The inn is surrounded by enchanted gardens, charming the guests with its welcoming presence. Couples can go into the city for a romantic Venice-style gondolier ride on the canal, than take in the sights and sounds of a place that truly comes to life after dark. Indianapolis and its beautiful hotels, offer more attractions than most people have time in a day for, but it is certainly worth trying. It is a wonderful place to visit, though some may be tempted to stay.
Indianapolis has eleven different school districts that service the area. Indianapolis Public Schools served the whole area before 1970 and now it is the largest school district that operates in the old city boundaries. 34,000 students go to different public schools in this district. The staff consists of 4,100 workers, 2,400 teachers among them. The Graduation rate in 2009 was 49.8%. Other school districts operate in suburban areas and have fewer students and fewer schools than the Indianapolis Public Schools.
Students in all of the eleven districts are assigned to a certain school; in most districts parents also can have some choice. For students who don't succeed in regular schools, there are alternative options as special schools and programs. There are also several charter schools in Marion County that can control their own staffing, curriculum and budget and in exchange they have to meet the highest standards in academics. Charter schools are open for everybody. In case there are more applications than the school can accept, new students will be randomly selected. All the school districts have Magnet programs and some also give adult education. There are also private schools in Indianapolis, most of them a run by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
There are many options for getting higher education in Indianapolis. Butler University is one of the oldest, as it was founded in 1855. They currently have 4,400 students. Butler has a huge sports heritage especially in basketball and volleyball. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis has a student body of 30,000. It has a large campus which is also home to Herron School of Art and Design. Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana is a state funded school with more than 86,000 students. There is also a Catholic school called the University of Indianapolis that is run under the United Methodist Church.
Indiana and other major communities in the state are serviced by Indiana International Airport. It is home to a large FedEx operation along with the United States Postal Service. A new airport was completed recently as the biggest development initiative Indianapolis has ever had. It opened for business in November 2008 and it covers 1,200,000 square feet with 40 gates.
Public transportation is run by the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, also known as IndiGo. It operates 150 buses that service around 5,000 stops and 9 million passengers annually. Most of the vehicles used are Gillig Low Floor Coaches. IndiGo also has an Open Doors service for the disabled. Regular fare on IndiGo buses is $1.75. A Day pass is available for $4. 7-Day and 31-Day passes can also be purchased. IndiGo has a half fare policy for seniors over 65, youth under 18 and people with disabilities. They have a good website with trip planning options.
There is a people mover service operated by Clarian Health in Indianapolis. This service connects the Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital and Wishard Hospital with the Methodist Hospital. It is open for the public, but usually serves patients, doctors and staff of several medical facilities.
Amtrak services the Indianapolis Union Station, providing a service to Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington and New York City. Greyhound Lines also has a terminal in the Indianapolis Union Station.
Indianapolis has several issues with transportation. It's the largest city in the US that doesn't have a subway or a light rail system. There are plans to build a light rail system, but it will take many more years for it to be opened. Until then taxis and rental cars are the best options for tourists or businessmen who need to move around the city and who don't want to relay on public transportation.
Indianapolis has a city-council, which is a consolidation of Marion County and Indianapolis. The council serves as the legislative branch of the government. The Council entertains any of the following: authorizing financial appropriations, adopting budgets, repealing local laws, amending local laws and levying taxes. Members of community boards and commissions are appointed by the council. The council meeting is open to the public.
In Indianapolis, there is a Circuit Court, Marion Superior Court and Small Claims Courts. The Circuit Court is under the Indiana Constitution's authority. The Marion Superior Court, on the other hand, was created as the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit State of Indiana, whereas the Small Claims Courts were instituted through the State Legislature. Indianapolis has a Clerk's Office, one Circuit Court, five Superior Courts and nine Small Claims Courts in the city. The Circuit Court is composed of a judge and four commissioners. The Superior Court is divided into five different divisions namely Civil Division, Probate Division, Criminal Division, Juvenile Division and Environmental Division. Each division has a different composition. General civil cases, probate, juvenile, domestic relations and environmental cases are all under the Civil Division. The criminal charges fall to the Criminal Division. A division may be composed of a combination of none or several judges, magistrates and commissioners. The Marion Supreme Court has 35 judges, 29 commissioners and magistrates. There are about 750 staff employees in the Court.
The Circuit Court has no jurisdiction on criminal cases because the Marion Superior Court has the exclusive jurisdiction on such criminal cases in the county. Both Courts have parallel rights over civil issues in the county and city. You may learn more about the Indianapolis government by logging on to their website at http://www.indy.gov. The Office of the Court Administrator is at T-1221 City-County Building 200 E. Washington Street Indianapolis.
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