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Culture
more than a pit stop in Indy |
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May
2, 2011 |
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The
Indianapolis Children's Museum generates
excitement both inside and out with its Dinosphere,
seen here from outside. Inside, the kids can watch
fossils being prepared and talk to archaeologists.
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INDIANAPOLIS —
This city, showing the malleability of the self-aware (the
Indianapolis 500 isn't the behemoth it once was), has
embarked on a plan to become a City With Stuff To Do.
Almost overnight, culture in Indy has become more than
watching pit-stop practice or visiting the NCAA Hall of
Champions.
It's
an outdoor sculpture
park, a remarkable children's museum, the Indianapolis
Symphony Orchestra and a gorgeous riverwalk that offer
many delights and two challenges. One is bird-nesting
season, when the little black birds that hang out along
the railing dive-bomb anyone who comes too close. And the
other is turning your head just right so you see the lush
beauty of the riverwalk, while keeping the monstrosity
that is Lucas Oil Stadium out of your view.
Here are four
Indy must-do's:
—Indianapolis
Museum of Art and 100 Acres: The museum has an impressive
collection, just the thing to elevate your tone and
conversation after a sweaty day of vroom-vroom. 100 Acres
is the Virginia
Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, an outdoor sculpture
display and garden. Bring walking shoes. The museum and
100 Acres are free. imamuseum.org.
—Children's
Museum of Indianapolis: Even if you don't have a kid, this
place is seriously cool, from its immense Chihuly glass
sculpture to a new permanent archaeology exhibit,
"National Geographic Treasures of the Earth."
childrensmuseum.org.
—White River
State Park: Be sure to hit the Eiteljorg Museum of
American Indians and Western Art (eiteljorg.org), and the
surprisingly good Indiana State Museum (indianamuseum.org).
—Breakfast at
Cafe Patachou: The notion is "farm to table,"
using organic, fresh ingredients. cafepatachou.com.
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Associated Press
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