4750 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222

Drive over to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, situated roughly between the airport and downtown, sandwiched between Eagle Creek and White River. It’s a motor sports racing haven here – a petrol-head paradise, with a showcase of impressive race cars, memorabilia, and exhibits celebrating the Indianapolis 500.

The John H. Holliday Family Winners Gallery displays such racecars as the 1911 Marmon Wasp, the very first Indy 500 winner, the 1961 Bowes Seal Fast Special Trevis, and the 2011 William Rast Dallara. Whether you’re a racing buff or just curious about American motorsport culture, it’s a fascinating pit stop at one of the world’s most iconic racing venues. There’s parking for visitors – apart from when the track is rented out for private races and events.

10 South West Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Find hearty American fare in the heart of Indy at downtown High Velocity, located by the White River, next to Victory Field and the Indiana State Museum. The décor is lush, the menu flavorsome, and service exceptional.

The menu includes mains such as smoked salmon bruschetta and an egg sandwich on the breakfast menu if you decide to come here early in the day. If you’re opting for a bite to eat a bit later in the day, the main menu has options like south-west chicken and Philly cheesesteak.

7202 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219

Located just a little out of the central area, Indianapolis Marriott East offers a relaxing, comfortable stay, ideal if you want to stay somewhere quieter than downtown. It’s just off Warren Park and Arlington Woods, with good access to the I-70 and I-465.

There’s an indoor pool, great for getting some strokes in and a cool splashdown, whatever the weather. If you don’t fancy venturing elsewhere to eat, there’s also an on-site restaurant. The convenience store serves as a perfect place to buy snacks and light groceries. While the fitness center lets you blow off some steam with some exercise, the on-site laundry is there if you need to refresh your threads.

98.6 miles & 1 hour 49 minutes

Head south through rolling farmland and small towns such as Martinsville and Bloomington, home to Indiana University Bloomington. On arrival, Hoosier National Forest offers scenic wooded hills. Also, there are great scenic drives, perfect for making the most of your Indianapolis car rental.  There are hiking trails, like Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail and Pate Hollow Trail, and lakes such as Indian Lake and Lake Monroe in some of Indiana’s most rugged natural landscapes. 

174 miles & 2 hours 44 minutes

Traveling west along the I-70, drivers pass through central Indiana farmland before reaching Columbus. It’s known for its remarkable modern architecture like the Wexner Center for the Arts and Greater Columbus Convention Center – both designed by architect Peter Eisenman. Some attractions to see here are Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, North Market Downtown, and Topiary Park.

183 miles & 2 hours 55 minutes

Following I-65 north-west, the route passes Lafayette and the campus of Purdue University before entering north-west Indiana and skirting the southern edge of Indiana Dunes National Park. Arriving in Chicago, travelers can enjoy the famed skyline, lakefront views of Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, and attractions such as Navy Pier and Buckingham Fountain along the famous downtown waterfront.