For the times you want to enjoy a new city even on a quick walk
Sightseeing on a tight schedule? On a quick 2-day work trip to Indianapolis, my only free time was before 9am and after 8pm. Visiting anything that needed a ticket was out of the question. As well as anything not in the middle of the city. Yet I was able to get three sightseeing sessions in. The fix? Walk the neighborhood or head to a park. Bonus points if you’re able to find a sculpture park.
Sightseeing on tight schedule
With my limited time, my only options were anything public and nearby. For these pictures, it was arrival day, so I had some time before evening work events. Thankfully, a park was right across the street from my hotel, so I didn’t even have to search. You can check out a few popular spots online and pick one, two if you’ve got the time. Whether it’s more greenery and gardens, a sculpture park, or just a regular park featuring statues, you can get a little sightseeing and people watching done in on your trip.
Another option is to research the best spots for pictures in the area. This will likely lead to architecture, sculptures, statues, monuments, a body of water, and bridges. Find things near each other since one popular spot seems grow roots and the community jumps in to add more things to look at or experience. When all else fails, make sure the area you’re in is safe, and simply go for a walk.
On previous posts, going for a walk was my best option to soak in a part of Indianapolis. Even taking the same walk but in both day and night can lead you to some great photography. I found myself appreciating and noticing different things in the same place depending on time of day. I find it to be a more complete sightseeing experience.
Another easy idea would be looking for a great bakery, coffee shop, or restaurant. Best options will be in a great neighborhood, walkable and comfortable. And they’ll be in batches. It’s not common for a great bakery or coffee shop to be isolated or randomly out of the way. Find great places to eat, and you’ll naturally run into fun and interesting shops, parks, beautiful homes and gardens.
White River State Park – The Only Urban Cultural State Park
To give you an idea on size, the population of Indianapolis is just under 900k. For me, this would be a smaller city but the benefit here is things are closer together. White River State Park’s tagline, The Only Urban Cultural State Park, is an interesting concept. This has a little bit of everything and much closer together than other cities.
It has an arena, zoo, gardens, sculptures, state history museum, boat rentals, and biking trails. A commission to establish the park began in 1979, with the zoo opening in 1988. This was followed by Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in 1989. Since then, different kinds of places and activities opened to all that it is today.
But on this quick trip, I had a short time to get in the sights.
Despite being so wide open, I was able to capture a quiet moment. This was in early September, so trees and greenery were beginning to wilt and turn the slightest yellow. Although not cold enough for the reds and oranges autumn is known for.
A view of the Indiana State Museum from afar to the get the complete building.
The view was late as day(light) can be. This was close to 6pm. Wish I got to see the park at night but will have to add that to the list next time I go. Notice the weeping willows on the left with their wilting leaves. Don’t often see the American Flag up in parks, so a nice surprise.
Another view of the Indiana State Museum, this time incorporating a little nature for framing. The leaves overhead and grass on the ground makes the museum give us a little peek. Although, taking this picture in the shade with the museum in the light, it’s a bit ominous.
The Tent by Donald Lipski
Titled The Tent, Donald Lipski made this eye-catching sculpture. At 43 feet high and 16 feet wide, size alone brings the child out in everyone as you look up to it. Take your pick as to what’s more appealing to the eye. In a splatter of color, neatly stacked, little squares hang for a fun background. It makes me think of the 1960s. Or the reflective interior in which you can catch the blue sky, clouds and everything. Even zeroing in on the silver railing as it nearly climbs the sky is a fun shot.
But the real show happens as the winds breeze by. Those little hanging squares start swinging. The sunlight reflects off the interior reflective metal and a flickering of light begins. This only intensifies throughout the evening and into the night. Interior lighting shining up allows the sculpture to continue to glisten in the dark. The pops of color still show up as they pull forward. Even better, the flickering lights begin to shine on the ground itself and walls around the plaza. The playful bursts of lights now at your feet.
This is impressive. Although not exactly interactive, most sculptures don’t have a performative or moving element to it. Best of all, this is triggered by winds so the sculpture can be very active without an audience. Nature breathes life into it this sculpture, if only for a few seconds.
It was commissioned by the Indy 500 Festival to celebrate its 50th anniversary back in 2008. A wonderful gift to the city.
Open Spaces and the Canal
The area is very beautiful and serene. The wide open spaces in the plaza and walking paths allows for a community feel, which is often missing in larger cities. Even the small bridges bring its own charm to the area. I was surprised to see the canal running in the middle of the city like this. This is part of the Indiana Central Canal that was built in 1836 in order to more easily transport goods. A common practice at the time.
Indianapolis does lean a bit into the canal aesthetic with its own gondola rides. And yes, my gondolier serenaded my colleague and I with Phantom of the Opera’s Music of the Night. This was NOT requested but a fun surprise since I happen to love musical theatre. This ride was taken at night, so it might’ve been the default song choice. Or I just happen to look like a musical theatre fan.
But back to my daytime quick sightseeing in between work functions. It’s a great area to take a stroll and people were walking around, jogging, riding their bicycles. Coming from a larger city, I’m always thrown off by the population difference. Smaller cities seem a bit more isolated or “empty” since I’m so used to how densely populated Chicago is. People are always out.
By this point, I was near the end of what I’d spot in terms of sculptures so I aimed for the distance. Indianapolis seems like a great place to take in a quick road trip or weekend getaway. I think if one came for the weekend, they could take in a lot of things to see and do.
Clouds must be different in Indianapolis
Love seeing the light shining brightly behind the clouds. Not sure if it was a time of year or just that day, but clouds were very apparent in Indianapolis. Funny, because when clouds look their most impressive, it also looks the most fake. Too good to be true. There are sometimes a divine or biblical quality to clouds to the point that I’m not sure I believe them. Maybe it’s just me. Not a conspiracy theorist but I do think we should all share notes on this and compare pictures. I can go first with a previous post, “The Easiest Sightseeing You’ll Ever Do.” Yes, these are pictures of the sky and clouds (and terrain) from my plane rides over the years.
Indianapolis is weirdly cloud proud or has strong sky pride…I kept being aware of the sky and clouds. In this case, it could be sports team colors. After this trip, I was surprised to find the JW Marriott often trades out imagery on the building. I thought they regularly kept it blank to keep the sky and clouds aesthetic. Clouds on a very blue reflective glass building bleeding into the actual sky looks good without even trying. Not sure why you’d cover that up.
Indiana State Museum also had a simple glass building perfect for clouds to reflect. These buildings made me think of the highly reflective glass buildings of Chicago. However, those buildings are green and dark blue (almost purple). A lot of Chicago buildings include a lot of lines or textures so even if they’re reflecting the clouds, the effect isn’t the same. Indianapolis architecture seems to be cloud happy.
Eyes back on the ground, I ran into a more serious piece of art.
Wisdom Keeper by Bruce Lafountain
Bruce Lafountain created this bronze sculpture of a stoic face framed by a headdress. Note the slightly textured framing surrounding the smooth face. A serious figure but not intimidating. Peaceful. The overall shape and presence makes me think of a monolith. There’s a spiritual element to its stance. It feels eternal. Commanding your attention, despite being reserved.
Yet once you walk around it, you’re suddenly facing a stunning eagle with its sharp eyes staring you down. A silent power behind the seemingly quiet, guard-like being. This sculpture is mentioned to be a spiritual transformation as the warrior becomes the eagle. I see it as the eagle existing in us all, no matter the façade.
Bruce Lafountain is of Chippewa, Cree, and French ancestry and was raised at Turtle Mountain Reservation. He created this in 1998.
Rhino Arch by Jerald Jacquard
Rhino Arch by Jerald Jacquard is animated sculpture that made me think of the ‘90s, specifically the AOL running figure. Maybe it’s the color or rounded shape, but that’s my immediate thought. There’s an antiquated feel of animation in this one. In the ‘90s, I remember this type of look was everywhere and seen as modern at the time. No clue on the title. My best guess is the rhino arch is in reference to the shape the rhino makes as it arches its neck over to drink water. Yes, I’m confused. This was created in 1975, a very durable piece of art. I want to look more into it because I have no idea what I’m looking at.
Keep your eyes on the ground: metallic state emblems
And to end with one of my favorites. While walking to the Indiana State Museum, these metallic images or stamps were the ground. Each circle is a state and filled in metallic stars denotes the order in which it became a US state. It has the date of establishment and the state outline in metallic as well. I caught on with Delaware, which I remembered was the first state from a high school assignment. Didn’t realize New Jersey was the third, much earlier than I thought. I loved seeing it on the ground and wished I had more time to “collect” more states.
Indianapolis’ White Rivers State Park was a great experience. I’m happy with the pictures I got, despite not being able to hang around too long. There’s clearly more to see but would be a great visit, even on a tight schedule. It has left me wanting more so I’ll need to hop on back sometime later this year. One of the best things about taking pictures are all the finds you now have a record of. Looking back at the pictures for this post reminded me of how much I enjoyed just sightseeing. And learning a bit more about these structures and Indianapolis is the cherry on top.
Imagine all the things I would’ve lost if it weren’t for photos. I could’ve very easily just strolled through the park, enjoyed what I saw, and never thought about it ever again. But snapping a picture is forever and the digital reminder I needed. I remember all of things I told myself I’d return to visit but haven’t thought about. Even when planning out trips this year. Thanks to pictures, the excitement for Indianapolis is built up again.