Indianapolis is a large city in the Midwest of the United States of America and has almost 800,000 inhabitants. Indianapolis is also the capital of Indiana. The state borders Michigan to the north and Ohio to the east.

The landscape of Indiana is characterized by two geographical regions of the United States: the Central Lowland and the Interior Low Plateau.

Racing fans in particular know Indianapolis for its car races, which have been thrilling audiences for more than a century. The first 500-mile race was held in Indianapolis in 1911. In addition, there is a nature-loving, relaxed Indianapolis that is waiting to be discovered. The city is home to botanical gardens, nature reserves and parks such as the “Butterfly Paradise”.

Indianapolis is considered an economic metropolis, city of sports and cultural center. Although Indianapolis isn’t primarily cultural, the city has a lot of culture to offer. Indianapolis is considered the venue for trade fairs, exhibitions, festivals that the city organizes itself and other events on a national level.

This means that there is never a dull moment in Indianapolis. Highlights of architecture in the city include the Capitol, modern buildings, and structures from centuries past.

Indianapolis 500 – One of the most famous car races in the world

The city is best known for the oldest car race in the world (Indianapolis 500). Another special feature is the Monument Circle, which is nicknamed the “Circle City” of the city of Indianapolis.

Sights and attractions in Indianapolis

One of the city’s most famous sights is the Indianapolis Motorspeedway, which opened at the beginning of the 20th century. It is home to the world’s largest one-day sporting event (Indy 500), which attracts visitors from all over the world.

The Children’s Museum

This children’s museum is considered the largest museum of its kind in the world. Above all, the presentation of the areas of knowledge according to the motto: “Touch and participate” offers children an exciting insight into many topics. The museum also offers climbing opportunities, a planetarium and an amusement park. For families, there is no way around the Children’s Museum.

But in addition to fun for children, Indianapolis offers gastronomy and nightlife at its best. If the children are tired after a visit to the Children’s Museum – no problem. Enjoy the city’s nightlife and culinary delights.

The Indianapolis Zoo and Fort Harrison Park

A must-see for children is the zoo in the city, which can be reached from any hotel in the city due to its location. Here, children will find wild animals such as elephants, giraffes and dolphins.

Fort Harrison Park provides sufficient exercise for the children. An extensive network of cycle paths runs through the site. There are also a large number of playgrounds and play zones that are equipped for children. With its picnic areas, the park allows you not to use up your wallet. Family fathers get their money’s worth when they visit the military training area, which makes up part of the site, for which permission is granted.

Tropical park or “butterfly paradise”

This is the highlight when it comes to outdoor activities. The butterfly paradise is home to many different species of butterflies and birds, including species that almost no one knows. In addition, there are a large number of bird species. There are picnic areas on the extensive grounds of the park. For this reason, it is advisable to fill your picnic basket with food and drinks before heading to the park.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Furthermore, Indiana’s downtown offers the Museum of Indian Culture and Western Art. This house is one of the best museums of its kind in the eastern United States . Visitors can get an insight into Native American culture as well as Western Art and contemporary Native American art.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art

The art museum, which was built at the end of the 19th century, is surrounded by forests and sculpture gardens. It offers a variety of works of European, American and African art from the period 600 BC to the present day.

The Conner Prairie Living History Museum

This is a history museum ten kilometers north of Indianapolis. This museum vividly depicts cultural, economic and environmental changes by means of costumed actors. The changes relate to the time of the settlement of the area by Europeans. Be transported back in time to another time (mid-19th century) at this history museum, with Midwestern villages like Prairietown.

The Indiana State Museum and The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument

This museum connects the history of the state, from the indigenous population to the present day. That is, it presents his development in an entertaining and instructive way.

The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is a war memorial. The memorial honors the fallen sons of Indiana in the period from the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to the end of the American Civil War.

The Art Centre

Art and sport are not mutually exclusive. This is proven by car races and the cultural center in Indianapolis. Under the roof of the art centre there are studios and exhibition halls. There are also concert halls and a library.

A visit to the art centre, which offers a surprise at almost any time, is particularly suitable for those who decide at short notice. For everyone else, the tourist center offers sufficient information about the program in the art center.

The Indiana State Capitol

The Capitol is an imposing building and a masterpiece of architecture. Years ago, the building was renovated, so that now, partly in Renaissance garb, it exudes a special dignity. Admission to the Capitol costs nothing. The same applies to the majority of the city’s sights.

In the heart of North Carolina lies the bustling, eclectic capital city of Raleigh. The life-affirming atmosphere with the largest beer garden in the world, with many bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants is proverbial. Historic attractions meet modern buildings and facilities.

Raleigh was founded in 1792 to be the new capital of North Carolina . At the same time, Raleigh also replaced the previous administrative center of Wake County in New Bern . The county, Wake County, has since been governed from Raleigh. The name is a reminiscence of the explorer of the North Carolina coast, Sir Walter Raleigh. Curiously, however, the Englishman was never here, but steered the expedition from London .

Today, Raleigh is the second largest city in North Carolina. It invests a lot of education and training facilities and thus attracts young innovative entrepreneurs. In association with the neighbouring towns of Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham, research and training capacities have been pooled. Under the term “The Triangle”, the focus is on technology from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. In this way, the region has created attractive conditions for young companies, students and young professionals. This explains a predominantly young population and a diverse cultural scene.

Historic Raleigh

Even though modernity has found its way into the city, history and historical sites are still cherished and cared for.

• The North Carolina State Capitol now houses only the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor. It is one of the most impressive old buildings.
  Historic buildings that are worth visiting are often located in beautiful, well-kept parks. For example, a walk through the “Mordecai Historic Park” leads to the birthplace of the 17th President Andrew Johnson. Five generations have lived in the house and visitors today get an impression of what everyday life was like back then.
• In “The Historic Oak View County Park” you can recreate country life in the 19th century. It is vividly depicted with the house of a large landowner. A pecan nut plantation and a gin museum complete the picture. In front of the historic houses, where well-known personalities have lived, there are signs pointing out the prominent residents.
• History also lives in downtown Raleigh in the historic district, “Historic Oakwood”. Mighty oak trees have given the district its name and line the streets flanked by beautiful old houses.
• One of the most exciting projects is the “Dorothea Dix Park”. In the heart of downtown, historic architecture on rolling hills and mighty trees combines with stunning views of Raleigh’s modern skyline.

Raleigh’s Museum World

The “City of Raleigh Museum” shows the history of the city in changing exhibitions. The building alone is worth seeing. The “Briggs Building” from 1874 has retained its special features. The museum gallery is spanned by a remarkable tin ceiling.

Captivating, state-of-the-art exhibits introduce the history of science with extensive collections at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science.
For children, the “Marbles Kids Museum” is exciting. They discover child-friendly exhibitions and educational programs and in the Marbles IMAX they experience an oversized film.

Raleigh’s nickname as the “Smithsonian of the South” comes from the abundance of high-quality, free museums and attractions.

Sports activities in and around Raleigh

As the third most athletic city in the USA , Raleigh has a special reputation. Rock walls for climbing, golf courses, tennis parks, ice rinks and aquatic centers, and horseback riding compete with parks and lakes. Outside the city, a total of 180 miles of greenway trails invite you to hike and bike. The best mountain biking trail is in Lake Crabtree County Park.

The “Neuse River Greenway Trail” is popular. It goes over beaten paths, over bridges, through picturesque swamp landscapes and past historical sights. As part of the “Mountains-to-Sea Trails” long-distance hiking trail, it leads through all of North Carolina.

Due to the mild winters and warm summers, Raleigh is in season all year round.

Raleigh’s Dining Scene

In the “Morgan Street Food Hall” or in the “Transfer Co. Food Hall”, an abundance of fresh seafood tempts you to try bagels, tacos and gourmet ice cream.
International restaurants such as the “Garland” offer exotic delicacies. Specialties from Laos are available in the “Bida Manda”.

America’s best chef, Ashley Christensen, has built a wide-ranging food scene. She serves at Poole’s Diner, is also the owner of a burger joint, a “chicken and waffle” spot, an underground liquor bar and runs a wood-fired contemporary restaurant.

For “Happy Hour” people meet in the “Raleigh Beer Garden”. With 350 types of beer, the world’s largest selection of different beers is available.

Beer is a big topic in Raleigh. More than 10 years ago, Sumit Vohra started to give space to his passion and started producing high-quality ales. His “Lonerider Brewing Company” now has a reputation as one of the best beer producers in the country. This means that a West Texas-style brewery that produces a German-style Hefeweizen is run by a man from India . When night falls in Raleigh, Raleigh becomes a welcoming Southern small town.

You can try delicious cocktails in bars with live music and various types of beer on the roof of the largest beer garden in the world. Nightlife pulsates in five entertainment districts of the city.

Phoenix, the capital of the “Grand Canyon State” Arizona, is not necessarily one of the top places on the list of the most popular travel destinations for tourists from Europe, because the high temperatures deter many vacationers. It’s true that it’s not exactly chilly, especially during the summer months, but it’s still worth a detour to Phoenix. The city with its many modern, air-conditioned high-rise commercial buildings and shopping centers still scores with a nostalgic cowboy and gold digger atmosphere.

General information about Phoenix

Phoenix is located approximately at the height of San Diego in the southwest of the United States in the so-called Sun Valley, i.e. the Valley of the Sun. In fact, the sun shines here on 312 days of the year and the thermometer usually shows at least 38 °C during the day and not infrequently even over 45 °C during the months from May to September. However, since it is an extremely dry desert air, the heat is much more bearable than in other areas of the world. Statistically speaking, rain only falls on three days per month, which is definitely an advantage for many outdoor activities. Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the USA and where a few decades ago there were endless cattle pastures, there are now state-of-the-art building complexes. There are several interesting museums in Phoenix, so that not only outdoor activities must be on the program during a stay, but also cultural experiences are possible.

Sights and excursion destinations

One of the main attractions of Phoenix is definitely the Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park, where 50,000 desert plants can be seen. Most visitors are amazed at how diverse the vegetation in the desert can be. On the extensive area alone, 250 different agave and 1320 different cactus species grow, so that the park is an absolute must for friends of botany. If you are interested in the culture of the indigenous people of Arizona, which is about half the size of the Federal Republic of Germany , you should also pay a visit to the Heard Museum. Here, both works of art of the Native People are exhibited and information is provided about their eventful history. In the beautiful outdoor area there are numerous impressive sculptures, the contemplation of which can be combined with a refreshment in the beautifully situated café.

The Phoenix Zoo is also definitely a worthwhile destination. Around 3000 animals live on the site, which are housed in appropriately designed areas according to their origin. In addition, the park is involved in various international breeding programs and specifically supports the conservation of many local animal species.

The region around Phoenix is an ideal area for numerous outdoor activities. For example, tourists like to come to the area for hiking or horseback riding. From October to May, the temperature conditions are such that you can walk Camelback Mountain, which is very characteristically located in the landscape near Phoenix. The beautiful view of the city from above compensates for the efforts of the route, which offers hardly any shade and must be described as challenging.

If you have always dreamed of a ride through the desert, you can make this dream come true in Phoenix, because there is a wide range of rides of different lengths under experienced guidance. Alternatively, you can also experience the Sonoran Desert from a bird’s eye view in a hot air balloon – guaranteed to be an unforgettable holiday experience. Although almost all hotels in Phoenix have a swimming pool where you can refresh yourself after a long, hot day of sightseeing, many tourists also choose the Six Flags Hurricane Harbour water park for a few hours of splashing fun. In the largest theme park in the state of Arizona , in addition to a huge wave pool, attractions such as slides and fast-paced inflatable boat rides provide a lot of fun for young and old visitors.

From Phoenix, it is not far to Scottsdale, a city in the Sonoran Desert that is one of the favorite destinations of rich Americans who would like to spend their time on an excellent golf course or in an exclusive SPA. Scottsdale is also a shopping paradise with a wide range of offers and, with more than 120 museums and galleries, it is also extremely interesting for art lovers.

Local gastronomic specialties

In Arizona, today’s native cuisine is based on the typical dishes of the indigenous people. The use of pumpkins, beans and corn is an integral part of many dishes. Something very special here is the blue corn, which differs not only in color from the one we know, but also in taste. It is often used to make delicious cakes. If you want to eat away from the well-known fast food chains or pizzerias in Phoenix, you will find numerous restaurants serving local specialties. The desert dwellers, for example, know how to make a syrup from the fruits of some cactus species, which is then used in various barbecue sauces. Steaks on an open fire, grilled in the style of cowboys, are on the menu in all steakhouses in the city. You should also try one of the soups with beans and meat, which are often thickened with shredded cedar ash, which gives them an unmistakable, slightly malty taste. A tip for vegetarians is the scarlet, jelly-like soup made from the small red sumac berries.

Phoenix is a great destination for vacationers who are enthusiastic about the fantastic Arizona scenery and still don’t want to miss out on a certain luxury.