I have just received word that a film of mine is going to be screening at a festival in Indianapolis. I love traveling with my movies for the elbow rubbing and open bars. I just don't care for traveling in the US. So I'm kind of on the fence. Is Indianapolis worth visiting?

Haven't been there... Curious what this film is you've made though.

Well, if your film's being screened there, I don't see how you could pass on going. But as to Indianapolis, they don't call it "Indianoplace" for nothing. Unless you have friends or relatives there, or you have tickets to a major event there, or you are a participant in one, it is hard to imagine any reason at all to make a destination of it.

I only live 180 miles away but have never seen a reason to go there, so I am going to say no.

Everywhere is worth visiting even if it is just so you know the place is a shit hole and not to go back

It's a documentary that grew out of some prop 8 protests we staged here in Vancouver. It is about binational same-sex couples who could not sponsor their partners for citizenship in the US so they left friends and family and careers behind to start new lives in Canada. You're right. It is my business so I should really put my personal reservations aside. I don't understand what that means.

screwed up that quote.

Anyways I guess urban dictionary explains the term Indianoplace:


" A derogatory term to refer to the city of Indianapolis, Indiana. This nickname is not entirely without merit, however. Although it's a comfortable, Midwest city with a steadily-growing economy, a growing population and an increase in ammenities, it is perceived as being Dullsville to the Coastal cities. It is easy to see why. It lies in the middle of nowhere--in the flat Corn Belt with no mountains, no rivers or even navigable ones, no culture, no lightlife, no high-density developement, no greenspace, no opportunites to get out and enjoy nature, not a huge number of suburbs, no high-tech jobs and abysmal public transportation. Rumor has it that Indy is talking of creating lightrail in the future, but don't count on it. Too many people in the area are too antiquated and narrowminded to accept changing anything.

Indianapolis is making valiant efforts to reinvent itself and has received national recognition for many of its developments. But it has a long way to go before being considered a hip place and a world-class city that it calls itself, for some reason. Yes, it has made improvements but may never shake off its image. You can't help your geography."

It's a portmanteau word and a pun on the city's name. "Indiana + no place" = "Indianoplace".

Or if it's "don't call it that for nothing" that has you stumped, it's a double negative that means people call it that for reasons that seem good to them.

It's not so devoid of culture as people make it out to be. But what is there, isn't by itself worth a journey.

In my opinion: it depends on what you like to do. They have an awesome zoo (a whole room devoted to sea horses, a glass tube that takes you under the water where you can watch the dolphins swimming in their large habitat, etc). They also have a pretty good "kids museum." I went there with a group of 20 somethings and we had an enjoyable time. There will of course be a variety of local eateries that would be worth checking out.

I don't know ... I can find good things to say about any city. :)

The only reason I can think of is that Indianapolis was used for Metropolis in Superman episodes.

Hello Darling, just remember what Buckaroo said.

I live in Indy. As others have said, I wouldn't make it a destination, it's not a 'cool' city, if that's your thing. But if you're here, there are some things worth researching beforehand to see if they suit you:

As said above, the Childrens' Museum is genuinely top class;
The Motor Speedway is the USA's premier, used to host the US F1 Grand Prix when there was one, and the Indy 500 is the best known US race internationally;
Connor Prairie is a pretty good historical theme park;
Broad Ripple is a nice artsy local village, good ambience--I lived there a while, nice walk-about place;
Fountain Square and Mass Ave in downtown are the other artsy areas;
Check out the event calendar of the White River State Park during your timeframe.

Most cities have some interesting stuff if you dig a bit, hope you find something here in Indy :)