Indiana General Tips by traveldave

Favorite Thing: Indiana's capital and largest city, Indianapolis is the center of a metropolitan area of over 1,990,000 inhabitants. Indianapolis was settled in 1820, but did not become the state capital until 1825, when the city was chosen to give Indiana a centralized capital. This ensured that Indianapolis would become the largest and most important city in the state. Further growth was guaranteed when, in 1825, the city was successful in persuading Congress to to run the National Road (now U.S. Route 40) through the city, instead of 15 miles (24 kilometers) to the south.

Indianapolis was not without its problems, however. Cutbacks in federal aid and an overdependence on the automobile industry turned Indianapolis into a rustbelt city with a stagnant economy. However, in the early 1980s, a partnership of government, business, and philanthropy caused a turn-around in the city's fortunes when new public-works projects and an influx of industry and business rejuvenated a once-dying city.

Nowadays, Indianapolis once again has a vibrant economy, and is the financial and cultural center of the State of Indiana.


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Favorite Thing: Located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Indianapolis, Bloomington is a pleasant city of around 70,000 inhabitants, and is the county seat of Monroe County. The city was established in 1818 when President James Monroe selected the site for a seminary (which later became Indiana University).

The downtown area comprises 11 blocks and boasts numerous restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galleries, specialty shops, and a majority of the city's night spots.


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