Quick hits: Comparing tourism in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio
A side-by-side look at infrastructure and visitor numbers.
Tourist Attractions
Articles
King to play transitional role at state museum
New interim CEO, the former president of the Eli Lilly and Co. Foundation, hopes to pave way for stability at the institution,
which has seen five CEOs in the past decade.
Indianapolis Zoo blames crowd drop on bad weather
The zoo says it drew 1.05
million visitors during 2009, down from 1.1 million in 2008.
Vonnegut’s kin back local memorial library
Three of Kurt Vonnegut’s children are working with local fans of the famed author to open a memorial library
in Indianapolis.
Indiana Historical Society lands $2M for new exhibits
Dubbed the “Indiana Experience,” the exhibits represent the first ticketed tourist attraction at the society’s headquarters building.
Constantino’s and City Market reach settlement
City Market has agreed to forgive Constantino’s $27,000 in unpaid rent if the meat and produce stand shuts down by Dec.
24.
State Museum to close on most Mondays
The museum has been facing tight budgets and dropping attendance.
Soldiers and Sailors monument reopens after repair work
The 107-year-old monument was closed in mid-September so that crews could fix damage caused by rain leaking into the observation
deck.
Hotel TV program touts Indianapolis, helps businesses reach travelers
Indianapolis Visitors Channel, which airs on closed-circuit networks
in more than 6,400 area hotel rooms, highlights some of the city’s most popular attractions and promotes local businesses—both
through traditional advertising and sponsored features.
Indianapolis looks to Cleveland, Philadelphia for City Market examples
The troubled Indianapolis City Market is looking East for a new direction. This summer, its executive director, Jim Reilly,
visited Philadelphia and Cleveland to observe their successful urban markets and seek pointers that might be applied here.
LOU’S VIEWS: A new attraction wants to drum up business
Thoughts on Rhythm! Discovery Center and Bands of America.
Conner Prairie reports rising attendance, revenue
Conner Prairie is ending 2009 in relatively better health than last year, as attendance and revenues are up at the same time
donations are lagging, executives of the living history museum said Wednesday.
ICVA: Ad campaign helps draw more visitors to region
A summer advertising campaign launched by the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association helped produce more visitors
and dollars for central Indiana, even though the organization spent less this year marketing the region.
Reopening of Indianapolis monument delayed
Work to repair and renovate the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis is taking longer than expected.
Indianapolis gets new signs to direct Super Bowl traffic
Highway signs around Indianapolis are getting makeovers to help direct Super Bowl 2012 visitors to downtown attractions.
Indianapolis Zoo attendance clipped by weather, economy
Indianapolis Zoo attendance is down in 2009, but poor weather may be to blame as much as the weak economy.
Indiana tourism sites staying busy despite soft economy
Hoosiers are shrugging off hard times and heading out on vacation, so much so that some of the state’s top attractions actually
are seeing attendance boomlets. But the travelers are sticking close to home, and they’re clenching their dollars tightly.
New downtown museum invites visitors to bang a drum
The Percussive Arts Society plans to open an interactive museum at Washington and Illinois streets downtown.
City Market board sought 3-year closure for redevelopment
Board president says he quit after Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard declined proposal to shut down historic landmark until
2013 for major renovation.
Funding cut jeopardizes popular Indiana Artisan program
A state-run program aimed at boosting business for local artisans—ranging from painters to syrup makers—and
turning them into a draw for tourists is in jeopardy because of dramatic funding cuts.