Indianapolis 500 2027 in Indianapolis: weekend guide and things to do

28 to 30 May 2027 · ConfirmedIndianapolis, United StatesLargest single-day sporting event in the world

Indianapolis 500 is one big day in Indianapolis, but most fans arrive the day before and leave the day after. This guide covers the arrival afternoon, match-day morning, the evening and the free day after.

Tours in Indianapolis Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Race day is the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Carb Day (Friday) and the Legends Day concert (Saturday) round out the weekend.
Gates open at 6 am and traffic starts before dawn. Bring sunscreen and ear protection.

Airport to Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis (IND) is 20 minutes from downtown.

The Speedway is in the town of Speedway, 10 km west of downtown. IndyGo and shuttle buses run from downtown on race day; most fans drive and park in local yards.

Public transport directions to Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Speedway and west side	Closest chains to the track.
Mid-range	Downtown	Walk to restaurants and the canal.
Splurge	JW Marriott and Conrad	Downtown towers.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Indianapolis Northwest
Mid-range: Le Méridien Indianapolis
Splurge: Conrad Indianapolis

Links search the nights from 27 May to 31 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual race weekend schedule for 28 to 30 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 27 May

Fan zones open the day before. Take the afternoon for the city.

Half-dayCanal walk and bike rental Half day · Family
Cultural Trail.
EatShapiro's Deli Deli since 1905

Match day morning

Friday 28 May

Free until you head to the stadium. Avoid anything far away or tiring.

Easy outingBrewery tour Evening · Nightlife · Food
Local breweries.
FreeCanal Walk.

The day after

Monday 31 May

A full free day before you fly.

Free ideaIndiana War Memorial.
EatBluebeard Fletcher Place

Evening plans

For the night before or after the match.

After darkMass Ave.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Canal walk and bike rental

Cultural Trail.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and track tour

Museum and a lap of the oval.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Children's Museum of Indianapolis

The largest in the world.

See times and prices

Children's Museum.
Indianapolis Zoo.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife · Food

Brewery tour

Local breweries.

See times and prices

After dark

Mass Ave.

4 tours worth booking for Indianapolis 500

Tour	Length	Good for
Canal walk and bike rental	Half day	Families
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and track tour	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Children's Museum of Indianapolis	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Brewery tour	Evening	Night owls, Food lovers

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

St. Elmo Steak House Shrimp cocktail
Shapiro's Deli Deli since 1905
Bluebeard Fletcher Place

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and track tour

Museum and a lap of the oval.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Children's Museum of Indianapolis

The largest in the world.

See times and prices

Eiteljorg Museum.
Newfields art museum.

Getting around on event days

IndyGo buses and race-day shuttles to the Speedway.

Day trips from Indianapolis

Bloomington: 1 hour
Columbus, Indiana architecture: 1 hour

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Indianapolis 500.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Indianapolis 500 2027?

The next edition is 28 to 30 May 2027.

How do I get from the airport to Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

Indianapolis (IND) is 20 minutes from downtown. The Speedway is in the town of Speedway, 10 km west of downtown. IndyGo and shuttle buses run from downtown on race day; most fans drive and park in local yards.

Where should I stay for Indianapolis 500?

For most visitors the best base is Downtown: Walk to restaurants and the canal.

What else can we do around Indianapolis 500?

Good short outings in Indianapolis include Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and track tour, Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Canal walk and bike rental. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Indianapolis 500?

Family-friendly picks: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and track tour, Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Canal walk and bike rental. Children's Museum.

How far is Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Indianapolis centre?

About 7 km in a straight line. The Speedway is in the town of Speedway, 10 km west of downtown. IndyGo and shuttle buses run from downtown on race day; most fans drive and park in local yards.

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