Monument Circle & Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
Monument Circle
A circular plaza in the city center, with the 87-meter Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument for the Civil War at its heart. Climb to the top for a view over the city.
Monument Circle is the origin point of Indianapolis, the place from which the city's streets radiate outward. The central Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, completed in 1902, stands about 87 meters tall. It honors Indiana soldiers who fought in the Civil War and other wars, and its shaft is decorated with large sculpture groups and fountains. Take the elevator or climb about 330 steps to the observation deck at the top for a view over downtown. Below ground is a Civil War museum. Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the monument is lit up and dressed as the "World's Largest Christmas Tree." The plaza is free, the observation deck charges a small fee, and opening hours vary by season. Restaurants, theaters and churches cluster nearby, making this the starting point for walking tours of downtown.
Opening hours
Square open all day; viewing platform about 10:30–17:30 (check website)
Nearby sights
- Indiana Statehouse
- Indianapolis City Market
- Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- Indiana World War Memorial Plaza
- Central Canal Walk
- Scottish Rite Cathedral
- Indianapolis Cultural Trail
- Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art