An 8-mile award-winning bike and pedestrian path connecting every major downtown neighborhood — completely free, open 24/7, and the best way to explore Indianapolis without a car.
The easiest way to see downtown Indianapolis. The Cultural Trail puts Mass Ave, Fountain Square, Monument Circle, and the Convention Center all within reach by bike in under 30 minutes. Grab a Pacers Bikeshare e-bike from any station and go — no car, no parking, no hassle.
What Is the Cultural Trail
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an 8-mile urban bike and pedestrian path that loops through downtown Indianapolis, connecting all six of the city's cultural districts in a single continuous route. It opened in 2013 after a decade of planning and private fundraising, and has since been recognized as one of the best urban trails in the country — a model that other cities have studied and tried to replicate.
The trail is separated from vehicle traffic, wide enough for cyclists and pedestrians to move comfortably side by side, and meticulously maintained year-round. It's free to use, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and accessible from virtually anywhere in downtown Indianapolis within a 5-minute walk.
For convention visitors in particular, the Cultural Trail solves a real problem: how do you explore a city when you don't have a car and don't want to rideshare everywhere? The trail connects directly to the best neighborhoods, restaurants, bars, and venues in Indianapolis — all from a protected path that keeps you off busy streets.
The Six Cultural Districts
The trail was built specifically to connect these six districts, each with its own character:
Indiana Avenue
The historic heart of Indianapolis's African-American cultural heritage and jazz tradition. Indiana Avenue was once one of the most vibrant jazz corridors in the Midwest, home to legends like Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard. Today the district is revitalizing, with the Madam Walker Legacy Center anchoring cultural programming. The trail passes through here on the northwest side of the loop.
IUPUI
The university district, home to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. The trail passes through campus, connecting the academic area to the rest of downtown. A quieter stretch of the trail with good sightlines and wide paths — popular with students and faculty commuters.
Wholesale District
The central business and convention district, where the Indiana Convention Center sits. This is where most visitors start their trail experience without knowing it — the trail runs directly past the Convention Center's south entrance. Georgia Street, with its covered outdoor dining corridor, sits just off the trail here.
Indianapolis's most eclectic neighborhood — vintage shops, independent bars, live music venues, and a duckpin bowling alley inside a restored theatre. The trail enters Fountain Square via Virginia Avenue, passing Fountain Square Theatre and a dense block of bars and restaurants. One of the most rewarding destinations on the trail for evening visitors.
Massachusetts Avenue — the premier dining and arts corridor in Indianapolis. Over 40 restaurants, multiple galleries, independent boutiques, live theatre at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, and the city's most concentrated block of nightlife. The trail runs directly along Mass Ave. If you only use the trail to get to one place, make it Mass Ave.
Cultural District (Monument Circle Area)
The city's historic center, anchored by the Soldiers & Sailors Monument at Monument Circle — the visual and symbolic heart of Indianapolis. The trail loops around this district, connecting to the circle's surrounding blocks of restaurants, the Hilbert Circle Theatre, and the city's core hotel district. Most convention visitors spend time here without realizing they're already on the trail.
How to Use It
Walking — The trail is comfortable for pedestrians at any pace. The full 8-mile loop takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours on foot at a casual strolling pace. Most visitors walk point-to-point between districts rather than completing the loop.
Pacers Bikeshare — The ideal way to use the trail. Download the Pacers Bikeshare app, purchase a day pass (approximately $8-10), and unlock e-bikes from any of the 50+ stations scattered across downtown. Return to any station when you arrive at your destination. The e-bikes handle the slight inclines easily, and the stations are dense enough that you're almost never far from a dock.
Lime or Bird Scooters — Electric scooters are typically available throughout downtown and can be ridden on the Cultural Trail. Grab one via the Lime or Bird app. Faster than walking, cheaper per trip than bikeshare for short hops.
Your Own Bike — If you brought a bike or rented one, the Cultural Trail is the route to ride. Well-marked, separated from traffic, and smooth pavement throughout. Bike racks are available at major destinations along the trail.
Key Segments & Travel Times
You don't need to ride the full 8-mile loop. Most visitors use specific segments to get between neighborhoods:
Convention Center to Mass Ave — Approximately 20 minutes by bike, 35 minutes walking. The most-used segment for convention visitors. Head northeast from the Convention Center on the trail and follow it up to Massachusetts Avenue. This segment passes through the Monument Circle area and puts you right in the heart of Mass Ave dining.
Mass Ave to Fountain Square — Approximately 15 minutes by bike, 25 minutes walking. A southeast leg of the trail along Virginia Avenue. Goes through a quiet stretch of residential and small-business blocks before arriving at the heart of Fountain Square.
Full Loop by Bike — The complete 8-mile loop takes 45-60 minutes at a comfortable cycling pace, with stops. A great way to get oriented in the city on your first day. You'll see all six districts and get a clear mental map of how downtown fits together.
Convention Center to Fountain Square — Approximately 20 minutes by bike. Head south from the Convention Center on the trail and follow Virginia Avenue southeast. Fountain Square is a straight shot that convention visitors often discover mid-week.
What You'll Pass
Riding or walking the trail, you'll encounter some of the city's best venues and landmarks along the route:
Fountain Square Theatre — The landmark anchor of the Fountain Square district. Vintage theatre hosting concerts, duckpin bowling, and special events. The Cultural Trail puts you at its door on Virginia Avenue.
Mass Ave Restaurants and Galleries — The trail runs directly along Massachusetts Avenue. The density of restaurants, bars, galleries, and independent shops here is unmatched anywhere else in Indianapolis. See the Mass Ave neighborhood guide for a full rundown.
Indiana Convention Center — The trail passes along the south side of the Convention Center. Pacers Bikeshare stations are steps from multiple Convention Center entrances, making it practical to bikeshare directly from your convention sessions.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Home of the Indiana Pacers. The trail passes near the Fieldhouse on the north side of downtown. If there's a game while you're in town, the trail is one of the fastest ways to get there from Mass Ave or the Convention Center area.
For Convention Attendees
The Cultural Trail was built partly with convention visitors in mind. Here's how to use it between sessions:
No car needed to explore the city — With Pacers Bikeshare and the Cultural Trail, you can reach Mass Ave for dinner, Fountain Square for late-night, and Monument Circle for sightseeing without rideshare or a rental car. This is genuinely how locals who work downtown get around.
Pacers Bikeshare day pass tip — If you're in Indianapolis for multiple convention days, the Pacers Bikeshare day pass gets you unlimited 60-minute rides for a flat fee. Most inter-district trips on the Cultural Trail are well under 60 minutes. Buy the pass through the app and use it as your primary transportation for the day.
Mid-day break ride — A 20-minute bikeshare ride to Mass Ave for lunch and back is a genuinely refreshing break from convention halls. The trail is fast enough that you can do a round trip and still have 45 minutes to eat. More than a few convention regulars treat this as a daily habit.
Evening exploration — The trail is well-lit at night and stays active until well past midnight on weekends. If you want to see more of Indianapolis than the Convention Center hotel corridor, an evening ride on the Cultural Trail is the most efficient way to do it.
Tips
Morning — best for joggers — The trail is a go-to route for downtown runners before 8 AM. Relatively empty, well-lit, and a pleasant loop if you're trying to get miles in before convention sessions start.
Evening — best for cyclists and sightseers — The trail comes alive in the evening with cyclists, couples, and groups heading to Mass Ave and Fountain Square. Weekend evenings in particular have a festive energy along the Mass Ave segment.
Trail is lit at night — The full Cultural Trail is illuminated after dark. You can safely ride or walk after midnight. The lighting is consistent — no dark stretches on the main loop.
Pacers Bikeshare app required — You cannot rent a Pacers Bikeshare bike without the app. Download it before you arrive and set up payment in advance. In-person kiosk rentals are not available at most stations. The app takes about 5 minutes to set up.
Watch for pedestrian traffic at peak times — On busy convention weekends, parts of the trail near the Convention Center can get crowded. Slow down and yield to pedestrians if you're on a bike. The trail is wide enough to share comfortably, but awareness matters at peak hours.
Getting Started Near the Convention Center
The easiest entry points to the Cultural Trail if you're staying near the Indiana Convention Center:
South entrance of the Convention Center (Georgia Street) — The trail runs along the south side of the Convention Center. Georgia Street, with its covered outdoor dining area, connects directly to the trail. Look for the distinctive blue and green trail markers and the Pacers Bikeshare station near the street corner.
Capitol Avenue & Washington Street — If you're coming from the JW Marriott or hotels on the west side of downtown, this intersection puts you directly on the trail. Head north toward Monument Circle or south toward Fountain Square from here.
Monument Circle — The circle is surrounded by the Cultural Trail. If you walk to Monument Circle for any reason, you're already on or adjacent to the trail. Look for the trail markers and bikeshare stations on the surrounding blocks.
Ready to Explore
The Cultural Trail is free, open 24/7, and requires nothing more than comfortable shoes or the Pacers Bikeshare app to use. It's the single best tool for seeing Indianapolis on your own terms during a convention visit.