The Indianapolis International Airport opened back in 1931. | Photo by Indianapolis Airport Authority
Friendly reminder: Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching — which means a jam-packed weekend in Indianapolis, with the Indy 500 and the Pacers’ first home game of the Eastern Conference Finals on the same day.
AAA is projecting a record number of travelers, with 970,000+ Hoosiers expected to travel from Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26. To help you prepare, we’ve got a guide to the best airport in North America.
What to know
TSA | According to the IND airport’s website, it takes ~3-4 minutes to get through during off-peak hours and ~20 minutes during peak hours.
Reminder | TSA is now enforcing its new policy. You need a REAL ID or passport to board commercial flights in the US.
Nonstop flights
Last year, IND announced several new nonstop flights. With these additions, Indianapolis will have ~52 nonstop destinations to offer travelers.
Tampa Bay — Frontier Airlines, launched March 6
Atlanta — Frontier Airlines, launched March 7
Dublin, Ireland — Aer Lingus, launched May 3
Portland, OR — Allegiant Air, launching May 23
Chicago Midway — Southwest Airlines, launching Aug. 5
Lunch + Learn: The Third Space | 12-1 p.m. | The Indianapolis Propylaeum | $20 | This engaging discussion will explore the importance of community, collaboration, and creating “third spaces” specifically for women.
Wednesday, May 21
Indy’s Global Village Lunch Tour | 12-1 p.m. | Pho Saigon | Free admission | Bring your appetite + your friends for a delicious journey through Indy’s global flavors in celebration of Vietnamese culture and heritage.
Monthly Yoga for Mental Health | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Tinker House Events | $10 | Embrace mental wellness while contributing to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Thursday, May 22
Haughville Walk and Talk | 6-7 p.m. | Christamore House | $20 | Join local history buff Sampson Levingston for a tour about the rich and beautiful history in the neighborhood.
Garden Nights | 6-8 p.m. | draft Creative Space | $65 | Meet in the garden for an evening of crafting floral arrangements, food, and drink.
OAK by Terry Guest | Thursday, May 22-Sunday, June 8 | Times vary | Frank & Katrina Basile Theatre (Phoenix Theatre) | $22+ | Grab tickets to experience this southern gothic horror where three kids, a shotgun-wielding old woman, and a mysterious creek monster collide in a chilling new world premiere.*
Friday, May 23
Miller Lite Carb Day | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | $45 | It’s racing, it’s rock ‘n roll, it’s pure bliss — this is the ultimate turbo boost into the greatest weekend in racing.
The best part? You’re invited to join the celebration today at 10 a.m. as Indy Parks marks the official opening of long-awaited additions to this 240-acre park, a beloved community staple for years.
New features include:
A sprawling playground
With slides of all sizes, a zipline, nature-inspired climbing zones, a bird’s nest lookout, and more, it’s designed for all ages to enjoy. Bonus fun: Challenge your kids to spot the animals and insects hidden throughout the play area.
Psst... Here’s a sneak peek at this expansive new space, recognized as one of the city’s largest playgrounds.
Grassy Creek Environmental Community Center A new hub for environmental education, programming, and community activities at 3510 N. German Church Rd.
Michigan-based Bowdie’s Chophouse is making its way to Zionsville, serving something for everyone with bougie taste — from escargot to ceviche to seared pork belly. It’s slated to open at 10814 Creek Way, Ste. 2 by the end of the month. (Current)
Opening
The Fashion Mall is adding more businesses to its directory. Indiana confectioner Good’s Candies is now open next to Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar. BOSS, known for performance suiting + casual wear, will open next to Abercrombie on Saturday, June 14.
Closing
Easy Rider announced on social media that the restaurant will close for public service after Saturday, May 24. The business said Snack Shack in the HI-FI Annex will keep serving food + Easy Rider bar will stay open as part of the expanded HI-FI experience.
Community
Memorial Day weekend will mark the start of Carmel’s new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). The area will span from just north of Main Street to Carmel Drive, and from west of the Monon Greenway to just east of Range Line Road. Get more info.
History
Racing history was made during Qualifying weekend. Rookie driver Robert Shwartzman won the pole for the Indy 500 for a brand new team — Prema Racing, an Italian team which races in the Formula 2 series in Europe + made its IndyCar debut this season. (WTHR)
Sports
Indy Ignite Pro Volleyball begins its search for a new head coach this week. The team announced that Head Coach George Padjen will not return to the franchise for the 2026 season. The Ignite finished as the runner-up to the Orlando Valkyries in the Pro Volleyball Federation Championship.
Plan Ahead
Tickets are now available for the fourth annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site on Friday, June 13 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. General admission to the festival featuring 30+ Black-owned vendors is free, or you can get early access passes for $20.
Listen
The Pacers and New York Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals series starts this week. What are the essential things to know about the series? Locked On Pacers host Tony East + Locked On Knicks host Gavin Schall break it down and make series predictions.
Hit the road to Milwaukee for a one-of-a-kind Memorial Day Weekend getaway at the Harley-Davidson Museum. With 20+ acres of fun in downtown Milwaukee, it’s the ultimate moto experience (think: 120+ years of legendary motorcycle history to explore). Plan your visit.*
Jobs
Calling all business owners and hiring managers — we’re growing our INDYtoday Job Board, which means you can post unlimited job listings for free. No tricks or gimmicks — simply create an account and start posting.
One of our favorite trends of the summer: textured handbags. From straw to beaded, these are our top five picks:
🌟 This standout wood bead bracelet handle bag is the perfect accessory for your beach vacation.
🌟 This versatile braided tote made with 70% recycled plastic is available in 35+ colors.
🌟 MANGO’s woven canvas crossbody with smooth faux leather detailing offers fun textural interplay.
🌟 This crescent straw bag with an adjustable shoulder strap will be our go-to all summer long.
🌟 An elegant rope clutch is a must for summertime weddings and cocktail parties.
If you’re like me and haven’t done it yet, take this as a sign. Ahead of my summer travels, I’m finally getting TSA Pre-Check.
This week, I have an appointment at the TSA Pre-Check Application Center located at IND. I applied online in a few minutes, and then made an appointment to complete the process in person. The office at the airport is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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