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By Jennifer Hanson, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.

Not only is Indianapolis the 12th largest city in the United States, but it's a terrific place to live, work, play, eat, shop... and the list goes on and on. Most people who reside in Indianapolis are proud of their city, but may not know ALL the fun facts that can be shared with friends, relatives and visitors.

Consider this your Indianapolis "Brag Lesson."

Brag about the culture

• Indianapolis boasts The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, not only the largest museum of its kind in the world, but also rated "the best museum" by FamilyFun and Child magazines. In 2006, the 43-foot Fireworks of Glass was installed, the largest permanent sculpture of blown glass ever created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly.
• Indianapolis is home to the Madame Walker Theatre Center, which stands as a memorial to America's first female self-made millionaire, Madam C. J. Walker.
• The Indianapolis Museum of Art was ranked by USA Today as one of the top ten locations for marriage proposals -- in front of the famous LOVE sculpture.
• The Indianapolis Zoo is the nation's only accredited combined zoo, aquarium and botanical garden.
• Indianapolis hosts the International Violin Competition every four years (regarded as the Western Hemisphere's "Olympics of the Violin"), showcasing 50 of the world's brightest talent.
• The Murat Centre (originally named the Murat Temple when it opened in 1910) is the largest Shrine temple in North America.
• The Indiana State Museum features art, science and culture. The museum not only has exhibits inside, but is an exhibit itself with its 92-county walk, Indiana material-made exterior and more.
• Indianapolis houses Indiana's only IMAX Theatre (connected to the Indiana State Museum).
• Indianapolis houses the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, one of only two museums east of the Mississippi with both Native American and Western art. Not only does the Eiteljorg showcase unique exhibits, but also is known for its Indian Market and Chili Cook-Off.
• Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C. in its number of monuments and memorials commemorating veterans.

Anyone would agree there's A LOT to do in Downtown Indianapolis. People of all ages can be entertained at 16 museums and historic sites, 17 performing arts & theatres, more than 20 galleries, more than 20 memorials and parks, eight major sports venues and various unique attractions.

Downtown boasts a majority of the city's cultural and entertainment destinations. A $10 million Cultural Tourism Initiative was launched in 2001 to enhance the quality of life and attract visitors and businesses by bolstering the city's regional, national and international cultural profile.

If you want to see what's only in Indianapolis, discover Indianapolis' Cultural Districts. Indianapolis is bursting with pride over its six unique Cultural Districts: Broad Ripple Village, The Canal and White River State Park, Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave and Wholesale District. Four of the six districts have homes directly in Downtown Indianapolis, while Fountain Square is just a mile southeast and Broad Ripple Village nine miles northeast. The districts showcase distinct pockets of cultural opportunity thriving in the city. You'll find delightful public art, unique galleries, inspiring museums, quaint shops and engaging recreation. Satisfy your appetite at exquisite restaurants, ethnic eateries and cafes. Laugh out loud or dance the night away at one of dozens of night clubs and theaters. The districts also have your ticket to professional sports and performances.

Downtown is home to baby elephants, Duckpin Bowling, a working indoor carousel, a world-class symphony orchestra, a 55-foot "Indiana" sculpture, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and so much more to explore.

Brag about Downtown dining and shopping

• Circle Centre, Downtown's world-renowned shopping and entertainment complex, celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2005. It houses the only Nordstrom in Indiana.
• Indianapolis is home to the 1886 City Market, which has remained a 'market' ever since.
• Indianapolis' Mass Ave, one of the few remaining diagonal streets on the original 1821 plat, is Downtown's premier arts and entertainment district where people live, work and play in the same eight-block area.
• Indianapolis has more than 200 eating and drinking establishments to enjoy.

The dining options are endless ranging from the national eateries like McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, Buca di Beppo, Palomino and Ruth's Chris to the unique local hot spots such as Agio, St. Elmo's and Bazbeaux pizza.

Brag about the sports

• Indianapolis is the only city to have hosted the NCAA Men's Final Four three times in a decade: 1991, 1997 and 2000. Downtown hosted again in 2006 and will host in 2010. In 2005, the city hosted the NCAA Women's Final Four for the first time. (The Sporting News named Indianapolis as the "Best Final Four Host" stating "there's no better basketball town than Indy.")
• Indianapolis IS basketball in March. The city will host the Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments from 2008 – 2012. The Women’s Tourney is also here in 2007.
• Indianapolis hosted the World Basketball Championship, which is held every four years, in 2002. This was the first time in the event's 52-year history that it had ever taken place in the United States.
• The Indianapolis 500 race is the largest, single-day sporting event in the world. Coincidentally, the second largest is the Brickyard 400 with the United States Grand Prix, the only Formula One race held in the United States, following in third.
• Indianapolis is the only city to boast four professional sports teams, playing within a four-block radius, all in the heart of Downtown. (NBA Pacers, WNBA Fever, NFL Colts and AAA Indians)
• A national spotlight shone on Indianapolis as we hosted the 2005 VISA U.S.A Gymnastics National Championships at Conseco Fieldhouse.
• Indianapolis also played host to the USA Swimming World Championship Trials in April 2005.
• The city will host the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2006 and 2007 at the Indiana University Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium.
• Also, Indianapolis hosted the USA Diving U.S. Open where national and international divers go head-to-head in the water in April 2006.

A new $500 million stadium with a retractable roof was approved in 2005 and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008. The Lucas Oil Stadium will host the Indianapolis Colts, NCAA championship events and others.

During any given season, sports fans are sure to find an Indianapolis team to rally or event to attend. From the annual Coca-Cola Circle City Classic or Indiana High School Athletics Association championships to the RCA Tennis Championship or Big Ten Women's and Men's Basketball Tournaments, the action is non-stop.

What's more, various national governing bodies either originated in or have moved their headquarters to Indianapolis including the Black Coaches Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, USA Gymnastics Federation, USA Track & Field, U.S. Diving, Inc., U.S. Synchronized Swimming and others.

In recent years, Indianapolis has continued its reputation for Amazingly Always New attractions such as the Dinosphere at The Children's Museum and Old World Gondoliers on the canal in 2004, Dolphin Adventure at the Indianapolis Zoo in 2005 and plenty of new Downtown residences to be close to the action!

The new luxury Conrad Indianapolis hotel opened its doors in March 2006. With 241 luxury guest rooms, 22 suites, upscale dining, a sophisticated spa and fitness center and over 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the Conrad Hotel fits perfectly in the heart of Downtown.

Brag about the future
You may think that Downtown is complete. Not true. Development momentum remains steady with nearly $3 billion of new construction to be completed by 2010. Since 1990, $6 billion have been invested in Downtown.

So, next time someone asks you about your town, you can quote Indianapolis native David Letterman. "I'm very, very proud of the fact that I was born and spent most of my life in that wonderful community of Indianapolis. It's a great city."

Thanks, Dave. We think Indianapolis is pretty wonderful too.