Indianapolis is the capital of Indiana, and any native of the state will proudly say it has many things to offer. The city is proof of that statement because Indianapolis is where you can find almost everything from sliced bread to one of the most watched sporting events in the entire planet. Even if you are a local, there are still numerous things you probably do not know about this exciting place.
For instance, you may not be aware of where the name Indianapolis came from. A judge actually picked the name in which he wanted to use "Indiana" and add the Greek word at the end, which means "city."
Before Indianapolis became the capital of the state, Corydon was originally the center of Indiana. In 1820 though, the other city lost the title four years after the formation of the state. Today, Indianapolis is not just known as the state capital but also with its nickname "Naptown." The reason behind it is not because of its sleepy reputation. The truth is that the term was from jazz musicians who were quite popular back in the 1930s. Leroy Carr, a blues singer at that time, first used the nickname in his song.
If you are a fan of the legendary Indianapolis 500 race, you probably know it was born in 1911. During that time, the spectators paid $1 for the ticket. About 80,200 people watched the event, and the prize for the winner was $25,000. The victors of the Indy race do not celebrate with champagne. Instead, they drink milk, which is a tradition that the locals believe to have begun back in the 1930s with Louis Meyer, a three-time winner of the race.
Enjoyable Things to Do in Indianapolis, IN
Travelers and locals have numerous options, whether they are looking for unique things to see or participating in fun activities. One of the places to visit in the city is the Indianapolis Museum of Art, which is a massive encyclopedic art museum that you can find in downtown Indianapolis. It features almost 55,000 works from all over the world, including Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
If you are more into the art from nature, you should certainly see the beauty that The Canal and White River State Park offers. This green oasis is in the heart of downtown Indianapolis and gives you the opportunity to experience various outdoor activities. Some spots in the area allow you to enjoy tranquility so you can relax if you wish.
There are plenty of world-renowned sites in the city, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where you will find the Indianapolis Hall of Fame Museum. It is indeed one of the top attractions here, especially for those who love anything related to auto racing and automobiles. This place is a National Historic Landmark in the state and features an outstanding collection of vehicles that make up the Indianapolis 500 race history.
For those interested in more history, the Lockerbie Square Historic District is an excellent location to see the beautifully preserved architecture in the city. You will see styles, such as Queen Anne and Italianate in this famous historic region. It is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The District has walking tours where you can explore a total of 25 notable residences that were built between 1855 and 1930. There are also newer properties, such as the North Vermont Street Home.
How to Maintain Your Lawn in Indianapolis, IN
One of the best ways to keep your yard in great shape is to know when to schedule specific maintenance work, including mowing and fertilizing. With all the events and attractions in the city, along with your work and other day-to-day activities, it may be a challenge to add lawn care into your list of things to do. It is why we recommend you call a Lawn Love expert to help you maintain your Indianapolis lawn and keep the grass green and vibrant.
However, it does not mean you cannot take care of your lawn on your own. If you have the patience, basic knowledge, and time, you can still tend to your yard. We advise Indy locals to keep tabs of the weather to maintain their grass successfully. In Indianapolis, the recommended type is a cool season grass because of the cold winters and wet summers.
Even though the summer can be hot, Indianapolis lawns will thrive better if homeowners choose a cool season type. Grasses that do well with the weather in the city and other conditions include zoysia. When caring for your yard, it is essential to have a timetable that will help you with the upkeep, especially after a freezing winter.
March is one of the most challenging months in the city for homeowners with a lawn. You need to look for damage that the snow mold may have caused. You will see the effect as the snow slowly recedes, which will call for you to rake the infected area. This technique will help this part of your yard to dry out.
From April to July, we recommend that you mow from 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Frequent mowing will avoid removing more than what is necessary. Single mowing will often give this problem because homeowners tend to mow the grass too short, so they do not have to redo the process. Crabgrass is a frequent issue for lawns in the city, so you may want to apply a pre-emergence herbicide during this time, especially if you spotted the mentioned weed before.
If you spot dandelions, you can spray them with a broadleaf herbicide. Fertilizer may be applied, especially for lawns that have a red thread, a common problem with slow-growing grass. In August, you should start watering if you see that the yard needs it. It is also the optimal time to reseed areas that are thinning or barren. Aerate the soil in September and start mowing again in October and November.
As you can see, caring for your lawn is not always easy. Timing all the tasks is even harder, which is why you may want to leave the yard care and maintenance to the pros.
