The Indianapolis Marion County City-County Building is the courthouse and headquarters for most government agencies in Indianapolis (the city and county governments work together as one organization, UniGov). However, there are no building tours, except for an Observatory. Located on the 28th floor of the building, the Observatory offers a full four-side view of the City of Indianapolis.

Parking and Public Transportation at City-County Building
Parking is complicated--the building does not have its own garage, and there are very few parking lots nearby. The best bet is to park at nearby Circle Centre Mall and walk. The City-County Building is located a brief walk from most major bus lines.

Best and Worst Time to Go to City-County Building
The Observatory's hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, but there are later hours during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Observatory is rarely crowded, although occasional groups of school-age children come through. It is not open on July 4.

Admission to City-County Building
Free, although visitors must pass through a security check (no pocket knives, no nail clippers, etc.). To access the Observatory, take the service elevator to the vestibule, press the call button, and take the responding elevator to the Observatory.

Must See/Do at City-County Building
Old newspapers documenting pivotal events in Indianapolis history are on display and are in excellent condition. As Indianapolis is nicknamed "the amateur sports capital of the world", sports memorabilia featuring several prominent Hoosier athletes is on display--Larry Bird and Reggie Miller being two examples.

Other Places to Visit Near City-County Building
Indianapolis City Market is right across the street and is home to several excellent independent businesses, such as Three Carrots vegan restaurant. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a short walk away. Circle Centre Mall is also within walking distance.

Insider Tip for Visitors to City-County Building
Look out the west side to view most of the city's landmarks, and look east to view the heliport.

Author's bio: Becky Oberg is a professional writer who has lived in Indianapolis on and off for almost thirty years. Her hobbies include acting, singing, reading, and playing video games.