Indianapolis is a city that’s perfect for those stretching their minds or muscles—a city rich in arts and culture, sports and recreation, history and heritage, time-honored traditions and endless possibilities. Well, in 2004, members of the National Council of Teachers of English will see firsthand why this city is an American success story. The nation’s 12th largest city has gone through a dramatic revitalization and a stunning renaissance period that makes it a different place than it was just 10 years ago. Indianapolis is known as the Crossroads of America and is easily accessible from a wide variety of locations, as more interstate highways bisect our city and state than any other in the country. Once you arrive, you find a fresh and diverse cultural city, with an enriching array of arts, attractions, historical sites, and events. Visit the Indiana Repertory Theatre for the best in professional theater, or feast your eyes on paintings, sculptures, photographs, and textiles from African, American, Asian, and European collections at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Give your ears a treat at a concert by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Considered second only to Washington, D.C., in number of memorials, Indianapolis pays homage and respect to Medal of Honor recipients, fallen law enforcement personnel and firefighters, and Hoosiers who died in conflicts from the Civil War to Somalia. And for families, a visitor must see the Children’s Museum—ranked by Child magazine as the “best children’s museum” in the country. The five-story museum houses 100,000 artifacts in 10 galleries. Right around the corner from the Indiana Convention Center is the White River State Park—home to cultural, educational, and recreational activities that offer a wide variety of diversions. From the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art to the NCAA Hall of Champions, there’s something for everyone. You can also visit the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens, where plants and animals are the main attraction. Most recently, the Park opened the new Indiana State Museum—a showcase of Indiana culture and natural history. The museum now offers more than 400,000 artifacts. And when it comes to racing, Indianapolis is the “Racing Capital of the World.” In addition to hosting the two largest single-day sporting events in the world, the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway also hosts the largest Formula One race in the world, the United States Grand Prix. The Hall of Fame Museum, located inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also houses the most significant collection of motor-racing history in America. Indianapolis also offers professional sports teams in every major sport including baseball. Indianapolis boasts “the best minor league ballpark in America,” Victory Field, located right next to the convention complex. Meanwhile, professional basketball fans can see the Indiana Pacers of the NBA play in the new Conseco Fieldhouse.