Shuttle Tours

Southern Baptist Convention
Indianapolis Area Tours - Wednesday, June 11^th

Click here to download the Southern Baptist Convention 2008 Tour Registration Form

Shuttle Routes and Operating Hours

Indianapolis Zoo & White River Gardens

Opened in 1964 and moved to its present 70-acre location in 1988, the Indianapolis Zoo has over 360 species of animals including 14 endangered and three threatened species.  The neighboring White River Gardens is a 3.3 acre botanical gardens.  To make your more enjoyable:

            - A special exhibit featuring Koalas, on loan from the San Diego Zoo, is available today at no extra charge.
            - Giraffe feeding is at 1:00pm and 3:00pm today.
            - The dolphin show is at 2:30pm today.
            - The shark touch pool (yes, you can touch sharks) is open all afternoon.

Snack Bar, Gift Shop.  For more information, visit:   www.indianapoliszoo.com

Buses will depart the Convention Center every 20 minutes from 12:00noon to 4:00pm.  Purchase your “Transportation Only” tickets at the tour booth.  Then purchase your Zoo admission tickets upon arrival the Zoo.

Buses will depart the Zoo for the return trip to the convention center every 20 minutes starting at 12:20pm.  The last departure from the Zoo is 5:00pm.  With this arrangement you may spend as much time at the Zoo as you like, knowing a bus will return you to the convention center every 20 minutes.

“Transportation Only” ticket cost - purchase at the convention center
            $3.00 per adult
            $1.00 for those 12 and under

Admission tickets - purchase on arrival at the Zoo
            $7.00 per adult
            $5.00 per Senior 62 years and older

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

This world famous track hosts the Indy Racing League’s Indianapolis 500 in May, NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 in July and, new this year, the MotoGP motorcycle race in September.  Visit the Museum displaying many of the winning cars, car and driver memorabilia, antique automobiles and racing equipment.  Bus tours of the 2.5 mile oval are available when the track is not being used.  Snack Bar, Gift Shop.  For more information, visit:  www.brickyard.com.

“Transportation Only” ticket cost - purchase at the convention center
           $6.00 per adult
           $3.00 for those 16 and under
Speedway Museum admission cost - purchase on arrival at the Speedway            $3.00
Speedway Track Tour cost - purchase on arrival at the Speedway                           $3.00

Buses will depart the Convention Center every 30 minutes from 12:00noon to 3:00pm.  Purchase your “Transportation Only” ticket at the tour booth.  Then purchase your Speedway Museum and Track Tour tickets upon arrival at the Speedway.

Buses will depart the Speedway for the return trip to the convention center every 30 minutes starting at 12:30pm.  The last departure from the Speedway is 4:00pm.  With this arrangement you may spend as much time at the Speedway as you like, knowing a bus will return you to the convention center every 30 minutes.

Gaither Studios, Store, Awards Area

Travel about one hour to Alexandria, Indiana and visit the headquarters of gospel music giants Bill and Gloria Gaither.  We will visit their recording studios (if they are not being used), the Awards Area showcasing the many Dove and Grammy awards they have earned, their retail store plus the “Gaither Family Resources” center.  For more information, visit:  www.gaither.com.

Depart the Convention Center                     12:30pm                       
Arrive back at the Convention Center            5:00pm

Tour includes:   Deluxe motor coach transportation and box lunch.  There is no charge to visit the Gaither facilities.

Tour Cost:            $33.00 per person before Convention
$36.00 per person on site at the Convention

Nancy Noel Studio

Travel about 30 minutes to Zionsville, Indiana and visit the gallery and studios of world class artist Nancy Noel.  Nancy’s sensitive portraits of animals, Amish children and angels have made her a household name.  To date Nancy has published more than 200 limited and open edition works and has sold over two million prints and 250,000 self-published books containing her artwork.

Tour Nancy’s studio, The Sanctuary, which is a renovated church.  Learn the history of this church, the stories behind her artwork, how she became an acclaimed artist and the impact of her work.  In addition to the tour, there will be time for browsing and shopping in the extensive gallery.  For more information, visit:  www.nanoel.com.

Depart the Convention Center                     1:00pm                       
Arrive back at the Convention Center            5:00pm

Tour includes:   Deluxe motor coach transportation.  There is no charge to visit the Nancy Noel Studios.

Tour Cost:            $25.00 per person before Convention
$28.00 per person on site at the Convention

Indianapolis City Tour

Indianapolis was selected as the site of the Indiana State Capitol in 1820.  From that date Indianapolis has progressed to a city of nearly one million residents.  See the sites that have been important in the development of Indianapolis during this two and one-half hour tour.  Among the places you will see are: Butler University, Marion College, Governor’s Residence, Lucas Oil Stadium, Union Station, Circle Center Mall, Monument Circle, State Capitol Building, American Legion Mall, Crown Hill Cemetery, the Zoo, the Museum of Art, Circle Theater, Conseco Fieldhouse, Eli Lilly & Company headquarters and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In addition to driving by these many sites, the tour also includes a visit to the Scottish Rite Cathedral.  Built in 1929, this Gothic structure contains a carilloon of 54 bells and a 7,000-pipe organ.  At the time of its completion, the Cathedral was considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the United States.  Learn more about the Scottish Rite Cathedral at www.aasr-indy.org.

Depart the Convention Center            1:00pm                        Arrive back at the Convention Center            4:00pm

Tour includes:   Deluxe motor coach transportation, local tour guide and admission to the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

Tour Cost:            $32.00 per person before Convention
$35.00 per person on site at the Convention