Indy has received great new recognition from Time Magazine. It’s recognizing Indy as one of the “World’s 100 Greatest Places,” especially because of the Bottleworks District. Nate Swick of Visit Indy joined us today to share more about the honor, along with events and attractions you can find in Indianapolis.

“Indianapolis may be a smaller city, but it’s packed with standout restaurants, museums and sports centers. Its latest draw is the Bottleworks District, a $300 million reimagining of the historically significant spot where a Coca-Cola bottling plant operated from 1920 to 1969,” says Aniesia Williams of Time Magazine.

See more of what Time Magazine had to say about Indy here.

Find out more about Indy’s summer festivals here.

For more information go to VisitIndy.com.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY VISIT INDY.

This summer is the perfect time to invite friends and family that you’ve missed over the last 17 months to Indy!

Nate Swick of Visit Indy joined us today to tell us about the latest recognition Indy has received.

Indy was named a best place to travel in 2021 by two top travel publications, Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler.

Now is your chance to be a tour guide and an advocate for your city, as Indy has a lot to offer — from the LUME debuting at IMA at Newfields later this month, to the Indy Zoo or State Museum. You can also take it slow down at the Central Canal inside White River State Park. Perhaps, you could even purchase an Indy Attraction Pass and get access to 8 attractions at a low discounted rate.

And if your house is feeling a little crowded, book a room at one of Indy’s wonderful hotels such as the Bottleworks or the JW Marriott. Downtown weekend rates start as low as $125/night.

For more information visit, VisitIndy.com.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY VISIT INDY.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The nonprofit Downtown Indy Inc. and the Indiana War Memorials Commission shared details Tuesday about Shining a Light, a $7.6 million project funded by the Lilly Endowment.

Bob Schultz is senior vice president of marketing with Downtown Indy, which promotes Downtown as a great place to live, learn, work, and play. He said the project will tell the story of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument on Monument Circle.

“We have the beautiful monument behind us and we have this incredible Circle that is well under-lit during the evening hours and we wanted to infuse arts and culture and more experiences of that on this most iconic landmark,” Schultz said.

The 5-minute program will feature the monument in red, white and blue. LED lights are being placed on top of surrounding buildings and around the Circle.

“The old Anthem Building has video-projection pods that will illuminate and project 4D digital video onto these buildings that will tell the story of freedom,” Schultz said.

The program starting daily after dusk is expected to bring a new experience to the downtown Circle. Music from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will be heard as well.

Chris Gahl is senior vice president of Visit Indy, which promotes city tourism. He said, “It will give us another opportunity to invite our visitors to see Indianapolis in a very meaningful way, a very patriotic way, a very visually stimulating and tech-savvy way.”

Many people told News 8 that they’re looking forward to it all coming together starting Nov. 9.

“I think it sounds exciting honestly. I mean the Circle is like the stable of Indianapolis and something to live it up here would be cool, especially if it was every day,” said local resident Clayton Regnier.

Another person, Molly Tompkins, said, “It has a good cause with it, too. (I’m) military so we get it — veteran — it’s a good cause. It’s a good thing to remember everyone in the state.”

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The largest gaming convention in the country is back in the Circle City attracting thousands of people.

Visit Indy says they’re anticipating close to 70,000 people for the 16th annual event.

Senior Vice President Chris Gahl said Gen Con brings in about $70 million every year. It helps boosts the entire hospitality workforce.

“81,600 men and women. They’re busy at work this week for Gen Con then they’ll go back to their townships with their paychecks and help support their families,” said Gahl.

Security has been a top priority at the gaming convention. You can find IMPD in patrol cars and on foot directing traffic and making sure everyone stays safe.

Gahl mentioned particularly on Georgia Street. “It’s a three block street between Bankers Life Fieldhouse and the front door of the Indiana Convention Center, so we’ve closed the West block of Georgia Street again for Gen Con.”

Many locals and visitors from across the country have said Gen Con has been busier than ever with nonstop crowds filling every block around the convention center.

Andy Park, a gamer from Minnesota said, “I think it’s pretty decent considering how much money that this generates for all the businesses, the bars and food trucks around here.”

Some businesses are giving back to local charities by giving their tips away, making it a win-win for everyone in town.

“Gen Con picks a gaming charity and then they also pick a gaming charity so that’s the Special Olympics,” said Erin O’Rourke, events manager at Sunking Brewery. “Sun King really likes giving back to the community and this is a nice way for us to support Gen Con and also being able to do that still.

Gen Con ends Sunday.