Dallara Automobili/Lino's Coffee

Open for public tours as of July 2012, the all-ages-appropriate "interactive zone" at Dallara Automobili lets visitors walk through flashy exhibits detailing all aspects of racing technology, from physics and speed to materials and safety. The 20,000-square-foot museumlike space is only a small portion of the massive modern building that also holds race car assembly areas, Indy Racing Experience offices and Lino's Coffee—transplanted direct from Italy with the authentic coffee and imported foodstuffs to prove it. The whole operation is still finding its footing, but when fully furnished, the self-guided museum/interactive zone will hold some fun activities and displays, including a small theater with race car seats, simulators that mimic a qualifying session at the nearby Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and a couple dozen full-size race cars to behold, including the 2012 prototype chassis driven by Dan Wheldon. Admission is $10; an additional $5 scores a guided walk through the behind-the-scenes factory areas. This portion of the visit is slightly underwhelming, though, as race cars are actually shipped here in parts from Italy to be assembled, not made from scratch on-site. Better to just stick to the museum and hit Lino's afterward for a traditional Italian panini and some gelato. Customers who really want to feel the wind in their hair can tack on a 2-mile ride around the surface streets of Speedway in a street-legal, two-seater Indycar for $20.