Guidebook for Indianapolis

Richard
Guidebook for Indianapolis

Food Scene

Charming spot just a few blocks from my house. Ever-changing menu, nice wine selection and always vegan options. Great patio.
131 locals raden deze aan
Tinker Street Restaurant
402 E 16th St
131 locals raden deze aan
Charming spot just a few blocks from my house. Ever-changing menu, nice wine selection and always vegan options. Great patio.
Casual neighborhood spot for great duck wings, flatbreads and good salads. Always vegetarian options and only a few blocks away. Beer and wine only Always live music (and fried chicken!) outside on summer Thursday nights
72 locals raden deze aan
Shoefly Public House
72 locals raden deze aan
Casual neighborhood spot for great duck wings, flatbreads and good salads. Always vegetarian options and only a few blocks away. Beer and wine only Always live music (and fried chicken!) outside on summer Thursday nights
Only a few blocks from the house, Kountry Kitchen doesn't look much better on the inside than the outside, but this is super satisfying down home food: fried chicken, tasty greens, creamy mac and cheese and truly hearty breakfasts.
Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place
1417 Commerce Avenue
Only a few blocks from the house, Kountry Kitchen doesn't look much better on the inside than the outside, but this is super satisfying down home food: fried chicken, tasty greens, creamy mac and cheese and truly hearty breakfasts.
Nationally recognized for its Smoking Goose meats, this market offers a great selection of wines and beers, terrific specialty food items and a full case of meats and cheeses. Their spicy Batali sandwich is a local favorite, and they also offer Michigan's Palazzolo gelato. Enjoy your goodies in the basement enoteca or outside on the small patio. Bon Appetit named it one of their top ten sandwich shops in 2008, and it remains distinctive and surprising.
65 locals raden deze aan
Goose The Market
2503 N Delaware St
65 locals raden deze aan
Nationally recognized for its Smoking Goose meats, this market offers a great selection of wines and beers, terrific specialty food items and a full case of meats and cheeses. Their spicy Batali sandwich is a local favorite, and they also offer Michigan's Palazzolo gelato. Enjoy your goodies in the basement enoteca or outside on the small patio. Bon Appetit named it one of their top ten sandwich shops in 2008, and it remains distinctive and surprising.
Terrific casual restaurant with an extensive rum selection, inventive Mexican menu and great patio in warm weather. The pescado zarandeado is fantastic. No reservations; closed Sunday and Monday.
31 locals raden deze aan
Black Market
31 locals raden deze aan
Terrific casual restaurant with an extensive rum selection, inventive Mexican menu and great patio in warm weather. The pescado zarandeado is fantastic. No reservations; closed Sunday and Monday.
Casual contemporary Asian right on the Cultural Trail in Fletcher Place. Inspired by the street foods of Korea, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, the menu is always a delicious surprise.
25 locals raden deze aan
Rook
501 Virginia Ave
25 locals raden deze aan
Casual contemporary Asian right on the Cultural Trail in Fletcher Place. Inspired by the street foods of Korea, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, the menu is always a delicious surprise.
Serving contemporary American cuisine with local produce and meat in a charming renovated 1924 factory warehouse. Menu changes daily. No reservations but you can wait across the street in the equally charming Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery. Next door pick up bread at Amelia's, a popsicle at Nicey Treats or a coffee at Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company.
169 locals raden deze aan
Bluebeard
653 Virginia Ave
169 locals raden deze aan
Serving contemporary American cuisine with local produce and meat in a charming renovated 1924 factory warehouse. Menu changes daily. No reservations but you can wait across the street in the equally charming Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery. Next door pick up bread at Amelia's, a popsicle at Nicey Treats or a coffee at Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company.

Sightseeing

Beautiful walk right in White River State Park. Start on 10th Street and end up at the zoo, passing along the way the Indiana State Museum and IMAX Theater, the USS Indianapolis Memorial, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art, the NCAA Hall of Champions. Hop on a gondola or a paddle boat, stop for a bite at Burgerhaus or Fresco Cafe.
115 locals raden deze aan
Canal Walk
Canal Walk
115 locals raden deze aan
Beautiful walk right in White River State Park. Start on 10th Street and end up at the zoo, passing along the way the Indiana State Museum and IMAX Theater, the USS Indianapolis Memorial, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art, the NCAA Hall of Champions. Hop on a gondola or a paddle boat, stop for a bite at Burgerhaus or Fresco Cafe.
Stunning architecture -- one of the largest Masonic buildings as well as one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United States. Right on the Cultural Trail and definitely worth a look if you're taking a Pacers bike to the canal.
Scottish Rite Cathedral
650 N Meridian St
Stunning architecture -- one of the largest Masonic buildings as well as one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United States. Right on the Cultural Trail and definitely worth a look if you're taking a Pacers bike to the canal.
Terrific biking/walking/blading trail connecting Indy's major cultural districts and downtown places of interest. Along the way: White River Park (including the Indianapolis Zoo, NCAA Hall of Champions, canal), Fletcher Place and Fountain Square, Mass Ave, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, IUPUI, the Convention Center, the State Capitol and government center.
60 locals raden deze aan
Indianapolis Cultural Trail
132 W Walnut St
60 locals raden deze aan
Terrific biking/walking/blading trail connecting Indy's major cultural districts and downtown places of interest. Along the way: White River Park (including the Indianapolis Zoo, NCAA Hall of Champions, canal), Fletcher Place and Fountain Square, Mass Ave, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, IUPUI, the Convention Center, the State Capitol and government center.
Very cool memorial to various wars situated among 24 acres of monuments, statues, sculptures, and fountains in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, making Indy second only to Washington D.C. in acreage and number of monuments dedicated to veterans. Make sure to check the breathtaking upper level Shrine Room.
66 locals raden deze aan
Indiana World War Memorial Plaza
55 E Michigan St
66 locals raden deze aan
Very cool memorial to various wars situated among 24 acres of monuments, statues, sculptures, and fountains in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, making Indy second only to Washington D.C. in acreage and number of monuments dedicated to veterans. Make sure to check the breathtaking upper level Shrine Room.

Shopping

Eclectic selection of work by local artisans: prints, t-shirts, scarves and jewelry, gourmet foods. Right on the Cultural Trail.
27 locals raden deze aan
Homespun: Modern Handmade
869 Massachusetts Ave
27 locals raden deze aan
Eclectic selection of work by local artisans: prints, t-shirts, scarves and jewelry, gourmet foods. Right on the Cultural Trail.
Quirky gift items, terrific jewelry, baby stuff, irreverent greeting cards. Definitely worth a stop when on Massachusetts Avenue.
68 locals raden deze aan
Silver In the City
434 Massachusetts Ave
68 locals raden deze aan
Quirky gift items, terrific jewelry, baby stuff, irreverent greeting cards. Definitely worth a stop when on Massachusetts Avenue.

Drinks & Nightlife

LGBT (mostly G) bar just a few blocks from the house. Dance music on weekends and pretty popular late in the evening. Weeknights can be much spottier. Cash only, cover charge Fridays, bingo Tuesdays.
14 locals raden deze aan
Gregs Indy
231 E 16th St
14 locals raden deze aan
LGBT (mostly G) bar just a few blocks from the house. Dance music on weekends and pretty popular late in the evening. Weeknights can be much spottier. Cash only, cover charge Fridays, bingo Tuesdays.
Super cool brewery housed in an old neighborhood grocery store. Among the small plates offered, the Deviled Egg Taco is a yummy surprise.
28 locals raden deze aan
Cannon Ball Brewing Company
1702 Bellefontaine St
28 locals raden deze aan
Super cool brewery housed in an old neighborhood grocery store. Among the small plates offered, the Deviled Egg Taco is a yummy surprise.
The small tap room for Central State Brewing, but serving other beers as well (and wine!). Sometimes a food truck's out front, or you can enjoy a bite from Goose the Market next door. Named one of the top 100 beer bars in the United States by the bi-monthly Draft magazine.
9 locals raden deze aan
Central State Brewing - The Koelschip
2505 N Delaware St
9 locals raden deze aan
The small tap room for Central State Brewing, but serving other beers as well (and wine!). Sometimes a food truck's out front, or you can enjoy a bite from Goose the Market next door. Named one of the top 100 beer bars in the United States by the bi-monthly Draft magazine.
Great venue to discover new and emerging bands, right on the cultural trail in Fountain Square. Local brews, full bar, usually standing room only.
67 locals raden deze aan
HI-FI Indy
1043 Virginia Ave
67 locals raden deze aan
Great venue to discover new and emerging bands, right on the cultural trail in Fountain Square. Local brews, full bar, usually standing room only.
Lively neighborhood brewery with some beers other than their own on tap. Small menu of paninis and flatbreads.
36 locals raden deze aan
MashCraft on Delaware
2205 N Delaware St
36 locals raden deze aan
Lively neighborhood brewery with some beers other than their own on tap. Small menu of paninis and flatbreads.
Charming tasting room for local craft distillery. Flights, cocktails, bar snacks in an intimate industrial setting. 100% self produced and 100% Indiana from grain to glass.
28 locals raden deze aan
West Fork Whiskey
1660 Bellefontaine St
28 locals raden deze aan
Charming tasting room for local craft distillery. Flights, cocktails, bar snacks in an intimate industrial setting. 100% self produced and 100% Indiana from grain to glass.
This neighborhood pub on Indy's southside is a full bar and serves lunch but is best enjoyed for the live honky tonk music in the evenings -- when the only thing on the menu is (delicious) fried chicken with great sides. Really friendly atmosphere.
6 locals raden deze aan
Duke’s Indy
2352 S West St
6 locals raden deze aan
This neighborhood pub on Indy's southside is a full bar and serves lunch but is best enjoyed for the live honky tonk music in the evenings -- when the only thing on the menu is (delicious) fried chicken with great sides. Really friendly atmosphere.
Very cool (only slightly Disneyesque) tiki bar with great drinks, creative food and a genuinely festive atmosphere. Service can be hit or miss, but its still a lot of fun.
45 locals raden deze aan
The Inferno Room
902 Virginia Ave
45 locals raden deze aan
Very cool (only slightly Disneyesque) tiki bar with great drinks, creative food and a genuinely festive atmosphere. Service can be hit or miss, but its still a lot of fun.
Family friendly gastropub and beer garden with 20 rotating Taxman beers (which are among the best craft beers in town) and cocktails as well as a locally-sourced seasonal menu featuring burgers and sandwiches, Belgian-style French fries, mussels and Belgian-style Liege waffles
13 locals raden deze aan
Taxman CityWay
310 South Delaware St
13 locals raden deze aan
Family friendly gastropub and beer garden with 20 rotating Taxman beers (which are among the best craft beers in town) and cocktails as well as a locally-sourced seasonal menu featuring burgers and sandwiches, Belgian-style French fries, mussels and Belgian-style Liege waffles

Getting Around

Pacers Bike Share stations are located throughout the Cultural Trail (the closest to my house is at North and Alabama). This is a terrific way to see sights around downtown and Fountain Square, but remember that these bikes are intended to get you from one spot to another, not to leisurely tour town (there's bike rental at White River State Park for that). You have 30 minutes to get from one station to the next, then park your bike at the station, look around the area, then take another bike to head to your next stop.
23 locals raden deze aan
Pacers Bike Share
407 E Michigan St
23 locals raden deze aan
Pacers Bike Share stations are located throughout the Cultural Trail (the closest to my house is at North and Alabama). This is a terrific way to see sights around downtown and Fountain Square, but remember that these bikes are intended to get you from one spot to another, not to leisurely tour town (there's bike rental at White River State Park for that). You have 30 minutes to get from one station to the next, then park your bike at the station, look around the area, then take another bike to head to your next stop.
Electric car stations dotted around town intended to get you from one popular location to the next. The closest station to my house is at 22nd and Delaware. A terrific new concept but the automated rental may be temperamental.
Blue & Co., LLC
500 North Meridian Street
Electric car stations dotted around town intended to get you from one popular location to the next. The closest station to my house is at 22nd and Delaware. A terrific new concept but the automated rental may be temperamental.

Parks & Nature

Right across the street, this park is where Robert F. Kennedy gave his memorable speech the night Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. At the far end of the park is the Landmark for Peace memorial sculpture, which honors the contributions of both slain leaders. The park also features picnic shelters, outdoor pool, basketball court, softball field and a playground.
Martin Luther King Memorial Park
1702 Broadway Street
Right across the street, this park is where Robert F. Kennedy gave his memorable speech the night Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. At the far end of the park is the Landmark for Peace memorial sculpture, which honors the contributions of both slain leaders. The park also features picnic shelters, outdoor pool, basketball court, softball field and a playground.

Entertainment & Activities

Really cool local spot for video games and pinball. Arcade games are all free, but you'll pay a little to play pinball. Local and other drafts on tap.
82 locals raden deze aan
Tappers Arcade Bar
501 Virginia Ave
82 locals raden deze aan
Really cool local spot for video games and pinball. Arcade games are all free, but you'll pay a little to play pinball. Local and other drafts on tap.