A Car-Free guide to Indianapolis

• The Indianapolis Art Center always has an intriguing array of locally crafted artwork on display.  Artists hone their craft here through classes and workshops.

• Rent a Kayak or a Canoe at Rusted Moon Outfitters and spend the day paddling the White River.

• Eat an ice cream cone at Brics, and sit on the patio overlooking the Monon Trail while soaking up the atmosphere of my favorite area of Broad Ripple.

• Shop at Panda(ology).  I’m not much of a shopper, but I make an exception for smartly designed stores with something for everyone.  The shop includes a neat little food market full of items from Asia.
• Other worthwhile stores include Indy CD & Vinyl, The Village Experience, and Big Hat Books.
• In addition to all of this,  2 of the best coffee shops in town: Monon Coffee Company and Perk Up.

Food:

There are so many places to eat here, it can be tough to prioritize.  However, I believe the best bet for Broad Ripple dining lies in the casual lunch-type places.

• Monon Food Company has delicious food for reasonable prices.  The Fish and MoFoCo Pork Tacos are staples.
• Brugge Brasserie was the first gastropub in the city.  Crepes, frites, and amazing locally brewed beer.

• Ripple Bagel & Deli has an enormous menu of bagel sandwiches made while you wait.

• Shalimar and India Garden are tasty Indian restaurants.

• The best Mexican food in the neighborhood is in an unassuming breakfast place called Biscuits.  Skip the combo platters and focus on the tacos and tamales.

Drink:

When in doubt in Broad Ripple, go British!  My favorite 3 haunts in the neighborhood are all British-style pubs

• Broad Ripple Brewpub was Indianapolis’ first brewpub (founded by an actual Englishman), and it’s still one of the best.
• The Wellington is a tiny, tastefully lit space with some great craft beers on tap.
• Union Jack’s has amazing deep dish pizza.  A well-kept secret in an area that doesn’t have many.

Chatham Arch

(Image credit: Curtis Ailes)

Overview:

This neighborhood on the northeastern section of downtown is most well known for its commercial district centered around Massachusetts Avenue.  Chatham Arch is an easy walk from the downtown core.

Activities and Shopping:

• The original Arts district in Indy hosts the Dean Johnson Gallery and Christopher West Presents.
• Grab a frozen yogurt or a coffee at Yogulatte and watch the people go by on the nearby Cultural Trail.
• Visit the best toy store in the city, Mass Ave Toys.
• At Home in the City and Global Gifts are fun places to browse for unique purchases.

Food:

• Black Market is brand-new on the scene, but it is taking this town by storm.  The pickle plate is a must-try.
• R Bistro can be counted on for well-prepared and thoughtful presentations.  The menu changes weekly.
• Mesh is owned by a small local chain, but it doesn’t matter when the food is this good.
• How many cities have a great Scottish restaurant?  Indianapolis does – MacNiven’s.

Drink:

• The Chatterbox is a tiny bar has a great jukebox, friendly bartenders (and patrons), and live jazz.  I’ve always left here thinking that I should go here more.
• The Rathskeller has almost the opposite atmosphere compared to The Chatterbox: it’s huge.  However, it has appropriately huge German beers.  I had my wedding reception in one of the many rooms of this great old Haus.
• Chatham Tap is a friendly place for some good beers and tasty bar food.

Fountain Square

Overview:

Located to the southeast of downtown along Virginia Avenue, this destination for artists seems to get better by the day.  Fountain Square can be visited on IndyGo Bus 14.

Activities and Shopping:

• Try your hand at Duckpin Bowling in the Fountain Square Theatre building.  Head up the elevator to the 4th floor location and be blown away by a place that seems unchanged since the sport’s 1920’s heyday.  This hilariously fun activity is best with a group, as it can get pricey otherwise.
• Murphy Arts Building is always hopping during the First Friday of the month.  Delve into the cavernous maze of hallways past art galleries and nonprofit headquarters.
• Fountain Square is the place to go for antiques.  Try out Days Gone By or the Indianapolis Downtown Antique Mall.
• Up Virginia Street a bit in Fletcher Place, Calvin Fletcher Coffee donates all their profits to charity.

Food:

• Siam Square, the best Thai place in the city.  Try the Drunken Noodles with Tofu or Green Curry.
• Santorini, the best Greek place in the city.  Beware of the huge portions, so I recommend ordering one meal per two diners.
• Pure Eatery features fresh, healthy, affordable food for lunch or early dinner.
• Mama Irma, a new Peruvian place.

Drink:

• Red Lion Grog House is a fun place for watching soccer and drinking a pint or two.
• Radio Radio is my favorite music club in town.
• Across the street, the owners of Radio Radio run a Mexican-themed bar known as Revolucion.  It is an instant hit in the neighborhood.
• Finish off the night at the Brass Ring Lounge martini bar.

Garfield Park

Overview:

An overlooked place on the near-southside, this neighborhood contains the best park in the city.  It can be accessed via  IndyGo Bus number 22 or 31.

Activities:

• Wander the Garfield Park Conservatory and gawk at the wide variety of tropical plants and butterflies.  This is a great respite from the cold Midwestern winter.
• There are a boatload of family-friendly activities in the park.  The Arts center also hosts Vintage Movie Nights.

Food and Drink:

• Pasquale’s Pizza and Barringer’s Tavern are staples of the South Side.  Barringer’s is one of the oldest restaurants in the city.

Irvington

(Image credit: Kevin Kastner)

Overview:

With its winding streets and Victorian mansions, this East side gem is worth a visit.  Irvington is accessible via the Number 8 bus route.

Activities:

• The number one activity in Irvington is walking.  The winding and occasionally brick-paved streets beg for exploration.
• Tour the Benton House for a glimpse of Victorian living.
• Located in an old movie house, The Irving now houses live music.
• One of the few locally-owned used bookstores in town, Bookmama’s is the place for live poetry readings and intelligent discussion.

Food and Drink:

• Jockamo’s Pizza has quickly become the neighborhood meeting point for its high-quality pies.  It’s also the best place in the neighborhood to find local beer, at least until Black Acre opens up in the same building.

• Delicious and affordable, The Legend is a tribute to the history of the neighborhood.

Meridian-Kessler

Overview:

A large and mostly residential neighborhood on the north side, the heart of Meridian-Kessler lies along College Avenue.  The easiest route for the visitor to know for this part of town is the number 17.

Food:

• With 2 unique menus that change daily, Recess has raised the bar for dining in this city.  They’ve recently opened Room 4 in the same building, which features more down-scale options, but it’s just as delicious.

• This is the part of town for breakfast places.  Taste Cafe, Zest, SoBro Cafe, and Cafe Patachou are all places for fine mornings.  If I had to choose one to visit, I’d choose Taste.  They serve a great dinner as well, but only on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

• Yats, which might be the place that regenerated interest in Meridian-Kessler..  The best option in the city for dining on a budget.

• Locally Grown Gardens sounds like a farmer’s market, and it is that.  But it’s also the best place in town to get pulled pork, washed down with cool old-timey sodas and ginger ales.  Add in the reggae music, and this place is more of a party than your average veggie stand.

Drink:

• The legendary Red Key Tavern was featured in the book and movie “Going All The Way.”  This is a great place to have a conversation and listen to the jukebox.  The bar is virtually unchanged since it was opened soon after World War II.  Skip the bottled beer and order a Manhattan.

• Twenty Tap may have opened last year, but it already seems like a neighborhood staple.  And, the name is a misnomer, as they now house 31 (mostly local) taps.

• Bloomington-based brewery Upland has a tiny Tasting Room located at 49th and College.  Think of it as a coffee shop that serves beer instead of coffee.

• The Sinking Ship is a fun place for affordable drinks and tasty food.

Conclusion

Indianapolis has gone above and beyond to be a great host city for the Super Bowl.  Exploring all of the activities  downtown can easily fill a day or two.  I hope visitors enjoy their trips, and that they might be able to explore the rest of the city’s offerings.