Indianapolis
Food Scene
Famous local place, cafeteria-style, great food (can be expensive - order a 1/2 of a sandwich instead, they are HUGE!)
48 locals recommend
Shapiro's Delicatessen
808 S Meridian StFamous local place, cafeteria-style, great food (can be expensive - order a 1/2 of a sandwich instead, they are HUGE!)
OPA! Delicious Greek food in a quaint friendly small restaurant! Love going here, it's walkable!
12 locals recommend
Greek Islands
906 S Meridian StOPA! Delicious Greek food in a quaint friendly small restaurant! Love going here, it's walkable!
Iconic local steak house, famous shrimp cocktail! Very expensive but totally worth the splurge!
157 locals recommend
St. Elmo Steak House
127 S Illinois StIconic local steak house, famous shrimp cocktail! Very expensive but totally worth the splurge!
Lots of foodie buzz about this place, amazing food and coffee, national accolades, funky hipster hangout.
182 locals recommend
Milktooth
534 Virginia AveLots of foodie buzz about this place, amazing food and coffee, national accolades, funky hipster hangout.
Really good food, lots of cocktails too, hipsters galore. It can be a bit pricey but worth it.
169 locals recommend
Bluebeard
653 Virginia AveReally good food, lots of cocktails too, hipsters galore. It can be a bit pricey but worth it.
I know it's a chain, but it's one of my favorites! Expensive and delicious!!
20 locals recommend
The Capital Grille
40 W Washington StI know it's a chain, but it's one of my favorites! Expensive and delicious!!
Walkable quaint Italian restaurant, it's very romantic and if the weather is nice, sit outside on their patio, it's really beautiful!
47 locals recommend
Iozzo's Garden of Italy
946 S Meridian StWalkable quaint Italian restaurant, it's very romantic and if the weather is nice, sit outside on their patio, it's really beautiful!
Local dive, with AMAZING cheeseburgers, often ranked the top in the city. Over 100 years old! Off the beaten path local place, cheap, CASH only! Typically a large lunch crowd, not open late so check their hours. This is an INDY GEM if you are looking for a local non-chain option. (Not kid-friendly, you must be 21 to enter.)
10 locals recommend
Working Man's Friend
234 N Belmont AveLocal dive, with AMAZING cheeseburgers, often ranked the top in the city. Over 100 years old! Off the beaten path local place, cheap, CASH only! Typically a large lunch crowd, not open late so check their hours. This is an INDY GEM if you are looking for a local non-chain option. (Not kid-friendly, you must be 21 to enter.)
Delicious! One of my favorite burger places in the city. Great location and an upscale atmosphere.
137 locals recommend
Bru Burger Bar
12901 Old Meridian StDelicious! One of my favorite burger places in the city. Great location and an upscale atmosphere.
Great food (Belgium/European influenced) Historic building that has been transformed into a really nice restaurant. Outstanding outdoor space. I imagine it will be very popular for people attending events at Banker's Life Fieldhouse since it's right next door. Food is really good, and they have a ton of beer options.
13 locals recommend
Taxman CityWay
310 South Delaware StGreat food (Belgium/European influenced) Historic building that has been transformed into a really nice restaurant. Outstanding outdoor space. I imagine it will be very popular for people attending events at Banker's Life Fieldhouse since it's right next door. Food is really good, and they have a ton of beer options.
It's a chain, *yawn* however a somewhat local chain. In the same building as Market Table, a much cheaper brunch option. Food is very good and the portions are ridiculous, five egg omelet anyone?
31 locals recommend
Yolk - City Way
220 E South StIt's a chain, *yawn* however a somewhat local chain. In the same building as Market Table, a much cheaper brunch option. Food is very good and the portions are ridiculous, five egg omelet anyone?
If you want some AMAZING fresh local bread, cookies and pastries head over to Amelia's Bakery!! It's very close by in Fountain Square.
50 locals recommend
Amelia's
653 Virginia AveIf you want some AMAZING fresh local bread, cookies and pastries head over to Amelia's Bakery!! It's very close by in Fountain Square.
Amazing stew, burgers, stuffed peppers, & tenderloins! Out of the way, totally LOCAL place. Not expensive and very close by. I love this type of place when I travel to different cities.
John's Famous Stew
1146 Kentucky AveAmazing stew, burgers, stuffed peppers, & tenderloins! Out of the way, totally LOCAL place. Not expensive and very close by. I love this type of place when I travel to different cities.
Lots of options here, especially for international cuisine! If you do go, make sure to follow parking payment options! Some/most of the parking is not city-sanctioned but by a private company and I've gotten a parking ticket! I suggest using city "Park Mobile" spaces on Mass Ave versus the private lots at The Garage.
The Garage Food Hall
Lots of options here, especially for international cuisine! If you do go, make sure to follow parking payment options! Some/most of the parking is not city-sanctioned but by a private company and I've gotten a parking ticket! I suggest using city "Park Mobile" spaces on Mass Ave versus the private lots at The Garage.
Drinks & Nightlife
Awesome place, lots of weekends they have live music. They have food but mostly bar type stuff.
46 locals recommend
Slippery Noodle Inn
372 S Meridian StAwesome place, lots of weekends they have live music. They have food but mostly bar type stuff.
Indy's oldest continuously-operated African-American bar, right around the corner! They really have spruced up the place. Often has live jazz.
The New AJ's Lounge
1118 S Meridian StIndy's oldest continuously-operated African-American bar, right around the corner! They really have spruced up the place. Often has live jazz.
Play classic arcade games for free while enjoying a local brew! What an awesome concept!!
82 locals recommend
Tappers Arcade Bar
501 Virginia AvePlay classic arcade games for free while enjoying a local brew! What an awesome concept!!
Looking for local brews? This brewery is nothing short of amazing. A local favorite. They have some limited food options inside as well.
82 locals recommend
Sun King Brewery
135 N College AveLooking for local brews? This brewery is nothing short of amazing. A local favorite. They have some limited food options inside as well.
AMAZING Tiki bar!! Indy does not deserve this place!! It's totally worth visiting for a cocktail and lite bites. Drinks are pricey but they are tiki legit!! Order the Antakarian Fire Dancer for an amazing cocktail presentation that you will want to film and put on Instagram.
45 locals recommend
The Inferno Room
902 Virginia AveAMAZING Tiki bar!! Indy does not deserve this place!! It's totally worth visiting for a cocktail and lite bites. Drinks are pricey but they are tiki legit!! Order the Antakarian Fire Dancer for an amazing cocktail presentation that you will want to film and put on Instagram.
It's now known as "Rad Brewing" since undergoing a name change. Great outdoor patio with fire pits! Perfect place to go and grab a pint and sit outside.
40 locals recommend
Flat12 Bierwerks
414 Dorman StIt's now known as "Rad Brewing" since undergoing a name change. Great outdoor patio with fire pits! Perfect place to go and grab a pint and sit outside.
Everything Else
I would avoid going here. There are much better places, try the Crown Liquor's at 150 N. Delaware St. or the Liquor Cabinet at 949 Virginia Ave.
Liquor Barn
1150 S Meridian StI would avoid going here. There are much better places, try the Crown Liquor's at 150 N. Delaware St. or the Liquor Cabinet at 949 Virginia Ave.
Essentials
Tide Cleaners
602 N Capitol AveI take my dry cleaning here, not cheap but they do a good and consistent job.
ALDI
2955 Madison AveGrab a shopping bag and a quarter before you go! Love Aldi!
Kroger
524 E 16th StClosest (and really nice!) grocery store.
Whole Foods Market
320 E Market StFree parking, and a lot of delicious "whole paycheck" foods!
Closest drug store to my home. They do not have a Minute Clinic here, however the location at 16th and Merdian St. does. There is free parking behind the store.
33 locals recommend
CVS
336 Delaware StClosest drug store to my home. They do not have a Minute Clinic here, however the location at 16th and Merdian St. does. There is free parking behind the store.
Entertainment & Activities
Great place to visit if you want to learn more about Indiana and it's history. They have several interactive displays and an awesome gift shop that has lots of Indiana inspired/made items for sale. Grab lunch at the Stardust Terrace Café.
17 locals recommend
Indiana Historical Society
450 W Ohio StGreat place to visit if you want to learn more about Indiana and it's history. They have several interactive displays and an awesome gift shop that has lots of Indiana inspired/made items for sale. Grab lunch at the Stardust Terrace Café.
Great Museum that you could easily spend a day exploring. Don't forget to walk around the canal and check out the steam powered clock that whistles "Back Home Again In Indiana."
88 locals recommend
Indiana State Museum
650 W Washington StGreat Museum that you could easily spend a day exploring. Don't forget to walk around the canal and check out the steam powered clock that whistles "Back Home Again In Indiana."
Public tours are available on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week at the following times: 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Well worth checking out even if you are not attending an event there!
312 locals recommend
Lucas Oil Stadium
500 S Capitol AvePublic tours are available on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week at the following times: 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Well worth checking out even if you are not attending an event there!
Largest and BEST in the world!! This Museum is awesome for both kids and adults. It's pricey but I would even say a trip to Indy just to go here would be well worth it! I highly recommend esp. if you have kids!
362 locals recommend
Children's Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N Meridian StLargest and BEST in the world!! This Museum is awesome for both kids and adults. It's pricey but I would even say a trip to Indy just to go here would be well worth it! I highly recommend esp. if you have kids!
Indy has an amazing Zoo. Be sure to check out the orangutans, and ride the train!
311 locals recommend
Indianapolis Zoo
1200 W Washington StIndy has an amazing Zoo. Be sure to check out the orangutans, and ride the train!
My YMCA is terrific! Love going here, they have an elevated indoor walking/running track overlooking three basketball courts. Indoor pools, nice locker room facilities too. They have a variety of classes open to members and non-members alike. For non-members, a day pass is $15 and a week pass is $30.
9 locals recommend
Irsay Family YMCA at CityWay
430 S Alabama StMy YMCA is terrific! Love going here, they have an elevated indoor walking/running track overlooking three basketball courts. Indoor pools, nice locker room facilities too. They have a variety of classes open to members and non-members alike. For non-members, a day pass is $15 and a week pass is $30.
Shopping
Great selection of liquor, beer and wine! They do tastings in the basement on occasion. I recommend going here for booze. Keep in mind you CANNOT buy any carry-out alcohol on Sundays, so stock up before hand!
8 locals recommend
Crown Liquors
150 N Delaware StGreat selection of liquor, beer and wine! They do tastings in the basement on occasion. I recommend going here for booze. Keep in mind you CANNOT buy any carry-out alcohol on Sundays, so stock up before hand!
Another downtown grocery option. Pretty upscale, has plenty of free parking, lots of ready-made grab and go food options from the deli is the main reason I would go here.
102 locals recommend
Needler's Fresh Market
320 N New Jersey StAnother downtown grocery option. Pretty upscale, has plenty of free parking, lots of ready-made grab and go food options from the deli is the main reason I would go here.
Parks & Nature
Oldest city park in Indianapolis, lots to do, they have a aquatic park with waterslides, picnic areas, make sure to visit the sunken garden especially at night when the fountains are illuminated! The Conservatory is AWESOME in the winter with it's lush tropical plants you will feel like you are on a tropical island.
79 locals recommend
Garfield Park
2345 Pagoda DrOldest city park in Indianapolis, lots to do, they have a aquatic park with waterslides, picnic areas, make sure to visit the sunken garden especially at night when the fountains are illuminated! The Conservatory is AWESOME in the winter with it's lush tropical plants you will feel like you are on a tropical island.
Small park behind Lucas Oil, it's very close and has swings, a playground and picnic shelter.
Babe Denny Park
900 Meikel StSmall park behind Lucas Oil, it's very close and has swings, a playground and picnic shelter.
One of the largest city parks in the U.S.! Hiking, nature preserve, picnics, this park is awesome! There is 5-6$ charge to enter the park but it's well worth it.
185 locals recommend
Eagle Creek Park
7840 West 56th StreetOne of the largest city parks in the U.S.! Hiking, nature preserve, picnics, this park is awesome! There is 5-6$ charge to enter the park but it's well worth it.