Best Indianapolis Reader Tips
For every place featured on Hack Your City, we receive multiple comments that say, “Here’s a tip: never go there.” This sparkling poignancy is always followed by a hundred comments that make this city seem like the best place on earth. This week, our readers delighted us in Indianapolis, Indiana by leaving 148 comments full of tips for visitors and locals alike . Some highlights:
Bars and restaurants
You see, a bar, described MyOpinion317 , would not be superfluous in Brooklyn:
The White Rabbit is entertainment for Real Talk (cleaning tables, inviting great DJs, dancing like an eccentric), Talent Show (professional comedians, dancers, trainers make scenes pretending to be an amateur talent show) and Drunk Spelling Bee, and in general, the bar has a very positive atmosphere.
Dinner and a magic show, says coldgold830 :
There is a stunning Mexican restaurant called El Arado Mexican Grill in the 1000 block on Virginia Avenue, with a man inside who will come to your table and do the magic for you if you want.
Billy knows how to have fun with burgers:
Kumas Corner is by far the best burgers you’ll find in Indianapolis. They are located in Fountain Square and originated in Chicago. They also have one of the best beers you can find. All burgers are unique and named after heavy metal bands. Their worst burger is still better than the best burger anywhere else.
Willie Pilgrim invites you to stake out a brunch at the most famous restaurant in the city:
At least 15 people on this thread mentioned Milktooth, by far the most nationally recognized Indianapolis restaurant (Bon Appetit, Food and Wine, and many others have praised Chef Jonathan Brooks’ incredibly interesting yet affordable brunch) and city restaurant leader. modern culinary renaissance.
This place is incredibly busy on weekends, but here’s a trick: although it doesn’t serve normal brunch until 9am, pastries and coffee are available from 7am. Avoid the long wait on weekends by arriving from 7 am to 8 am and take a seat, have coffee and read the news (or whatever pleases your boat) until the service starts at 9.
An ecf reader lists 21 breweries (which may even bypass blue laws and sell on Sunday), including New Day Meadery, Blind Owl, and Broad Ripple Brewpub.
LesterTheSmith lists restaurants on Mass Ave:
ThaiTanium (love that name) on Mass Ave has great deals with good sized portions. Their 5-6 varieties of spices allow you to specify the heating level. I go there too often because of my wallet and waist.
Chatterbox on Mass Ave has great jazz almost every night and the staff are charismatic.
I also dig soul food at The Eagle, although they call it Southern Comfort Food. This mac and cheese has a soul, in fact, and serves chicken with this honey hot sauce combo that got one woman at our table singing, it was so good.
Also on Mass Ave there is a kind of “easy talk” (no password or secret knock) at Goodfellas Pizzeria. They have interesting drinks and the pizza is insanely good.
If you love great Mexican food then Carniceria Guanajuato has great food and the Mariachi Orchestra.
IThinkHamNoblockedme has more restaurant reviews:
Indy has recently been voted one of the most underrated gastronomic cities in the United States. A few of my high end favorites … Tinker Street, Union 50, Blue Beard and The Meridian. Pizza? Jockamo’s, Puccinis, Napolese or Bazbeaux. Taco? Revolucion or Bakersfied (note: Bakersfield is a Cincy restaurant) Burgers? Bru Burger or Bub’s if you find yourself in the north. Branch? Good morning Mamas Milkytooth and Patachu. Have a quick meal? Egg or 20 Tap. You really can’t go wrong with food if you store it locally.
SORJ knows good coffee:
The Calvin Fletcher Coffee Company at North Square / Fountain Square; My favorite coffee in the country, I usually bring pounds of their homemade blend with me to enjoy at home.
sights
According to some readers, most of the best Indianapolis sites are within the same pedestrian zone. Papa Van Twi lists a few:
I’ve seen the city center grow a lot, and whether it’s because of the Colts or the coverage of all sports (like the takeover of the NCAA headquarters from KC), there’s a lot going on in the center. To the west, you will enter the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum and the NCAA Hall of Champions, with the White River Trail Bridge leading to the Indy Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and the Triple A Indian Victory Field.
Kevin Greenlee offers all kinds of arcade games:
On the east side, in the zombie mall, you’ll find Boss Battle Games. It’s an old-fashioned arcade game where you can play all the games you want: $ 5 an hour or $ 10 all day. It’s an interesting place to spend an hour or two, and the people I brought there loved it more than they expected.
He also offers a symphony:
One of the few things in Indianapolis that rivals other cities is our orchestra. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is incredible and well worth a visit.
LochelB offers you a route:
A very respectable afternoon for a couple with kids, or just a couple for that matter, would be a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo followed by a walk through the city center for a quick dinner. After completing your visit to the zoo, you can leave your car in the zoo parking lot and enjoy a pleasant stroll down the White River, to White River State Park and the end of the canal. Very beautiful area with many art installations and gardens. Continue and you will very quickly pass Indiana State House and Circle Center Mall Downtown. Choose a spot for dinner and perhaps a coffee or hot chocolate from a mug to end the night. In the summer, you can also add Indianapolis baseball with Indians on Victory Field right outside White River State Park!
Kevin Fields recommends getting out of town in an amicable way:
Perhaps one of the best secrets – and fast disappearing – is the farming community in Marion County. From downtown Indianapolis during the summer, head southwest on Hannah Avenue and in a few minutes you will pass fields of vegetables, melons and other crops that merge into urban and suburban areas. Many farms are still operational and have roadside stalls selling fresh produce.
Kevin also offers a park in the city:
While Eagle Creek Park is definitely amazing, I love Garfield Park even more. The conservatory and sunken gardens are an important part of Indianapolis’s historical heritage. Driving or cycling up Pleasant Run is also a good experience.
And the 19th century Radical says go to Franklin:
Not in Indianapolis itself, but south of Franklin, is the Artcraft Theater, which hosts revivals every week, with live performances and drawings before the film, and always cartoons first. Free popcorn refills. Franklin itself is well worth the trip: great courthouse, cool downtown, really great tattoo parlor, Franklin College (the first college in Indiana to accept women) and a couple of excellent B & Bs. 15 miles south of 465 on I-65.
Visit the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, which, according to the words of Annizarda, is the largest children’s museum in the world:
The Indianapolis Children’s Museum is the largest children’s museum in the world. There is a dinosaur exhibition, the world’s largest water clock, a giant Chihuly sculpture column, a planetarium, a 100-year-old carousel, and many exhibits. It has an annual haunted house and many events all year round. The entire museum is built around interactive exhibits – there isn’t much that kids can’t touch or explore on their own. It also mostly has ramps instead of stairs (along with lifts, of course), so it’s incredibly accessible to everyone.
Jenn lists a few more cool museums:
The Indiana Museum of Medical History houses the largest surviving pathology laboratory. Never been to jail? You can drive to Crawfordsville, Indiana and lock yourself up in the only working revolving prison in the world at the Prison Rotary Museum. We even have a Psychophonics Museum on the second floor of the GC Murphy building in Fountain Square.
It may not be for everyone, but LiFox has an unusual hobby:
The Indianapolis Museum of Art and Library is usually pretty well stocked with good information. The library even had actors for people shortly before Indiana was founded. They are racist too (but RPGs as such). Also fun for roleplayers. Please role-play with them. One day a friend of mine came and started asking really hard questions and their eyes just lit up. They really seem to like it.
SORJ talks about the state fair:
Indiana State Fair, which runs from late July to early August; it’s the most fun you can get in Indy, incredible setting, more than any fair you’ve been to, giant buildings showcasing animals, products, and the most kitschy part is the blue ribbon pavilion where they give out awards for everything ranging from Best Oatmeal Cookie to Best Handmade Woolen Dress. Over 150 acres of entertainment, the best fresh milk ice cream on site, fried delicacies like elephant ears and the best corn you’ve ever tasted. Must go.
If you are into racing, Chris Collingsworth says that in addition to the main freeway, attractions can be found :
There are many non-IMS racing attractions around Indy. Indianapolis Raceway in nearby Claremont hosts NHRA drag racing and various types of USAC races. The Dirt Road Mile at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is a historic racing venue, and Indiana Sprint Week and Indiana Midget Week are held throughout the year on the many circuits around Indy.
Bypass
Robotech_Master lists the “really strange blue laws” of Indiana, including the following:
No alcohol sales on Sundays. Only liquor stores are allowed to sell chilled beers. Grocery stores and gas stations must be transported at room temperature.
On the other hand, says okaysothiswhereIputmyuserna :
Best hidden fact: There is no open container law for walking in public places. Enjoy a beer or cocktail while walking along the cultural trail.
Colleen describes the Skywalk in cold weather ( here’s a map ):
Downtown Indianapolis has several buildings connected by a pedestrian walkway, so if you’re going to a conference or game in downtown Indianapolis and want to see the entire walkway, it connects to the Circle Center Mall, Convention Center, and has a garage and hotels nearby.
Downtown parking advice from tuxed0bird :
park in the parking lot of the shopping center. Super cheap compared to other cities and the mall will connect you to most of the city center so you only have to walk a few blocks outside to get to where you are going. Does not apply if a major convention or game is taking place. In this case, avoid the city center and explore other amazing parts of Indy until the event ends. If you don’t have a car, I find it a lot cheaper than paying to rent one of the cool cars you see all over the city.
Mezroth says you should skip the May craze if you’re not a big fan of the Indy 500:
Memorial Day Weekend – If you are not in town 1. specifically for the Indy 500 and / or 2. cannot leave town, do not come here during this time. In fact, unless you have a reason and don’t like racing, avoid the city in May. Of course, I love 500 and miss it terribly, but if it’s not your thing, then don’t sit in traffic for hours, don’t try to rent a hotel room at a price lower than prohibitive, and don’t fight. from residents if you do.
Quick Tips
- “ANY Indy visitor really needs to experience the wonderful chaos at Saraga International Grocery.” – Sir Cletus
- “I’d say bowling at Fountain Square” – TroWumph
- “Tour all the monuments of the Civil War; little is appreciated that (by the Union) more soldiers died in Indiana than in any other state. ” – The Swartz
- “ Buy Long’s donuts and some St. Elmo “. – BeeDeeB
- “Rathskeller is an amazing restaurant. Tons of German beer and the hottest / best mustard I’ve ever tasted “- OminousCorn
This was just a sample of over 140 comments on the original post . If you have any intention of traveling to Indianapolis, or even if you have lived there for many years, you will find more interesting things in this thread. And we’ll be back next week when we move to the west coast.