Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of the most affordable large cities in the United States. It has great food, exciting nightlife, beautiful parks, and plenty of culture. You can check out a variety of interesting neighborhoods, and Indianapolis is an excellent choice for an fun vacation or a permanent move. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in the city.
Meridian-Kessler
The Meridian-Kessler neighborhood is about 4 miles north of downtown Indianapolis, and it has a variety of historic homes. The oldest farmhouse in the area was built in 1832. This suburb is named for George Kessler, a landscape architect, and Meridian Street, one of its boundaries. It's a wealthy area with lots of beautiful houses, but it also has plenty of middle-class people with different backgrounds.
Landmarks in the area include the Indiana Governor's Mansion, Butler University, The Indiana School for the Deaf, and the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium at Butler has the largest telescope in the state. You can also visit Arsenal Park. It covers 13 acres, and it has plenty of shade, a playground, and a bike polo court.
Broad Ripple Village
Broad Ripple Village is north of Meridian-Kessler, and it's one of the trendiest areas in the city. The houses are smaller than the ones in Meridian-Kessler. There are lots of bars and clubs, great restaurants, and interesting local businesses. You'll find art galleries, breweries, boutiques, spas, and more. Broad Ripple Park covers 62 acres, and it's next to the White River. It has an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, a playground, several picnic areas, a boat ramp, and a viewing platform over the river. There are also lots of paths for walking, jogging, and biking, and a wooded preserve.
Castleton
People looking for lots of shopping options nearby will love Castleton in northeast Indianapolis. This neighborhood is great for walking or biking, and commute times are short for most residents. It has a mixture of medium-sized homes and apartments. The largest mall in the state, Castleton Square, is here. Stores include Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Lego Store, Macy's, Sally Beauty Supply, and Von Maur. There's also a movie theater and a kids' play area in the food court. Next to the mall, you and your children can play arcade games or laser tag at X-Site Amusement and Recreation Center.
Sahm Park covers more than 85 acres, and it has a 400,000-gallon pool with spray features and three slides. Other amenities include a playground, a pavilion, and several trails. You can enjoy tennis, basketball, sand volleyball, soccer, and disc golf courses as well. Sahm Golf Course is next door. Other places to get some exercise in the neighborhood include Ragnarok Axe Throwing and Climb Time Indy, a climbing gym with lessons available.
There are several bars and restaurants in the area. The Ale Emporium offers more than 100 beers, live entertainment, and an arcade. D'vine has wines from around the world, and The Spot sports bar uses 96-inch projection screens, and Sangiovese Ristorante is a romantic Italian place with art exhibits and jazz performances.
Fountain Square
Image via Flickr by nichcollins
This trendy neighborhood is just southeast of downtown, and it gets its name from the beautiful fountains in the area. It has great restaurants, live music, artists, and unique stores. You can find single-family homes and cool studio apartments in renovated warehouses.
Fountain Square contains three historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Laurel and Prospect District contains a saloon built in 1885 and a grocery store constructed in 1879. The State and Prospect District contains eight buildings, and the oldest was built in 1871. The Virginia Avenue Historic District contains 43 historic buildings, including the Fountain Square Theater built in 1928.
The neighborhood also has Nine Lives Cat Cafe, Action Duckpin Bowling, and Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores. Bars and restaurants include Fountain Square Brewery, Yaso Jamaican Grill, Loco Restaurant and Cantina, and Bovaconti Coffee. Fountain Square Clay Center offers a variety of fun pottery classes, and many experienced artists use their studio and display their work there.
Garfield Park
This neighborhood is south of Fountain Square, and it's named for the oldest city park in Indianapolis. Garfield Park covers 184 acres, and it includes Garfield Park Conservatory. You can tour eight lovely indoor gardens and 10 acres of outdoor gardens. Homes near this beautiful park are highly prized for their beautiful views and
The park also contains the Macallister Center for the Performing Arts, an outdoor amphitheater constructed in 1922. In summer, you can watch Shakespeare or enjoy a performance of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra there. The park also has an outdoor pool, several picnic areas, plenty of hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, a softball field, horseshoe courts, a basketball court, a weight room, and a sledding hill. There's a public library next to the conservatory, and the Garfield Park Farmer's Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from May to October.
The neighborhood also has several bars and restaurants, including 31 Bar and Grill, Garfield Brewery, and Shelby Street Saloon. You can view work from local and international artists at Tube Factory Artspace. This former warehouse also has a reference library.
Franklin Township
Franklin Township is in the southeast corner of the city. It's a quiet, middle-class residential area with lots of single-family homes, great schools, and friendly neighbors from diverse backgrounds. The Franklin Township Community Park opened in 1970, and it covers 99 acres. It has a pond, a playground, basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields, picnic areas with grills, and beautiful biking and hiking trails. Dakota Landing Golf Course is nearby. It has nine holes and several water hazards. There's a driving range, and golf lessons are available. Five Points and Edgewood Park is near Franklin Township as well.
Indianapolis, Indiana, is a diverse city with plenty of beautiful neighborhoods. Whether you're looking for art and culture, great shopping, a short commute, beautiful scenery, or peace and quiet, you can find it in one of these outstanding areas. If you want to move or have a holiday, Indianapolis is a great choice. What are your favorite Indy neighborhoods? Contact us at Tom Wood Ford to let us know about your favorites.