Finch - Insiders Guide to Indianapolis

All the information in this guidebook is subject to change. We recommend that you call ahead to obtain current information before traveling.

INSIDERSGUIDE

Copyright 2010 by Morris Book Publishing, LLC

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, P.O. Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437.

Insiders Guide is a registered trademark of Morris Book Publishing, LLC.

Editor: Amy Lyons

Project Editor: Lynn Zelem

Layout Artist: Kevin Mak

Text design: Sheryl Kober

Maps: Nick Trotter. Morris Book Publishing, LLC

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN 978-0-7627-5673-5

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

We Hoosiers are friendly people and I hope this book reflects that friendliness. We are proud of where we live and like to share it with others. Writing this book was a labor of love, as though I were talking with good friends about what makes us special and what shouldnt be missed, whether you live here or are just visiting.

Indianapolis is the heart of Indiana, the seat of state government, the 12th largest city in the nation and a mighty fine place to visit or to live. Insiders Guide to Indianapolis is meant to be used and used often. Keep it in the car so youll have it handy when choosing a place to dine, a shop to visit, an attraction to see, or for any other question that might come up. That said, here are a few suggestions that can help you make the most of this book, so you will soon feel like an insider yourself.

Insiders Guide to Indianapolis is designed to be self-contained. That means that each chapter essentially stands on its own, so wherever you start reading, youll find information you need to enjoy that aspect of Indianapolis life. If this is your first visit to Indy and youve just bought the book, a good restaurant might top your list of needs at the moment. The Restaurant chapter is chock-full of places you might want to try. Its certainly not a list of every restaurant in Indy. Nor will you find every lodging in the area in the Accommodations chapterwe are discerning in our choices.

There are plenty of cross-references to be sure you catch all the information. Watch for the Insiders Tips with interesting little tidbits. The Close-Ups feature stuff that was so fascinating I pulled it out of the regular text and put a little spotlight on it.

Dont hesitate to personalize this book. Make it your own. Scribble notes in the margins, circle places you have visited, underline points of interest. Add your point of view to an attraction or lodging or accommodation so youll remember next time what you liked or didnt like. Write your own brief restaurant review next to a site, telling what you particularly enjoyed and might want to recommend or order again. That is also a good way to plan itineraries when friends and family come to visit. You will know the best that Indy has to offer.

Many of the chapters, such as Accommodations and Parks, are divided into geographic areas or neighborhoods that are popular with locals and visitors alike. Other chapters, like Restaurants, are organized by subject so you can find what you want to see quickly and easily. The Annual Events chapter, of course, is organized chronologically.

The Accommodations, Restaurants, and Attractions chapters include pricing guides to help give you an idea of how much each choice will end up costing you. Luckily, many of Indianapoliss attractions are free, and when this is the case its been noted.

Please remember that in a rapidly changing world, things are bound to change. By the time you read this book, there will be new places to visit and experiences to savor. Unfortunately, some old favorites may have bid farewell. Menus will be revised and schedules altered. Its always a good idea to call before visiting an attraction or restaurant. And please feel free to share your experiences with me. If you find a new restaurant, B&B, shop or some other favorite, let me know so it can be in the next edition. We want to keep Insiders Guide to Indianapolis as accurate and up to date as possible.

Its an honor that, whether youre a visitor, a newcomer, or perhaps even a longtime resident wanting to see whether youve been missing anything, you have chosen this book to be your companion in Indianapolis. I sincerely hope I can help make your Indy experience a memorable one.

AREA OVERVIEW

W hen I moved to Indiana more than 20 years ago, my friends and coworkers in Massachusetts usually mentioned their two first impressions about my new homeLarry Bird and the Indy 500.

That was first and foremost what the state of Indiana brought to their minds. It is true that the great Bird (a former Boston Celtic, now the Indiana Pacers president) and the world-famous auto race are a big part of what makes Indianapolis special. But there is so much more. I am still discovering little gems about the place I now call home.

Of course, Indy is a great sports mecca, has wonderful memorials, monuments, and museums, and is home to one of Americas loveliest urban spacesWhite River State Park. Then there are the award-winning restaurants, shops galore, trendy and tried-and-true nightspots, and top-notch professional performance venues.

Indy is also winning praise for reinventing the bicycle and pedestrian experience downtown with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the first of its kind. The 7.5-mile path allows users to pass by and though many destinations that make Indianapolis a recognized leader in the arts community. Since 2007 the trail has been completed in phases and is scheduled for final completion in 2011.

The Glick Peace Walk, scheduled for completion in 2010, is already drawing accolades. The walk will offer 12 distinctive sculptural gardens that celebrate the lives and accomplishments of luminariesSusan B. Anthony, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt, Jonas Salk, Mark Twain, Booker T. Washington, and the Wright brothers. The gardens will feature granite terrazzo plazas depicting the individuals contributions to society and a timeline noting significant events that helped shape their lives. Signs will tell their stories through text and images. The centerpieces of the gardens will be 12-foot stainless-steel and glass luminaries featuring lighted glass etchings of the individuals. Ten of the luminary gardens will be located on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail along a median to be constructed on Walnut Street between Meridian Street and Capitol Avenue.

One of the biggest assets of the capital city is its friendly people. Hoosier hospitality is not just a catch phrase. It actually exists here. I learned that firsthand when moving from New England. And that friendly, helpful nature was demonstrated time and again when I was working on this book. People went out of their way to help me and were very excited about their city having an