Alex grew up down the road from Broad Ripple, and both Colin and Alex lived outside of it after college. This neighborhood sits along a canal and the Monon trail and though it has transitioned to a more bar filled area in recent years, there are still fun things to see and do! Here are a few of our favorite restaurants and stores:

Restaurants:

Brics - fun ice cream shop on the Monon trail

Joella's - Colin's favorite Nashville style chicken

Garden Table - great juices and healthy foods

Public Greens - on the Monon trail, nice outdoor seating and food

Bazbeaux - a favorite local pizza spot

Petite Chou - French bistro

Flatwater - restaurant on a canal with outdoor patio seatingJust pop in - local popcorn shop and restaurant

Cake Bake - over the top bake shop with good cakes

Shops:

Artifacts - Alex's favorite store for knick knacks and jewelry in Indy

Bungalow - another good store for random things you never knew you needed (and definitely don't need)

Rusted Moon Outfitters - the Hales' favorite outdoor store!

Mass Ave (Massachusetts Avenue) just north of center city is packed full of restaurants, bars, and shops. The recently renovated Bottleworks Hotel (former Coca-Cola bottling plant) sits at the far end and has a food hall called the Garage which is the perfect spot for a group. Mass Ave is a great spot for a bar crawl or a daytime stroll.

The Eagle - love the chicken sandwhich - southern comfort food

Ball and Biscuit - great craft cocktails

Garage Food Hall - SO many food options (personally love La Chinita Poblana, an asian inspired taco stand)

Rathskeller - German Beer Hall - the garden area is perfect for a summer night and has live music on the weekends

Bodhi Thai - nice outdoor patio

Pins - bowling and bar games, across from the Garage

Silver in the City - more knick knacks, kitchen supplies, and jewelry

Fountain Square is a fun neighborhood in downtown Indianapolis. Elizabeth, Alex's sister and maid of honor, lived there for a couple years and is the resident expert on the area. Here are a few of our favorite restaurants and things to do:

Hotel Tango - great local distillery with some of our favorite cocktails

Bluebeard - upscale family style restaurant with nice courtyard

Bovaconti - Elizabeth's go to coffee shop in the area

Revolucion - the mullet of restaurants: taco business in the front, BUT the real gem is the Tiki bar in the back.

Roof top Garden - on top on the Fountain Square building, great for a bird's eye view of the area and skyline

La Margarita - Mexican food

Kuma's Korner - if you like Heavy metal so loud that you can't hear anything else AND great burgers, this is the spot for you

Turchetti's - meat market and deli with some stellar sandwiches and fries

Duck Pin Bowling - an Indy classic for mini bowling

Newfields is Indianapolis' art museum and one of our favorite places in the city. You could spend hours roaming the galleries, but we have always loved exploring the grounds. There is a fun beer garden, beautiful gardens, the historical Lily House, and the 100 Acres Woods that has a walk around a small lake and few outdoor art exhibits. The entrance fee is 20$ for adults, 13$ for youth, and kids 5 and under are free.

Located downtown on the canal, this museum offers Native American and western art.

Truthfully, neither Colin nor Alex have been here, but could be a fun visit for any race fans!

Cultural Trail - 8 miles of trail that connect fun spots throughout the city

Canal Walk - a favorite downtown walk - enjoy the art under the bridges and take out a paddle boat

Butler University Campus - Holcomb gardens are relaxing and it's an easy/peaceful walk from the gardens along a canal to Newfields Museum