Price too much. I'm thinking $5 at most. We have many art fair in our area at no cost and we see…read moremany of the same artists and vendors.

Always one of my favorite artist events. Two days of wandering around and discovering someone new…read more Too bad they had to cancel the second day because of potential weather conditions. Food trucks were good. We didn't stay too long to enjoy entertainment but got to walk through the arts center and discovered new pop up events. Tip: go early. It's usually a hot day. Carpool to shuttle or take Uber. Broad ripple restaurants/nightlife is within walking distance.

Is the City-County Building itself a bit dated? Yes. It was built in the 60's and that's not going…read moreto change. BUT it is a centrally located, easily navigable hub. As mentioned in others' reviews, the public observation deck is a great lookout point to get your bearings in the city and explore some cool artifacts of Indy history. Many of the services offered from our local government can be accessed on the new city website: my.indy.gov. There is plenty of signage in the building letting you know this, so obviously save yourself a trip if you can. Otherwise reasons you might visit: to vote or to vote early (electronic and even easier this year!), marriage license, court hearing, jury duty, attend a City-Council meeting. Also of note for your planning purposes, the City Market is directly across the street and is a great place to grab lunch. The Original Farmer's Market happens right outside on Market St. every Wednesday in the warmer months. The Lugar Plaza just opened, so if you enter the building from Washington Street now, you're in for a real scenic treat with new public art pieces, swings, and more, with programming scheduled to begin in the spring. It completely transformed that entrance. As for rating the entire City of Indianapolis, that's pretty tough to consolidate into one review. However, when I think of all the beautiful parks and trails with innovative programming, booming restaurant scene, competitive sports teams, the legendary Indy 500, the award-winning international airport, interesting and photographable landmarks and historical sites, thriving art and music culture, fantastic shopping, and good ole Hoosier hospitality, the Circle City absolutely gets 5 stars from me. It's affordable, it's underrated, it's not pretentious, and like any good Midwest city, it's got all 4 seasons. I especially appreciate that Indy is a planned city, so navigating downtown is super easy. Is the city perfect? No. But what city is?! Indy is home. And that's perfect for me.

It looks very forboding, but in reality, it's very easy to get in and out. My review might be a…read morelittle higher than others because I don't have to go through the security line (the guards will honor IDs from state employees as well as city employees). I have been able to get my marriage license and marriage certificates (separate visits) in under 15 minutes which is amazing. Marion County early voting here is also a breeze.

Several members of my family live in and around Plainfield, Indiana. Located just inside Hendricks…read moreCounty, Plainfield had a population just over 36,000 during the 2020 census. Plainfield is about 10 minutes from Indianapolis International Airport. While I often think of a "town" as not having as many amenities, Plainfield is definitely a growing area with Splash Island Family Waterpark, the Hendricks Live! Performing Arts Center being fairly new, and a variety of historic spots including the Oasis Diner (a classic 1954 dining car) and the Plainfield Historic District (an area in the central business district with 174 buildings developed between 1840-1859). It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. I'm personally a fan of Hummel Park, Echo Hollow Nature Park, and Plainfield has over 35 miles of trails nearly all of which are pretty wheelchair friendly. For shoppers, The Shops at Perry Crossing (Reviewers Note: I always get confused with Perry Crossing and think it's in Perry Township. OY.) is also an absolutely terrific shopping area. My aunt was a realtor in Plainfield for many years, and another aunt lived here when I was a kid. It's growing up so much that I have to re-orient myself every time I get to Plainfield. I'm not sure I can call this a 5-star town, however, I'll easily call it a 4-star town with friendly people, pretty darn good accessibility, and a growing number of amenities. It's probably about 20-25 minutes from town (acknowledging that main thorough Washington Street/US 40 has a lot of construction going on these days). While i do love Hendricks Live!, the Prewitt is also a beautifully restored theater that is also worth a visit

While I reside in Indianapolis, I am very close to Plainfield and generally do most of my shopping…read morehere. It's just convenient. All the major stores are represented and the outdoor mall is a shopping and dining mecca. With the addition of some upscale restaurants scattered about and the new Hendricks Live venue this little town is hopping. And should there really be anything you can't find here, then the city is only a short drive east.

Continuously expanding area. Living in Indianapolis, I tend to come for a visit to enjoy some of…read morethe many restaurants in the area. Higher median income and more available space makes this a reasonable choice for new restaurants. Also more parking opportunities. I also love to shop at IKEA. Or attend Fisher Parks events. I do however think that the extra parking fees for out of towners is ridiculously high. Way to be elitist. Unfortunately the continuing construction in this area just makes for a horrible commute anymore.

I'm definitely a fan of the city of Fishers, Indiana. While existing for a long time in the shadows…read moreof its glossier neighbor Carmel, Fishers became an official "city" in 2015 (prior to this, it was legally a "town") and has quickly gained a reputation nationwide for its affordability, safety, and accessibility. Fishers has a population of just over 101,000 and was originally known as Fishers Switch. Salathiel Fisher originally developed land in 1872 that would become Fishers. The area was lightly populated until the 1960s. The connection of I-69 changed everything and Hamilton Southeastern High School came into being in the 1960s. The 1980s saw the expanded development of Geist and the population hasn't stopped growing. A couple years ago, Fishers won an award from the state of Indiana for its proactive efforts in the area of accessibility. In 2025, it was named the #4 safest city in America by MoneyGeek, in 2024 the #1 best affordable small city in America by Realtor.com, and in 2017 Money Magazine named it the Best Place to Live in America. Why? Fishers is an entrepreneurial city with all the amenities you want while also maintaining a certain small town charm. Fishers has an abundance of quality healthcare, the brand new Fishers Event Center, a great arts scene, and a lot of green spaces with trails, biking, and other outdoor opportunities. Fishers is close to both rural areas and a much bigger city. It's within a few hours of St. Louis, Cincinnati, Indy, Louisville, Columbus OH, and other cities. Fishers is a friendly city that has a reputation for being more relaxed than its snootier and roundaboutier (I made that up) neighbor. The Nickel Plate Trail is iconic and is quickly becoming like the Monon with adjacent development increasing opportunities and property values. Despite my sarcasm, I do like Carmel. I love Fishers. If I were ever to leave my Lawrence home, I'd easily choose Fishers as a destination as it offers me accessibility, affordability, and the opportunities I want in neighborhoods I would enjoy. It's amazing to think that Fishers has really only been a city for just over 10 years. I spend a lot of time in Fishers. While i will admit the area around I-69 feels a bit too busy for me, there's so much great stuff in Fishers I mostly just avoid that area. My second engagement (I make bad decisions) was with a woman from Fishers. I don't miss her. I miss Fishers.

What can I say? Ann is an easily recognizable icon of the city. You know you are on Mass Ave, a…read morevery happening area of Indy. She has been swaying her hips from side to side over 20 years now and shows no signs of slowing down. First time I saw her she reminded me a bit of a streetwalker with the come hither movements, but she has grown on me. This street corner would not be the same without her.

It's hard to believe that Ann has been dancing and greeting visitors to Mass Ave for nearly 20…read moreyears. This LED electronic sculpture brings movement and fun to downtown and is a fixture of Indianapolis. Ann is a perfect photo opt for visitors. (I've taken photos of my granddaughter dancing with her.) Artist, Julian Opie. produced the piece in 2007. The Crystal Dehaan Foundation underwrote the project according to a nearby plaque. Opie is well known for his simplistic examples of human form. "Ann" is one of several public art pieces on Mass Ave. She stands where the Cultural Trail intersects Mass Ave, probably by design. I found early morning, nearby street parking so that I could enjoy her. I love her!!!

I visited Martin Luther King Memorial Park in early April 2026, right after they finished…read morerenovating parts of it. They expanded the outdoor exhibits, including the Landmark for Peace Memorial, an art piece depicting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy with outstretched arms. They also added lights to the basketball court area and new walking paths, and reopened the Visitor Center, although it was closed when I visited. The playground at MLK Park is still relatively new, even though it wasn't a part of the remodel. It has fun things for all ages, like musical instruments, swings, a huge netted climber, a merry-go-round, and a small playground structure for little kids. The ground is that rubber padding that cushions falls. If you like murals, then come on over to this park, because it got it some murals. There's a mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy (of course), but also a mural depicting the "Masters of Disaster," a student chess team from IPS 27 that became national champions in the 1980s. How cool to be good at chess, and also get your mug on a wall in a park!

MLK Park is undergoing a major upscale renovation. I stopped by last week to monitor the progress…read more The park is home to a fabulous sculpture depicting Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King reaching out to each other. The sculpture sits on the ground where Kennedy delivered a moving speech on April 4, 1968, after the assignation of MLK. A nearby historical marker describes the importance of the speech. Many visionaries contributed to the Park and Memorial conception, including the Simons Brothers, The Pacers, politicians and artists. The sculpture was designed by Indiana artist, Greg Perry and cast by Daniel Edwards. I find the sculpture exceptional and moving. A modern Memorial Center is under construction just north of the Statue. The Center will house Park staff and exhibits about MLK and civil rights. An MLK quote is inscribed on the Center wall "Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that," Several contractors were working during my visit and the Center is behind closed fences during construction. It is hard to say when the Center will open, but I would guess Spring of 2026. A modern and colorful playground is also on the park grounds with climbing structures, swings and more. The made of the playground is soft matting material to improve safety. A swimming pool and basketball courts are also contained on the park grounds. Lots of green space is maintained on the park grounds. Landscaping efforts are in progress between the statue and Center with new walkways and signage. There is free street parking surrounding the park. Park use is free (not sure about pool use though). Several interesting murals of MLK surround the park. I look forward to visiting with my granddaughters when the Center opens. This is a moving Memorial and fabulous resource for the city.

This festival has some strong points, but also some areas where I think they could improve…read more The website noted there would be 20+ food vendors. It seemed like there were fewer than 10 even if we counted the fair grounds concession stand and the table where they were selling Doritos and other snacks. The ones that were there, however, were excellent! I had some pierogi that were definitely made with fresh dough and were authentic and delicious. The Filipino combo plate was a ton of food for $10 and included adobo, rice, noodles and an eggroll. It was all delicious and fresh. The Korean, Turkish, and African food looked amazing too, and the people selling the food were clearly the ones who prepared it. The entertainment on stage was great! There were adults and kids dancing, doing martial arts demonstrations and singing. They all did an amazing job! I wish there would have been a schedule on the website. The booths were kind of hard to figure out; no one was really walking around the booth areas so it felt a little awkward. Some were selling things and others had information about their country and culture. Maybe those who are more extroverted would have felt more comfortable just diving in without any other visitors to diffuse some of the pressure to be social . A map or listing of booths would also have been helpful. Most of the people in attendance seemed to be those with family members performing and so it seemed a lot of people left after each group performed and then others came in for the next performance with no one really walking around. The cost to get in at $12 cash only at the door seemed a little steep. In fairness the advance price was $8. Parking is $8 at the fairgrounds. The fairgrounds website said to enter gate 3 due to construction, but that was closed...we checked the lots across the street, but those were blocked off...we then drove around the perimeter of the fairgrounds and finally got in gate 6, paid our $8, but then found no signs directing us where to go...we found a worker who was able to direct us, but then found the lot to be full...we finally did get a spot, but some signs would be helpful along with a plan for overflow parking. Better information on the website and better (any!) signage at the fairgrounds would help greatly!

Attended the Indianapolis International Festival, on the last day of this 3 day celebration. This…read moreyear was the 43rd event hosted at the Indiana State Faurgrounds in the Elements Financial Blue Ribbon Pavilion. To get in cost $8 in advance or $12 at the door. More than 50+ ethnic groups represented in Central Indiana gather to share their rich cultural histories and traditions. There are from 20+ food vendors, music performances, and dances. There are cultural booths hosted by volunteers where visitors could connect with learn more about the culture and depending on the booth participate in an activity. I went to see some friends, who were volunteering in the food court area selling Filipino food. I got to try some of their desserts and some of the Korean food. Had a good time seeing the performances and cultural representations.

I drive by the Major Taylor mural in downtown Indianapolis every day on my way to work. It has…read morebecome a source of inspiration that I look forward to seeing. In September 2020, the Arts Council of Indianapolis kicked off a series of murals called the "Bicentennial Legends Series." The decision was made for Major Taylor to be the first Bicentennial Legend. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Marshall "Major" Taylor was a racial justice advocate and internationally recognized cyclist. In 1899, he became the first African-American world champion professional cyclist. He was also the U.S. Sprint Champion in 1899 and 1900. He became one of the truly pioneering athletes in the U.S. and a role model for other athletes facing discrimination. The mural is located on the Barnes & Thornburg building at 11 S. Meridian Street. It is easily visible from East Washington Street driving west. Funding was provided by the City of Indianapolis Bicentennial Commission, Barnes & Thornburg, the CIBA Foundation, Glick Philanthropies, and public donations that were made to the Major Taylor Coalition and matched by SRAM Corporation. The mural, which was finished in early Fall 2021, was created by African-American artist Shawn Warren, a Chicago native whose most notable work commemorates the Tulsa Massacre - it's called "In a Promised Land" and is an absolute masterpiece. Indy-based painter Boxx the Artist assisted Warren as part of a program to train artists on the creation of larger murals. The mural itself is a triple-portrait of Taylor capturing him at three stages of his life - as a youth, at his peak in racing, and after a two-year hiatus from racing. I love this quote from Warren - ""It was important to create some form of a narrative that not only depicts Major Taylor as a world-champion cyclist, but as a stoic, unwavering individual who faced the ugliest forms of racism," Warren said. "It's imperative that those who view the mural understand the difficult task Major Taylor took on to represent and win in a sport for a country that viewed him as an inferior person. The three portraits display Taylor as hopeful, courageous, and determined. His humanity is just as significant as his accomplishments as an athlete." I don't typically review a lot of public art, however, I've grown really fond of this mural and am thrilled I get to see it everyday. As we move toward opening up downtown Indy again, I'm excited that more and more people will be able to see this remarkable mural in downtown Indy.

This Mural goes by the name World's Fastest (Major Taylor). It pays homage to cyclist Marshall…read moreWalter "Major" Taylor, the world's first international Black sports superstar. During his career, Taylor set numerous world records, and won national and international titles. Even with all of his accomplishments, Taylor died without a dime to his name. The mural was painted by Shawn Michael Warren with the help of Boxx the Artist in 2020 and was commissioned by the City of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Bicentennial Commission, the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the Major Taylor Coalition. It takes a village to make a mural happen The mural depicts Taylor holding an American flag and him on a bike. It also has a quote from Taylor's autobiography "I was a pioneer, and therefore had to blaze my own trail. It is very vivid and huge. It is facing a huge paid parking lot and is on the side of Buffalo Wild Wings. I did not know about Major Taylor or his story. After doing some research on him, I wonder why I didn't. He is a very inspirational man and has a miraculous story. Who knew that looking at a mural could lead to some knowledge. As this mural is in a parking lot, parking and getting out to get a closer look at this mural is simple and easy, if that is what you want to do. You could probably even see it from the comfort of your vehicle and do a slow rolling drive-by and have the same effect. As with most murals that I have reviewed, this is probably not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. You may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other wonderful murals in the area or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.