There are lots of very cool places in Indianapolis that go relatively unnoticed to the wider…read morepopulation. The Mayor's Community Service Award Plaza is one such place. Located at 337 W. 11th Street in downtown Indy, this plaza recognizes recipients of Indianapolis's Mayor's Community Service Award. This is an annual recognition given to some of Indy's most community service-minded individuals. In addition to having a plaza, commemorative bricks are created for each individual recognized. The program started in 1993 and the awards banquet is held annually. As a fun fact, myself and fellow Yelp Elite Sara R. were both recognized in 2007 and our commemorative bricks are practically right next to one another (technically one brick apart!). This plaza is open to the public and is also accessible, though parking in this area is always a little bit tricky. The Mayor's Community Service Awards recognizes volunteer contributions and commitments to community service. Marion County residents can be nominated in one of several categories, including arts and humanities, business, education, health, neighborhood, sports, and more. The year I was a recipient, the banquet was held at the Indiana History Center. This is near the end of the canal area - think Buggs Temple. Despite its presence right by the canal, very few people seem to know that Community Service Plaza exists (as evidenced by the fact that it hasn't had a single Yelp review until now). I have a couple personal photos that I'll post when I get home, but a friend of mine was sharing a story about the plaza and it made me wonder if this wonderful landmark was on Yelp. If you get a chance, I definitely recommend checking it out.

This is one of two Federal Buildings located in the downtown area. It was built in 1974 and was…read morenamed after former US Senator and Supreme Court Justice Sherman Minton and former US Senator Homer Capehart. The building is 6 floors and has an area of 406,872 sq feet. There is secure garage parking for building tenants only and metered street parking and commercial parking lots within a short walk that is available for visitors. All visitors are required to go through security screening to enter. However, the building has been closed to the public for about 2 years, after COVID. The buildings primary tenants were the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Finance Accounting Service, the IRS and the Social Security Administration. Many tenants have moved out or drastically down sized ever since the post-COVID telework trend. The building is very clean. It is wrapped by a very colorful mural titled Color Fuses. The building has a daycare center for the children of Federal employees and there are picnic tables and chairs on the plaza in front on the building and the mural serves as a backdrop for it. Nice building, but you can't just roll up in there. You have to have official business, be cleared and put on a list and then go through airport level security. Fun fact: The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places last year (2021).

This review is for the exterior mural painted by the famous graphic designer, Milton Glaser, known…read morefor the "I heart NY" logo. The 35 hues behind this mural are being updated this year and will now feature up lighting to help them *pop* in the evening hours. Located across the street from the War Memorial on Pennsylvania, you've probably driven by this mural without ever giving it much thought. The Brutalist style architecture of the building doesn't do it for me but I certainly appreciate the vibrancy the mural brings to the building. It also makes a fun photo backdrop. Two quick tips- Indy Monthly recently wrote a small blurb on the artist/mural and I've included a snapshot of it here. Also, the Walk Indianapolis self guided historic tours feature a recording and stop about the Federal Building. (Screenshot included) Happy exploring!

This is a small plaza that features public art paying hommage to the state of Indiana. It was a…read moregifted to the city in 2010 by the White family, from White Lodging, the primary developer of Marriott Place. It is located across from the Indiana State Museum, around the corner from the JW Marriott and right in front of the Fridays. It is meant to also be a smoking area for hotel guest, in addition to a small art park. There are a bunch of picnic tables and chairs for visitors to sit and enjoy the space. The Plaza features artwork from Jeff Laramore. The most notable of pieces in the Plaza is Cardinal, a bright red steel sculpture that measures over 35 ft high and 50 feet long. The cardinal is supposed to be perched on Indiana's State tree, the Tulip Tree. There is also a 60 foot mosaic waterwall wall that was made out of over 1,000 pieces of granite and marble that are supposed to represent Indiana's state flower, peonies. Even though I am not from Indiana originally, I love the "Proud to be a Hoosier" theme the Plaza has going on. It is well done and made with fine attention to detail. There is garage parking and paid lots within walking distance from the plaza, but the primary users of the plaza are JW Marriott guests. This is a nice place to visit. I would probably couple it with a stay at the JW or a visit to White River State Park and/or one of the many museums in the area.

In the shadow of the JW Marriott Hotel downtown, the White Art Plaza was dedicated in February 2010…read moreas a gift to the City of Indianapolis from the White Family. The plaza is located on the north side of the building just outside the entrances to TGI Fridays and the Tavern on the Plaza seasonal restaurant. The most noticeable feature is the "Cardinal", Indiana's state bird. The bright red sculpture stands nearly 36 feet tall and is made from recycled aluminum wrapped around a steel infrastructure. The Cardinal is "perched" upon lines of the Tulip Poplar Tree (Indiana's state tree) that are etched into the plaza's concrete, giving the songbird a dimensional backdrop. The Cardinal overlooks the Plaza's stage. The external wall along the northern edge of the plaza is made up of four panels, each 15 feet long. The panels form a restful oasis of calm for city visitors. Together the panels span 60 feet forming a water wall containing containing an intricate mural honoring Indiana's state flower, the Peony. Each panel contains over one thousand individual components, hand designed and custom cut. From the plaza, visitors can gaze across Washington Street to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. The Kenneth R Bunn water sculpture "Whitetail Deer" is a multi-component bronze work conveying a sense of action and movement. Even though it only takes moments to appreciate the details of the plaza, the vibrant color and the homage to the Hoosier favorites adds a sense of calm and peace to a busy section of downtown. Review #116

Avon's haunted bridge has been on my radar for a little while. I don't know why, but I'm fascinated…read moreby supposedly haunted things. Which is interesting, because I can show up at a haunted space, all logical and left-brained, and experience absolutely nothing. Crickets. Ghosts never want anything to do with me. (Knock on wood! Throw salt over my shoulder! Spit three times!) Nevertheless, I think it's cool that other people hear things and experience things that are other-worldly. The haunted bridge is located inside Washington Township Park. If you want to see it up close, I suggest parking near the playground and walking the 0.6 miles to it. The path to the bridge is partially paved, and some of it requires you to pay attention to where you're stepping, because it can be a little uneven. When I was at the bridge, I did see some trucks drive under it, so I guess you can drive under the bridge. But there's nowhere to park, so if you drove, you'd just be experiencing a quick drive-by. But maybe you do want to drive under the bridge. Because the legend of Avon's haunted bridge is that a mother was walking with her baby on the tracks on the bridge, and both fell off the bridge and died. So now, the mother's wailing for her baby supposedly can be heard when you drive under the bridge. I stood under the bridge for a good several minutes and didn't hear any wailing, but I did smell something sulfurous, so there you go. But maybe I should have been in my car, because I think you only hear her wail if you drive. Ghosts are so particular in the way they express themselves! Apparently, you can honk when you drive under the bridge to help muffle this ghost-mother's screams. As a piece of architecture, this haunted bridge is beautiful and towers over White Lick Creek. Yes, it's partially covered with graffiti, but I think that lends to its beauty. It's a sign that life continues, despite a supposed tragedy.

For some, it looks just like any old concrete bridge. However, if you turn onto County Road 625…read moreEast right by Washington Township Park you'll enter the domain of what is known as Avon's Haunted Bridge. The most common story is that a mother carrying her baby across the tracks both fell to their deaths. Supposedly, you can hear the mother's wailing when you drive under the tracks. You're supposed to honk whenever you drive under the bridge (I know people who do this every single time). How much of a legend is this? You can find this bridge in the Avon town seal The bridge, whether haunted or not, is really quite cool. It was built in 1906 and is about 1/2-mile south of US 36. It was built for Big Four Railroad and is still used (by CSX). Another popular myth is that a drunken rail worker slipped during construction and was buried alive in the cement. Supposedly, you can hear his moans when a train goes over the bridge. The other myth that I'm aware of is that four workers fell to their deaths into White Lick Creek. Again, it is believed you can hear thuds and splashes. It took me a while to finally visit the bridge. I was decompressing after cleaning out my father's estate and realized I was close to the bridge. So, I finally tracked it down. The easiest way to see it is to simply drive under it - you can do so within the park or on CR 625 East. You can also get to it by foot (it's doable by wheelchair, though not as easily I will admit). The bridge is much bigger than I expected. There's a section that goes over White Lick Creek, a section over the road, and then some additional spaces. It's still a sturdy bridge, though it is graffiti marked and has seen its better days. I love places like this. While I can't say I've experienced any of the myths coming to life myself, I will admit I have a definite sense of melancholy here. Whether any of the stories are true, they give Avon a certain local flavor that fascinates. If you're into exploring Haunted Indiana, a stop at Avon's Haunted Bridge is a must.

I always love it when I stumble across this type of review. There's something awesome and inspired…read moreabout honoring a landmark or a location or a neighborhood or something else along these lines. Mass Avenue, for those who don't know, is one of Indy's more iconic neighborhoods with a whole lot of style, equal doses of substance, an abundance of history, and several destination establishments, restaurants, and public art stops. The Mass Ave NEXT Plan kicked off this week (2/21/26), an effort to amplify this cultural district that has succeeded where Broad Ripple has largely failed. Mass Avenue seems to have successfully woven together its tapestry of arts, culture, history, business, dining, and a whole lot more. Fun facts about Mass Ave: It's angled northwest and actually has a tagline of "45 Degrees from Ordinary." You can't possibly visit it without stopping by Julian Opie's "Ann Dancing," a digitized public art exhibit that has become a beloved part of the downtown landscape. The Bottleworks District has taken a historic Coca-Cola bottling plant and turned it into a work of wonder from the Bottleworks Hotel to The Garage Food Hall to Living Room Theatre to some of Indy's coolest businesses. What are my Mass Ave favorites? Silver in the City - a locally owned gift shop run by people who love the city, love people, and have some very cool items. They also have an automatic door to help those with disabilities have easier access. You've won my heart. While Indy has lots of music halls, I absolutely am a fan of Old National Centre with the Egyptian Room, Corinthian Hall, and Grand Lobby. It accommodates up to 4,590 guests and even with the weird slant that drives my wheelchair nuts it's the one place I go back to again and again. The Athenaeum is an absolute blast. Pins Mechanical Company is fun galore. Global Gifts is a must visit. The District Theatre carries forth the risk-taking theatrical traditions of Theatre on the Square, the first theatre group to land in this spot. Stout's Shoe Store is here. It's the nation's oldest shoe store. Heck, I don't even have feet and I go here. The fried chicken at The Eagle is a fantasy come true. The Fountain Room is sublime. The Chatterbox has been serving up jazz for years. Tomorrow Bookstore is what bookstores should be. Especially in the downtown section of Mass Ave, I absolutely consider it walkable (or in my case wheelable). You can park in a lot or at a meter. Yes, there are occasional accessibility issues on Mass Avenue, and the Lugar Towers, a high-rise apartment complex is a public housing complex that's an embarrassment for Indy - NOT because of the residents, but because the city has failed those residents time and again. But, I still cannot deny it. I love Mass Ave. There are days when I'll simply park my car and spend a few hours having lunch, going to a movie, and shopping all along the avenue. I used to work at 345 Mass Avenue and I've never stopped loving this district. If you haven't been here, get here.

YOU CANNOT VISIT INDY WITHOUT WALKING UP AND DOWN MASS AVENUE…read more================================================================ Mass Avenue is a mile long avenue that features many of Indy's most well know establishments and attractions. If you have time and it's not too hot and humid out I highly recommend starting on the northeast end near The Garage Food Hall. This is a good spot to get lunch after you have walked all the way down Mass Avenue into Downtown Indy and back. However, there are many more restaurants along Mass Avenue to enjoy and I've been to a bunch. Mass Avenue is a little bit different than the rest of Indy as the whole avenue is on a 45 degree angle to the rest of the streets on the grid. The Bottleworks Hotel is on the north side of Mass Avenue and it would be a great place to stay. We stayed in an Airbnb up on 16th in August, but I would stay there the next time. The rates are pretty reasonable as well. Pets are allowed too. Now the parking is a bit of a rip off at $48 per day so I might park at a family members nearby. Why is it that hotels always seem to charge so much for parking? Another great place to dine south of the Bottleworks area is at the Rathskeller which is German and the oldest restaurant in Indy. They have great beer and the best pretzels I've ever had in my life. There are so many things to see along Mass Avenue. Don't forget to walk around Downtown Indy on the southwest end and walk around where all the monuments are.

The Town Hall in Zionsville opened in 2017. This facility is an improvement over the previous…read morelocation, which was in an old church. The Hall houses the mayor's office, town planning, fire department admin and Boone County Senior Services. The building is modern and spacious inside. Conference rooms of all sizes can be reserved for resident meetings. I have reserved the largest conference room for a Non-Profit that I belong. The staff is very helpful and friendly. The rooms are well equipped and comfortable. The restrooms are large and clean. There is a nice patio area with flowers and a Thin Man statue on the east side of the facility. There is plenty of parking in their dedicated lot. The facility is fully accessible included close handicapped spaces. The Town Hall is used for several community activities including area foot races.

I wanted to meet a friend in Fishers and City Hall was suggested as a place I could find easily…read more After parking in the free spaces in front of the building, I went into the large lobby to meet. The place is beautiful! And if that wasn't enough, the Fishers Art Council organizes a monthly art exhibit to fill the walls of the first and second floor lobbies. My friend and I wandered around the lobbies checking out this month's art work: a local artist had gone to Mexico to cover the Day of the Dead festivals. The artist had photographs, paintings, and drawings of what she saw and experienced. The facility was easy to get around with a grand staircase as well as elevators. I also have used their help desk to find some information in prior visits. Very nice place to check out art and meet. Review #1714

Wow, what a beautiful building interior! While I visited this building mainly for the restaurant on…read morethe ground floor, I was amazed at the well maintained interior hallways which struck me as being from a completely different time period. This building also has offices and is really well maintained from first glance. I loved the carving on the outside above the entrance door. The restaurant windows had a good view of the park across the street as well.

Such a stunning building. Love the old world style of first floor shops! Love the colorful/ unique…read morefloor tiles, the stone throughout the building, and how they feature local artists. They take admirable care of the building. Only downside is the bathrooms for men or women being on every other floor and needing a key. Such a unique piece of our history that I'm so glad is still standing!