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 Kile Oak Tree is an Irvington destination spot that easily falls within the category of "local…read moreflavor." Considered one of the oldest trees in Indiana, this Bur Oak Tree is nearly 400 years old - this makes it older than the United States and, of course, older than the actual state of Indiana. The Irvington Garden Club assists in maintaining the Kile Oak Tree. The lot and tree are protected by the Irvington Landmarks Foundation and have been declared a natural habitat. For those who like geoaching, there's also a geocache within this vicinity. Height is an estimated 87', though I've also seen it documented at 92-feet. The crown spread is 123'. The tree is named for Rev. Oliver Kile. Rev. Kile was the first to build a home on this spot and the tree served as a backdrop for his funeral in 1924. The Kile family actually stayed in the area until 1973. Rev. Kile fought for the Union during the Civil War and was noted for his involvement in the temperance movement. His daughter, Mae, was especially known for her efforts to preserve the tree. As a fun note, Mae worked as a secretary to Eli Lilly (grandson of the founder). For years (starting in 1928), she kept a log book of visitors that is now owned by the Irvington Historical Society. As our beloved Yelper Ken N. notes, there are picnic tables around here but this is not a recreational area. Neighbors are happy to have people come and visit the tree, but this is a residential area so respect for the tree and the neighborhood is expected. Mae Kile eventually moved to California when her health got bad. However, even from there she worked to ensure the tree's preservation. She never could get the city to acquire it, so she essentially left it tot he Irvington Historical Society expressly for its preservation. While Irvington has its fair share of destination spots, a journey through the neighborhood isn't complete without stopping at The Kile Oak. Parking is residential and this is a grassy area. It's not particularly wheelchair friendly, though the hardest part tends to be finding it. Once I found it, I didn't have much trouble getting to it.

I knew of some large oak trees on the east side of Indy, but I had not been aware of this large Bur…read moreOak in the Irvington area until I watched an episode of "Good Bones" on television where the house renovators mentioned this nearby park. So, being a Yelper with determination, I asked my wife if she minded stopping by this spot so I could check out this magnificent tree and mini park that has become certified as a wildlife habitat! Located just a short distance west of Arlington, south of Washington Street, I was easily able to spot the park because there was a cluster of large trees (or maybe it was that this one is so big that it looked like a forest! Ha!) There is a small streetside parking area at the entrance. There are numerous plaques and an information kiosk to tell you about the tree, the dimensions, the organizations that have preserved the tree and maintain the park. The park is certified as a wildlife habitat. Although there isn't a playground for kids, there are picnic tables for those who wish to enjoy the shade and scenery. Please carry out your trash since I don't believe they have a garbage can which might attract nuisance animals or disrupt the natural feeding of the creatures that live in the park. The tree is one of the largest in the state. It is a Bur Oak and was last estimated to be 87' tall with the crown of the limbs spreading 123'. The circumference of the trunk is 190" around so it would take multiple people to join hands to reach around the trunk! I was pleased to see the local societies have maintained the cleanliness of the park an that they set up a flowering garden which is not easy because of all the shade. There is even more information in the kiosk about the garden plantings. If you are on the east side and are looking for a spot to get away from all the traffic and clutter, just drive by here. Although it was a beautiful day, we had the park to ourselves while we were there. Review #3774

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 one of the many realistic-looking statues hanging around the downtown Carmel Arts & Design…read moreDistrict. This one is called "Things to Do," and it was created by artist J. Seward Johnson Jr., who is an American realism artist. This statue, like all of Seward Johnson's sculptures that I've seen so far, toe the line between realistic and uncannily creepy. I tend think that they lean more on the creepy side myself, so I try not to look at these statues that much when I pass them on the street. This statue depicts a woman sitting on a bench with a pen and notebook, deep in thought with her sunglasses in hand. I can relate to the sentiment of the statue because, like this woman, I, too, have lots of things to do daily. And like this statue, I, too, must make lists to contain the multitude of things I need to do and remember. The statue is located on southeast corner of Range Line Road (or Rangeline Road -- it's spelled both ways sometimes) and Main Street.

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

This is a small memorial dedicated to our Fallen Hoosier Heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice…read moreafter 9/11 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. It is the brainchild of Don and Carol Peed and is a beautiful memorial and is an excellent honor to those heroes. The memorial honors more than 200 local herons and is maintained by Vietnam veteran and local groundskeeper, Dennis Zavada. You will find it near Westfield High School, just outside of downtown Westfield. The memorial was dedicated in 2009 and consists of plaques with the name of each honored soldier, where they were from and when they died. Originally the memorial started with white crosses vice the plaques. There is also flagpoles with flags representing each branch of service behind an American flag, a Family Member Military Service Flag, and a POW/MIA flag. There is also some granite and stone plaques that are dedicated to gold star families, and instrumental people that made the memorial possible. You will also find brick pavers that are dedicated to special people, with lots of room for expansion. The memorial is very well maintained and looks awesome. I reminds me of something that you would see at the Arlington National Cemetery. It grabbed my attention as I was driving down the road. There is free street parking available right in front of the memorial and it is easy to get to. The memorial's first cross was in memory of Jeanette Winters, a Marines Corps sergeant who was killed in 2002. and the last memorial belongs to U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez who was one of 13 American service members killed in August in an attack on the airport in Kahul, Afghanistan as the US was exiting the war in 2021. It is amazing the impact that only a few people can make. This memorial is managed primarily by two people with support from local veteran's groups. The Memorial plays host to a Memorial Day service each year that is organized by the Carmel VFW and the American Legion. It is well attended. I love we a community puts something together to honor anyone that served, especially when it is as well done as this memorial. This is definitely worth a visit but I would make it part of a larger itinerary with attractions such as Big Hoffas, the Anti-slavery Cemetery, or nearby Asa Bales Park.

What an amazing local resource! The Plant Prop Exchange and Pet Portrait Event were both so fun to…read moreengage in. Happily a new member of this branch.

The library layout is really cool. However when I took my nonspeaking Autistic 4 yr old to the…read morechildren's section, the librarians did not want her to touch the books in the shelves. They said they were afraid she would knock them down, but she was not doing that. She is a sensory seeker and wanted to touch them and see their bright colors. She did not knock any books down, but her Autistic stimming seemed to unnerve the librarians who asked me (mom) to not allow her to press on the books. Since she has Autism level three it is not possible to have her follow those instructions because she cannot understand them. I would ask that the library staff try to be more inclusive of children with disabilities and to allow them to touch the books. If she had been allowed to finish touching the books, she would have been able to settle down and then sit down and look through one. My daughter was not making a mess of any kind. This experience caused us unnecessary stress, made us feel unwelcome, and my daughter did not understand what she had done wrong

What a unique gem to be found! Locate right smack dab on the Henry and Hancock County line in…read moreShirley, Indiana. The octagon house is open April-October on Sundays from 2-4 pm for free tours. AND they have a special Christmas event coming up (you can find out more about it on their website). And you can book group tours. There is a cool story behind this house, and without giving away all the details it was built in 1879 for around $2300 (that's it!). Jane Ross Reeves had this home built after finding the plans for it in a magazine, she contracted a company in Fortville, IN to build the home. There are only 5 octagon homes in Indiana, and this is one of them and the only one that hasn't been changed or altered. It's a beautiful home to see, with lots of history and character.