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.

If there's one curse I associate with being a wheelchair user, it's the fact that I tend to fall in…read morelove with historic houses that are far from wheelchair friendly. Such is the case with the Irvington area's "The Benton House," a home built in 1873 and intended to be one of the homes to set the architectural flavor of the Irvington area. Alas, the home's construction was shortly followed by an economic downtown and many of the surrounding homes were built on smaller lots and were a bit more modest in size. This 10-room home served as home from former Butler University President Dr. Allan Benton (Fun Fact: His wife was named Silence, which I personally think is an incredibly cool name). By 1907, it had changed hands and stayed in the Miller family until 1966 when it was sold to the Irvington Historic Landmarks Foundation. There are items from Dr. Benton still located in the home. The home recently underwent renovations and is available for club meetings, weddings, private parties, and retreats. As it is a historic home and noted as a historic landmark, it is not wheelchair friendly. Getting around the yard is fairly easy, though there are steps into the home. Geocachers will be interested to note that there's a geocache located within close proximity of the home - this is actually how I originally discovered the home myself. It remains a nicely wooded lot and is quite often decorated seasonally. You can actually become a "member" of The Benton House - $25 for individuals annually and $50 for families and/or organizations. There are benefits associated with membership, though the greatest benefit is supporting a really beautiful and historic Irvington home. As a wheelchair user, I love homes like this even though they are far from wheelchair friendly. My own home is a 1955 California ranch that, quite fortunately, is on one level. However, I've long felt like if I ever obtained the ability to walk or increase mobility one of my first actions would be to buy a home such as this incredible beauty.

The Benton House will be in my fondest memories for decades to come... granted I might be a little…read morebiased since we had our rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, and reception here. Working with Linda was a breeze. She is so sweet and accommodating. The preferred tent company is a little exhausting, but I kind of think the whole formal wedding process is a little exhausting, so that might just be personal preference. I can't handle talking about table cloth colors for two hours without feeling like I'm losing my mind a little. My husband and I couldn't have been happier with the weekend, and it seems like our guests had a great time, as well. If you're looking at renting The Benton House for any type of indoor event under 100 people, or outdoor event under 150, I 100% recommend it.

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.

This memorial park is located adjacent to the Canal Walk area in downtown Indianapolis. Being from…read moregreater NYC area, it was very emotional to see the park having two of the steel beams grounded in the park. There were 4 ceramic blocks, each representing one of the major four events on 9/11. There's also US flag and a memorial for Lt. General Timothy J. Maude. The park was very well maintained. It was clean everywhere. There's stairway from the park that heads straight down to the Canal walk. The park is small and only takes few minutes to explore fully.

This is a very understated, respectful memorial to 9/11. There's no crowds so you can spend some…read moretime just reading.

A friend of mine was raised in Fortville, Indiana and this has given me the opportunity to visit…read morethe small town just Northeast of Indy quite a few times since my move from Pike Township to Lawrence Township a few years ago. Established in 1865, the Town of Fortville is in Hancock County. It's a fairly easy drive for anyone who lives on the Northeast side of Indy and quite a few Yelpers can be found in Fortville, Indiana either at Taxman Brewery or Foxgardin Kitchen & Ale. There's a main strip in Fortville that has some awesome public art. Pinkie the Elephant is a beloved Fortville icon and frequent spot for selfies - it also should be noted as being a geocache spot. Noteworthy restaurants include the aforementioned places - Taxman Brewery and Foxgardin Kitchen & Ale plus places like Broadway Diner, 305 Wine Garage, Cortona's Italian Cuisine and Wine Bar, Los Maguelles, and Libby's Ice Cream & Gifts. There's a Mozzi's Pizza in Fortville, a Lincoln Square (one of my favorite locations), and also a Pizza King. There's also a Dairy Queen on the main drag. Fortville has a couple parks. It has a neat location right by a train track and it's not uncommon to see trains while in the Fortville area. Fortville can pose a bit of a challenge in terms of accessibility. Because it's an older town, some of the buildings are truly quite a bit older and not particularly accessible. For example, Taxman has decent accessibility but Foxgardin does not. Oh, I almost forgot to mention. Sunrise Bakery is an awesome bakery in the area. I'd almost consider it a destination bakery. Super friendly and awesome baked goods. I once judged a chili cook-off here at the VFW in Fortville! In terms of the community, Fortville has a dog park, a library, and kids go to Mount Vernon Schools. 4 of 6 Town Council members are women. Currently, the population is just under 4,000. Nearby Greenfield is the county seat, but it would be hard not to love this small town with friendly people and just enough amenities to give you both the peace and quiet of a small town with the "stuff" that makes daily life a bit more comfortable.

Located next to Fishers and home to popular destinations like Taxman Brewery and FoxGardin Kitchen…read more& Ale, Fortville is a cute little town with an increasing number of great shops, entertainment, and restaurants. I attended the Fortville Winterfest recently and had a blast. It was well-advertised and very well organized, particularly for a small-town event. It was a great time to walk down Main Street and check out all of the new places that have opened in the past year or so, as well as take advantage of special one-day-only discounts and goodies in nearly all of the downtown shops. If you're in the Indy area, Fortville is definitely worth checking out if you're interested in trying out a new restaurant or bar, or just looking to get away from the bigger cities and enjoy a night out without the usual crowds and parking nightmares. You can follow Fortville Action Inc. on social media to see upcoming events.

You may think that the fountain has some historical value or is an antique. Nope, not even close…read more This fountain was built in 2009 and installed in 2010. The only thing historical about this fountain is the location that it is in. It is the fourth fountain to be installed here, with the first being installed in 1889. The fountain is made of cast iron and is cast from the same mold as a historic one in New York. On the top of the fountain you will see Goddess Hebe, who is nick named Lady Spray (hence the fountains name). Hebe is the goddess of is the goddess of youth or the prime of life. As I mentioned the fountain is pretty weathered and it was not operating while I was there. I am not sure if it is functional or if it was just shut down for the season. Parking to get a closer look is somewhat simple. There is metered street parking within a very reasonable walking distance. There is no real easy way to cross the street to get to the fountain no matter what side you approach it from. It is on an island. I am sure you know it already, but I would be remiss if I did not say it, please be careful. There is no fountain square without a fountain. Even though this fountain is relatively new, they did a great job maintaining its antique look and nostalgia feel. Definitely worth a peek if you are in the area.

Okay, I get that this current version of the fountain was installed as recently as 2009 and is a…read morecopy of a statue in New York that features "Lady Spray" or more commonly known as the goddess Hebe. But what makes this latest version so great is that an entire neighborhood is named because a fountain was put at this intersection in 1889. The original also featured Lady Spray. I love that the neighborhood wanted to capture some of the original statue/fountain by returning to the first theme even though the original was destroyed. This is the fourth version of the fountain to exist on this spot and it still features the goddess on top a series of supports that have different types of ornamentation (including geese). The water sprays and is collected in several dish shaped layers. Although not everyone in the neighborhood wanted to go with this version, a compromise of sorts was reached when the sculpture that topped the second version was saved and put on display to the southwest of the fountain. Review #1888

I was looking at a map of the Meridian Hills area and saw "Second Presbyterian Church Labyrinth" as…read moreone of the landmarks. Say what? A labyrinth in Indianapolis? My interest was piqued and I set off to check it out. Turns out, my good Yelp buddy Richard P. has already visited this labyrinth and wrote a way better review of it than this one I'm writing right now. So read his review. Then, go and visit this labyrinth. You'll find it easily when you enter the church parking lot -- just follow the signs for "Children's Circle." I'll have to come back with my children, because I think they'd have fun walking on the labyrinth and getting to the center. It's a nice little spot with some boulders to climb on, and some benches to sit on, if you wish. It's located right off the church parking lot, but tucked into a little nook with trees, so it's definitely a place where you could find peace and quiet. It's really neat that there's a free place in Indy where you can mediate while walking on a labyrinth, and find a little time to yourself outdoors.

By now, it's no secret that I love labyrinths. I visit them regularly and the labyrinth at Second…read morePresbyterian Church is among my favorites in the state of Indiana. A relatively new labyrinth, this labyrinth was developed in 2013 as part of the over 180-year-old church's 175th anniversary celebration. This is an outdoor labyrinth built in concrete within one of Second Church's grassy areas. It's publicly accessible and other than during events held at the labyrinth is open for use. Rev. Gracie Payne, a former Lake Fellow at the church and now Director of Young Adults, led the development of a prayer guide for the labyrinth that is available on the church's website. The outdoor labyrinth is designed in the classic tradition similar to that of the one at Chartres Cathedral in France. While it's just a touch too narrow for full-on wheelchair use, the labyrinth is easily wheelchair accessible with a pathway that is smooth. I've had no difficulty following the labyrinth's paths - I simply go a bit outside the lines (which pretty much sums up my life anyway). This labyrinth is in an inspired location. It's easily accessible within the city, there's plenty of parking, it's a generally safe area (in fact, I often see police cars in the parking lot), and yet it's a fairly wooded lot offering a peaceful place for prayer and meditation. Second Church does periodically hold labyrinth-based events and the website is a great place to look for those. Currently, they are asking labyrinth users to wear a mask if 2 or more are using the labyrinth. There's also a bench where you can sit and reflect here, as well. Otherwise, this is a simple yet beautiful labyrinth and definitely one of my favorites.

He co-founded General Motors in 1911 and his name is still well known over a century later…read more This memorial to Mr. Chevrolet is located to the side of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum near the Coca Cola Pit Stop snack bar. It includes a bronze bust of Louis Chevrolet on a stone pedestal. There are some sculpted panels flanking the statue depicted various scenes involving the Chevrolet family and the history of the American auto industry.

Just west of the entrance into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is a small plaza (Founders…read morePlaza) that was created in 1975 as a tribute to Louis Chevrolet and his contribution to auto/racing. The bronze and marble semi-circle features a bust of Chevrolet on a central pedestal. Above the marble bench are four recreations of photographs of great moments in the Chevrolet history at the track. These bronze reliefs feature some of the legendary names in auto racing from the early years. Surprisingly, even Henry Ford gets his name and picture on one! The bronzes were created by Adolph Wolter in the years leading up to the dedication ceremony in 1975. I must admit that there were a number of the depicted individuals that I had never heard of. I am glad that those names and faces have been preserved so that they don't have to be forgotten. Review #1866