Karlie’s Guidebook to Indy
Food scene
This is a local black-owned business serving up amazing craft beers and good bar snacks. It's just a couple short blocks from my listing - a must on your list for the Near Eastside.
18th Street Brewery - Indy Taproom
2829 E 10th StThis is a local black-owned business serving up amazing craft beers and good bar snacks. It's just a couple short blocks from my listing - a must on your list for the Near Eastside.
One of Indy's most popular vegan spots AND most popular diners. You cannot go wrong with this family-friendly gem.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
10th Street Diner
3301 E 10th StOne of Indy's most popular vegan spots AND most popular diners. You cannot go wrong with this family-friendly gem.
Known for heavy metal music and KILLER bar food, this is a true local favorite. They have a huge beer selection and any of their giant burgers can be made with the protein of your choice, whether beef, house veggie-patty, chicken tenders, or grilled chicken. Their appetizers and mac and cheese are also to die for! A super fun team of staff really drive this one home.
68 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kuma's Corner Indianapolis
1127 Prospect StKnown for heavy metal music and KILLER bar food, this is a true local favorite. They have a huge beer selection and any of their giant burgers can be made with the protein of your choice, whether beef, house veggie-patty, chicken tenders, or grilled chicken. Their appetizers and mac and cheese are also to die for! A super fun team of staff really drive this one home.
Metro is the place to be for dancing - especially if you're part of the LGBTQ+ community. This is the queer bar of choice for my friend group, as it is very welcoming and inclusive of our identities and we can always expect a good time on a Friday or Saturday night! Hot tip - the dancing doesn't get good until around 11 or 12. If you want to go for a more mellow vibe, visit Metro on a weeknight or Sunday afternoon to enjoy their Sliders and back patio. Cheap drinks and a fun atmosphere.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Metro Nightclub & Restaurant
707 Massachusetts AveMetro is the place to be for dancing - especially if you're part of the LGBTQ+ community. This is the queer bar of choice for my friend group, as it is very welcoming and inclusive of our identities and we can always expect a good time on a Friday or Saturday night! Hot tip - the dancing doesn't get good until around 11 or 12. If you want to go for a more mellow vibe, visit Metro on a weeknight or Sunday afternoon to enjoy their Sliders and back patio. Cheap drinks and a fun atmosphere.
Almost Famous is Indianapolis's hottest new venue for a variety of shows and events. Any drag show you catch here is bound to be fantastic - it is local drag collective Haus of Morningstar's home base! Almost Famous hosts evening drag shows, drag brunch, burlesque events, comedy, jazz, dance parties, you name it. It is also open most evenings for dinner in with swanky, speakeasy vibes.
Named Crema by day, you can also use the space during your workday while sipping delicious hand-crafted coffee, such as my personal favorite, their Shakerato.
Almost Famous | Crema
721 Massachusetts AvenueAlmost Famous is Indianapolis's hottest new venue for a variety of shows and events. Any drag show you catch here is bound to be fantastic - it is local drag collective Haus of Morningstar's home base! Almost Famous hosts evening drag shows, drag brunch, burlesque events, comedy, jazz, dance parties, you name it. It is also open most evenings for dinner in with swanky, speakeasy vibes.
Named Crema by day, you can also use the space during your workday while sipping delicious hand-crafted coffee, such as my personal favorite, their Shakerato.
Calvin Fletcher's has, in my opinion, the best coffee in town. Their skilled baristas know what's up. It also sits on the Cultural Trail, a beloved and well-kept walking/biking trail that runs from Fountain Square through Downtown. If you visit Calvin Fletcher's, be sure to pick up a loaf of fresh-baked bread from nearby Amelia's.
95 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company
647 Virginia AveCalvin Fletcher's has, in my opinion, the best coffee in town. Their skilled baristas know what's up. It also sits on the Cultural Trail, a beloved and well-kept walking/biking trail that runs from Fountain Square through Downtown. If you visit Calvin Fletcher's, be sure to pick up a loaf of fresh-baked bread from nearby Amelia's.
Have a dog? Like dogs? Check out Metazoa Brewery and dog park to see many tails wagging! They name all of their craft beers after animals and donate portions of their earnings to charities - mostly focused on, you guessed it, our furry friends. This is a local favorite for sure, and fair warning, it'll be packed on any nice day.
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Metazoa Brewing Company
140 S College AveHave a dog? Like dogs? Check out Metazoa Brewery and dog park to see many tails wagging! They name all of their craft beers after animals and donate portions of their earnings to charities - mostly focused on, you guessed it, our furry friends. This is a local favorite for sure, and fair warning, it'll be packed on any nice day.
Neighborhoods
The Near Eastside is a laid-back, diverse, growing community with many highlights. Within a few short blocks of your stay you'll find many locally-owned favorites. Hit up Rabble Coffee for your morning coffee and pastries from some our favorite Indianapolis-based bakeries. In the afternoon, you can walk to black-owned 18th Street Brewery for a post-work snack, tasty brews, and relaxed atmosphere. For dinner, you can't go wrong with 10th Street Diner, which boasts some of Indy's best vegan food, or Gomez BBQ (Gomez neighbors 18th Street Brewery for those of you who prefer staying in one spot). Visit Tik Tok Lounge for an after dinner cocktail, or save it for weekend brunch and order the best Bloody Mary in town! You'll also find ample thrifting and city murals by local artists for your enjoyment.
Just north is Brookside Park, which features a beautiful walking/running/biking trail. If you visit the park, stop by KanKan, an independent nonprofit cinema with an adjoining restaurant and bar, that screens everything from vintage classics to new B-Horror. Just between the Near Eastside and Downtown lies Bottleworks, one of Indianapolis's newest and most popular attractions. Bottleworks is the old Coca-Cola factory, which has been revitalized into an incredible hotel, food hall, duckpin bowling and game center, and movie theatre.
If you feel like venturing out of the Near Eastside, you can't go wrong with visiting one of the many restaurants or shops on Mass Avenue or going to Strange Bird tiki bar in Irvington. Irvington is also home to Irvington Vinyl and Books, which houses a co-op and library cat - if you're lucky, you'll get to pet her. Fountain Square, Cottage Home, and Broadripple are also a short distance away and full of fun things to do. After you book, you'll be able to see my guest book for a full list of recommendations.
East 10th Street
East 10th StreetThe Near Eastside is a laid-back, diverse, growing community with many highlights. Within a few short blocks of your stay you'll find many locally-owned favorites. Hit up Rabble Coffee for your morning coffee and pastries from some our favorite Indianapolis-based bakeries. In the afternoon, you can walk to black-owned 18th Street Brewery for a post-work snack, tasty brews, and relaxed atmosphere. For dinner, you can't go wrong with 10th Street Diner, which boasts some of Indy's best vegan food, or Gomez BBQ (Gomez neighbors 18th Street Brewery for those of you who prefer staying in one spot). Visit Tik Tok Lounge for an after dinner cocktail, or save it for weekend brunch and order the best Bloody Mary in town! You'll also find ample thrifting and city murals by local artists for your enjoyment.
Just north is Brookside Park, which features a beautiful walking/running/biking trail. If you visit the park, stop by KanKan, an independent nonprofit cinema with an adjoining restaurant and bar, that screens everything from vintage classics to new B-Horror. Just between the Near Eastside and Downtown lies Bottleworks, one of Indianapolis's newest and most popular attractions. Bottleworks is the old Coca-Cola factory, which has been revitalized into an incredible hotel, food hall, duckpin bowling and game center, and movie theatre.
If you feel like venturing out of the Near Eastside, you can't go wrong with visiting one of the many restaurants or shops on Mass Avenue or going to Strange Bird tiki bar in Irvington. Irvington is also home to Irvington Vinyl and Books, which houses a co-op and library cat - if you're lucky, you'll get to pet her. Fountain Square, Cottage Home, and Broadripple are also a short distance away and full of fun things to do. After you book, you'll be able to see my guest book for a full list of recommendations.
Sightseeing
Bottleworks is a recent Indianapolis development. An old Coca-Cola factory turned into a lovely hotel, food garage, duckpin bowling and game hall, and movie theatre, this plaza off the end of Mass Ave is a great place to spend any night of the week. They did an excellent job of keeping the historical flare of Coca-Cola while renovating it into a usable space.
58 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bottleworks District
850 Massachusetts AveBottleworks is a recent Indianapolis development. An old Coca-Cola factory turned into a lovely hotel, food garage, duckpin bowling and game hall, and movie theatre, this plaza off the end of Mass Ave is a great place to spend any night of the week. They did an excellent job of keeping the historical flare of Coca-Cola while renovating it into a usable space.
You can rent boats or kayaks and explore Geist Reservoir at your leisure. Given that Indianapolis is landlocked, this is a great option for summertime fun!
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Geist Reservoir
You can rent boats or kayaks and explore Geist Reservoir at your leisure. Given that Indianapolis is landlocked, this is a great option for summertime fun!
Newfields is an Indianapolis staple. An amazing art museum, beer gardens, and the notable "100 Acres" outdoor nature area are all worth the ticket price.
100 Acres is accessible for free via the outdoor parking loop; officially named "Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park."
364 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Newfields
4000 N Michigan RdNewfields is an Indianapolis staple. An amazing art museum, beer gardens, and the notable "100 Acres" outdoor nature area are all worth the ticket price.
100 Acres is accessible for free via the outdoor parking loop; officially named "Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park."
If you are here the first weekend of the month, check out First Fridays at the Murphy Arts Center. It's free to enter the building, and as you roam the halls of this historical arts and cultural center, you'll find many dazzling works and people - check it out for yourself.
G. C. Murphy Building
1043 Indianapolis Cultural TrailIf you are here the first weekend of the month, check out First Fridays at the Murphy Arts Center. It's free to enter the building, and as you roam the halls of this historical arts and cultural center, you'll find many dazzling works and people - check it out for yourself.
Midland is an INCREDIBLE antique and thrifting store! This place is not only in a beautiful historical building, but I mean this when I say it - there is something for everyone. This is one of my favorite places to go on a date, take my parents, do a group hangout with friends, or even go alone to read a book.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Midland Arts & Antiques Market
907 E Michigan StMidland is an INCREDIBLE antique and thrifting store! This place is not only in a beautiful historical building, but I mean this when I say it - there is something for everyone. This is one of my favorite places to go on a date, take my parents, do a group hangout with friends, or even go alone to read a book.
A Fountain Square staple, this performance venue is one-of-a-kind. Catch a show and say hi to Erin at the bar for me.
45 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
White Rabbit Cabaret
1116 Prospect StA Fountain Square staple, this performance venue is one-of-a-kind. Catch a show and say hi to Erin at the bar for me.
They have a bookstore cat. That's all you really need to know!
This place does amazing things for our community, and is a wonderful place to explore for awhile.
Irvington Vinyl & Books
202 Johnson AveThey have a bookstore cat. That's all you really need to know!
This place does amazing things for our community, and is a wonderful place to explore for awhile.