Someone once said, “If you’re not willing to be changed by a place, there’s no point in going.”
Change has surely happened since moving to Indy, and as I approach my last year as a Hoosier, I want to make sure I live this year to the fullest, and share the things I’ve grown to love about Naptown, the Best in the Midwest, before I go.
I had the opportunity to attend the INHP discussion about neighborhoods last Spring that was hosted by my first Indy love, Indy Hub. The most interesting thing I learned is that It takes just 10 specific great things for a city to truly thrive; this inspired me to create my own 10. So, here it goes:
Dear Indy,
These are the top 10 Things I Love About You.
Community
Saying that everyone I’ve met here is friendly is not a generalization, but an Honest to Goodness fact. Here are a few specific communities that my artsy, active heart adores:
1. @igersindy: Do you like to take pictures, be in pictures, and be around creative people? Then the Igers Indy group is for you. Once a month, this Indy Instagram account holds a #CircleCitySesh Meet Up at a unique (and very photo-friendly) location around this great city. Be on the look-out for the next date!
2. @Nov_ProjectIND: “You are truly home only when you find your tribe.” – Srividya Srinivasa. November Project is truly a welcoming tribe of amazingly positive and genuine people. Join our free sweaty, huggy, hive-five work-out every Wednesday at 6:15AM on the War Memorial Stairs. Don’t just take my word for it, check us out, #justshowup.
Nerd Alert
For me, Indy is the city for hobbies! I’ve not only found my people, but I’ve found my sweet spot.
Just to name a few:
3. Indy Reads Books: Not only does this bookstore give 20% off of every new book (to everyone, always!) but all of their proceeds go to adult literacy. That’s not even my favorite thing though; that is Word Lab! The first Monday of every month, 7-8:30PM come to Indy Reads to hear special guest authors and bloggers read an excerpt and give a prompt. (It’s way cooler than it may sound, I promise.)
4. Trade School Indianapolis: Ever wanted to become a beekeeper? Ever just needed some help buying your first adult bicycle? Ever wanted to learn how to do a number of interesting things for free? Tons of classes are offered and taught by professionals, and all they ask in return is that you trade with them tiny items for their knowledge and time.
Still confused? Great! Because Friday, September 11th, from 6-8PM @ 1125 Brookside Ave they are holding their very first open house.
Location, Location, Location
When I realized that I was going to be living in the Midwest a little longer, my first reaction was “Sooo Farrr Awaaay from an ocean!” But. . . being the absolute middle of America has its perks, and for me, all of those perks come wrapped in shiny, crazy rare, music experiences:
5. Music Venues: I can’t imagine this being the first time you’ve heard of one of these awesome places, but I’m going to list them anyway: HiFi, Radio Radio, The Old National Center, Klipsch, Egyptian Room, Emerson Theater, The Vogue, White River State Lawn… are just a few of the places that I frequent.
6. Music Fests and Events: When one of my all-time favorite bands or authors aren’t performing live at one of the above venues, I pass my time at one of Indy’s zillion music (and more) festivals. But. . . two of my truly favorite hidden gems are @sofarsoundsindy and @indyhostel.
Indy has such great local talent, too, and if you’re lucky, you might get invited to one of these awesome backyard shows.
The Great Outdoors
Ok, we may not have an ocean, but we do have dunes! And we have waterfalls! And tons of places that offer a unique nature experience. I can hear it now, though–“But the winters here–” Stop right there! Here are a few things I liked doing this winter:
7. The Indianapolis Zoo Lights makes for a great, cozy, winter date!
8. What also makes for an awesome, fun date is Winter Nights (and Summer Nights!) at the IMA. Last year they played the movie Fargo OUTSIDE and offered space heaters to those that could prove they were from Minnesota- genius.
9. Apparently Indy has had some rough winters for quite some time because this crazy, colorful ice sculpture has been around since 1961! If you haven’t checked out the Veal Ice Tree, you are surely missing out.
Coffee, Coffee, Coffee
Did I really limit myself to only 10 great things? Ugh, okay, here we go:
10. Our very own Milktooth of Fountain Square was recently put on Bon Appetit’s Top 10 Best New Restaurant list! I don’t know what exactly put them over the edge, but their Captain Crunch Latte did it for me!
Then there’s my personal favorite neighbor spots: Thirsty Scholar & Foundry Provisions both on 16th street. And have you heard of this weird new thing called L.O.L.?
It will be hard to say goodbye to Circle City, but what will be even harder is finding another place that’s just as great. Thanks for settin’ the bar high, Indy.
What sweet spots make this city unique and ‘it’ for you? What has Indy influenced about your “must have” list when seeking a new place to call home? Please share them with me below so that hopefully I get to experience them, too, before I set sail! Thanks!
