Cities like NYC, Chicago, Boston, and LA might be the cities most people envision when picturing the United States, but here in Indiana, we know we have the best city in the country. Indianapolis may not have a huge downtown skyscraper area like other states, but Indianapolis is a unique city that has a ton to offer its residents. What makes Indianapolis the best city in the country? All this and more.
- Big City Life, Small Town Vibes
wikimedia
Jeremy Thompson/Flickr
Spring Cruz/Flickr Indianapolis has everything you’d ever want in a big city, like zoos, museums, and sporting arenas, but all in a well contained, small town-like atmosphere. This friendly city is like one giant community, rather than a city of isolation where strangers ignore strangers.
- Community Events
Laurie/Flickr
Chris Bowman/Flickr
Steve Baker/Flickr This city is a huge network of events sponsoring different parts of the city, various charities, and more. With colleges like Indiana University, Butler, and University of Indianapolis all downtown, there’s always something going on. From charity events to bike races to cultural festivals, Indy always has something worth celebrating.
- Live Music
Steve Baker/Flickr
Sean Molin/Flickr
Sean Molin/Flickr Sure, Indy is home to several concert venues, but this city’s love of live music extends beyond traditional venues. From live acts at the State Fair and Indianapolis 500 to smaller events like the Fountain Square Music Festival and First Friday Music Festivals, Indy supports and encourages local music and live music events.
- Amazing Walkability
sciondriver/Flickr
sciondriver/Flickr
Deb Nystrom/Flickr Indy is an extremely easy city to navigate and walk around. The Cultural Trail connects several of the historic districts, making navigation a breeze. Plus, in the winter, you can utilize the skywalk to walk around the city high above the streets, in the heat. Need to get from one district to another quickly? Use the Pacer’s bikeshare or BlueIndy carshare to quickly get to your destination.
- The Canal Walk
KimManleyOrt/Flickr
Dan Adinolfi/Flickr
The West End/Flickr This gorgeous walkway is a fun way to spend your day, but also is housed around White River State Park, the Indianapolis Zoo, NCAA Hall of Champions, museums, and much more.
- Insanely Amazing Food
Craig H./Yelp
Howard L./Yelp
Jim K./Flickr There’s too much food in Indy to even begin recounting. From the award winning St. Elmo’s Steakhouse to smaller praise-worthy restaurants like Shapiro’s, Bru Burger, the Rathskeller, and Cafe Patachou, Indy is a mecca for great cultural food.
- Literacy and Arts Support
Dustin Batt/Flickr
Richard Soderberg/Flickr
Monroedb1/Flickr Indy is big on supporting the arts and literacy with place like the Indianapolis Symphony, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum, and the insanely huge Indianapolis Public Library (central location). However, small not-for-profit places like Indy Reads, a used and new bookstore that creates adult and child literacy programs, are unique places that make Indy an artistic haven.
- Craft Beer, Food, and Coffee
sciondriver/Flickr
Steven M./Yelp
Brendan G./Yelp Indianapolis has more craft pubs and breweries than one can count, but the craft list goes on from there. Indy also has craft restaurants like Pizzology, Mimi’s Meatballs, Red Lion Grog House, General American Donut Co, and Milktooth to help set their food scene apart. Their craft coffee scene is also huge with roasteries and coffee houses like Calvin Fletcher’s, Tinker Coffee Co, and Bee Coffee Roasters.
- State Pride
Lunablu6363/Flickr
JMScott/Flickr
Steve Baker/Flickr One of the best features of Indianapolis is the state pride that can be found within the city. From sports bars to hotels, Hoosier support and pride is evident. Hoosiers love this city and the people within it. Whether supporting equality for all Hoosiers or the state in general, you’ll find a whole lot of love in Indy.
With so much to see, so much to experience, and so much to learn, Indianapolis is a pretty special place. In fact, we think it’s the best city in the country. What else makes Indianapolis so great?
wikimedia
Jeremy Thompson/Flickr
Spring Cruz/Flickr
Indianapolis has everything you’d ever want in a big city, like zoos, museums, and sporting arenas, but all in a well contained, small town-like atmosphere. This friendly city is like one giant community, rather than a city of isolation where strangers ignore strangers.
Laurie/Flickr
Chris Bowman/Flickr
Steve Baker/Flickr
This city is a huge network of events sponsoring different parts of the city, various charities, and more. With colleges like Indiana University, Butler, and University of Indianapolis all downtown, there’s always something going on. From charity events to bike races to cultural festivals, Indy always has something worth celebrating.
Sean Molin/Flickr
Sure, Indy is home to several concert venues, but this city’s love of live music extends beyond traditional venues. From live acts at the State Fair and Indianapolis 500 to smaller events like the Fountain Square Music Festival and First Friday Music Festivals, Indy supports and encourages local music and live music events.
sciondriver/Flickr
Deb Nystrom/Flickr
Indy is an extremely easy city to navigate and walk around. The Cultural Trail connects several of the historic districts, making navigation a breeze. Plus, in the winter, you can utilize the skywalk to walk around the city high above the streets, in the heat. Need to get from one district to another quickly? Use the Pacer’s bikeshare or BlueIndy carshare to quickly get to your destination.
KimManleyOrt/Flickr
Dan Adinolfi/Flickr
The West End/Flickr
This gorgeous walkway is a fun way to spend your day, but also is housed around White River State Park, the Indianapolis Zoo, NCAA Hall of Champions, museums, and much more.
Craig H./Yelp
Howard L./Yelp
Jim K./Flickr
There’s too much food in Indy to even begin recounting. From the award winning St. Elmo’s Steakhouse to smaller praise-worthy restaurants like Shapiro’s, Bru Burger, the Rathskeller, and Cafe Patachou, Indy is a mecca for great cultural food.
Dustin Batt/Flickr
Richard Soderberg/Flickr
Monroedb1/Flickr
Indy is big on supporting the arts and literacy with place like the Indianapolis Symphony, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum, and the insanely huge Indianapolis Public Library (central location). However, small not-for-profit places like Indy Reads, a used and new bookstore that creates adult and child literacy programs, are unique places that make Indy an artistic haven.
Steven M./Yelp
Brendan G./Yelp
Indianapolis has more craft pubs and breweries than one can count, but the craft list goes on from there. Indy also has craft restaurants like Pizzology, Mimi’s Meatballs, Red Lion Grog House, General American Donut Co, and Milktooth to help set their food scene apart. Their craft coffee scene is also huge with roasteries and coffee houses like Calvin Fletcher’s, Tinker Coffee Co, and Bee Coffee Roasters.
Lunablu6363/Flickr
JMScott/Flickr
One of the best features of Indianapolis is the state pride that can be found within the city. From sports bars to hotels, Hoosier support and pride is evident. Hoosiers love this city and the people within it. Whether supporting equality for all Hoosiers or the state in general, you’ll find a whole lot of love in Indy.
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