Does anyone think Indy is the best city in the midwest besides people who live in the city? (Indianapolis: camp, nightlife)

[stx12499]

This is an old thread, but a few things. I am a Chicago native who lived briefly in Indy and a few other Midwest cities, and now reside in Louisville.
Although Indy does have a nice, clean downtown, probably as active as any as far as a nighttime pedestrian activity, it is pretty bland. Furthermore, there are no real walkable urban neighborhoods in center township in Indy, and indeed Broad Ripple is very small and uninteresting compared to urban neighborhoods in every city surrounding it by interstate...STL has the Central West End and U City, Cincy has Mt Lookout, Mt Adams, and Hyde Park, Chicago has Lincoln Park, Columbus has the Short North and German Village. Even Louisville, Indys southern neighbor who it looks down upon, has a SUBSTANTIALLY better restauarant and nightlife scene for young professionals. Indy is identical in size to Columbus, much smaller than STL, approaching Cincy in size, and alightly arger than Louisville. These are the cities Indy should judge itself against.

Indy is not a bad city. There is plenty to do, but I would never mention it in the same breath as Chicago. I'd argue older cities like Saint Louis, Cincy, and Louisville, have elements of a "chicago feel" (mind you in very small doses compared to Chicago" because they developed denser, walkable urban areas before Indy did. So Indy is not a bad town, but it should never be mentioned in the same breath or even aspire to be Chicago. It does seem to have that chain mentality, and there is a more predeliction to live in Avon or Planfield or Fishers and to get excited about a new mall or a four square shaped 2000 square foot house for 60 bucks a square foot. I'd much rather have more diversity, urban walkabilty, natural features like rivers and lakes, and history, than the mall and new house protocol.

[domergurl]

Well, the Indianapolis Conv. & Visitors Bureau hired a guy from Seattle who seems to think that Indy can sock it to Chicago ... we'll see.

WTHR - Indianapolis News Weather -Indianapolis looks to attract more conventions

[Future Trooper]

Indy sock it to Chicago? That is going to be a uphill battle!!

[Toxic Toast]

I thought we socked it to Chicago in Super Bowl XLI

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by domergurl

Well, the Indianapolis Conv. & Visitors Bureau hired a guy from Seattle who seems to think that Indy can sock it to Chicago ... we'll see.

WTHR - Indianapolis News Weather -Indianapolis looks to attract more conventions

See, this is the problem I have with Indy, its media, and its people. It overhypes itself in general.

Maybe it should beat out LOUISVILLE and New orleans for conventions, and cities closer in size and amenities before it swings at the big boys. At the same time, Indy's overinflated impression of itself and high goals probably landed it the super bowl. As with Jacksonville, be prepared for the Indiana nowheresville jokes and the same redneck jibes that Jacksonville got when it hosted it a few years back.

Top convention cities - Los Angeles Times

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by stx12499

See, this is the problem I have with Indy, its media, and its people. It overhypes itself in general.

Maybe it should beat out LOUISVILLE and New orleans for conventions, and cities closer in size and amenities before it swings at the big boys. At the same time, Indy's overinflated impression of itself and high goals probably landed it the super bowl. As with Jacksonville, be prepared for the Indiana nowheresville jokes and the same redneck jibes that Jacksonville got when it hosted it a few years back.

Top convention cities - Los Angeles Times

How did I know you would have posted an article with Louisville as the top such and such convention cities? LOL I am just messing with you. We have had our differances in the past, but I must agree with you.

I have been reading some comments on here, and I really don't understand how some people can say the things they are, without much knowledge on the cities.

One thing we must realize is we are blessed with amazing cities in the Midwest, but the comments about Cincy and Milwaukee shock me.

I have been busy as an urban planner here in Cincinnati for the last two months, watching multi-billion dollar projects take shape. Cincinnati has over 8 cranes in the downtown right now not many cities in the country can say that. In part with the Banks Project, the Cincinnati Riverfront Park, and the construction of Cincy's new tallest skyscraper.

Cincinnati's Fountain Square which just was finished with millions in renovations is an amazing hotspot for night activity, not to mention the amazing areas of Over-The-Rhine, and the awesome restaurants downtown Cincy has to offer. Don't forget about the huge expansion Cincy's convention center saw, and hosted a presidential debate in 2008. Downtown Cincy has architecture and street traffic that many cities could only wish for. Cincinnati will also see new construction of its streetcar system that will link the Banks Project to Over-The-Rhine, and thats just the start. Cincinnati is an amazing city, don't underestimate it.

http://www.thebanksblog.com/

[Traveler87]

Milwaukee also has some great nightlife, and its lakefront is seeing great new happenings just like here in Cleveland. With awesome museums and parks that line it.

But lets talk about Louisville. This city is so underrated. It is up and coming, and has some decent downtown activity. I was there a few months ago with friends from Louisville who now live in Columbus, just touring the city and meeting with some people on the city council.

Louisville is seeing a lot of activity, and whenever their tallest gets started, it will be even better, but the building itself does nothing for the skyline of the city. The arena they are building is great, and they have some great historic neighborhoods of the city. I suggest taking a trip down there, because it really has something to offer that many cities don't.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by stx12499

See, this is the problem I have with Indy, its media, and its people. It overhypes itself in general.

Maybe it should beat out LOUISVILLE and New orleans for conventions, and cities closer in size and amenities before it swings at the big boys. At the same time, Indy's overinflated impression of itself and high goals probably landed it the super bowl. As with Jacksonville, be prepared for the Indiana nowheresville jokes and the same redneck jibes that Jacksonville got when it hosted it a few years back.

Top convention cities - Los Angeles Times

Well, it least Indy is eligible to host the Super Bowl, unlike a certain city two hours to the south.

Look, there's some fair criticism to be made about Indy, but you shouldn't be surprised if folks come on an Indy board to defend the city. I see you're having to defend Louisville on your board.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Well, it least Indy is eligible to host the Super Bowl, unlike a certain city two hours to the south.

Look, there's some fair criticism to be made about Indy, but you shouldn't be surprised if folks come on an Indy board to defend the city. I see you're having to defend Louisville on your board.

Come on grmasterb .... Kentucky doesn't HAVE a football team to BE superbowl eligible for .... that's a completely false arguement to make and it makes people in Indianapolis seem desperate to fling defensive doo whenever someone DARES to have a negative opinion of Indy.

I've said it once, I'll say it again .. Indianapolis is NICE ... and nice isn't a bad thing. I doesn't have history because it's the newest metro area in the midwest ... remember, Richard Lugar created what is now Indianapolis when he was the mayor many many years ago.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

But lets talk about Louisville. This city is so underrated. It is up and coming, and has some decent downtown activity. I was there a few months ago with friends from Louisville who now live in Columbus, just touring the city and meeting with some people on the city council.

Louisville is seeing a lot of activity, and whenever their tallest gets started, it will be even better, but the building itself does nothing for the skyline of the city. The arena they are building is great, and they have some great historic neighborhoods of the city. I suggest taking a trip down there, because it really has something to offer that many cities don't.

Louisville is a nice town. Why are we talking about it here though?