Structure of Indianapolis/Neighborhoods to visit (South Bend, Lafayette: best neighborhood, hotel, place to live)

[thiqued]

Hey guys,

I live in Chicago and feel like taking a weekend trip to Indianapolis. I was wondering what the general reputations of parts of the city are. Where should you avoid? Where do the yuppies live? Where is the art and bohemian stuff? What about ethnic communities?

What neighborhoods would be good places to visit or stay?

Any cool gotta see insider stuff would be cool too.

Thanks!

[rrah]

Ethinic neighborhoods don't exist in Indianapolis like they do in Chicago. People are more spread out. I think you should try Broad Ripple or downtown. I've never really gotten a artsy/bohemian vibe from any part of Indianapolis to be honest. I think if I was going to recommend a different kind of place to see, it would be the Eiteljorg Museum or the Speedway Museum. If you live in the Hyde Park area, you should be fine anywhere in Indy. Just use the same precautions you use there. Overall, it's a very safe city.

[thiqued]

Thanks!

[restorationconsultant]

Downtown and Broadripple are both good places. Mass Avenue is the Arts and Entertainment district. You will be safe pretty much anywhere downtown if you are walking around. You can find some good B&B in town and can probably get reservations with no problem.

[domergurl]

Be careful this weekend guys! It's the girl's state basketball tournament ... they are having it in Lucas Oil Stadium. There will be 4 games and the biggest one is literally being called the national championship for HS girl's basketball, Ben Davis vs. South Bend Washington.

So if you venture downtown this weekend, you'll probably see lots of crowds (Indiana basketball still rules) and a hotel room will be really really really hard to come by.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by domergurl

Be careful this weekend guys! It's the girl's state basketball tournament ... they are having it in Lucas Oil Stadium. There will be 4 games and the biggest one is literally being called the national championship for HS girl's basketball, Ben Davis vs. South Bend Washington.

So if you venture downtown this weekend, you'll probably see lots of crowds (Indiana basketball still rules) and a hotel room will be really really really hard to come by.

In addition, the ladies' Big Ten Tourney is this weekend at Conseco Fieldhouse.

[Zoo Animals On Wheels]

Actually, there are a number of ethnic restaurants on the westside, around the 38th street/Lafayette Rd. area. Egyptian, Vietnamese, Indian, and of course tons of Mexican places. Lots of ethnic minority-owned businesses, too, and Saraga International Market just off I-65 can be interesting just to walk around (don't let the smell bother you...you get used to it).

Not the best neighborhood to be in after dark, however.

[thiqued]

Thanks.

[jmsouzer]

Did you end up making your trip? Definitely downtown/Mass Ave for more interesting arts, and Broad Ripple for a villagey-more boho vibe. But NOTHING compared to anything you find in Chicago. Indy isn't really a destination, except for sporting events and conventions. It's more of a place to live. A small town that just happens to have a bigger population than other small towns. And no ethnic neighborhoods at all.

[Freebird135]

people who say indianapolis is a very safe city didnt grow up in the same neighborhoods as me i guess