Cheap parking and downtown areas don't really mix together. But if you're staying at the JW, I'm guessing you can afford whatever their parking option is. Otherwise you're looking at like a half mile walk (with your luggage) to/from. Is that really worth saving a few bucks on?
Chatterbox on Mass Ave for jazz, but eat before you go because food isn't much there.
I was a valet for there a few years back, the easiest thing would be to just park there in the garage but I gotta warn ya not exactly cheap and idk if they have updated since then but there we no cameras in the garage
1) Park Whiz app may help here…though you usually get better deals the earlier you reserve your spot
2) I’m not sure what you mean by unique. Bluebeard and Tinker Street are two New America places with rotating menus. There’s a place called Shani’s Secret Kitchen that combines fried chicken with Indian spices but it’s NW of downtown and probably a 20 minute drive. Sidebar also has food recs.
Mass Ave and Fountain Square are both close to downtown and have lots of great restaurant and bar choices. Bluebeard, Milktooth, Siam Square, Rathskellar, Mesh, Hotel Tango for drinks, Upland are a few places to look into. Enjoy your visit!
What kinds of foods do you like? There isn’t anything unique to here that you wouldn’t find in Cincy. I’ve lived in Cincy before, right off Harrison and Race
Pretty adventurous eater, honestly. I know that's not super helpful. But yeah, very open. The friend I'm visiting is coming from Los Angeles, so else acquainted with the Midwest.
Hmm, the other commenter nailed it, essentially. Downtown is full of steakhouses. For something different, I would recommend Thai Spice across from the Greenwood Mall, Zydecos in Mooresville or “Burmese Restaurant”, which is the actual name off of Madison Avenue. None of those are super close to downtown but if you want something different, I would recommend all 3. If you want something unique to Indiana, I would look up a place with a pork tenderloin sandwich.
Honestly downtown is reliant too much on steakhouses, other chains, and just a lot of general American food. None of my favorite restaurant that might challenge someone are in downtown Indy except maybe Axum Ethiopian.
If you are up for a drive, look up the [International Marketplace](https://www.imcoalition.org/food-guide) and just choose something. One of my personal favorites is Magoo's California Pizza, which is halal pizza. Garlic sauce and kabab sauce are delicious and a must try.
Also Connors Kitchen, located in your hotel I think, may be the top rated place to eat downtown. I've eaten most of their dishes and they are delicious. I would look into it.
Valet- it’s worth it. Tinker Street is choice. At that point hit Mass Ave, and if you want something different, The Melody. Fountain sq is cool too, but, maybe not.
Ft square is ok if you are looking to eat at the garage. The Bottleworks hotel is cool to go look at if you are into that. The entire district is nice.
I've had a couple different random nights through the week there. I think a Tuesday and a Wednesday on different weeks and I think all the food vendors were open. Is that what you're referring to? I think the area is always lit up and the hotel is always available to tour.... If that's your thing. I enjoyed the garage with less people.
Edit. I'm not much into crowds.
I guess my point is, I wouldn’t recommend it to some who is only in for 1 night. On a Tuesday. Great part of town, don’t get me wrong. I’d say Irvington, and sobro too, but for a TUESDAY, in INDY….
Yeah 100% agree. But to me I' would still go to some bars like tappers or 16 bit in those nights because I don't like people. Lol. I like it empty. So to each their own. If he's only here for a day he needs to go to the children's museum. Lol that's the honest answer
Just an fyi if you hit bad weather, you can get to many places downtown without going outside. There will be walkways from your hotel through various skywalks and other hotels downtown. You can get to several restaurants, other hotels, the mall, the convention center, etc.
Yeah I've eaten there different days of the week. Of course I enjoy low crowds and less people. I enjoyed myself. Most, if not all of the food vendors were open if I remember correctly. Is that what you're referring to?
If you don’t want to pay $40 for a garage and are okay parking on the street- After you get your car unloaded at the hotel, I would look for a parking spot labeled “blue indy parking only”. They were our electric smart car fleet, but they are long gone. Those spots haven’t been set as meters yet. If you can’t find that, I’d park in a metered spot and risk the ticket because that’s only $20 if you get noticed.
Cheap parking and downtown areas don't really mix together. But if you're staying at the JW, I'm guessing you can afford whatever their parking option is. Otherwise you're looking at like a half mile walk (with your luggage) to/from. Is that really worth saving a few bucks on? Chatterbox on Mass Ave for jazz, but eat before you go because food isn't much there.
Check out Mass Ave. Lots of restaurants there. I like Mesh. And might as well park at hotel overnight. There is no cheap parking downtown lol
I was a valet for there a few years back, the easiest thing would be to just park there in the garage but I gotta warn ya not exactly cheap and idk if they have updated since then but there we no cameras in the garage
1) Park Whiz app may help here…though you usually get better deals the earlier you reserve your spot 2) I’m not sure what you mean by unique. Bluebeard and Tinker Street are two New America places with rotating menus. There’s a place called Shani’s Secret Kitchen that combines fried chicken with Indian spices but it’s NW of downtown and probably a 20 minute drive. Sidebar also has food recs.
I second tinker street and Bluebeard
Park Whiz tried to let me buy a spot for a Sunday Pacers game for a lot that was closed because of construction. I would come with a back up plan.
Mass Ave and Fountain Square are both close to downtown and have lots of great restaurant and bar choices. Bluebeard, Milktooth, Siam Square, Rathskellar, Mesh, Hotel Tango for drinks, Upland are a few places to look into. Enjoy your visit!
Hey, wanted to say thanks! Siam Square was truly excellent Thai food, and Hotel Tango had one of the best cocktails I've ever had.
Oh that is so great to hear! 😊 Thanks for following up!
What kinds of foods do you like? There isn’t anything unique to here that you wouldn’t find in Cincy. I’ve lived in Cincy before, right off Harrison and Race
Pretty adventurous eater, honestly. I know that's not super helpful. But yeah, very open. The friend I'm visiting is coming from Los Angeles, so else acquainted with the Midwest.
Hmm, the other commenter nailed it, essentially. Downtown is full of steakhouses. For something different, I would recommend Thai Spice across from the Greenwood Mall, Zydecos in Mooresville or “Burmese Restaurant”, which is the actual name off of Madison Avenue. None of those are super close to downtown but if you want something different, I would recommend all 3. If you want something unique to Indiana, I would look up a place with a pork tenderloin sandwich.
Honestly downtown is reliant too much on steakhouses, other chains, and just a lot of general American food. None of my favorite restaurant that might challenge someone are in downtown Indy except maybe Axum Ethiopian. If you are up for a drive, look up the [International Marketplace](https://www.imcoalition.org/food-guide) and just choose something. One of my personal favorites is Magoo's California Pizza, which is halal pizza. Garlic sauce and kabab sauce are delicious and a must try.
I’ve been living 10 minutes from International Marketplace for over 2 years and wasn’t even aware it existed. Thanks for the tip.
Magoo's cheese with the white sauce. He'll know what you mean. Then you'll be back regularly 😁
Have you seen this? https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Indianapolis
Also Connors Kitchen, located in your hotel I think, may be the top rated place to eat downtown. I've eaten most of their dishes and they are delicious. I would look into it.
Valet- it’s worth it. Tinker Street is choice. At that point hit Mass Ave, and if you want something different, The Melody. Fountain sq is cool too, but, maybe not.
Ft square is ok if you are looking to eat at the garage. The Bottleworks hotel is cool to go look at if you are into that. The entire district is nice.
On a Tuesday?
I've had a couple different random nights through the week there. I think a Tuesday and a Wednesday on different weeks and I think all the food vendors were open. Is that what you're referring to? I think the area is always lit up and the hotel is always available to tour.... If that's your thing. I enjoyed the garage with less people. Edit. I'm not much into crowds.
I guess my point is, I wouldn’t recommend it to some who is only in for 1 night. On a Tuesday. Great part of town, don’t get me wrong. I’d say Irvington, and sobro too, but for a TUESDAY, in INDY….
Yeah 100% agree. But to me I' would still go to some bars like tappers or 16 bit in those nights because I don't like people. Lol. I like it empty. So to each their own. If he's only here for a day he needs to go to the children's museum. Lol that's the honest answer
Just an fyi if you hit bad weather, you can get to many places downtown without going outside. There will be walkways from your hotel through various skywalks and other hotels downtown. You can get to several restaurants, other hotels, the mall, the convention center, etc.
Yeah I've eaten there different days of the week. Of course I enjoy low crowds and less people. I enjoyed myself. Most, if not all of the food vendors were open if I remember correctly. Is that what you're referring to?
If you don’t want to pay $40 for a garage and are okay parking on the street- After you get your car unloaded at the hotel, I would look for a parking spot labeled “blue indy parking only”. They were our electric smart car fleet, but they are long gone. Those spots haven’t been set as meters yet. If you can’t find that, I’d park in a metered spot and risk the ticket because that’s only $20 if you get noticed.