Downtown

Love local restaurants, small theaters and boutiques? Meet Mass Ave, one of Downtown Indy’s most vibrant streets and cultural districts. Mass Ave covers a five block area and is full of unique stops on each block. Some must-see places include shops Silver in the City and Homespun, the event venue Old National Center and local restaurants such as The Rathskeller, Bazbeaux, Chatham Tap and Bodhi. Mass Ave is also home to the Bottleworks District - a phenomenal, historic reuse project featuring a boutique hotel, food hall and many fine dining options.

Downtown’s surrounding neighborhoods offer residents community and charm while being minutes from the city’s center. Among them you’ll find a range of historic and new homes in a variety of styles, including cottages, Queen Anne’s, Gothic Revivals and newer builds. Lockerbie and Charham Arch are in the heart of downtown, while Fletcher Place rounds out the south end and features fantastic eateries like Bluebeard, Milktooth and Aroma Indian. All Downtown neighborhoods are also connected by our city’s beloved Cultural Trail.

Annual events in Downtown Indianapolis include the Holy Rosary Italian Fest, Indy Pride, Strawberry Festival, Indy Fringe Theatre Festival, Christkindlmarkt and the Circle of Lights.

Downtown Indianapolis dates to the city's founding as the state of Indiana's new capital in 1820, near the east bank of the White River. The state legislature appointed Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham to survey and design a town plan for Indianapolis, which was platted in 1821.