The rich history of Meridian-Kessler, along with its abundance of distinctive homes, has made the Meridian-Kessler Home Tour & Garden Party a popular yearly event for decades. The active neighborhood association hosts family-friendly porch parties all throughout the summer, which feature live entertainment and enhance the already strong sense of community. In recent years, Meridian-Kessler has become home to a midweek afternoon farmers market that features many of the same vendors from the daily market in downtown Indy.

You’ll love the conscientiously sourced, farm-to-table fare at Root & Bone that is artfully crafted by two former competitors on Top Chef. The Jazz Kitchen has been voted one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world, and their offerings of live jazz each evening are perfectly complemented by the Nola-meets-Midwest fare from their scratch kitchen. In addition to live music, the Jazz Kitchen also hosts a popular weekly Latin Dance Party that begins with free lessons and concludes with open dancing well into the wee hours. Pots & Pans Pie Co. is a convenient stop to pick up a homemade sweet or savory pie on a busy evening, while the pub grub and large craft beer menu makes Twenty Tap a perfect spot for a casual meal out. The legendary Red Key Tavern bills themselves as a place “where interesting people hang out…since 1933,’ and is a step-back in history, complete with a jukebox that still plays 45s and vintage decor.

The New York Times called out independent record store Luna Music as an “essential spot” to visit in Indianapolis, and if you need a pick-me-up after thumbing through their thousands of vinyl LPs, you might have trouble choosing a spot. There’s quirky Prufrock Coffee Company, whose downstairs has been compared to Gryffindor’s Common Room, Hubbard and Craven, with their sleek interior and abundance of comfortable seating, and the original location of Indianapolis restaurant vanguard, Cafe Patachou. Oft described as a student union for adults, Cafe Patachou is not only ideal for sitting and sipping a cup of coffee, but Bon Appetit magazine has named them one of the “Top Ten Places for Breakfast in the Country.”