One of the biggest appeals of coming to Boston College is its proximity to downtown Boston. We all love going into the city and exploring the sights, like Newbury Street, Boston Common, and Faneuil Hall. But guess what? We collegiettes™ come from literally all over the world! We grew up in one home our whole life or moved to dozens of new places. We were raised in small towns and huge cities! Just because we are in Boston doesn’t mean we can’t see the rest of the world. This is a series to introduce us to the many unique and interesting places that we come from, better known as home.
Like many of you, as much as I love living in Boston, I’m in a constant state of missing my hometown. Unfortunately, it seems like almost no one in Boston has even heard of Indianapolis, given that nearly every time I tell someone where I’m from, they just assume I said Minneapolis and start rattling off facts about snowmobiling and lakes and whatever else Minnesota has to offer. When I finally am able to correct them that I actually said Indianapolis, they fall silent. No one has anything to say about my beloved, though less famous “apolis.” But trust me, collegiettes™, Indianapolis is a place worth knowing (and definitely visiting!).
The Food
Obviously, there is great food in Boston. But what I like about the food in Indianapolis is there are tons of locally-owned neighborhood joints that have not only great food, but also a great atmosphere. Walk less than a mile from my house any direction and you hit some great restaurants. Two of my personal favorites were even featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. One, The Barking Dog, has literally the best burger I’ve ever eaten. It’s BYOB with awesome outdoor seating and waiters who remember your name and your order if you go there often enough. But my point is, you can get food in tons of different cities, but you just can’t get the warm, welcoming atmosphere of Indianapolis restaurants anywhere else. Oh, and don’t forget about Steak n’ Shake. It’s hands down the best fast food in the country (I swear it’s better than In-N-out, to all you California kids).
The Indy 500
Honestly, it’s Marathon Monday for us Hoosiers, only with a dash more redneck. Believe me, you don’t have to like racing to like the 500- take it from a girl who literally could not tell you one person who has won the 500 in the last ten years. Everybody wakes up super early and drives into the infield. Then it’s a full on day of tailgating and partying in your best wife beater and overalls. The people-watching is prime and I guess if you catch a glimpse of the cars, that’s pretty cool too.
Other Events
I apologize if I’m going over the top, but I have to say: I constantly get questions about what there is to do in Indianapolis. Let me assure you, there is plenty. There are Colts games, which, while this has not exactly been a banner year for our dear Colts, are always a blast in the super deluxe Lucas Oil Stadium. If sports aren’t your thing, the Indianapolis Museum of Art is free for viewing and it offers outdoor screenings of movies in the summertime for a small price. Then, of course, there is the State Fair- Mecca for fried food addicts and overall-wearers. It’s a great excuse to dress up in your favorite hill-billy costume (jean overalls are a must). The State Fair is not just your run-of-the-mill fair, but the grand finale for a great Indiana summer. Big name artists perform every year, and there are tons of different foods to eat and rides to enjoy. Check out the night-time view of the fair below.
Broad Ripple
I thought and thought of how to categorize Indianapolis’s gem of a neighborhood, Broad Ripple, but I just can’t come up with the right word. It’s like a mini downtown on the north side of Indianapolis, with crunchy, hippie undertones. It’s full of bars, locally owned restaurants, and boutiques. I love downtown Indianapolis, don’t get me wrong, but the vibe of Broad Ripple is unbelievably cool.
Even as I’m writing this, I can’t believe how much I’ve had to leave out. I know you Coasties have a hard time believing it, but Middle America just has so much to offer! The people in Indianapolis are some of the best and most friendly that I have ever met, and if you go visit, I guarantee you’ll feel the same!
Photo Sources:
http://www.foreclosurelistings.com/list/IN/MARION/INDIANAPOLIS/resources/
http://i8indy.blogspot.com/2010/07/barking-dog-cafe.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/indycar/columns/story?columnist=blo…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucas_Oil_Stadium
http://www.trusthomesense.com/blog/one-heating-air-conditioning-broad-ripple-in-46220/
Wish you could’ve seen YOUR name in this article? Join our listserv so our writers can occassionally contact you for quotes or interviews on upcoming articles!