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How to Visit the Mass Ave Arts District in Indianapolis

Member
By Ashley Petry
User-Submitted Article
(3 Ratings)

The Massachusetts Avenue Arts District is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Indianapolis. Known to locals simply as “Mass Ave,” the downtown district is home to art galleries, funky boutiques, several theaters, many great restaurants and the hippest condo developments in the city. Here’s how to explore this vibrant Indianapolis neighborhood.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Start your visit to the Mass Ave Arts District by browsing its fun, eclectic shops. Among the most popular are sister stores At Home in the City and Silver in the City, which offer an interesting mix of jewelry, home décor and gift items. Other stores to visit include Global Gifts, Mass Ave Toys, Eye Candy Boutique, Tantrum, Urban Lilly and Three Dog Bakery.

  2. Step 2

    If you're in the mood for a tasty treat, visit The Best Chocolate in Town to sample truffles, caramels and other chocolate goodies. These gourmet confections have even appeared as featured desserts on local restaurant menus.

  3. Step 3

    The Mass Ave Arts District is known for its art galleries, so spend some time exploring the paintings, sculpture, artisan jewelry and other items available for purchase.

  4. Step 4

    Visit one of the many great restaurants in the Mass Ave area. For a gourmet experience, try R Bistro or Elements. Indianapolis foodies include both restaurants on their lists of the best restaurants in the city. R Bistro changes its menu weekly to reflect what’s in season, while Elements has a daily menu with French, Asian and Mediterranean influences. Other options include Bazbeaux (pizza), the Rathskeller (German), MacNiven’s (Scottish) or Agio (Italian). For the best cheap food in town, head to Yats, which offers heaping plates of Cajun and Creole specialties at very low prices.

  5. Step 5

    If it’s getting late, head to one of the district’s theaters to see a play or musical. A favorite spot is the Phoenix Theatre, which offers funny, irreverent shows at reasonable prices. Theater on the Square and the American Cabaret Theatre are also popular options. If you’re in the mood for some laughs, check out the improv comedy shows at ComedySportz instead.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you have theater tickets or a dinner reservation, allow a few extra minutes to find a parking spot. The on-street parking along Mass Ave fills up quickly, especially on weekend evenings.

Comments  

Nancerooni said

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on 4/10/2009 Mass Ave is a great spot. I love to take out of towners there. Always something new and interesting.

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