FAQs

Question

What are these circle things where stop lights should be?

Answer

You might notice that stoplights are replaced with “circles” at many intersections around Carmel. These are roundabouts! Carmel is known as the “Roundabout Capital of the U.S.” with over 140 of them—designed to improve traffic flow and safety while reducing fuel consumption. How to Navigate a Roundabout: Slow down as you approach. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout (look left). Enter when it’s clear, and follow the circle to your exit. Signal as you exit to let others know your intention. Once you get the hang of them, you’ll see why locals love them!

Question

Was that a pothole or a portal to another dimension?

Answer

Ah yes, the unofficial state flower of Indiana: the pothole. Indy’s streets like to keep you alert—and your alignment shop in business. Consider it a local rite of passage. We recommend driving slowly, swerving gracefully, and blaming any loud clunks on “character.” If you make it to the venue without spilling your coffee, you’re basically a Hoosier now.

Question

What is a Hoosier, anyway?

Answer

Great question—and one even historians can’t fully agree on. “Hoosier” is the official term for someone from Indiana, but its origin is murky at best. Some say it came from early settlers shouting “Who’s yere?” through cabin doors. Others link it to a 19th-century canal contractor named Hoosier who hired Indiana workers. There’s also a theory it came from Southern slang for a rough country person. Whatever the truth, the name stuck. By the 1830s, “Hoosier” was everywhere—from newspapers to state pride—and today, it’s a badge of honor for anyone who calls Indiana home (whether they live on a farm or just love screaming at basketball games).