Graydon & Leighann
Things To Do
Indianapolis Public Library - Central Library
Books for nerds and other media for posers. Historic building in Greek Doric style with an addition including a modern glass atrium. Top floor has views of the Indiana War Memorial, American Legion Mall, and downtown. Parking garage entrance on Pennsylvania St, but the St Clair St entrance gives a better experience of the building.
James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home
Famed poet and namesake of Riley Children's Hospital. Tours available for ~$10. Enjoying the lawn and taking a stroll around the historic Lockerbie Square neighborhood are free.
Downtown Canal Walk & White River State Park
Walk along this <1.5 mi section of the canal downtown. The southern end feeds onto a grassy knoll with views of the White River to the west and downtown to the east. Not necessarily the safest place at night or early morning, but Graydon still wants to suggest it...
Crown Hill Cemetery & Arboretum
A romantic spot with views of the city from Strawberry Hill, occasionally mistaken as the highest point in Marion County. See the graves of President Benjamin Harrison, businessman Eli Lilly, gangster John Dillinger, and many more. We recommend entering from the South Gothic Gate on Boulevard Pl. Memento mori.
Holcomb Gardens
Modest gardens with lawns, fountains, paths, ponds, and a bell tower set on Butler University's campus. A good second date spot if you need one.
Red Key Tavern
Cash only dive bar. Good for conversation and feeling like you're in your geriatric neighbor's basement. Model planes, taxidermy, and cheap drinks. No draft beer. Kitchen closes at 10. Closed Sunday.
Byrne's Grilled Pizza
Thin crust pizza parlor tucked between boutiques and other shops in a relaxed but happening neighborhood. Recommend the Hey Zeus or the Forager. Sidewalk patio seating. Rhinoceros bathroom inside. Graeter's Ice Cream across the street.
Aristocrat Pub & Oxford Room
One of Graydon's old favorites. Homey but occasionally loud. Wood-paneled bar on one side, family friendly dining area on the other.
The Rathskeller
German bar, dining room, and biergarten. Hearty and down-to-earth. At the center of downtown's Mass Ave District, the heart of Indy's bar and restaurant scene.
Canal Bistro
Mediterranean food with views of the canal in the Broad Ripple Village. Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station (BRICS) around the corner.
La Piedad
No frills Mexican across the street from the Monon Trail in Broad Ripple Village. Just a short stroll from Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station (BRICS).
Mama Carolla's
Romantic Italian with strong reviews (similarly: Best Man Pietro Stroik). Just steps off the Monon Trail. Graydon has never been. Leighann has. Closed Sunday.
Yats Cajun & Creole
Indiana chain. Good food.
Broad Ripple Brewpub
A restaurant pub with inhouse microbrews in Broad Ripple Village. Try their Extra Special Bitter (ESB). They have a decent tenderloin sandwich too. Usually lots of dogs to see. Across the street from the Monon Trail. Close to Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station (BRICS).
Taxman Brewing, CityWay (Downtown)
Belgian inspired ales in a chic downtown setting. Some straightforward, some funky, some barrel aged, some sour.
Sun King Brewery (Downtown)
Indiana's second largest brewery. Wide selection; some experimentation but largely focused on easy-to-drink stuff. This is the original location with an industrial atmosphere on the outskirts of downtown. There is another location in Carmel (351 Monon Blvd) that is more family oriented with outdoor space in a bustling suburban town center. Monon Trail passes by there.
St. Joseph Brewery
Hip brewery with full food menu in a repurposed Catholic church on the edge of the busy Mass Ave district of downtown. Beer menu has a German bent with typical craft brewery deviations. Solid place.
Skyline Chili
Closest source of Cincinnati Chili. The quality of this location has not been verified.
ALDI
A great spot. Total Wine & More is next door.
Indianapolis Zoo
Good zoo. Check out the dolphins. Graydon's mom is on a first name basis with Rocky the orangutan. Connects to the Canal Walk via pedestrian bridge over the White River.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Word's Largest Museum for Small People.