Arlington Woods - Indianapolis, IN

The history of Arlington Woods follows that of nearby Warren and Lawrence townships. As the new state capital of Indiana 1820, Marion County began receiving massive migrations of settlers, and the area's prominent role as a Union supporter in the Civil War spurred both development and railroads. Indianapolis sprawled outwards towards its outlying communities and towns, and after the 1970 consolidation of city and county governments, Arlington Woods merged with the city government.

Although downtown Indianapolis is more prolific in terms of options in the local art and museum scene, Arlington Woods does have a few gems in the vicinity. The Indiana State Police Museum remains the go-to museum in the area, as this museum features everything from authentic confiscated items from John Dillinger to historic police vehicles. As Halloween rolls around, Arlington Woods residents can visit the nearby Historic Irvington Halloween Festival, a family-friendly spooky-fest.

Those living in East Indianapolis have something of a reputation for fierce loyalty to locally-owned restaurants, and Arlington Woods is no exception. From spicy international fare to classic Southern comfort foods, locals and tourists alike flock to the many locally-owned restaurants scattered throughout the area for quality, homemade cooking worth coming back for.

His Place Eatery on East 30th Street endures as the neighborhood's go-to restaurant for authentic Southern soul food. With a classic homespun atmosphere that's ideal for families, this restaurant dazzles with a blend of traditional cooking methods and innovative twists on Americana fare. Menu favorites include cobbler, turkey Manhattan, and smoked ribs. If you'd like to try something unexpected but crave-worthy, locals recommend digging into the chicken and waffles.

From the culinary traditions of the Deep South to the spicy fare from across the border, Carniceria Guanajuato II caters to the Mexican food lovers in the neighborhood with its truly authentic menu. Finding a seat during the lunch rush can be difficult, though the short wait is definitely worth it. The most-loved items include any of the tacos on the menu as well as the horchata -- a rice-based sweet milk drink -- which some locals claim is the best in the state.

Combining classic Americana burgers with unique ingredients, the Tie Dye Grill carries the distinction of serving up some of the best hamburgers and Americana dishes on Indianapolis' East Side. The BBQ bacon cheeseburger, served with amazing onion rings, stands as the star of the show, drawing burger enthusiasts from all over the nation. Locals also recommend the loaded potatoes and the New York hot dogs. Make sure to stop by on Tuesday nights for Tenderloin Tuesdays.

Arlington Woods residents have several options for nightlife, ranging from the high-octane dance clubs in the downtown area to the relaxed lounges located off the main thoroughfares. J. Clyde's Pub on North Bosart Avenue emphasizes good drinks, good service, and even better company, which makes this bar the best all-around bar in the area. For a more sophisticated feel, the Skylight Bistro & Wine Bar often caters to an older, more discerning crowd.

Arlington Woods rests a little more than halfway between downtown Indianapolis and the Indiana countryside, which means that residents here need a car for common activities and errands. Students in the neighborhood can comfortably walk to schools, while residents often use a car to shop, dine at a restaurant and visit the larger parks in the area.

Interstate 70 fosters a convenient work commute to downtown Indianapolis, where trips take about 20 minutes with moderate traffic. U.S. Route 52 runs in a north-south direction, and provides easy access throughout the greater metropolis area. On returning home, locals can always expect to find free, curbside parking.

Spacious and flat streets encourage Arlington Woods locals to ride bicycles more often, and bicyclists can enjoy safe travel through courteous traffic and some bike lanes; bike racks also sit outside of many public buildings and businesses. Hailing a cab in this suburban area may be difficult, though some cabs do roam along Massachusetts Avenue and East 30th Street. If you're short on time, you might want to book a trip with a ride-sharing service such as Uber.

IndyGo services the Arlington Woods neighborhood with convenient and comprehensive public transportation, with a bus route network that typically loops back into the downtown area. Riders can grab Route 3 along Arlington Avenue, Route 30 along East 30th Street or Route 2 along East 34th Street.

As a moderately-populated suburban housing community, Arlington Woods may not have vast parks or open space in the immediate vicinity, but several nearby parks cater to visitors of all ages. These parks allow athletes to uphold their active lifestyles and provide local children with lots of space to play outdoors.

Wes Montgomery Park is widely considered by locals as the most popular park in the neighborhood, with outdoor recreation in both the summer and the winter. As the temperature rises in the summer months, local children come to the splash park to cool off and run around with friends. Located along East 34th Street, this free park also features substantial hiking and jogging paths in wooded areas, playground equipment and basketball courts.

Named after famed Indianapolis jazz musician Wes Montgomery, the Wes Montgomery Park supports local music culture with the annual Wes Montgomery Community Park Festival. This family-friendly event allows community members to connect with local businesses and health care organizations, while local and national musical acts provide live tunes to enjoy over the course of this August festival.

Other smaller parks in the area that offer pleasant walking paths and some infrastructure include Doris Cowherd Park and Roselawn Park. Dog owners can bring their beloved pets to any of these parks, but city ordinances state that dogs must be leashed. When looking for a dog park, dog owners can head over to Fort Harrison State Park to find the Waggin' Tails Bark Park.

The 1,700-acre Fort Harrison State Park stands as the largest park in the area, attracting thousands of visitors from all over Indianapolis every year. Locals at this park can enjoy pristine forests along with a network of hiking and jogging paths. One paved path caters to inline skaters and bicyclists. Locals who want to fish at this park must visit the park office for a fishing permit.

The cost of living in Arlington Woods is moderately less than that of Indianapolis itself, and residents here typically save the most on housing. Newcomers to the area should expect the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment to hover around $515 per month.

Traveling to the city center via IndyGo costs $1.75 for a one-way ticket, while car owners in the area often pay about 3 percent less than national averages on gas. A pint of beer at local pubs generally costs between $3 and $5.

Because of the area's attractive position just outside of the downtown area, Arlington Woods has been able to cultivate a diverse shopping environment of locally-owned shops and unique stores. Located less than a mile north of Arlington Woods on Shadeland Avenue, the Olde Shadeland Antique Mall attracts visitors with its massive assortment of antiques, on sale from over 40 renowned antiques dealers. When it's time to take a trip for more traditional large-scale retail shopping, residents make the 5-mile trip to the Washington Square Mall. Anchors of this mall include an AMC movie theater, Dick's Sporting Goods and Target.

Famed throughout Indianapolis for providing one of the most elegant and comprehensive selections of men's clothing, James Dant caters to the contemporary man who enjoys simple, stylish fashion. This boutique features everything from "indie" wear to trendy street clothing, while owner Tommy works with customers to help them define their personal style through clothes and accessory items like bow ties, casual shoes and even shaving gels.

Like other urban centers, Indianapolis supports an abundant bicycle culture, and locally-owned bicycle shops stand as the epicenters of this green revolution. Since 1944, Matthew's Bicycle Mart has been serving Arlington Woods and Indianapolis with an expansive inventory of professional bicycles, riding gear and bike maintenance services. From BMX to kids' bikes, Matthews provides a one-stop experience for any bike-related needs.

Arlington Woods residents have several options when stocking up on both brand name foods and groceries as well as organic produce. Located along East 38th Street, the Walmart Supercenter features the largest inventory of affordable food and beverages. A little closer to home, locals can take advantage of the Arlington Food Mart. For organic fruits and vegetables as well as sustainable meats straight from the countryside, visit the Broad Ripple Farmers Market within the Broad Ripple Magnet High School parking lot. This farmers market sets up shop every Saturday and Wednesday from June through September.