Eagledale - Indianapolis, IN

The neighborhood of Eagledale started as a suburban getaway for Indianapolis residents in the early 1900s. Many of the ranch-style homes were built in the 1950s and 60s following the annexation of the area to the city of Indianapolis. Eagledale still retains its suburban nature today, though the last few decades have seen a decline in new residents.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art serves as the nearest museum to the neighborhood, located a few miles east on 20th Street. As the host to some of the finest art in the Midwest, the IMA draws crowds from all over the city with art exhibits, film screenings, live theatre and music. At the end of the summer, the IMA hosts an Autumn Equinox celebration to welcome the new season. With food vendors, interactive exhibits and walking trails throughout, this event acts as the family-friendly highlight of the year.

Outside the residential areas of Eagledale lie a variety of ethnic restaurants and flavors. Most restaurants feature affordable prices for their meals. Lovers of Chinese cuisine should check out Szechwan Garden, a local favorite for authentic Chinese food. Its signature take on dim sum stands out as a local favorite. The menu includes a staggering amount of options, with over 300 different meal combinations to choose from. Great for accommodating larger parties, the restaurant has plenty of space to bring family and friends.

The Iron Skillet acts as one of the longest-running eating establishments on the west side of Indianapolis. Rooted firmly in tradition, the restaurant has been serving old-fashioned, family-style meals for over 60 years. While the prices here tend to be on the expensive side of things, a flat fee gets you a full three-course meal with unlimited helpings. Each meal starts out with light appetizers such as salad, cottage cheese and soup. The homemade fried chicken consistently proves to be the favorite main course here, though fresh seafood and steak are available from time to time. Served in large, shareable bowls, side dishes include mashed potatoes, corn, green beans and fresh rolls. At the end of the meal, guests are always treated to the Iron Skillet traditional ice cream sundae, with a whole rack of sauces and toppings brought out to the table to customize to your liking. Great for family get-togethers and special celebrations, the Iron Skillet welcomes families of all ages to its tables.

Most of the nightlife and bars in the area cater more towards working class people looking for a place to hangout with friends, with high-class clubs located in downtown Indianapolis. Live music can occasionally be heard at Mike’s Speedway Lounge, though it isn’t a regular occurrence. The AVG Pub is just a few blocks south of the neighborhood near the town of Speedway. Regulars enjoy participating in the ongoing dart board tournaments.

Most residents of Eagledale use a car or other motor vehicle to get around. However, some locals choose to use the local bus system, IndyGo. With multiple stops lining Lafayette Road and 30th Street, residents can easily travel in all directions. The 15 Riverside Line proves most popular, with downtown Indianapolis being an eventual destination. Overall, public transportation remains sparse, with a lack of options besides the few bus lines.

Though the neighborhood is relatively flat, the lack of bike lanes make cycling in some areas potentially dangerous. Calling ahead for a taxi proves necessary in most situations, with Uber being a good alternative for a trip to the airport or downtown. Most residents cannot walk to any amenities around the area and must use a car for errands. Because of this, free parking remains fairly prevalent in the area. Residents also enjoy easy access to two major highway systems, I-65 to the east and the I-465 loop to the west. Both highways can be accessed via 20th Street.

The people of Eagledale enjoy the benefit of having one of the areas finest parks located near the center of the neighborhood. Gustafson Park, located just south of Northwest High School on Moller Road, serves as the neighborhoods meeting place for sports, outdoor activities and summertime fun. With a wealth of amenities for visitors to enjoy, Gustafson Park includes an outdoor pool, picnic area, childrens playground, football fields, basketball courts, a tennis court and a baseball diamond.

Entrance to the park and parking remain free, but use of the pool costs $3 for adults and $2 for children. The open green areas make this park dog-friendly as well, with plenty of space to walk or play fetch. During summertime, the pool hosts swimming lessons for young children and youth sports leagues frequently use the many sports fields within park boundaries.

Residents of Eagledale experience lower costs of living than other suburbs of Indianapolis, mainly due to lower rent and housing prices. Rent rates for one-bedroom apartments average at $600 per month. Most pubs serve beer for around $4 a drink. In addition, gas prices in Eagledale rank about 3 percent lower than the national average.

When it comes to shopping, most locals visit the nearby Lafayette Square Mall. As the central area of commerce for the neighborhood, this mall contains well-known chain stores such as Burlington Coat Factory and Finish Line. Most of the stores contain brand name merchandise from well-recognized companies. Besides the mall, the area lacks many specialty shops or independent boutiques. However, those who enjoy baking sweet treats love browsing the selection of cooking supplies at Ms. B’s Sweet Supplies. This family owned store sells high quality supplies for baking and creating candies, as well as some specialty treats. In addition to equipment, Ms. B’s also takes custom orders for cakes and other baked goods.

DooDadz Resale Hut acts as another noteworthy local shop, located just south of the neighborhood in downtown Speedway on Main Street. This resale store sells old antique furniture and interior decoration for homes of all different styles. Although DooDadz stocks a variety of items, the main focus dwells on furniture such as vanities, couches, chairs and desks.

Though multiple options can be found in the surrounding areas, most locals visit the nearby Kroger for their weekly grocery shopping. Those looking to shop smaller can head to Old Farm Market Express in downtown Speedway. This produce store serves as a close cousin to the farmers market culture, with local and regional produce sold along with artisan bread and baked goods.