West Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN Area Guide

West Indianapolis settlers began arriving in the 1820s, making the area one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Many came here because they were donated tracts of land. During the 1870s, others came to work the stockyards and newly-created industries, including the Belt Railroad. 1894 saw the incorporation of the area as the Town of West Indianapolis, although it was soon annexed by the city in 1897. Early on in the 20th century, the Perry Manufacturing Company was established as the world's largest cart, wagon, and carriage production site. By 1930, it had become a General Motors plant, sparking the industrial and manufacturing boom that persisted into the 1970s.

Today, West Indianapolis remains a hard-working neighborhood with many churches and recreational sites. The Rolls-Royce Allison Heritage Trust Museum showcases aircraft, land vehicles, and engines from WW ll and beyond.

Restaurants can be found along West Morris and West Washington Streets. For a taste of old-world Indianapolis, head over to John's Famous Stew, a local favorite via Macedonia that has been located in the Indianapolis area for over a hundred years. Made from scratch with Mother Strangeff's age-old recipes, the stews hearken back to a simpler time. Try the classic John's hearty stew, with potatoes, carrots, and tender beef slow-cooked to perfection in a savory broth. Top things off with a homemade peach or blackberry cobbler.

Pub and bar offerings consist of the Rural Inn Bar on East Michigan Street and Harding Pub & Grub on South Harding Street.

Bisected by major roads and Interstate 70, West Indianapolis provides convenient transportation options for commuters to downtown and other areas of the metro area. Public transit buses cover the neighborhood as well, with reliable service to all parts of the city. Hailing a cab can be difficult in West Indianapolis, but private companies serve the area on an on-call basis. Uber services the area as well for ride shares. Since amenities are spread out over a wide area, walking doesn't get you where you need to go in West Indianapolis. Due to the flat terrain, biking remains a viable way to get from place to place.

West Indianapolis contains only one park, but a large natural area borders the area, which also lies in close proximity to the Indianapolis Zoo. The natural area costs nothing, but the zoo charges a small entrance fee.

Rhodius Park in the center of West Indianapolis features a large number of sports fields and areas for recreation. The park has fields and courts for baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, and football and also features an indoor swimming pool, three playgrounds, and two covered picnic table plazas.

Lilly Recreation area lies southeast of the neighborhood, providing visitors a wide range of opportunities for hiking, birding, and other activities. Boating and fishing enthusiasts flock to the park to enjoy the extensive lake system edged by beautiful trees. Dogs can enter the park on a leash. However, no formal park facilities, such as courts or play structures, exist in this area.

The Indianapolis Zoo, a world-famous institution focused on sustainable animal conservation and educational outreach, hosts one-million visitors a year. The zoo serves as a major tourist destination in the area, making a visit a must.

The cost of living in West Indianapolis remains lower than the city average. Fares on IndyGo's transit buses cost $1.75 for a one-way ticket to downtown Indianapolis. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in West Indianapolis costs $897. Gas prices remain about 12 percent lower than the national average.

Retail shopping can be found across the White River and near downtown at the Circle Center Mall, a four-level mall that is home to such popular stores as American Eagle, Banana Republic, LOFT, and Lucky Brand.

The nursery and florist Butler's Flowers & Plants stocks a wide variety of edible and ornamental plants. Stop in for fresh herbs and tomato plants to perfect your homemade pizza sauce, or stock up on landscaping needs, such as mulch and compost. Exquisite floral arrangements and bouquets can be special ordered.

Grocery options include Aldi and Kroger, both located on West Washington Street in the northwest quadrant of the neighborhood. You'll find a seasonal farmers' market (May-October) in downtown Indianapolis, located along Market Street between Delaware and Alabama Streets.