Indianapolis has a lot to celebrate this year, from the recent 100th running of the Indy 500 to the state’s 2016 bicentennial. But big-deal events and anniversaries aren’t the only draw when it comes to our next-door neighbor’s dynamic capital. Indy keeps changing — for the better. If it’s been a while since you checked out Circle City, it’s time to circle back. Here are five things to put on your to-do list.
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Tee off at IMA
In case you need another reason to visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art — other than all that great art — here it is: miniature golf. Through Oct. 30, swing away on the new 18-hole putt-putt course set up in the sculpture court. Artists designed the holes, each of which is a playful nod to the history and heritage of Indiana. One of the holes features a reproduction of Indy author Kurt Vonnegut’s office, while another pays homage to the Great Squirrel Invasion of 1822, when an influx of the bushy-tailed rodents raised hell on the state’s crops. Golf is gratis with general admission to the museum.
4000 Michigan Road; 317-923-1331; www.imamuseum.org
Bike the Monon
Rent a set of wheels at the Indy Bike Hub in City Market and hit the Monon Trail, a converted railway that stretches nearly 20 miles north to suburban Westfield. Build in plenty of time to dawdle; the popular path passes through some worthy spots to stop, including the quaint village of Carmel. Poke around David Letterman’s old ‘hood, Broad Ripple, where you can refuel with a seasonal salad, sandwich and slice of to-die-for pie at Locally Grown Gardens, 1050 E. 54th St. Tack on an extra 8 miles with a spin on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, an urban pedestrian-bike path connecting half a dozen downtown cultural districts.
Monon Trail starts at East 10th and Lewis streets; www.traillink.com/trail/monon-trail.aspx
Drink at Metazoa
Walk into one of the town’s newest microbreweries — it opened April 1 — and you’ll quickly discover that this is a place that’s passionate about two things: beer and animals. The pet-friendly joint (“we’ve even had bunnies in here on leashes”) donates 5 percent of its profits to animal and wildlife groups. One of the brews, a Belgian Tripel, is named after the owner’s three-legged cat, Speedy. The flight paddles are shaped like fauna. And I almost forgot: The beer is good. “Being from the Midwest, everyone wants to put hops in everything,” said Metazoa event manager Haley Fennell. “We try to keep it balanced.”
140 S. College Ave.; 317-522-0251; www.metazoa.beer
Buy a PUP
When the Indianapolis Colts were moving out of the RCA Dome into their new digs at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2008, a couple of environmentally conscious locals salvaged the dome’s roof fabric and began turning it into wallets, purses and messenger bags. People for Urban Progress — or PUP — was born, and this innovative not-for-profit has made it a mission to recycle the city’s cast-offs into everything from bus stop seats snagged from the old Bush Stadium grandstand to RCA Dome snowflake ornaments and Indy 500 bags sporting straps made of repurposed seat belts. Pick up a stylish PUP souvenir at Homespun, a cute shop stocked with a bunch of I-don’t-need-it-but-still-want-it stuff, much of it locally made.
869 E. Massachusetts Ave.; 317-351-0280; www.homespunindy.com
Eat at Vida
Southern Indiana native Layton Roberts is top toque at this simultaneously sleek and cozy Lockerbie restaurant that bounded onto Indy’s robust dining scene earlier this year. Charcuterie is made in-house and greens get plucked from the hydroponic garden that covers a wall in the open kitchen. The five-course tasting menu carries an extremely reasonable $65 price tag. The halibut with clam sofrito and saffron aioli is a standout — so are the addictive ricotta doughnuts from rock star pastry chef Hattie McDaniels.
601 E. New York St.; 317-420-2323; www.vida-restaurant.com
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