Indianapolis

A2Z Cafe

Named after the owners and their child (Asraf, Antonio and Zulma) A2Z offers up tasty breakfast and lunch dishes. From oatmeal to crepes, omelettes and "build your own" breakfast, to babba ganouche and Divine Salmon Cake salad. Warm, friendly environment for families and friends alike.

Chocolate Cafe

South Bend Chocolate Company chocolate, sweets, coffees and sweet drinks. Check out the wall of celebrities who've indulged, and get educated on chocolate by the helpful and friendly staff. Watch fudge get made, sample the goods and enjoy the best hot chocolate in town. Vegetarian friendly.

Hamilton Town Center

An outdoor mall that opened in May 2008. Located on the southwest corner of Interstate 69 and State Road 238 (Exit 10), it has some great options for dining and shopping. There you will find discount-type stores such as SteinMart and Payless; a large JCPenney anchor; and a good variety of shops including Ann Taylor Loft, Borders, Chico's, Dicks' Sporting Goods, Old Navy, etc. If shopping makes you hungry, you can find both casual and fine dining at places like Stone Creek Dining Co., McAlister's Deli, Qdoba Mexican Grill and Paradise Bakery & Cafe.

Indiana Historical Society

An amazing place to visit for those interested in the people and places that make up every bit of the state. Featuring a state-of-the-art research library, music room, film viewing room, souvenir shop and cafe. The Indiana Experience collection rotates every eight to twelve months, so you will always find something new and interesting about Hoosier heritage, such as "A Century of Black Film", "Hoosiers in Hollywood", and "The Faces of Lincoln". Located snugly on the White River Canal.

Tue–Sat 10AM–5PM·$15 adult, $14 60+, $5 youth ages 5-17, 4 and under free

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

The IMA is the home of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500. On the IMS grounds you will find the Museum which houses the world's largest collection of racing, classic, and antique cars. Check out 30 of the Indy 500 winner's cars, a 20-minute film about the history of the race, a souvenir shop and cafe. If you would like to see more of the track facilities, you also can pay a few bucks to ride in a bus around the actual race track (at about 40 miles or 65 km an hour). Or, for the more adventurous souls, you can try the Indy Racing Experience Driving Program where you can ride in a 2-seater Indy Car and experience speeds around the track up to 180 miles or 300 km an hour.

Mar–Oct: 9AM–5PM daily; Nov–Feb: 10AM–4PM daily·$10 adult, $5 child, 5 and under free

Just Pop In

Indy's only popcorn shop is owned by two identical twin sisters. It has moved to a new larger location in Broad Ripple that boasts a cafe with not just popcorn, but also small plates, beer, wine, and cocktails. Just Pop In offers up all types of popcorn flavors: classics like caramel, and cheese, as well as more exciting and "out-there" flavors like hot wing and bloody mary. They also sell gift tins and sampler packs.

Major

Try a taste of authentic East African food with the music, decor, and hospitality to match. Pick the Eritrean–Ethiopian cuisine off of the injera bread with your bare hands or use a fork if you're slightly less adventurous. Make sure you also have some of the spiced tea. Elaborate coffee ceremonies are held as well. Vegan friendly.

Mon–Thu 11AM–9PM, Fri–Sat 11AM–10PM, Sun 1PM–9PM·$12

Newfields

Indianapolis Museum of Art

Reopened following a multi-million dollar renovation it's one of the most beautiful buildings in the country for fine art. Founded in 1883, this is one of the oldest art museums in the country, boasting over 50,000 pieces of art and an amazing public art library. Exhibits include Contemporary Art, European Art, Asian Art, African Art, Textile Art, and more. Rotating and traveling exhibits are abundant. Experience hands-on exhibits where you can create your own art, walk the amazing grounds exploring the sculptures, gardens, and homes, shop at the museum store and eat and drink at the IMA Cafe and Wolfgang Puck's namesake restaurant—this is the city he got his start in. On Thursdays and Fridays 5–9PM, the museum has a special "happy hour" for hip and artsy socialites at Puck's featuring cocktails and hor'dourves.

Tue Wed Fri Sat 11AM–5PM, Thu 11AM–9PM, Sun noon–5PM·Adult $20, child 5 & under free, youth 6-17 $13, Access Pass $2 (certain areas of the IMA campus are free, including the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, the IMA Café, Museum Store, and Five Brushstrokes)

Scottish Rite Cathedral

It is the largest Scottish Rite cathedral in the world and a masterpiece of architecture. Take a tour, investigate the enormous pipe organ, the floating dance floor, the hand-crafted art glass windows, discover the mystery surrounding Freemasonry, and stop by the cafe for a bite to eat.

Mon–Thu 8:30AM–4:30PM, Fri 8:30AM–3:30PM·Free

Side Wok Cafe

Good, affordable Chinese located in Broad Ripple. Clean, friendly and basic good food. Vegan friendly.

Thai Cafe

One of the finest Thai restaurants in the city. Dine in and watch Thai-themed films on hi-res televisions in a teeny tiny restaurant or order to go. Arrive with plenty of time, there can be a wait. Not good for large tables, but if you have a party of 6 or less you should be okay. Great for couples. With 10 levels of spice, a good start level is 2. Amazing Thai ice tea and the greatest pad thai in town.

The Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe

Turkish restaurant located in a cute building adjacent to a hookah bar. The Turkish delight lives up to the name and the baklava is rich.

Trader's Point Creamery

Indy's only grass-fed USDA organic dairy. They are always open with their self-serve dairy-shop (with a bucket you pay and take your change from—honesty basis), and at 4PM you can watch the cows get milked au naturel. Creamy milk, amazing yogurt (voted #1 by the American Cheese Society in 2005), ice cream, eggs and cheeses are all for sale. On the weekends they feature a farmers market and organic cafe. You can walk the grounds petting cows and chasing chickens. Fun for the family and eco-friendly folk.

Hubbard & Cravens Coffee Co.

Two locations, H&C has their own warehouse where they custom-roast all their own beans and import over 20 types of coffees. Considered the finest coffee in town by some.

Monon Coffee Company

Independent coffee shop, free wireless access.