I have always loved this Jiffy Lube mural. It has been around for years, but I still smile every…read moretime I see it. It has a bit of a tribal feel to it with vibrant colors. It depicts a brightly colored snake weaving through the jungle leaves. It certainly catches your eye.

This mural is the work of a collaboration are artist known as Blend Creative Minds (Erica Parker,…read moreRafael Caro, and Lauren Neely). It was created under the Jiffy Lube and Arts Council of Indianapolis's Every Part Matters mural project. The artist got their inspiration for the mural from Brazilian folklore which shares the same name as it title. "Boitatá" is represented by a snake of fire or light, who is said to bring light into a dark world and is a sign of protection and hidden treasures. The piece was painted in 2018, and appears to be in decent shape. It depicts a bright orange flaming snake (boitata) weaving through some bright colors leaves and foliage, set against a deep blue background. The art work is basic but still decent. It is well above my skill level. I like Jiffy Lube's support and commitment to local artist. Their program is a wonderful way top feature this ascending artist. I am glad that they have kept it going for so many years and continue to do so. There are many spots around the mural to park, get out and take a closer look. I just pulled right in front of it. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

Like a newborn toddler learning to walk and then talk, it's been fun to watch Big Car grow and…read moredevelop over the last few years. I actually believe my first time to the Center was for the Yelp 500 two or three years ago and since then I've been for art shows, film screenings, meetings or just to marvel at their tremendous parking lot gardens and chickens. There's something so raw and edgy that makes Big Car a perfect fit for its surroundings. Nestled between all of my favorite ethnic eateries and stores, the building and staff is very in tune with what is going on in Lafayette and tapping in to the diverse audience of the area. I would have to say my favorite part about the Service Center is the simple fact that it once served as a car repair shop but is now filled with Sun King beer, a screening room, and a calendar packed with classes and events for all ages. Can't wait to see what comes next for this creative powerhouse.

Big Car? Oh, you mean the place with the chicken coops…read more I've driven past this facility several times and I always wondered about what went on inside. (The last time I visited, it was a tire center, lol) I was pleasantly surprised by what Big Car had done with the place. I had the opportunity to participate in the Digital Disconnect event where you surrender your mobile devices for an evening of good old fashioned fun. Think board games, letter writing, and live music. Of course, I panicked when I realized that I wanted to tweet about the event and my cell phone was nowhere to be found. But, wow. How refreshing to remember life before being connected to EVERYONE 24 hours a day. Kudos to Big Car on a great event and on re-purposing an unused building on the NW side. I'm looking forward to returning soon and often.

Wow! This is such a cool place and I can't believe I don't know about this gem until now…read more Because of the name, I didn't realize that this was a museum. As someone who loves traveling around the world and learn other cultures, this place literally is right up my alley. The space is bigger than I imagined from the entrance. It has exhibits from countries around the world, and it is so interesting. Traditional clothes, artworks, etc all kinds of artifacts in one place. I learned that they host cultural events throughout the year and I'll come back.

Such a great place in Indy to represent the many communities that live here. I've been here a few…read moretimes for different festivals and always enjoy looking around. The space is large and filled with so many items from around the world. It's worth a visit if you have never been

What a fabulous, low-key and today Indy library! I've been intentionally placing our holds at new…read moreto us libraries to work our way through all of the locations. We had the pleasure of visiting the Eagle Branch over the weekend and were delighted to find an abundance of natural light, lots of folks busy reading, studying, etc, a great kids section, sees library and easy self checkout kiosks. They also had an impressive recipe book and children's book selection. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here and will be back soon!

A spacious library with sections for everyone! I was able to find a seat and get some work done…read moreeasily. There are private rooms for if you have a study partner/group.

Ok first, the location currently listed on this Yelp page for this mural is about 2 miles off. I…read morewill make it simple. It is located on the backside of Lafayette Square Mall facing I-65 on one of the service walls. Of course being at a mall gives you a ton of places to park and get a closer look. It does not hurt that the mall is operating on a limited capacity and appears to be under major renovation. This piece is the work of Joy Hernandez, and features her signature astronaut, Bean. It was completed in 2022. Bean is seen playing a buggle, with musical notes floating in the background. It is all set against a colorful background that matches the mall's new decor. The colors just make the mural pop. In addition to the main wall, the mural has two other walls that are painted in the same theme and you can find them on each side of the mural. It is not a very complex mural, but still works. It kind of reminds me of Herrnandez's Jazz-onauts mural. Her work can be seen all over the city. The mural's title is actually "Space Mambo #5" and was commissioned by Window to the World, the company that is replacing Lafayette Square Mall. It is a nice mural and if you are slightly familiar with Hernandez's work, you will know immediately that it is hers. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, such as the mall, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

Window to the World is a huge mural project on the old Lafayette Square Mall in the International…read moreMarketplace. The 4,000+ square foot mural encompasses all sides of the building with Joy the Stampede's signature character Bean appearing on the backside of the building. It's colorful and can be seen from I-65! Bean's small part of this project is called "Space Mambo #5" (a reference to the song "Mambo #5" since he's playing a trumpet.

I remember going to this theater the weekend it opened to see the first half of wicked. Recently, I…read morewent to see the Michael Jackson movie and I have to say my experience this time around was much better than the last time when I went to go see the movie 'Send Help'. I'll just say that the service wasn't the best that they especially for it being midday. Anywho, this last time was a great. I even tried their hand breaded chicken tenders cover in Orange Gochujang sauce with a side salad. This meal makes me wanna go back to see any movie. Highly recommend trying them.

I haven't been to his theater since before the company changed over to Alamo, so I was excited to…read moresee what was inside. Picking tickets was a breeze. When I went to the counter, I can pick my seats by looking at a screen. Once inside the theater, the seats were labeled and very spacious. They recline with the click if a button and are even heated for those chilly days. I was able to order my food by scanning the QR code. There is an 18% automatic service charge. I went to see the new Michael movie and it was packed. I sat in the second row from the front and surprisingly, I didn't mind. I didn't feel I was looking up at the screen which I enjoyed. I ordered boneless buffalo chicken, and swapped my fries out for a caesar salad at no charge. The chicken was tender and the salad was just okay. It's happy to have a nice theater back on the westside. I'll definitely be back to Alamo!

Allison Mansion is, at least in my opinion, deceptively ordinary on the outside. Oh sure, it's a…read moremansion and you can tell it's a mansion. However, looking on the outside can't begin to prepare you for the wonder of what's on the inside of this former residence that now serves as the Office of the President for Indy's Marian University. The mansion was first built by James Allison, co-founder of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500. The ceiling's Tiffany stained glass windows allow the sun to shine brightly inside. The mansion's most impressive room was, in fact, originally designed as a marble aviary by Allison to contain his wife's exotic bird collection. The 2-story, red-brick arts and craft style home continues to have an expensive chandelier imported from Germany, a sunken conservatory, and a 2-story pipe organ. Seriously. The property itself is remarkable. Atop a cliff that overlooks a wetland, the property includes greenhouses, ponds, and orchards. Seriously, I would become Marian University's president just to spend time in the office. Allison passed away in 1928 and the property remained unsettled until it was acquired by the Sisters of St. Francis - the founders of Marian University. At one point, public tours were offered but this is no longer the case. You can, however, rent it for events (which is how I've been inside, though it's definitely not wheelchair friendly in any real sense).

Circle City Tours took a roll through private Catholic Marian University and my eyes feasted upon…read morethe beautiful Craftsman Allison Mansion. One reviewer stated "The Allison Mansion remains perfectly restored and beautiful to an almost eerie degree." Eerie alright--there is a disquiet about the Mansion: it is said to be haunted! Builder James Allison was a wealthy man and founder of the Indianapolis Speedway and Allison Engineering Company. The mansion was built between 1911 and 1914 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Allison died young from pneumonia at age 56. The mansion was later sold to what is now Marian University,. However, many locals and visitors feel that Allison never really left the building! Most stories claim Allison still haunts the mansion, rearranging books in the library and furniture as he sees fit. But there are other ghostly goings-on here: the spirit of a little girl who drowned in the basement pool still lingers around the mansion. "Visitors claim to have seen the ghost of a little girl and even heard shrill screams and heartbreaking cries from the basement. Voices in the attic have also been reported," said www.onlyinyourstate.com. I can understand the ghost of Allison hanging around: this place is plush! No expense was spared while building the two-story, red-brick, arts-and-crafts-style Mansion. The exquisite marble aviary was built for Allison's first wife's exotic bird collection, Also impressive: the expensive chandelier imported from Germany, a sunken conservatory, and a magnificent music room with a two-story pipe organ. Outdoors, enjoy lush gardens, manicured lawns, greenhouses, ponds, and orchards that overlook a wetland now restored and maintained by Marian University. Upon Allison's death, there was some concern about the historic property's fate. Bless the Catholics: Allison Mansion was eventually acquired by the Sisters of Saint Francis, who also founded Marian University. Allison Mansion is still part of the university. It is open for public tours and can also be rented for private events. The Mansion is a feature on annual Halloween Ghost Tours. 5 YELP STARS for spooky spectacular!

The pictures tell it all. I know I have reviewed this before but for some reason the pictures fell…read moreoff so I wanted to add them back. I would have to say that service is the number 1 one thing you can expect from this place besides location and the jaw dropping beauty of it. All the brides I have talked to for referrals say: Bill will find a way to make your wedding dreams come true.

High end gallery some very interesting pieces. If you want to look around or are looking for…read moresomething for you our a gift. Art is of course very subjective ... what one person loves .. another might dislike but I saw a lot here that I thought was interesting.

This is one of my favorite events in Indy! You're able to learn about different countries, try food…read morefrom around the world, and get to see dancing from different cultures. You'll get to try food from 20+ restaurants for only $15. It's totally worth it and such a wonderful way to encounter new cuisines and wonderful business owners!

I wish I would have known about this festival 10 years ago when it started! 2017 marked the 11th…read moreyear of this culturally diverse festival running, and I can gladly say that I'll be back year after year, as long as I'm able to. Similar to Dig IN, this festival highlights some of the best foods from around the world...that you can find in Indy (mostly in the Lafayette Square Neighborhood). Sides, salads, main dishes, desserts...you name it, they have it. One of my biggest concerns about going to these food festivals is the amount of vegan/vegetarian options available. Most of the time, it's not worth the money to go to them as I only get to try 1/4 of the food options due to the dishes having meat and seafood. Luckily, this festival had (what felt like) 75% of the vendors offering some sort of vegetarian dish. What's better than getting to sample the foods from around the world? Connecting with the businesses and their owners; watching the cultures come to life through dances, Italian noodle making, and other demonstrations; and vendors setting up shop to purchase other goodies on your way out. As I mentioned, I will definitely be back again as I was able to try so many different types of foods and explore different cultures in one room! One suggestion: turn down the A/C in that room for next year :)