There's a joke that there are two rules for Indianapolis City Market: 1) arrive hungry, 2) leave full. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and Indianapolis City Market is one of the top lunch destinations in Indianapolis. Restaurants range from a French-style bakery (the bacon and cheddar brioche is excellent) to an artisan chocolate vendor (the Mayan Spice Bar was ranked one of the world's best chocolate bars by Selfridges, London). Each vendor has his/her own hours, but Indianapolis City Market doors are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Parking and Public Transportation at Indianapolis City Market
Parking in downtown Indianapolis is complicated, but there are several parking garages near the East Market district. Your best bet is to park in the Circle Centre Mall parking lot and walk. Indianapolis City Market is easily accessible via IndyGo, with Routes 2, 11, 17, 19, and 21 stopping directly beside the market.
Best and Worst Times to Go to Indianapolis City Market
The best times to go are the morning and afternoon, when it is not so crowded and the vendors have time to talk to you about their business and the foods they offer. The most popular time to go is during lunch, starting around 11 a.m. and ending around 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Market is closed Sunday.
Admission to Indianapolis City Market
Free, although the excellent and infrequent Catacombs tour may cost money.
Must See/Do at Indianapolis City Market
To be honest, it's hard to narrow it down to just three things. But one absolute must is enjoying a beer at the Tomlinson Tap Room, which sells only Indiana craft beer (by the pint or by the growler). The selection is rotating, so ask the server what is currently on tap. If you're visiting Indiana, no trip to the Hoosier State is complete with trying a tenderloin sandwich, which is a center cut of pork hammered thin, breaded, deep-fried, and served on a comically small bun with a minimum amount of condiments. Papa Gus sells tenderloins the size of your head, and if you don't care for pork, the vegan restaurant Three Carrots has a similar dish made from seitan (not nearly as big, but with an excellent aioli). Finishing off the list is browsing at the weekly farmer's market--in winter, it's held Saturday mornings, and in summer, it's held on Wednesday mornings.
Other Places to Visit Near Indianapolis City Market
Circle Centre Mall is within walking distance, and the parking garage there is the best place to park your car. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a short walk away. The City-County Building is across the street, and its Observatory offers the best view of Indianapolis in the city.
Insider Tip for Visitors to Indianapolis City Market
The City of Indianapolis has a bike share program, but it is confusing and gets expensive quickly (a day pass lets you check bikes out for half an hour multiple times each day, not for hours at a time). To avoid this and get a flat rate on a top-of-the-line bicycle, go to Bicycle Garage Indy in the Market's East Wing. Reservations are recommended. ActiveIndy Tours offers two bicycle tours that depart from this location, and are a must for those wanting to know about the city's hidden gems.
Author's bio: Becky Oberg is a professional writer who has lived in Indianapolis on and off for almost thirty years. Her hobbies include acting, reading, singing, and playing video games.