Noblesville, Indiana, is a charming city and a spacious suburb.

From our historic downtown square to the state’s largest outdoor music venue, Noblesville is a city that embraces its past while looking ahead towards the future. Located just 23 miles north of downtown Indianapolis, Noblesville is a charming suburban city with convenient access to both I-69 and the I-465 loop. So, you can enjoy living in a spacious, comfortable community while still easily commuting to work. 

With our nationally recognized schools, gorgeous parks, and vibrant downtown culture, it’s no surprise that Noblesville consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Indiana. Noblesville is the 9th largest city in the state with more and more people moving here each year. And we’re the oldest and most established community in Hamilton County. 

Visiting Noblesville feels like traveling back in time.

The city has done a fantastic job of preserving its historic buildings, especially in the main downtown Noblesville Square and its surrounding neighborhoods. Many of the streets leading towards the square are paved with their original bricks, and you can walk by a number of gorgeous Victorian style homes. At the center of the square, the Hamilton County Courthouse stands tall with its iconic clocktower, overlooking the city. The building served as a jail until 1977 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can even take a Ghost Tour from the Hamilton County Museum of History that will give you some interesting (and sometimes frightening!) insight into Noblesville’s past. I took this tour a few months ago and actually learned that Charles Manson spent time in the Hamilton County Jail! But whether or not you’re interested in our spooky history, people are often first attracted to Noblesville for our quaint, old-fashioned aesthetic—only to fall in love with our small-town charm.

Noblesville Square is a downtown hub for good food and good times.

While you’re downtown seeing the historic sites, there are several excellent shops and restaurants just waiting for you to try! I especially recommend grabbing a coffee from Noble Coffee and Tea Company, a local hotspot and a town favorite.

What are the best places to eat in downtown Noblesville?

One of my favorite spots is the Bica Cafe, which serves up a delicious brunch with a unique Portuguese menu. (Do yourself a favor and order the Portuguese potatoes!) Or, if you’re looking for American dining, breakfast at the Uptown Cafe has been a Noblesville fixture and a local tradition since the 1930s. 

Speaking of bars, Grindstone Public House and Courthouse Club both offer a great selection of cocktails. Another popular spot to grab a drink in Noblesville is Syd’s Bar on the square. Syd’s is a literal cornerstone of downtown Noblesville with a fascinating history. The bar first opened in the historical J.L. Evans Building back in 1945 and quickly became known for its cold drinks and friendly service. (And now, it’s also a stop on the Noblesville Ghost Tour!)

For the foodies out there, 9th Street Bistro has received national recognition for their stellar menu and even made OpenTable’s 2023 U.S. Top 100 list. James Beard Semifinalist Chef Samir and his wife Rachel use local ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience. 

If you’re planning a dinner date, Bar Ellis is a family-run, vegan-friendly restaurant and the first place in downtown Noblesville to offer rooftop dining. And children in Noblesville all grow up loving Alexander’s on the Square, an old-fashioned ice cream and soda shop that’ll make you nostalgic for the past. They offer 36 delicious flavors of hand-dipped ice cream for you to try!

What are the top things to do in downtown Noblesville?

Along with great restaurants, downtown Noblesville also has several antique shops to explore. Logan VIllage Mall alone has over 45 boutiques offering everything from clothes to furniture. I’ve spent hours in Logan Village Mall searching for unique items to add to my home, and I hardly ever leave empty handed. The Noblesville Antiques on the Square is another popular spot for antique enthusiasts with three floors packed with over 60 dealers.

If you want to feel like you’re on Gilmore Girls, you should absolutely stop by Chapter Book Lounge! Chapter Book Lounge is a cozy indie bookstore with all the vibes and libations of a cocktail lounge, serving up both good reads and delicious drinks. They also host community book clubs and other fun events like cookie decorating. 

For tabletop enthusiasts, Moonshot Game Store is a one-stop shop for all your gaming needs. Moonshot sells a variety of board games and card games—and even offers a space to get together and play tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons. 

And my favorite time to visit downtown Noblesville is during the holidays! During the Christmas season, the city hosts several holiday activities, including an annual tree lighting ceremony and a festive parade. Many of the local businesses around the square also host special shopping events during this time of year, which are perfect for finding unique gifts. 

Around Halloween, I particularly enjoy walking around the square and seeing the trees all starting to change colors. Noblesville Main Street also hosts an annual competition for people to design some costumed scarecrows to line the streets of the square, which all make for great photo opportunities!

Explore the great outdoors in Noblesville’s beautiful parks.

If you love hiking, camping, and enjoying the outdoors, Noblesville has several stunning nature parks to explore!

Forest Park is a 150-acre park right in the heart of Noblesville. In addition to playgrounds and trails, the park offers several amenities such as a 9-hole golf course, a skate park, and the Forest Park Aquatic Center with an Olympic-sized swimming pool. You’ll also find the “Little Beauty” carousel that was built in 1920 and became a permanent park fixture in 1996. Families visiting the park can enjoy unlimited miniature golf, carousel rides, and access to the swimming pools for only $15.

Forest Park is also home to the Nickel Plate Express, a family-friendly train excursion that boards in the park. From April to December, the train offers themed excursions aboard historic 1956 Santa Fe El Capitan cars. One of the most popular excursions is the Pumpkin Express, which takes passengers on a 25-minute trip to a nearby pumpkin patch. Meanwhile, the Reindeer Express includes an interactive sing-along, a story, and even a visit with Santa.

If you want to stay active while you’re out, consider booking a Railbike Ride Excursion! There are three different tours to choose from, including the Forest Park Rail Adventure, White River Family Cruise, and Twilight Rail Ride. These excursions range from 7-mile round trip adventures through Hamilton County to just 15-minute rides with a layover in downtown Noblesville. 

Take a hike on one of our local nature trails.

If you’re looking for an adventure, Strawtown Koteewi Park is the perfect place for you. Koteewi Park is the largest park in Hamilton County, encompassing more than 800 acres and offering a multitude of activities for all ages. You can go horseback riding, fishing, or canoeing, or you can check out their archery range and aerial adventure trails. You can even go snow tubing when the weather’s right!

Or if you’re looking for a quiet space to connect with nature, Potter’s Bridge Park is a 66-acre park with the last historic covered bridge in Hamilton County. In my opinion, Potter’s Bridge has some of the best walking and running trails in the county, covered by a beautiful canopy of trees. And in October, the park hosts an annual Fall Festival that features live music and more than 70 booths of crafts and wares.

The Nickel Plate Trail also offers a more urban trail experience, stretching 18 miles across Noblesville, Fishers, and Indianapolis. This lengthy trail offers ample opportunity to explore the outdoors and get some exercise, while admiring the colorful murals and artwork along the way.

Federal Hill Commons is a bustling urban park in Noblesville.

In the summer, Federal Hill Commons is also bustling with activities. The Commons is a small 6.5-acre urban park located just around the corner from downtown Noblesville. They host the Farmers Market every Saturday morning during the season, including a wide variety of vendors and food trucks. I love to attend the free yoga class that they offer once a month!

Federal Commons also hosts several live concerts featuring local and regional bands throughout the summer. But it’s not fair to leave all the fun to the summer months! In the winter, the park transforms into an ice skating rink with fun seasonal activities.

Noblesville culture combines music, art, and memorable experiences.

Federal Commons is not the only place where you can find music in Noblesville! The Ruoff Music Center is the state’s largest outdoor amphitheater, built with a seating capacity of 24,000 people. This venue hosts some of the biggest acts in music, from pop stars to rock legends.

If you’re a fan of live music, there’s nothing quite like experiencing a concert at the Ruoff Music Center, cheering along in the lawn as one voice in a sea of people! And before the concert, you can check out the Hamilton Town Center, a nearby outdoor shopping mall with amazing restaurants and an IMAX theater.

Noblesville fosters a creative arts scene.

Our community is very passionate about the arts and finding opportunities to feed your creativity. Thanks to Noblesville Creates, Noblesville residents can enjoy a variety of art classes, exhibits, and special programs throughout the year. If you’re interested in learning how to paint, draw, or even act, you should take a look at the classes they have available. Or if you’d rather check out other people’s art, you can visit their gallery of local artists or attend one of their several special events!

Most of Noblesville Creates’ programs and exhibits are offered free to the public, so there’s no reason not to enjoy! Two of their most popular annual events are Comic Book in a Day and Welcome to Fairyville. During their Comic Book in a Day event, you can meet actual professional comic book artists and try creating a comic of your own! Meanwhile, Welcome to Fairyville is a multi-day event that includes art projects, storytelling, and a trail of fairy houses created by our community. 

The Hamilton East Public Library also offers events and classes for little to no cost for library members. They have computer classes, reading programs, storytime for kids of all ages, and lots of helpful resources at the Crossroads Discovery Center. The Center provides audio recording labs, media conversion and image digitization labs, and even genealogy workshops to help residents dive into local history. 

Looking for a taste of the nightlife in Noblesville?

For me, when I need a nice, relaxing day out with the girls, I love going to Spencer Farm Winery. The tasting room is located in a historic farmhouse with seating both inside and outside on the porch. Personally, I prefer sipping my wine underneath the large weeping willow tree, especially because it’s the perfect spot to take in those amazing Indiana summer sunsets. 

And for more chilly nights, you can even rent a private heated yurt. Each yurt can easily fit six adults, and they’re snow and rain proof. So, you can enjoy your wine anytime of year! 

Now, if craft beer is more your thing, Primeval Brewing offers a variety of European-inspired beers in a classic German beer hall setting. You can head over for a good drink, live music performances, and fun trivia nights out on the town. Or if you want to sit outside, Bier Brewery is home to Indiana’s biggest biergarten—with a dog park and even a playground for the kids to enjoy while you sip their hand-crafted ales and lagers.

Noblesville is a thriving city with a small-town feel.

So, you see, Noblesville has countless opportunities for residents to pursue their passions and find their community. We have a rich, creative culture and offer convenient access to all the amenities of the big-city metropolitan area around Indianapolis. But what I love most about living in Noblesville is that it still has that small-town feel!

From our quaint historic buildings to the local arts scene, Noblesville is a growing city that stays true to its roots—a place that feels tight-knit because we truly treasure our connections with one another. As you look for the neighborhood that’s right for you, know that Noblesville is a city where everyone can find their community and your family can feel at home.