New Palestine, Indiana, is a quaint town between bustling cities and vast farmland.

My husband and I really lucked out when we found New Palestine. We’d previously lived in Greenfield, a neighboring city on the eastern edge of Indy. But we were hoping to find a home closer to Indianapolis, where we could have a bit of land without being too far from downtown. We also had family nearby, so we couldn’t venture too far westward. 

Fortunately, after almost two years of searching, we found an amazing home in a great neighborhood, which happened to be right here in New Palestine. 

New Palestine—or New Pal for short—is a small town just southeast of Indianapolis, easily accessible from U.S. Route 52. On one side of New Pal, you have all the attractions, events, and opportunities in big-city Indianapolis. On the other, you have acres upon acres of farmland. My husband and I both grew up in towns with a similar dichotomy, and that balance of urban and rural living was exactly what we were looking for. 

Because towns like New Palestine are uniquely community-oriented—the kind of place where neighbors wave at you as you drive by. In the short time we’ve lived here, I’ve seen the passion that others have for this community. While it’s true that every neighborhood has its faults, in my opinion, New Palestine offers the perfect blend of pride, proximity, and provision.

New Palestine is one of Indiana’s top destinations for high school sports. 

Here in New Pal, school spirit isn’t a matter of opinion. It’s a necessity. 

Our high school football team won IHSAA state championships in 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2024. Our softball team won state championships in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2017, 2018, and 2019. And just about every Friday night in the fall, you’ll find the majority of the town at New Palestine High School (or the away game field) cheering on their local team. 

Everywhere you turn, you will see spectators with red and white face paint, ringing cow bells from an extremely loud student section. It’s clear that athletes and students in New Pal schools are supported intensely and cared for deeply, which is why schools are expanding rapidly.

Our town takes immense pride in supporting the New Palestine Dragons. 

Before I moved to New Pal, I designed a couple of new graphic installations for the high school here. Through this work, I was able to witness firsthand the robust brand that the New Pal Athletics team has built. 

But not only is the athletics department proud of their athletes, the majority of residents in New Pal are staunch supporters as well. Without fail, if you are out in New Pal, you will see a sea of red, white, and black sports apparel, celebrating the Home of the Dragons. 

Let’s just say this: even if you’re not a sports fan, it’s practically a prerequisite for residents to put a New Pal sticker on their car or a sign in their yard. 

New Palestine is a destination for people looking to raise a family.  

With good athletics and even better academics, New Pal is a popular place for growing families. Neighborhood developments are popping up everywhere, and young parents are moving out to New Pal at a fast pace. Our town slightly deviates from the “white picket fence” life some people dream about. But from what I’m told, people love raising their kids here. 

In my neighborhood alone, you’ll find kids playing soccer in their yard with their family or learning how to ride a bike on the street. Year over year, the population in New Palestine continues to increase, including the number of students in our schools. So, if you are looking to move to New Pal with a family, your kiddos will fit in perfectly!

New Palestine offers unmatched proximity to local attractions and resources.

My house is just outside the town’s inner limits, so I am able to access all of New Palestine’s major amenities simply by walking or biking. The town has sidewalks along most streets, crosswalks where necessary, and pedestrian stoplights where a path intersects. 

So, I’m only minutes away from the high school and the town’s center, which makes it easy to check out events like New Pal Summer Fest. Every year, the town blocks off the main road for Summer Fest, creating enough space for the community to come together. At the festival, residents can grab a bite from a food truck, listen to live music, or see what the local small businesses have for sale. 

Traveling outside of New Pal typically requires a car. 

Nothing beats the convenience of biking around town. But if you have a car, you can easily access the best of the Indy region from New Palestine. Major cities like Indianapolis, Greenwood, and Greenfield are all within a short 30-minute drive, connecting you with everything from Eagle Creek Park and Newfields.

I drive to Indianapolis from New Pal multiple times a week, and usually, I don’t even need to use the interstate. Sometimes, I even stop at the nostalgic Rock-Cola 50’s Café for a bite to eat on my way into Indy. The Greenwood Park Mall is also a frequent stop for me—and a great place to spend the day shopping. 

And if I need quicker access to a variety of shops, I’ll just drive 15 minutes over to Greenfield for all my immediate needs. One of my favorite spots in Greenfield is Hometown Comics & Games!

Love to shop local? Small businesses thrive in New Pal.

The New Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce does a great job of promoting sustainable growth and local advocacy in the town. I highly recommend that new residents take a look through their community business directory to learn more about the shops, restaurants, and entrepreneurs at work in our town!

If you own a small business, the Chamber of Commerce is a great resource for programs and opportunities to promote yourself. As a whole, New Pal truly seems to value our local establishments and understand the importance of growing with the community. 

What are the best places to eat in New Palestine?

New Pal has many local restaurants, diners, and coffee shops that truly make our town unique. Frosty Boy is the long-established, best place in the county for ice cream, fried food, and good service. This famous local drive-in is also the spot most high school students work during the summer. 

If you’re looking for a good coffee shop, you can visit Barrel Racing Baristas. They’re right next door to Potstickers, a newer restaurant that serves up authentic Chinese cuisine. For groceries, Needler’s Fresh Market is somewhat small but offers a good assortment of products. And for your snack and pharmacy needs, CVS is easily accessible. 

No matter what spot you visit, you’ll always find a group of friendly locals ready to dine out—or eat in! During the summer, New Pal is a destination for backyard barbecues. You can go to any neighborhood in the area and smell the smoke coming off a grill.

Explore the scenic parks and trails in New Palestine!

There’s a lot to love about New Pal, but my favorite aspect of living here is how close we are to nature. I absolutely love to walk in parks, following a dirt path under a canopy of trees. Luckily, New Palestine has just that, and it’s called Sugar Creek Township Park. 

My husband and I enjoy going to that park and walking our dog. Not only does Sugar Creek have a beautiful trail, but it also has soccer fields, a pickleball court, and a dog park. 

On a sunny day, you can tell that our neighbors are also outdoorsy people who enjoy nature. It’s not uncommon to see residents keep an RV in the driveway and head out on the weekends to spend time outside in the areas surrounding New Pal.

New Palestine offers a great mix of everything a family needs to live their best life.

When talking with one of my neighbors, I found out that she actually grew up in our neighborhood and continues to love it years later. She constantly reminisces about her fond memories of life in New Palestine and how she still discovers new things about the town every day. I also used to work with the bus driver whose route now goes down my street. Small world! 

But with every passing day, I’m building deeper relationships and lasting roots with people here in New Palestine. Like them, I choose to stay in New Pal because the town cares about its development, the residents are proud and passionate about the community, and the people themselves are good folk. 

I feel as if I am always seeing new projects and properties in development, which makes me excited for the future. I want to be here to see what’s next.

New Palestine, Indiana, is truly the perfect culmination of a ‘small town near a big city’ with that Hannah Montana: The Movie energy we all love. The town reminds me of my teenage years, driving way too fast down a country road with the windows down, singing some pop song at the top of my lungs. But it’s also what I want for the future, sitting in a lawn chair in the driveway just watching people drive by or reading a book.