Downtown Indy is a bustling hub of good food, one-of-a-kind shops, and countless things to do. But you don’t need the big city to have an unforgettable day out!

Here in Indy, every neighborhood has their own distinct culture—with unique events and local businesses to match. When the city feels too busy, Northside residents can get dinner in Broad Ripple or catch a concert in Carmel. Meanwhile, Southside residents can always enjoy the attractions and amenities in Greenwood. 

Greenwood is a suburban neighborhood built for both community and opportunity. Just twenty minutes south of Indianapolis, our city’s a popular destination for casual day trips without the downtown crowds. 

Best of all, Greenwood is still growing at a rapid pace, giving residents even more to love. Over the last decade, a surge of new businesses has inspired local entrepreneurs and brought a vibrant energy to our city.  

Whether they’re running a franchise or starting their own company, these business owners are the life of our community. So, next time you’re around Southside Indianapolis, check out some of these popular shops and hot spots! 

LOCAL SHOPS

Brick & Mortar

Brick & Mortar is a unique, local gift shop with products from all around the world! After an inspiring trip to Europe, owners Ashley and Kelly decided to open their own European-style concept shop with affordable goods in a community-driven space. 

Now, Brick & Mortar is the perfect place to find something special for you and your loved ones. The majority of their goods are thoughtfully curated from independent makers and small businesses across the globe. They regularly rotate their stock to give you the sweetest gifts for any occasion, including flowers, books, candles, art, jewelry, and more. 

Best of all, Brick & Mortar sets aside 10% of their profits to give back to the community. So, you can shop with confidence, knowing that you’re supporting small businesses and local creators! 

Greenwood Park Mall

For the marathon shoppers out there, nothing’s better than the convenience and freedom of a mall. Indy has many shopping malls across the region, including the Keystone Fashion Mall and Castleton Square on the northside. But in my opinion, the best place to shop is the Greenwood Park Mall! 

The Greenwood Park Mall is an outdoor, open-air space with both major chains and local businesses. You’ll find all of the essential mall stores like Macy’s, JCPenney, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, but we also have unique businesses you can’t find anywhere else. 

You can go to Cake Bake Kreations for DIY cupcake decorating or Shake and Dough for ready-to-eat cookie dough and milkshakes. Meanwhile, Gutty’s Comedy Club features family-friendly stand-up routines and open mic nights, and the Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy offers youth theater classes and productions. Whatever your interests, the Greenwood Park Mall has everything you need for the perfect day out. 

The Outdoorsman Sport Shop

Indianapolis may be a major metropolitan city, but we’re only a short drive away from Indiana’s dense forests and fishing spots. If you’re heading out to the woods, Greenwood has a one-stop shop for the modern outdoorsman in your family. 

Since 1976, The Outdoorsman Sport Shop has supplied Indy residents with everything they need to explore the great outdoors. From hunting decoys to fishing rods, they stock all the necessary gear and equipment to bag a deer or reel in a big one. 

The Outdoorsman Sport Shop also has a 30-yard indoor archery range for you to practice your marksmanship! They host Archery Leagues where expert archers can test their mettle. And if you’re just a beginner, they provide equipment rentals and lessons on compound, recurve, and crossbows! 

Sure Plus Indy

Every shopper loves a good deal, but coupon clipping has its limits. The real money-saving comes from retail overstock, when stores are practically giving away their extra supplies. 

That’s why Sure Plus is the store you didn’t know you needed. Sure Plus is a local, family-owned discount store that provides quality products at a bargain price. They purchase returns, overstock, and liquidated goods from large retailers—and pass those savings along to you!

They have everything from electronics to home goods to pet supplies, and all of their stuff sells for at least 50% off of the retail value. So, before you add another item to your Amazon cart, check out Sure Plus to see if they have it cheaper! No matter what you’re looking for, they’re bound to have a bargain for you!

Take Root Country Store

Take Root is one of our city’s most beloved stores—with a down-to-earth, country aesthetic that captures the spirit of Old Town Greenwood. People even describe it as “a little bit of Nashville in Indiana” because of its rustic Americana atmosphere. 

For over 25 years, Take Root has been the place for farmhouse accessories and primitive home decor. They offer a variety of handmade, repurposed, and antique goods from local vendors across Indiana. And they regularly rotate their stock with seasonal goods and holiday decor, so there’s always something new to discover!

Take Root also offers a new crafting class for each season, teaching you how to make small decorative items and paintings to spruce up your home! People always show up to socialize and learn some of the techniques behind their handmade goods. 

RESTAURANTS & EATERIES 

Johnson’s BBQ Shack

Did somebody say YUM? Johnson’s BBQ Shack specializes in slow-cooked, smoked meats with savory, home-style BBQ rubs. They originally started as a local food truck, operating out of a bright orange trailer around Southside Indy. Now, they’ve expanded to three brick-and-mortar locations in Greenwood and Bargersville!  

When you walk into the Shack, you can immediately tell that they care about every dish they make. Their team has over 15 years of experience in slow-cooking, and they smoke all of their meats in custom-built smokers over local, shagbark hickory wood and apple wood. 

From beef brisket to pulled pork, their menu features a variety of meat selections and delicious sides. So, stop in and grab a plate to go! While you’re there, you can also browse their line of sauces, rubs, and other products for sale. 

Le Croissant French Bakery

One of Greenwood’s hottest new shops is Le Croissant French Bakery—a traditional French patisserie right here in Indiana! The bakery is a family-run business owned by trained pâtissier Pedro Ullua, who traveled across the country honing his craft. 

You can see the amount of love they put in each dessert as soon as you walk in the door. All of their pastries are handmade and baked to perfection, with plenty of options to choose from.  They serve beautiful sweet and savory croissants, danishes topped with bright berries, puff-pastry quiches and creamy eclairs, and so much more. 

Pro Tip: The early bird gets the croissant! People line up outside the door to get a taste of Pedro’s pastries, and you don’t want to miss out. They often sell out by noon, so locals know to go early if they want a chance at their favorite treat. 

Noble Roman’s Craft Pizza & Pub

If you’re not from Indiana, you may fondly remember the taste of a Noble Roman’s pizza with an order of doughy breadsticks. For a short time, you could find Noble Roman’s all across the country—but now, Indiana is the only place you can experience their original pizza pies. 

Noble Roman’s first began in 1972 as a classic college pizza joint at Indiana University. Now, after decades of rolling their scratch-made dough, their pizza is a beloved Hoosier tradition that’s spread across the region.  

Of course, there are many pizza chains and restaurants to choose from. But Noble Roman’s offers a nostalgic pizzeria experience with timeless favorites and unique flavors to explore. One of my favorites is the “She’s No Sour Grape” pizza topped with sausage, grapes, and honey. (Yes, I said grape! Trust me, you won’t regret it.)

Our Table American Bistro

Our Table American Bistro has Greenwood residents buzzing about their amazing food and even better service! The bistro recently opened in 2021, and locals have already fallen in love with Chef Joe’s cooking. 

Indy native Joe Miller and his wife Ginger always dreamed of opening a restaurant like Our Table, where people could enjoy exquisite cuisine in an approachable setting. And together, they created a restaurant where everyone feels welcome at the table. 

When you enter the restaurant, you’re greeted like an old friend—as if you made reservations for your neighbor’s exclusive farm-to-table dinner. Their menu gives you a taste of wine country with artisan flatbreads, upscale entrees, and a wine list to match. The drink pairings and overall atmosphere feel so fresh that you’ll want to come back again and again! 

Prodigy Burger 

For all the burger lovers out there, this is the place for you! Prodigy Burger Bar is an Indy favorite—with unique burgers, craft beers, and delicious diner dishes. They’re one of the only local restaurants that offer Wagyu burgers, as well as hand-crafted sandwiches and fun, boozy milkshakes.

The first Prodigy Burger Bar opened up in Carmel back in 2017, and now, they have seven locations across the region. Of course, my favorite is the one in Greenwood because it’s the perfect blend of upscale dining with a hometown feel. It truly feels like a small neighborhood bar, where everyone knows your name. 

FRANCHISE FAVORITES

Code Ninjas 

Are your kids gamers? Code Ninjas is a meaningful program that teaches children how to code, while indulging their passion for video games! From Minecraft modding to 3D modeling, Code Ninjas turns your child’s interests into valuable skills. Their programs show kids how to build their own video games, stimulating their creativity and teaching them the building blocks of basic coding. 

In Greenwood, Code Ninjas offers programs for ages seven to 14, as well as summer camps that focus on specific topics and skills. Their flexible class schedules make it easy for parents to drop off their kids whenever it’s convenient. 

Crumbl Cookies

The reviews are in, and Crumbl Cookies is a clear winner here in Indy! This chain of confectioners boasts the world’s best cookies, and I can’t disagree. These days, everyone in town knows that a Crumbl cookie is the quickest way to brighten someone’s day. 

If you aren’t familiar with Crumbl, their main selling point—besides the delicious cookies—is that they rotate specialty flavors every week. So, there’s always something new to tempt your tastebuds. Simply drive up to delicious, grab your pretty pink box of treats, and enjoy the warm baked-fresh cookies inside!

Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping

Are you looking to switch up your exercise routine? Then, Farrell’s is the place for you! Their program combines high-energy kickboxing with routine strength training and nutrition coaching. That way, you’re getting a more balanced workout, while learning healthy ways to fuel your body. 

Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping also creates a community around your fitness goals. You can choose to focus on individual training, or you can join group sessions and regional challenges to help you achieve your goals. Here in Greenwood, more and more people are joining the community and working together to get fit!

Goldfish Swim School

When the summer heat has you beat, there’s nothing better than going for a swim! I have six daughters of my own, and our family loves spending a day at the pool. But it’s hard to teach your kids how to swim while keeping them safe, especially in a crowded public pool. 

That’s why I highly recommend the Goldfish Swim School. Their swimming lessons are based on the “Science of SwimPlay,” which uses guided play to teach kids swimming skills. These techniques focus on teaching water safety in a fun way, and they go out of their way to make sure every child feels comfortable and confident—both in and out of the water!

Handel’s Ice Cream

Handel’s Ice Cream is love in a cone—or a cup! They may be a national chain, but our local Handel’s is the perfect neighborhood ice cream shop. All of their ice cream is made fresh daily, combining tastes and toppings to create one-of-a-kind blends. 

They serve up scoops of classic cookie dough and mint chocolate chip, as well as fun flavors like banana, buckeye, and blueberry cobbler. Whichever you prefer, you’ll want to try every flavor because each one is uniquely delicious! 

Pro Tip: The line at our Handel’s can get pretty long, so bring some friends to chat with while you wait! 

THINGS TO DO 

Greenwood Fieldhouse

There’s a new place for Hoosiers to get up and get active! The City of Greenwood recently announced the opening of the brand-new Greenwood Fieldhouse—a 65,000-square foot facility for fitness and recreation. This creative space gives people of all ages a place to embrace playtime!

The fieldhouse includes both indoor and outdoor infrastructure, including basketball courts, multi-purpose turf fields, and running tracks. You can play a round of golf on a simulator or practice your swing at the batting cages. Local groups and teams can reserve time out on the courts, and families can even host birthday parties at the fieldhouse.

Local residents can pay a small fee to become a regular member. But if you’re just passing through, I recommend getting a Day Pass for whatever facilities are open! 

Freedom Springs Aquatic Park

How many cities can boast their own water park? Here in Greenwood, Freedom Springs has become a summertime staple for both residents and visitors alike! 

The Freedom Springs Aquatic Park may be smaller than Six Flags or Holiday World, but it has all the amenities you need for a day of swimming, splashing fun. You can ride giant water slides that twist and turn above the pools. You can float the day away on the lazy river or practice your form on the diving boards. And you can just relax by the water, while your little ones enjoy Half-Price Splashy Hour. 

Best of all, Freedom Springs is more affordable than your typical water park. Daily admission for non-resident adults is only $12 each, so you can bring the whole family for an unforgettable day out!

Indy Battleground Paintball

Looking for a new activity to keep the kids busy this summer? Indy Battleground Paintball offers family-friendly paintball with options for ages seven and up! So, you can get together with friends, family, or coworkers for some colorful, team-building competition.

Indy Battleground provides a curated paintball environment with eight different fields. Each field has its own unique obstacles and shelters, which makes every game a new experience.

Here in Indy, Paintball is an especially popular choice for local events and get-togethers. You can reserve space for birthday parties and bachelor parties. But it’s also common to see work retreats and church groups meet up for a day of paintball! 

Ivory Foundry Wedding and Events

Speaking of events, the Ivory Foundry is one of the best venues in the region. If you’re looking for a stunning event space, the Ivory Foundry offers a beautiful, intimate locale without breaking the budget. 

The Ivory Foundry has over 5,000 square feet of open space with an additional 2,000 square feet in their garden area. They specialize in custom weddings, giving couples a blank slate to freely decorate. But they also welcome corporate events, holiday parties, awards ceremonies, and trade shows. With glimmering glass walls and aesthetic brick architecture, the Ivory Foundry offers an old-time feel with an open layout you can make your own. 

The Studio Salon & Spa

The Studio Salon & Spa is a trendy new space for self-care! They offer hair care, manicures, spa treatments, and even medical options like micro-needling and sculpting. The Studio also has a selection of lofts for independent stylists in the region!

When you walk in, the atmosphere is a soothing, sleek monochrome that instantly amazes. You can sit back and enjoy a Japanese scalp treatment, while your friends refresh their look with a new nail color. They also offer massages, waxing, and Korean facial treatments to rejuvenate your skin! All you have to do is make an appointment and get ready to relax.