Whether you have a large number of stomachs to feed or just one overly hungry teenager in the middle of a growth spurt, there are some great places to find a ginormous pizza pie right here in central Indiana. Here are 5 places to find unusually large pizzas in the area.
This has been a long-standing favorite in the town of Brownsburg since 2008. The largest size pizza at Rockstar Pizza comes in at an impressive 30-inches.
Rockstar is located at: 922 East Main Street, Brownsburg
Panoony’s has been a part of Brownsburg since 2013. The founder is from upstate New York and had a dream of sharing his pizza skills and the experience of true New York pizza with the people in his new hometown. They serve a 30-inch pizza called The Big Noony as well as several other food items including wings, pasta, breadsticks, and much more.
Panoony’s is located at: 1447 E Main Street, Brownsburg
Brozinni offers two locations, one in Indy and one in Nashville. Here you can feast on New-York style 20-inch pizzas cut into those giant traditional New York thin-crust slices we have all come to love. Don’t forget: the proper way to enjoy pizza like a New Yorker is to fold it in half lengthwise.
Brozinni is located at: 8810 South Emerson Avenue #240 in Indianapolis
And
140 West Main Street in Nashville, Indiana
...
During the cold months, Kids Planet in Brownsburg is a perfect place to take the kids for a full day of play. Kids Planet is a four story indoor playground that is well-beloved by many kids and families in Brownsburg.
There are many different activities to appeal to kids of all ages and types at Kids Planet, but the most popular feature is the four-story indoor massive jungle gym. It includes multiple levels to climb through with twisted and curve slides, tunnels, and overlooks. Some of the most popular spots in the play structure include the trampoline, ball pit , ball cannons, and a kinetic-sand pit. Kids up to the age of 14 are permitted in the giant play structure. Shoes must be removed and socks are mandatory.
For the tiny tot toddler crowd there is a special space. This allows them to play on toys more fit to their size and gives peace of mind to parents that they will not be overrun by bigger kids. The toddler space is filled with plenty of fun toys to climb and explore.
In addition to the main attraction is a very large gaming arcade. There are games for kids of all ages to enjoy. Arcade games are accessible through a prepaid/preloaded electronic cards. These cards keep track of your points (instead of the game machine spitting out paper tickets to turn in) when you are done playing in the arcade you can take your electronic card over to the prize center to see how many points you have earned and what prize you can choose.
When you get hungry from all of the energy and activity, there is a large concession area with plenty of seating. This is also the area where Kids Planet hosts parties.
Operating...
One of the best places to get outside and enjoy the winter wonderland that is central Indiana is in Avon. Two years ago the Avon Ice rink began offering ice bumper cars in addition to other fun outdoor activities. It is a much-loved spot for winter fun amongst locals and visitors alike.
Avon is a suburb of Indianapolis with about 17,500 residents. Avon is well known for its amazing parks and plethora of outdoor adventure opportunities to enjoy the entire year. In the winter, the town of Avon seems to become a magical sparkling outdoor winter wonderland all a buzz with fun festive activities. They are perfect to help with indulging in those holiday treats with little to no guilt because they will keep you active.
The Avon Ice Rink is just one of those places in Avon that offers great things to do in the winter. It is the first “iceless” rink in the county. The rink is open all winter and the “iceless” feature makes it available to enjoy despite what temperature it is. The rink is in a new location this year at the RBI Fields that were formerly the Avon Softball Park. The address for RBI Fields is 104 South County Road 625E.
The Iceless Rink
Instead of frozen water, the rink is made of a synthetic material that is coated in a non-toxic chemical, that makes the surface slick and slippery just like ice. It is smooth and easy to glide on. No canceled days because of melted ice here.
The Bumper Cars
The bumper cars are a huge hit and a main draw to the Avon Ice Rink each year. There are about 10 cars that...
Binkley’s Kitchen and Bar is under new ownership as of last November. Courtney Whistler, a long-time employee of the Broad Ripple restaurant scene is the new owner. She was ready to roll up her sleeves and dive into this new adventure and whatever challenges it would bring but did not expect to face a pandemic. The new year ushered in the need to get creative as she re-opened Binkley’s.
Before taking ownership of Binkley’s, Courtney worked just across the street at the Ambrosia restaurant for almost 15 years. Courtney also founded a catering company with her husband aptly named Whistler Catering. She still runs the catering business with her husband and both jobs have helped her to gain much knowledge and experience for the food industry.
Over the last few years, Courtney and her husband have tried to purchase other restaurants, but none fell into place, until the deal for Binkley’s . It was such a perfect opportunity that it seemed like the next natural step in her career. The sale just seemed to work out well for all involved.
Courtney and her staff used the pandemic shutdowns to capitalize on and benefit from time to make some improvements to the interior of the restaurant. Everyone took the “down time” from only fulfilling carry-out orders to pick up a handy job and get renovations done through the spring and summer.
There is now an entrance to the room between both sides of the bar so that both sides are connected. The bar area has received a total makeover with a new granite bar top and a new face to the base of the bar. There is also new pendant lighting over the bar. All of the tables have been...
Mallow Run Winery is just outside of the town of Greenwood, and on the weekends you will find many Greenwood residents love to hang out here.
This winery sits on a 600-acre farm in the town of Bargersville just south of Greenwood. It is a family-run business that has been in the Richardson family since 1835. Mallow Run is named after a creek that runs through the farm. The creek was named after the farm’s original owner, George Mallow, the great-great-great-grandfather of Bill Richardson who now owns Mallow Run.
Bill and his wife Laura opened a winery on the property in 2005. Bill was unaware that the creek on the property had a name until his days at Purdue University while looking at a map of the property.
The original plan for grapes started with Bill’s father John. He planted an acre of grapes at the farm in 2000 after he read an article reporting that Indiana winemakers were looking for farmers to grow grapes. His plan was to just grow some grapes, but Bill and Laura set their sights on doing more with the crop and that’s how the winery came to be.
Bill learned the trade as he worked at Oliver Winery and read about wine making after graduating from Purdue. Bill and Laura intended to keep the winery small when they began, but the love and support of the local community has grown the business to something bigger.
One of the most loved things about Mallow Run is the summer events on Saturday nights. There is live music and pizza is served or food trucks come out. Some events are free and some require paid tickets for admission. Concert goers are always welcome to bring their own picnic. The Picnic Concert Series runs from Memorial Day through the end of September (in a normal year)....
Though we still need to take precautions, there is still much fun to be had in Hendricks County. Here are some great outdoor events to enjoy this holiday season.
The Market at Penguin Park
Saturday, Dec. 5 from 1 to 4 pm
The Market at Penguin Park offers outdoor ice skating. You can skate with the Grinch and Buddy the Elf. There is also great food available from The Grumpy Gringo and The Frigid Frog. Other fun activity highlights include farm fresh Christmas trees for sale by local Boy Scouts, and a good selection of arts and crafts vendors to pick up the perfect unique and one of a kind present. You can also see Santa and mail your wish list to the North Pole while exploring Santa’s Village. For more information, you can click here
Curling at Penguin Park
Once only an obscure winter sport that hardly anyone watched during the Olympics, curling is now a favorite winter pass time. This is the game of sliding a big heavy piece of stone that has an attached handle down a marked space of ice as your teammates use their best sweeping skills to help guide it to the center of the target on the other end of the ice.
Right now at Penguin Park, you are able to rent a curling lane and see why people love the game so much. If you decide you...
The weather gets COLD here in the greater Indianapolis area in the winter. Just a few years ago we saw one of the craziest winters in several decades. If you are not from around here and are moving into the area here are some things that are good to know about an Indianapolis winter.
During Winter Everyone is at the Mercy of the Weather
Have plans? Don’t hold on to them too tightly (well covid has already taught us a little bit about doing this). Things tend to get rescheduled and slowed down at the mercy of harsh outdoor conditions. Some people even make sure they get up just a little bit earlier on cold winter mornings so they can make it to work sort of on time.
Driving, Even in Busy Areas, Can Get Slippery
In Indy the streets are partially plowed and then things begin to freeze and it can become like ice skating, but from inside your car. If you are not used to driving in the snow you might want to pick some very open roads to do a little practice on.
Taking a Walk Requires Special Gear
Getting outside for a bit of fresh air requires bundling to artic proportions. Make sure to wear plenty of layers and invest in a good pair of waterproof snow boots. We say invest because you will want to make sure they are of the highest quality.
Clearing a Path to the Car is a Good Morning Workout
Some people when they first move here look at the price of a snowblower and think they will be okay with a shovel. While a snow shovel does cost much less than a snowblower, the need to remove snow from the driveway could become a daily chore. This becomes a feat of superhuman strength...
Hummel Park is one of Plainfield’s, and Guilford Township’s, most popular parks. It is great for so many reasons, one of them is it is Plainfield’s best park for running.
On the east end of the park is a 1.1-mile track-like loop. It is a great loop for running one or several laps. The “track” has each tenth of a mile marked which is helpful to measure distance. This is really nice for those just beginning their running journey and looking for helpful tools to build stamina. A runner can push themselves to run from one marker to another and then take a walking break and work up to longer distances. Seasoned runners can practice their work on distance running.
Special Runner Friendly-Amenities of Hummel Park
At the start or head of the running trail is a stretch horse and a plaque/sign guide of great stretches to do before and after running. When you reach a quarter-mile there is a restroom and water fountains. The pavement is marked and divided into lanes for runners and walkers and another lane for skaters and bicyclists. It is preferred that runners use the designated side of the red line in a clockwise direction, while skaters and bikers go counterclockwise.
Getting in a Longer Run
If you get tired of running the loop several times and want to take your long-distance run elsewhere you can extend your run across the Red Maple Path Bridge and into the woods. There are two running paths in the wooded area: the Cottonwood Path or the Blue Heron Path. Cottonwood is an unmarked ½ mile loop and Blue Heron takes runners south along the White Lick Creek. It is a nice scenic run past small...
The Oasis Diner has long been a Plainfield institution. It has been featured in several internet articles including being highlighted by many road tripping travel bloggers.
Upon driving up to the Oasis visitors are greeted with a cheery yellow façade and neon lights that take you back in time with 1950’s architecture. Some say the Oasis is the best example of a classic American diner you will find in the entire Midwest. It is a favorite among locals and tourists alike, especially for its pork tenderloin.
Diners in America have been around since the 1800s but didn’t soar in popularity until the 1950s with the boom of the post-war economy and production of automobiles. In the 50s the diner was the place to be, so we think the Oasis’s choice of sticking with its 50s theming is a great nod to American history.
The Oasis began in the 50s and saw the same ownership through the 2000s until the original owner’s health declined. The fate of the diner was on shaky ground, but the town of Plainfield and Doug Huff and Don Rector stepped in to save the diner and moved it to its current location and restored it to its first glory days. The Oasis is the ONLY classic diner on US 40 in the entire state of Indiana.
In addition to its history and being a lone star on HWY 40 the Oasis is known for amazing food, especially its pork tenderloin. It has been ranked several times in the top 10 lists for the best-breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and many locals would say there is no contest,...
There are several reasons to hang out in the town of Brownsburg, while you are there you may want to grab a cup of coffee. Here are some of the most notable places for a cup of Joe in Brownsburg.
Opened just a little over two years ago, this coffee shop and the focus behind it are what every neighborhood needs. It was founded by two best friends, Bob Goodpaster and Chico Mbanu who met in college and became lifelong friends. They began the coffee shop after Bob’s wife took a trip to her hairdresser.
While she was getting her cut and chatting with her stylist, the stylists began talking about how they would love for a good coffee shop to come to the southeast part of town. They even named the place it should go. Bob’s wife chimed in and said her husband was the person to do it. The idea made good sense to Bob and he presented the idea to his friend Chico and they got to work on making it a reality. Their main goal was to provide the town with more than just a place to order a coffee and leave. They wanted to create a friendly atmosphere where they could become their customers’ “best friends.”
Today the friends offer a unique array of coffee drinks, Instagram-able frappes, refreshing teas, and all handmade from scratch foods. It is said they have the best biscuits and gravy anywhere. So stop in and grab a cup of well-made coffee and amazing fresh food all with a side of neighborhood friendliness.
Fall is not over yet and there is still plenty of time to enjoy the fall colors in Hendricks County. Here are some great places to take a stroll out in nature and safely spectate how glorious and beautiful Hendricks County is in the fall.
McCloud Park is full of giant gorgeous trees expanding high into the air with millions of fall colored leaves at this time of year. There are 6.5 miles of trails to meander and wind through the 232 acres of fall beauty. With the many different species of trees, there are many colors on display.
McCloud Park is a beloved spot for family photo backdrops and senior portrait sessions.
Add in the scenic beauty of the historic truss bridge, Big Walnut Creek, the wetland preserve observation deck and it is a perfect spot to spend a brisk cold day.
This underrated spot in Avon is 80 acres of land preserve in the care of Central Indiana Land Trust and features oak, hickory, maple, black, walnut, and tulip poplar tree species. All of them put on a painting like display in the fall. There are two walking trails that loop through the trees in the park
The Blue Trail: a half-mile...
Humbly tucked into a strip in the Crown Liquor Plaza just off of Rockville Road across from Meijer is Marsha’s Specialty Desserts and Tierney’s Catering. It is a locally-owned business that has won several awards for their unique and deliciously amazing treats.
Marsha began this business with six of her family members in tow. When they cater events, more of the family comes in to help out. Comforting family recipes at big special gatherings were the inspiration for what is served. Marsha’s Specialty Desserts offers desserts and full meals for special events including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, anything you are celebrating, or even when you are not and just want a special something for several people.
Marsha works closely with her sister Michelle and the sister's credit their love of baking and catering to their granddaddy. His name is Conwell Avant and he loved to gather his family all together to cook, bring food, and host huge family meals while enjoying each other’s company. One of Marsha’s favorite memories is Soul Food Fridays. They not only put together the best food, they also made it special with coordinating table settings right down to the napkins.
Granddaddy once said that the family was so good at putting on large fancy meals that they should go into catering. 20 years later Marsha began that catering business.
Award-Winning Desserts
Marsha offers a four-page menu of desserts including everything from wedding cakes to fun mini options like mini pies and mini cobblers. There are 30 icing options to top things off with. One of their most popular requests is for a dessert bar...
If you're going to visit Indianapolis or are considering moving there, one important fact about the city to know is that there are lots of excellent restaurants that you can choose from. Not only are there many places to go for excellent food, but the city's restaurants feature a nice ambiance as well. Here are 11 restaurants that The Furman Group Indianapolis Real Estate recommends:
1. The BRU Burger Bar
If you're looking for a great burger joint, this restaurant will have exactly what you're looking for. Not only can you order a great burger at this restaurant, but you can also order a wide range of other dishes. Everything that they cook will make for an excellent, affordable meal.
2. Shapiro's Deli
Shapiro's Deli is a great place to get a sandwich. Not only do they offer delicious sandwiches at affordable prices, but it's also a great place to get a dessert, order some mac and cheese, or potato salad. Shapiro's Deli has received excellent reviews from customers, and it's one of the most popular restaurants in Indianapolis.
3. Yats
Yats is a well-known restaurant chain in the Midwest, and they offer a variety of Cajun foods. Not only has Yats gotten excellent reviews, but they also offer affordable prices. Furthermore, it's convenient for people with allergies since the menu shows which allergens are not part of each dish.
4. Harry And Izzy's
Harry and Izzy's is a steakhouse that offers lots of delicious steak options at affordable prices. In addition, you can make reservations online, and there are gift cards available for purchase online. Not only can you get a delicious steak here, but they also offer an excellent wine menu as well.
5. Mama Carolla’s Old Italian Restaurant
Mama Carolla's Old Italian Restaurant is one of the best places to go for Italian cuisine in...
Saturday nights are glorious gifts, and Indianapolis, or Indy, adds its magic flavors to make the night even better. From its fine restaurants to cool music, the city offers you lots of goodies for a blissful weekend night. The town also features exquisite real estate and properties.
If you want to hit the dance floor and feel the energy of music in your veins, there is a treat for you. And if you want to have a taste of the world’s best foods, wines, and beers, or maybe catch the best comedies in town, here are five top places in Indianapolis (once things are back to normal from Covid-19) that will give you the best opportunities for enjoying your Saturday nights coupled with an adrenaline rush.
Howl at the Moon Indianapolis
Howl at the Moon remains among the city’s best nightspots. It is a perfect downtown spot that will always make your nights unforgettable. Howl houses live performances in a partly-bar and a partly-concert setting.
For dancing and partying, Howl at the Moon offers an exciting atmosphere, perfect for all your special events. It’s the most fun place for nightlife and the most interactive and lively spot in Indy. Excellent music that varies from hip-hop to pop to rock always fills the air in the scene, shaking everyone with a vibrant spirit to enjoy.
The Rathskeller
Rathskeller is Indy’s number one spot for all beer lovers and foodies. Within the center of the Athenaeum Building, it offers live music that runs from rock to blues to polka with belly dances every Saturday night.
The Biergarten...
Indianapolis is the capital of the state of Indiana known for its sports and annual car racing competition. However, it is also home to electric art displays, cultural trails, underground ruins, and delicious barbeque. Let's explore the main 7 hidden gems in Indianapolis that we are desperately missing, so you can plan a truly memorable trip.
Indiana War Memorial Museum
It is a free museum displaying the military history of Indiana. It displays chronologically American military history from starting from the Revolutionary War to the present day, by focusing on the special role of the state of Indiana in the nations' conflicts. It is also home to the unique military collection of memorabilia from the Batlle of Tippecanoe to date.
City Market Catacombs
Spooky catacombs are one of those interesting places in Indianapolis that most tourists do not know about. The catacombs are the remains of Tomlinson Hall of the 19th century that was burned down. They are located under the City Market known as the place of local merchants, artisans, and food growers. You can explore the catacombs yourself or get a tour on the first or third Saturday of every month.
Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens
Garfield Park, situated in the south of Indianapolis, features a conservatory and a 3-acre park. There are a lot of things to do and entertain yourself, such as exploring the conservatory, learning about edible plants and herbs, enjoying the orchid show, attending summer events, or going on a master gardener guided tour.
Indianapolis Moon Tree
This tree spent time on the Moon as a seed and then was returned back to the...
When it comes to family attractions in Indianapolis, there are so many things to do. From zip-lining in the forest to participating in a bike tour, to watching the Indy 500, this beautiful city offers it all.
It’s these types of activities and events that have us operating out of nostalgia. As we sit at home and practice social distancing, there’s’ never been a better time to plan and budget for some fun activities you can do in the future.
Check out The 9 Things We Can’t-Wait To Do Again in Indianapolis.
Fastimes Indoor Carting
Almost every “big kid” will enjoy a day spent at this exciting indoor race track. While wearing a full driving suit complete with protective gear, family members can gain a thrill racing a go-kart up to 40 miles an hour. During the racing fun, make sure to grab a bite to eat at the onsite restaurant. The restaurant offers delicious pizza and subs every day. Before bringing your “big kids” to Fastimes Indoor Carting, make sure that you sign the parental waiver.
Zip City Indy
Whether you have a teenager or a toddler, Zip City Indy is the place to be for a wide variety of families. The company prides itself on offering several exciting indoor attractions such as soccer, laser tag, ropes course, trampoline, skydive, and a rock wall. Smaller kids can have fun too. The facility features a “Toddler Town,” a play area filled with toys for children less than 3 years old. A 70,000-acre facility, there’s a good chance that your kids won’t get bored at Zip City Indy and neither should you. Parents can sit comfortably in the sky lounge to watch their kids play or enjoy a sports game on a big television screen.
ActiveIndy Tours
One...