In OnDeck’s study, Silver in the City was the most-loved independent boutique in the nation. | Photo by INDYtoday team
The Circle City is No. 1 in our hearts — but a little external validation never hurts. Indy scored 50+ accolades in 2024, as well as being named the No. 30 best city in the US in a survey by Clever. Here are some of our top marks.
“The No. 1 Best Aerial View in the US” by Remitly — This study showed participantsaerial images of 96 popular destinations to determine a favorite. Too bad ChatGPT didn’t agree.
“The No. 1 City in the US with the Most-Loved Independent Stores” by OnDeck — Yelp reviews of 17,411 independently-owned boutiques proved that we’ve got the best indie shopping scene.
“The No. 4 Best US City for Dating” by TimeOut — Number of single people, divorce rates, and quality of life all indicated things are hot and steamy in Indy. Psst... keep an eye on our newsletter for plenty of ideas for Valentine’s Day.
“The No. 25 Best City for Barbecue” by LawnStarter — We know our No. 1 ranked friends at KCtoday are probably shaking their heads, but it’s true; Indy is a hotspot for barbecue food.
The Village: A Social Practice Art Session | 6-8 p.m. | Indianapolis Public Library Wayne Branch | Free | Drop in for a couple minutes or hours to create pompoms that will become part of a large-scale art piece.
Strength & Balance: January Mat Pilates | 6:30-8 p.m. | COhatch Polk Stables | $15 | Sweat out the week’s worries as you build your core strength, improve your flexibility, and enhance your balance.
Crate Escapes, Westfield’s new dog park + bar, opened on Friday at 18595 Carousel Ln. The 8,800-sqft building includes an indoor off-leash dog park, a 20-tap self-pour beer and wine wall, locally-made pet items, and more for you and your furry friends to enjoy.
Coming Soon
After a year of waiting, it seems Culinary Dropout will finally be opening next month — reportedly on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The new restaurant at 1320 E. 86th St. will serve classic meals like pork ribs, fried chicken, and burgers.
Cause
Warm weather getting you down? We can’t relate, but we can direct you to the Special Olympics Indiana Polar Plunge, happening on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Butler University. Learn how to participate to help raise funds. (WTHR)
Announced
After nearly 15 years downtown, furniture + gifts store Chatham Home is relocating to Carmel, taking over the spot vacated by Carmel Music Center. The store will begin liquidation sales on Saturday, Feb. 1, with the Carmel opening scheduled for July. (IBJ)
Sports
44% of single Colts fans would choose a Super Bowl win over finding true love, according to a recent study by Wetten that surveyed 2,000 single NFL fans. If you’re part of the 56% who prefers love over a big win, check out these local date ideas.
Mansion Monday
Want to be welcomed home by 12-ft ceilings, a heated lanai, and built-ins galore? A 5-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom Italianate home is on the market in Carmel. Take a tour of the 6,840-sqft build that has only ever had one owner.
Listen
After a successful 2025 recruiting season, how can Indiana football up their game in 2026? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Hoosierswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Environment
Looking to reduce your utility bills? With regular energy efficiency checkups, you can save on energy costs and avoid unexpected expenses. Schedule a virtual home energy assessment with the experts at AES Indiana to discover how you can optimize your home’s energy use while keeping money in your wallet.*
Giveaway
We’ll let you in on a little secret: One lucky Hoosier will win a $125 gift certificate to The Prewitt Restaurant & Lounge and two tickets to a Hendricks Live! show, courtesy of Visit Hendricks County’s exclusive giveaway. Here’s how to enter. (Psst… Date night planning just got easier.)*
Home
Leaks don’t just ruin your day — they can damage your home. Get a free quote from Remodel Your Home to connect with roofing pros who specialize in leak-proof solutions.*
The Buy
The Buy
The perfect Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t exi… Enter: Squishmallows. From ages three to 103, we’re pretty sure these ultra-soft, best-selling stuffed animals will make any age smile. We’re loving these five love day-inspired Squishmallows:
Over the weekend, pickleball facility The Picklr opened in Noblesville, offering 19 courts of dinks and whole lot more. Here’s how it looked from my POV.
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