Find the perfect gift to express gratitude and love for the role models in your life. | Graphic by 6AM City
Shopping for a loved one? With Mother’s Day falling on Sunday, May 11, it’s a great time to give to parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends. Browse the gifts we think will do the trick:
Local pick:High Tea at Gather 22 | $55 per person | Treat them to a high tea experience complete with a layered menu, artisan teas, and a cozy garden veranda. It’s happening Thursdays through Sundays now through May 18.
Golf practice net | $99.99 | Golfers can perfect their swing before stepping out on the course with this golf net great for backyards, basements, or even the living room.
Local pick: Pure Barre Classes | $229 | Strengthen and tone your entire body in under 50 minutes with 10 low-impact classes for $229 at Carmel and Zionsville — or become a Founding Member in Westfield for $129/month.*
Local pick: Nickel Plate Railbikes | $30-$55 per person | Pedal through central Indiana on a railbike, suitable for all skill levels, offering a unique outdoor adventure and gift idea.*
Barefoot Dreams lounge top | $99 | There may be no better gift than something luxuriously soft, cuddly, and cozy — this lounge top fits the bill.
Mom’s story book and Dad’s story book | $24.95 | Prompt them to write down memories, advice, and stories in these guided journals.
Neck + shoulders heating pad | $39.99 | This electric heat wrap helps with back pain, muscle aches, and de-stressing.
Decoding Downtown Indy Walking Tour | 6:30-8 p.m. | Hudnut Commons | $17+ | Learn about local history as you discover secrets hidden in plain sight on this 90-minute tour.
Indy Ignite vs. Atlanta Vibe | 7 p.m. | Fishers Event Center | $30+ | Ignite the fire and cheer on Indy’s pro women’s volleyball team during Military Appreciation Night.
Friday, May 2
Victory Field Classic | 5 p.m. | Victory Field | $10 | One ticket, two games — watch this high school showdown as Greenfield Central faces Perry Meridian, then Avon takes on Carmel.
Coffee Cupping Class | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | RIVET Coffee Bar, Zionsville | $50 | Find your new favorite brew using this immersive brewing technique and tasting coffees from different parts of the world.
Gimme Gimme Disco | 9 p.m. | Turntable | $20 | Hustle to this dance party featuring the sounds of ABBA and other disco favorites.
Saturday, May 3
NerdFest | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Carmel Clay Public Library | Free | Unabashedly celebrate your favorite fandoms and activities with other like-minded folks while partaking in trivia, crafts + games.
Whitney Cummings | 7 p.m. | Old National Centre | $28+ | Laugh along with the comedian, host, and podcaster as she performs her “Big Baby” show.
Sunday, May 4
Tunnel to Towers 5K | 9 a.m. | Indiana State Museum | $40 | Lace up for this run that honors 9/11 first responders and service members while benefiting Tunnel to Towers’ programs.
Thousands of runners will partake in the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on Saturday, meaning downtown drivers should seek alternate routes. Road closures and detours are planned in the area tomorrow evening + Saturday. The race starts at the JW Marriott and includes a lap on the track at IMS. (WTHR)
Opening
A sweet addition is coming to Fountain Fletcher. Artesanal Pasteleria Panaderia will open a new bakery on Shelby Street, selling dessert items like cakes, breads, and pastries. The biz will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, May 3 at 3 p.m. with free tacos, donuts, and gelato.
Announced
The Indianapolis 500 will take off with a 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 as its pace car — the fastest-ever Corvette capable of reaching 233 mph. NFL Hall of Famer + broadcaster Michael Strahan was named the event’s honorary pace car driver and will lead to the green flag onSunday, May 25.
Edu
Butler University unveiled the space that will be used as its Founder’s College, a two-year school that will welcome its first class in August. The development renovated a 9,000-sqft space that once served as the Christian Theological Seminary’s library. The college aims to expand access to education.
Arts
Sarah Anderson, Xavier Gray, Caroline Hays, Cassie Mitchell + Frances Ruiz. Those are the five local artists selected to create artwork as part of the Indy 500’s “Welcome Race Fans” initiative. Their contributions include paintings, ceramics, and graphic designs, and the pieces will be displayed throughout the city this month. (WTHR)
Watch
For the first time, every WNBA preseason game will be broadcast for streaming. This includes the Fever’s game against the Brazilian national team on Sunday, May 4 in Iowa City, which will air on ESPN. All other preseason games will be free on the WNBA League Pass app. (ESPN)
Sports
Relive the Blue and Golds’ Game 5 victory that let them clinch the series against the Bucks. Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Indiana Pacerswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Number
500+. That’s how many educational professionals this innovative program has developed in the past 20 years. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical expertise, graduates are equipped to tackle the challenges of modern school leadership. Learn more.*
Stat
$5,000. That’s how much you may have to drop if your dog or cat tears their ACL — a surprisingly common knee injury in pets. To the rescue: pet insurance. With this plan, 90% of that cost could be reimbursed.*
Finance
Last chance to invest in the “Uber of mobile phones.”Mode Mobile grew 32,481% from 2019-2022, and just secured their Nasdaq ticker with plans for a potential IPO. The opportunity to invest at $0.26/share closes today.†*
Number
540,000+. That’s how many customers choose this hearing aid when it comes time to make that decision for their loved ones. See why.*
Biz
Did you miss the chance to feature your business’s product or service in today’s feature of the 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide? Don’t worry — you can still secure your spot in time for Father’s Day. Bonus: Use code PGG2025 for 20% at checkout.
Category
Development
🚘 Quite an arch-ievement
The 16 Tech Bridge spans 342 ft over Fall Creek. | Photo via 16 Tech Innovation District
There’s a new way to get across downtown Indianapolis. Yesterday, the 16 Tech Bridge opened, connecting the 16 Tech Innovation District + the research and medical corridor, including 10th Street’s hospitals and IU School of Medicine.
The 342-ft bridge spans Fall Creek and is designed to be a landmark for the city. It has separate lanes for vehicular traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians. It also has dynamic, color-changing lighting, allowing it to honor important events and serve as a connection to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
Construction on the 16 Tech Bridge began in March 2023 and incorporated community feedback in its design, particularly from residents in the Near West and Near Northwest neighborhoods. The $30 million project was supported by the City of Indianapolis, Lilly Endowment Inc., and a donation from Indiana University.
The structure hopes to make collaboration easier for the 16 Tech Innovation District and enhance opportunities for locals. The bridge is one step in 16 Tech’s 2030 vision that includes additional residences, business opportunities, and green space.
The Buy
Swim trunks with pockets. These quick-drying swimsuit trunks have a hidden pocket built into an anti-chafe compression liner — perfect for keeping phones, keys, and cash safe on beach days.
Apparently, Hoosiers love reading about love. Based on a recent study, romance is the most popular book genre in the state. If you’re looking for your next great romance novel, the quest isn’t hopeless. There are plenty of bookstores in the Indy area where you can find your perfect literary match.