Allisonville - Indianapolis, IN

The area of Allisonville started out as a primary stop on the Nickel Plate Railroad before being bought by Reverend James T. Wright in 1843. The neighborhood soon began to grow as a residential neighborhood with the expansion of Indianapolis from downtown. Allisonville experienced a cultural shift with the construction and growth of Castleton Square Mall, bringing more families and residents to the areas surrounding it seeking the convenience of recognizable stores and big-name brands.

Art lovers will be pleased to find the Broad Ripple Art Center located only a few miles southwest of the neighborhood. This cultural center offers various art classes throughout the year for its residents. In addition, the building acts as a central participant in the annual Broad Ripple Art Fair, occurring each summer in Broad Ripple.

With Castleton Square Mall being so close to the neighborhood, the area features plenty of places to eat. Most restaurants are chain establishments, serving many American classics and pub food. However, there are also some specialty eateries in the area with flavors from Latin America, Italy and the Middle East to delight every palette.

While the area offer many great family-friendly restaurants, La Hacienda certainly stands out as being one of the best. This locally-owned Mexican restaurant serves homemade dishes like Chicken Tortilla Soup; in fact, some will barely be able to finish just the soup. With large portions and authentic flavors, La Hacienda has become a definite favorite among locals in the area. For families with kids, stop by on a Monday, and the little ones will eat for free.

For date night or a special occasion, make a reservation at Harry & Izzy's, and enjoy a classic steak or seafood dinner. This restaurant maintains a classy feel without verging on snobbish; on any given night, you can find people in business suits and evening gowns seated near families in jeans and casual shirts. The prices here are fairly pricey but foodies on a budget avoid the steep prices by grabbing their daily lunch special for only $20 a person. If you find yourself here for dinner, try their Prime Rib Sandwich, and preface it with a round of their signature Shrimp Cocktail for the table.

For a unique nightlife experience, grab a few friends, and head over to Blend Bar Cigar. This classy lounge features specialty cigars, fine wines and a long list of cocktail options to choose from. Occasionally, Blend also features live music for its guests in addition to its home entertainment system of multiple big screen TVs and full audio system. If you aren't much of a smoker, not to worry: Blend has built in a ventilation system to take out the smoke while simultaneously pumping in fresh air for its guests.

The neighborhood of Allisonville sits in a prime location to access dozens of shops, restaurants and other amenities. However, most residents of the area own a car out of necessity, as nearly all destinations require the use of a motor vehicle of some kind. Vehicle owners enjoy easy access to I-465 via the Allisonville Road exit located just to the north of the neighborhood. In addition, residents can take I-69 for quick travel south toward downtown Indianapolis. Parking in the area remains prevalent and free.

Overall, the area proves not very friendly toward walkers and bikers. Those who bike in the neighborhood usually do so for recreational purposes. That being said, Allisonville Road does include a bike lane running north and south through the area. Some cyclists choose to utilize this path for commuting, though the lack of other bike lanes in the heavily trafficked roads makes it hard to commute to many destinations.

If you need a ride to the airport or downtown, plan on calling ahead for a taxi. Although the area does include a bus service through IndyGo, Allisonville only hosts one bus stop, located at the corner of Allisonville Road and 82nd Street, and most local residents choose not to use this service due to its lack of options in the northside area.

For some outdoor family fun, visit Sahm Park up on 91st Street and Allisonville Road. As the nearest park to the neighborhood, Sahm Park proves well worth the visit. Within, visitors will find tennis courts, basketball courts, a disc golf course and a full golf course with a driving range. The main attraction in the summertime remains the Sahm Aquatic Center, which features a full-sized pool, waterslides and fountains to play in. Entrance to the park costs $4 and remains valid all day. Visitors also enjoy the dedicated picnic shelter area, with spaces available for grilling and picnicking. Those looking to exercise can take a jog on the park’s exercise trail. Although there is no dedicated dog area, pet owners love bringing their dogs to play in the open grassy areas of the park. Sahm Park acts as host to numerous summer activities, including church picnics, Zumba classes and swim classes at the Aquatic Center.

Residents of Allisonville experience a slightly lower cost of living than those living closer to downtown Indianapolis. One-bedroom residences can be found for a median price of $750 per month. A day pass on public transportation runs at $4 per person. Many people end up saving the most money on food and entertainment prices as local amenities usually prove cheaper than areas downtown. You can expect to pay around $4 to $5 for a beer on tap at a local pub. Gas prices remain comparable to the national average, at only 1 percent cheaper in the neighborhood.

As the largest mall in the state, Castleton Square Mall serves as the central area of commerce and shopping for the neighborhood. Located near the junction of Allisonville Road and 82nd Street, this giant mall includes favorite stores such as TJ Maxx, Macy's, and H&M. Whatever you are looking for, odds are there is a store in the Castleton Square Mall that sells it.

Despite the large, commercial nature of the shops in the area, there still remain a few notable boutiques worth mentioning. If you're looking for crafts and handmade items, check out Twisted Sisters gift shop on Lake Plaza Drive. Founded by two sisters, this small, locally owned shop features handmade goods and art from local and regional artists. Treasures one might find on the shelves here include homemade soaps, stained-glass murals and crafted handbags. People love shopping here for the quirky and fun selection of birthday cards and gifts.

Those looking for a bargain deal on a rare find should head to Butterfly Consignment, located just across the street from the mall. This second hand store doesn't look like your typical consignment shop. Butterfly Consignment prides itself on featuring a selection of top brands and stylish clothing, with some items never having been worn. If you don't mind searching for a while, stop by this store before hitting up the mall to find some high-end outfits.

Residents of Allisonville have plenty of options when it comes to grocery shopping. Many residents choose to shop at the local Kroger, while some enjoy visiting the Trader Joe's on 82nd Street. Residents looking for something a little more vernacular frequently visit Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets, located just north of the neighborhood, also on 82nd Street. Well priced and delicious produce items keep locals coming back for more, season after season.