Famous for automobile races, marquee events, and Hoosier hospitality, Indianapolis is at the center of it all. This capital city attracts the world’s top sporting events and business conventions and delights in showing visitors and residents a good time. That task is made easier thanks to its awesome attractions and an impressive food scene that the NY Times has dubbed “Where the World Comes to Eat.”
Indianapolis real estate has seen substantial growth in recent years, with suburbs north of the city attracting individuals and families seeking Zionsville homes for sale and Carmel, Indiana, real estate. These towns share top billing as the most desirable residential areas not only in Indiana but in America, thanks to their high-end amenities, excellent public school systems, and quick access to downtown and the airport. Keep reading for the top five reasons why residents fall in love with the Indianapolis suburbs.
Hit the links
Wide open spaces mean access to several premier golf clubs and courses throughout the suburbs. Just around the corner from your Carmel, Indiana, real estate is the Pete Dye-designed Plum Creek Golf Club which has smooth greens that favor any foursome. The equal parts serene and stunning Prairie View Golf Club is consistently rated among Indiana’s best courses. Prairie View‘s 206 acres have hosted all major Indiana PGA and Indiana Golf Association championships. Or, head just south of Zionsville to Eagle Creek Golf Course. Set in a natural parkland setting, this scenic 36-hole course is another Pete Dye design and one of the best in the Midwest.
Take it outside
Photo courtesy of Carmel’s Midtown Plaza
The wonder of the great outdoors is mere steps from your piece of Zionsville real estate. Zionsville’s Big-4 Rail Trail is the main thoroughfare that connects its over 20-mile trail system. The largest park in Zionsville, Starkey Park, is 80 acres and provides a stunning backdrop to any outdoor adventure. It has a nature center and is a popular spot for photography, thanks to its gorgeous scenes and winding trails. You can also lose yourself at Eagle Creek State Park, one of the nation’s largest city parks. This vast expanse has 1,400 acres of water and 3,900 acres of forest with a rowing center, sailing club, zip lines, and plenty of trails to explore. Catch sight of wildlife like foxes and bald eagles, or bring your own pups to the dog park at Eagle Creek.
Take your bike out on the Monon Trail in Carmel, which extends north past suburbs and south through downtown Indianapolis. When the temperatures rise, you can take the trail to the Monon Community Center and cool off at the aquatic center. You and your family can also stop by Carmel’s Midtown Plaza, full of green spaces, games, big screen entertainment, and great eats.
Enjoy the arts
Just a stone’s throw from Carmel real estate, located in Old Town Carmel, tree-lined Main Street is a delight for the senses, featuring restaurants, live music, art galleries, showrooms, antique stores, and specialty shops that comprise the Carmel Arts & Design District. The Arts & Design District is recognized as an official Indiana Cultural District due to its vast collection of galleries featuring all kinds of art mediums, including painting, sculpture, glass art, and more. The nearby Center for the Performing Arts is an arts and entertainment mecca, home to the Great American Songbook Foundation. This Center hosts hundreds of live performances each year, from classical to pop music, stand-up comedy, lectures, and more.
Step back in time and delve into Americana at Conner Prairie, one of the most visited outdoor museums in the country. This Smithsonian affiliate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recreates 19th-century life through fully immersive, interactive experiences fit for the whole family.
Shop Main Street
During winter, Old Town Carmel transforms into something decidedly magical — Christkindlmarkt. This open-air market becomes a Bavarian holiday snowglobe, replete with traditional German food, beverages, and gifts sold from wooden huts huddled around an ice skating rink. The scene and the experience are musts!
For owners of Zionsville real estate, Main Street is charm personified, with brick-lined streets, quaint boutiques, and quiet cafes. Known for its array of antique shops, you’re sure to find something unique at The Village Antique Mall.
Photo courtesy of Simon Property GroupFor luxury shopping, head towards the Fashion Mall at Keystone, home to Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and designers Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, and more. With fabulous restaurants inside and close to the mall, you could easily spend the day trying on the latest fashions and working up an appetite.
Wine and dine
You might be tempted to purchase your own slice of Indianapolis real estate just to have access to the area’s delectable food scene. Nestled in Zionsville is Auberge, a quintessentially French-inspired restaurant that is both elegant and relaxed. Aided by the cozy atmosphere within the Brick Street Inn, Auberge offers contemporary French cuisine, an extensive wine list, and classical music. For something more casual on the same city block, try Salty Cowboy, a local tequileria and acclaimed taco and guacamole spot.
Anthony’s Chophouse, Photo courtesy of AmericasCuisine.comFor a modern take on steakhouse cuisine and swoon-worthy craft cocktails, Anthony’s Chophouse in Carmel is a must. The highly-rated, family-owned establishment offers views overlooking the city and top-notch service from its attentive staff. For dessert, take a trip to Cake Bake and be assured that your experience of their sweets will be unforgettable. Located in Carmel’s city center, Gwendolyn Rogers’ high-end Cake Bake is a fairytale come to life, featuring tea service, cakes, and pastries, all immaculately displayed and dusted with sparkle. Don’t leave without trying the Earl’s Court Chocolate Cake, a legend in its own right.
If libations are calling, several local hot spots are prepared to answer the call. Known for its regionally-acclaimed cream ale, Sun King Brewery offers handmade spirits and beer. After you’ve won your dream Zionsville real estate, celebrate with a toast and clink some glasses together at Hotel Tango, a lively craft cocktail lounge and artisan distillery that combines high-end, seasonal drinks, and fare in a relaxed atmosphere.
If you have questions about condos for sale in Carmel, or if you are ready to buy Indianapolis homes for sale, contact experienced luxury real estate broker Cara Conde. Cara is passionate about innovative strategies that exceed the needs of her clients. Her years of experience in Indianapolis-area real estate, combined with her certifications as a negotiation expert and Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, make her a powerhouse combination whether her clients are buying or selling Indianapolis real estate.
You can contact Cara by phone at 319.999.9888 or by email at [email protected].
*Header photo courtesy of Prairie View Golf Club
*Header photo courtesy of Prairie View Golf Club
