Editor Shea here. I may not have been born in Indy, but after several years working, playing, and building a family here, I'm happy to call the Circle City my home.

As we kick off 2026, I'd love to share my 26 favorite things about Indy — in no particular order. And there are dozens more where this came from.

26. The spotted pig pizza from Futuro. Once you have ricotta and hot honey on a pizza, you never look back.

Especially in the winter, the trails through the Art & Nature Park are pretty quiet — and there are plenty of benches along the way to stop and rest. | Photo by INDYtoday team

25. Walking the trail around the lake at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park | This route is usually very quiet, just the right length to work up a light sweat, and has some beautiful serene views.

24. Getting a lash lift at Half Moon Brow Studio | This is the only way I regularly pamper myself, and the people who work here are true artists.

23. The chili cheese tots at The Mousetrap | Single-handedly healed me after a bad breakup. Could not recommend more.

22. Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg | I love visiting this museum year-round, but its holiday train exhibit has me jaw-dropped and asking "how did they make that?!" every time.

21. The bar at Baby's | If I was one of the Louvre robbers, this sparkly, swirly, sorbet-colored bar would be the next thing on my list. Baby's, please take that as a compliment.

20. Thaitanium | This lowkey restaurant will always hold a special spot in my heart, as the site of my first date with my husband.

Editor Shea has never felt stronger than when she was climbing three days a week at North Mass Boulder. | Photo by INDYtoday team

19. North Mass Boulder | This was the very first place I made friends when I moved to Indy, and I still love bouldering, going to yoga and HIIT classes, and decompressing in the sauna here.

18. Shopping at Viet Hua | I love cooking attempting to cook food from Asian cultures, and this is my favorite place to buy curry mix, kewpie mayo, and ramen ingredients.

17. Catching a show at The Vogue | From "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" to Emo Nite to drag extravaganzas, every event I've attended here has been one to remember.

The Flower Alley now consists of 25+ murals and is constantly growing. | Photos by INDYtoday team

16. Taking a walk down Broad Ripple Flower Alley | Nothing cheers my soul more than touring the bright, beautiful murals adorning dozens of homes.

15. The Garage | Because sometimes, a girl just doesn't know what she wants for dinner.

If you've never visited Hotboys before, be sure to be conservative with the level of spice you think you can handle. | Photo by INDYtoday team

14. The guap fries at World Famous Hotboys | My desert island meal, hands down.

13. Simple Goodness soaps | This small family-owned company has a storefront way up in Elwood, but I buy my bars from Mercantile 37 or online. It's the only soap I've used for the last three years.

12. The State Fair | I love the fair so much that, in 2021, I conducted a multiweek survey of every mac and cheese menu item on the grounds — in the name of science.

11. Metro | I've never had a bad night dancing here and I hope I never will.

My nephew River and I enjoyed pretending we were inmates at Camp Green Lake in the Children's Museum's dig site. | Photo by INDYtoday team

10. The Children's Museum | Dinosaurs, astronauts, carousels, superheroes, sports — I cannot imagine anything more fun than being locked in here for a weekend.

9. Gwendolyn's Famous Earl's Court Chocolate Cake from The Cake Bake Shop | I know I never stop yapping about my love for this over-the-top Indy mainstay but the first time I tasted this particular cake, I'm pretty sure my soul left my body.

Help us keep writing the stories that connect you closer to our city. | Photo by INDYtoday

8. Watching the sun set from the Fountain Square Rooftop Garden | One of the most lowkey bar experiences in the whole city — in the best way. Who needs fancy, overpriced drinks when you have a view like that?

Editor Shea's dad gazes up at "The Tent" while on a walk along the Canal. | Photo by INDYtoday team

7. Taking a walk along the Canal | During a warm summer evening stroll shortly after moving to Indy, this was the first place after 15+ years that I saw fireflies.

6. The chicken pad Thai at BODHI | As a certified noodle connoisseur, I can confidently say that this is the best pad Thai I have ever had.

Editor Shea trains in jiu jitsu at Fishers Elite Martial Arts. | Photo by INDYtoday team

5. Brazilian jiu jitsu classes at Fishers Elite Martial Arts | Technically this is in Fishers — but this gym has helped me learn self defense skills alongside amazing women and families who have become my close friends.

4. The Irvington Halloween Festival | As a self-proclaimed Hallowqueen, this is hands down my favorite event of the year in Indy — plus the best outing for fellow people-watchers.

3. Going to an Indy Eleven game | Listen, I'm really not a sports girly — but on a breezy spring evening, watching a high-energy soccer match with some local food truck grub in hand, I could almost be convinced.

2. Woodruff Place | I will detour through this neighborhood 10 times out of 10 to marvel at the gorgeous homes, majestic trees, and storybook worthy fountains and statues — especially in the fall.

Pro tip: The Fall Creek Bridge on the Monon Trail is a peaceful place to pause and admire nature. | Photo by INDYtoday team

1. Taking a walk on the Monon Trail | When I lived right off the trail in Mapleton-Fall Creek, hopping on the trail was a near-daily ritual for me — listening to meditations, taking pictures of the flora, and attempting to romance stray cats as I went.

What else should be on my list of favorites? Let me in on yours.