Around the World Without Leaving Indianapolis

Michelle McNally - Indianapolis
September 5, 2011

Indianapolis may be the heartland of America, but there are plenty of chances for learning about other cultures in and around the Circle City. Pull out a globe and a city map, and you might be surprised where you end up! Indianapolis is home to many ethnic restaurants, as well as many festivals celebrating cultures from around the world. In September alone, there at least four festivals celebrating the culture and history of different groups. Year round, there are countless restaurants serving up authentic cuisine from around the world.

The Festivals

La Fiesta is an annual event held every September by La Plaza, an organization dedicated to the central Indiana Latino community. Held downtown on the American Legion Mall, La Fiesta features live music and dancing, as well as plenty of food, and an area for children's activities.  This one day celebration has been going strong for 29 years in Indianapolis.

Greek Fest is another annual event held every September. Held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Carmel, this two-day celebration will have your family saying Opa! Enjoy traditional Greek foods, as well as Hellenic dancers, traditional music and more. 

September wouldn't be September without Indy's Irish Fest. The Military Park tradition has been going strong since 1996, and it gets bigger and better every year. In addition to traditional Irish music and dancing, the family area boast some fun activities for young children. The "Blarney Castle Moonwalk," "Kerry Putt n' Go", "Limerick Lollipop Tree" and other themed carnival games will keep kids entertained. There are also storytellers, and a chance to have an Irish dance lesson. 

The Chinese Festival is one of the newer festivals held downtown every September. It's a day filled with traditional Chinese music, dancing and dress. Martial arts will also be demonstrated. There will also be arts and crafts on display, a children's area, and a ping pong tournament. Asian food will be abundant, and a lantern ceremony will also take place.  

The Restaurants

Festivals are fun, but kids have to eat! Try some of the restaurants listed below, or consult IndyEthnicFood.com to find what your little explorer might enjoy. 

Here's a quick list of fun, family-friendly places to expand a palate or two: 

La Piedad

Located in Broad Ripple, the best seats in the house are on the patio. Enjoy chips and salsa as you watch the comings and goings. The menu is typical Mexican-American, but the service is typically lightening fast. When you're done eating, go for a stroll on the Monon Trail, it's across the street. 

The Greek Islands

Who doesn't like to watch cheese catch on fire? The saganaki is a dramatic way to introduce your child to Greek food. This restaurant offers delicious authentic Greek dishes, and even picky eaters can fill up on grilled cheese made with pita bread. 

Shalimar Indian Buffet

Shalimar offers a lunch buffet seven days a week. Buffets are a good choice for children because they can try several things at once. Located right on Broad Ripple Ave, it's a great place to stop after playing at Broad Ripple park or walking the Monon Trail. 

Abyissinia

Indianapolis boasts exactly one Ethiopian restaurant, and this is it. Why take kids to Abyissinia? Because they can eat with their hands! Step into Western Africa when you arrive via W. 38th Street and enjoy a slow, traditional Ethiopian meal. This restaurant is probably best for children who are adventurous eaters and who are able to sit still for periods of time, for the pace of this place is slow. How better to share a meal though, with plenty of time for conversation? 

There are too many cultural opportunities to list in just one article, but these ideas should get you started. There are also year-round cultural opportunities, including the Take Me There: Egypt interactive exhibit at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, the collection of Native American art and artifacts at the Eiteljorg Museum, and the many galleries at the Indianapolis Museum of Art dedicated to various cultures around the world.