Street Savvy: Westfield Boulevard

1. Discover
Tucked into an easy-to-miss corner of the Huntington Bank building, Neat-o offers original handmade works by roughly 30 artists, mostly Hoosiers, including quirky colored-pencil sketches by Broad Ripple fixture John Atkins. 724 Broad Ripple Ave., 317-257-5735, neat-oartshop.com
2. Climb
Broad Ripple is known for al fresco dining, but the second-floor deck at Bazbeaux Pizza offers a rarefied perspective. Guests can munch on Bayou Chicken pizza while taking in a prized rooftop view of the neighborhood. Most days there’s even a nice breeze (and rarely any noise or exhaust fumes). 811 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-255-5711, bazbeaux.com
3. Shop
The cottage next to Petite Chou houses both a gift shop, Clara K., and a purveyor of handmade cards and invitations, Cartabella. Their goods are mixed throughout the space, but if it’s made of paper (like the greeting card that says “I love you with all my boobs”), it’s likely a Cartabella product. The exception: Cartabella also sells silver and gold Ibamboli jewelry, an Italian line of bracelets customizable with flat, playful charms. 825 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-294-7992, cartabellashop.com
4. Scrounge
The oddball secondhand goods at Carter’s Garage usually spill out into the alley in front of the store, so named because the space it occupies was once the garage for the Carter Building, back when the place processed chickens. The huge, original garage door is still there, permanently in the “up” position. The shop itself seems likewise stuck in the middle of the ’60s, what with all the vintage chairs, tables, and art. 833 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-752-1899
5. Smell
The store with the best non-food-related olfactory ambience is undoubtedly Shop Tibet, stocked with handmade goods from folks of Tibetan ancestry now living in India (a consequence of China annexing their homeland). The offerings include clothing perfect for chilling in your yurt, and most notably, handmade Tibetan incense. 835 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-257-5285
6. Manscape
In an area packed with X chromosome–centric salons and spas, Bogie’s Barber Shop offers a refreshing splash of old-school, male-oriented coif management. The interior is done in Retro Dude, featuring a couple of waiting chairs, some magazines, and a shark head mounted on the wall. Owner Larry Marling might be sitting on the bench out front when he isn’t treating gents to a $10 straight-razor shave, complete with a hot towel. 837 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-254-8015

Scott Pallikan

“This is probably the mecca for people-watching in Indianapolis. You’re going to see pretty much everything the city has to offer.” —Scott Pallikan, IFD Station 32 fireman

7. Escape
A boulder-strewn, carefully planted pocket garden behind Indianapolis Fire Department Station 32 offers a Broad Ripple rarity: a great place to watch the canal’s squadron of ducks and geese that’s oddly devoid of duck and goose poop. Well, mostly devoid. It still pays to watch your step. 6332 Guilford Ave.
8. Play
Don’t leave Greek’s Pizzeria—an Indiana original famous for its feta cheese bread—without playing Galaga and Ms. Pac-Man. Just refrain from telling your kids about the time you dropped $15 on Missile Attack at your college’s student union. 6336 Guilford Ave., 317-426-4599, greekspizzeria.com
9. Treat
The folks at Nicey Pop Shop are taking summer sweets on a stick to the next level. Try the pink lemonade (the top seller) if you want to play it safe. If you don’t, consider the pineapple-basil or the avocado. 916 Westfield Blvd., 317-602-6423, niceytreat.com
10. Gorge
It’s not surprising, given the name, that 317 Burger is known mostly for its hamburgers. But the owners also do a standout loaded poutine. The pile of fries gets topped with cheese curds and gravy—plus beef, pork, bacon, shrimp, veggies, or extra curds, depending on how high you want to jack up both your bill and your cholesterol. 915 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-251-1317, facebook.com/317beer
11. Sing
The Monkey’s Tale Bar packs the house with karaoke, particularly with Kostume Karaoke on Wednesdays. Feel free to bust out that Sonny Bono jumpsuit or borrow from the stash of goofy hats and props. 925 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-253-2883, themonkeystale.net