On the northeastern edge of downtown, the Mass Ave Arts District is not only the heart of Indianapolis's gay and lesbian community but one of six distinctive, revitalized neighborhoods that will eventually be linked together via the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. From about New York Street northeast to Bellefontaine Street and I-70, Massachusetts Avenue (along with its cross streets) is lined with cool boutiques, gay-popular lounges and restaurants, theaters, and historic buildings. This photo is facing northeast, around the intersection with Walnut Street, right by the Metro gay bar, looking toward the popular Scholars Inn restaurant.
The Cultural Trail is an urban bike-and-pedestrian path that will run throughout downtown, connecting the Mass Ave Arts District with five other districts: Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, the Canal & White River State Park, and the Wholesale District. The first phase of the trail, which is in the Mass Ave neighborhood - complete with innovative public art installations (like a LED "Dancing Woman" sculpture along Mass Avenue) - is already complete. Additional phases will be added until the entire trail is finished by early 2010. It will also connect to the Monon Trail, which leads bikers and joggers up to the hip Broad Ripple Village neighborhood.