Looking for out-of-the-ordinary experiences in Indianapolis? Look right down Virginia Avenue to Fountain Square and discover a vibrant neighborhood as unique as the people who call it home. You’ll find that Fountain Square is anything but…square.

Great food, uncommon shops, noteworthy architecture and distinctive entertainment make Fountain Square a must-see Indianapolis destination. This historic community has a town square and central fountain, much like a European village. It also boasts a concentration of visual, literary and performing artists who live and work in the neighborhood.

It wasn’t always this way. Thanks to 20 years of grassroots community efforts, millions of dollars in investment and focused support from local, state and national organizations, Fountain Square is again a vital commercial hub in Indianapolis and home to many diverse people.

Enjoy the city’s best Greek and Mediterranean food and watch belly dancers shake things up at Santorini Greek Kitchen and Luxor Restaurant. Round-the-clock burgers and breakfast can be enjoyed at The Peppy Grill, a neighborhood institution.

Iaria's Italian Restaurant has been dishing up great spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna and other Italian favorites in the neighborhood for more than 70 years. In late 2007, Fountain Square welcomed Gusto!, a fresh, new restaurant featuring made-to-order Italian pizza and other specialties, located on the first floor of the Murphy Art Center.

And you can get burgers, jumbo tenderloins and hand-dipped shakes and malts in the '50s-inspired Fountain Diner.

Choose from local, national and international wines and specialty beer at Deano’s Vino Restaurant and Wine Bar – buy some to take home. Treasure hunt in the district’s five antique stores: Antiques on the Square, Atomik, Days Gone By Antiques, Indianapolis Downtown Antique Mall, and Now and Then.

Arthur’s Music has been in business in Fountain Square for more than 50 years, with 3,000 square feet of everything you need to make beautiful music. At Flowers on the Square, you’ll find decorator items for the home and garden. Boca Loca Beads also calls Fountain Square home. The store offers classes and thousands of beads from all over the world.

Claus’ German Sausage and Meats has been housed in various spots around greater Fountain Square and recently built a new home on Shelby Street. Choose from fresh meats, bratwurst and other German specialties.

Discover such unexpected pleasures as duckpin bowling and swing dancing at the Fountain Square Theatre Building and rooftop dining at the ShelBi Street CaFe.

Radio Radio offers great live performances by local and national musicians. With its hip décor, the nonsmoking venue is one of the city’s best intimate stages. Sam’s Silver Circle Pub and The Dugout are great neighborhood bars that serve great food, too.

The Fountainview Inn offers sophisticated décor and unmatched convenience in the heart of the commercial district. Serendipity House bed and breakfast, located in the middle of the residential community, offers two pleasant bedrooms with private baths.

Fountain Square is pioneering live/work options for local artists and creative entrepreneurs. More than 75 live and work in the Wheeler Arts Community or have studios in the Murphy Art Center, or live and work in the greater Fountain Square area. Plus, there’s art on display at Alchemy Art + Aesthetics, A/V Framing Gallery, Big Car, Domont Studio Gallery, Flux and Galerie Penumbra.

Arts-focused events celebrate creativity in Fountain Square, including Art vs. Art, Masterpiece in a Day and Tonic Ball and Tonic Gallery.

Fountain Square is a vibrant, ethnically and socially diverse community and a great place to live, work, play and visit. It offers everyone who visits an experience that’s hip, fun and out-of-the-ordinary – because Fountain Square is anything but…square.