Indianapolis downtown’s Massachusetts Avenue is well-situated for Indianapolis tourism, close to all the major downtown Indianapolis attractions. Simply referred to by locals as Mass Ave, this extraordinary section of Indianapolis is a centerpiece for the arts, Indianapolis culture, eclectic Indianapolis shopping and Indianapolis nightlife.
First conceived in 1821 as an important connector to downtown Indy, Massachusetts Avenue was a busy, vital part of the city, with streetcars and buses servicing the area. During the period between 1870 and 1930, Mass Ave became the place to go to shop and the place to be for commerce. But the advent of Interstate-65 struck a severe blow, since it all but isolated the district.
Not willing to allow the Mass Ave sector to wither away, locals started pouring in money, energy and ideas. What they came up with was the Mass Ave. cultural district as it is today, a vibrant center for the arts, interesting real estate and unusual commerce, with the slogan, “45 degrees from ordinary.” In fact, Mass Ave is the official center for the arts in Indy, due largely to the energetic efforts and productions of the Theatre on the Square.
Mass Ave has its own listing in the National Register of historic places.
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