Construction traffic is the best!! Said no one ever. If you’ve tried driving down 116th Street toward downtown Fishers recently, you know what I’m talking about.
The City of Fishers announced that from June 1 through the end of July, a portion of 116th Street will be closed for construction of the Nickel Plate Trail pedestrian tunnel.
That means for the next two months, businesses near that area will remain open despite the road closures, and we need to make sure we’re showing those shops some love this summer, especially as we are making our way out of the pandemic!
And because the show must go on, Fishers has so many fun activities planned for you and your family to help you #SeizeTheSummer! I’ve created a fun guide to help you navigate around the Nickel Plate District so you’re not missing out on the summer fun.
Shop Local With Your Best Girls
There are some cute hidden boutique gems nestled around the Nickel Plate District. Grab your bestie and hit up all the unique shops!
Rachel’s Rec:
- The Gypsy Nest Boutique: 8777 E 116th Street
- Twigs & Tea: 11399 Lantern Rd
- Roman & Leo: 8800 North St #115
Visit the Farmers’ Market
The Fishers Farmers’ Market is my family’s favorite Saturday morning activity. We have fun people watching, eating breakfast from one of the many food vendors, and picking up some local produce for the week. The market runs from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through September at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater.
Rachel’s Rec:
Grab a Raspberry Coconut Cold Brew from Rose and Lois and join a free beginner-friendly yoga class from 8 – 9 a.m.
Stimulate Your Mind
Challenge yourself this summer by participating in Hamilton East Public Library’s Summer Reading Program: Tails and Tales. This program runs from June 1 to July 31 and is for all ages.
Take Advantage of Patio Season
I think we can all agree here when I say I won’t take eating at a restaurant for granted ever again after the year we had. Which is why dining al fresco is as refreshing as it is needed this summer.
Rachel’s Rec:
- Agave Bar & Grill: 8800 North Street, #100
- Four Day Ray Brewing: 11671 Lantern Road
- Dessert at Handel’s Ice Cream: 8760 E 116th Street
Plan a Picnic on Central Green
Bring a blanket, a lunch, and sprawl out on the lush, green lawn of the Central Green or sit at one of the many patio tables at the Pavilion at the NPD AMP. Cool down by running through the splash pad and post a picture on the ‘gram in front of the “Be the I” in Fishers sign.
Parking Pro Tip: Utilize one of the many FREE parking garages around the Nickel Plate District if you can’t find street parking.
Beat the heat and the construction this summer at the Nickel Plate District! Don’t forget to tag #AroundFishers while you make memories on social media!
116th Street may be closed, but the doors are open to shop, dine, play, and explore downtown Fishers as our community comes back together for a summer of fun, tradition, and memory making. Support local with the district’s unique shopping and dining options, get the season’s freshest picks at the award-winning Fishers Farmers’ Market, cool off with Monsoon Madness at Holland Park, celebrate the summer at Spark!Fishers, or enjoy a concert under the stars at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. To learn more about the project, view construction images and project renderings, and find detour maps, visit playfishers.com/NickelPlateTrail.
Rachel Cho has been a Fishers resident for seven years. Her favorite things to do in Fishers are eating at local restaurants and visiting the Fishers Farmers Market almost every Saturday with her family. She loves sushi and Korean bbq, trying out and recommending the newest restaurants in Indy, photography, and true crime podcasts. She loves that there are so many fun parks and playgrounds nearby to take her kids to, as well as the Farmers’ Market because it makes them feel connected to the community when they eat and shop local. She is also a stay-at-home mom to 3-year-old triplets, and she and her husband make a pretty great team wrangling three toddlers and two dogs. Follow her on Instagram at @rdklove.