Massachusetts Avenue, also known as Mass Ave, is a lively and historic district in downtown Indy known for its cultural amenities, restaurants, and unique shops. Check out these local landmarks and historic places that are all within walking distance of downtown Indianapolis apartments such as The Pointe on Mass.

Marott Center
This area of Mass Ave. was the site of the Marott Department Store built in 1906 and once one of the tallest buildings in Indianapolis. Today, you’ll find nearby places to eat, go for a stroll, listen to live music, or even take a hot yoga class.

The Athenaeum
Formerly known as Das Deutsche Haus, this ornate historical landmark was built in 1894 and represents the rich, German-American history of Indianapolis. Today, it’s where you’ll find The Rathskeller Restaurant’s authentic German food and live music and Indy’s GermanFest each October!

The Old National Centre
The Old National Centre, formerly the Murat Shrine Temple, is located on North and New Jersey streets and was built in 1909 using the Middle Eastern and Egyptian designs of the Murat Shriners. The theater portion that was built in 1910 is now known as the Murat Theatre. The Old National Centre is now home to nine event spaces, including the Corinthian Hall and The Egyptian Room.

Madame Walker Theatre Center
Located at 617 Indiana Avenue, this historic theater was built in 1927 and was contrived by Madam C.J. Walker, the African-American entrepreneur, activist, and philanthropist who is on record as the first female self-made millionaire in America. The theater once hosted Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Patti LaBelle and continues to be a space for showcasing the legacy and accomplishments of Madam Walker as well as modern art and culture primarily from the African-American perspective.

Scottish Rite Cathedral
Built in 1927, this architectural masterpiece on North Meridian is the headquarters for the Valley of Indianapolis Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. The Singing Tower is 212 feet high and contains the cathedral's carillon and 54 bells, collectively weighing 56,372 pounds. It's open for tours and receives about 100,000 visitors each year.

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Bethel AME congregation was established in 1836, and the three-story church on West Vermont Street was built in 1869, originally known as Indianapolis Station. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. It once supported the Underground Railroad and in the 1900s served as a public meeting space for social activists in Indianapolis such as the NAACP. Today it is the entry hall for a modern hotel, with some of the original stained glass, pulpit, and other structures preserved.

Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
The museum on Indiana Avenue celebrates the life and works of the renowned Indianapolis author Kurt Vonnegut. Take a tour, visit the store, and browse the art and artifacts such as Vonnegut’s typewriter and reading glasses and works related to Vonnegut and other veteran artists.

Indianapolis City Market
Just over a mile from The Pointe on Mass, the City Market on East Market Street is a historic public market dating back to 1886. Today, it’s a terrific gathering place to explore local vendors and grab a bite to eat or take a tour of the catacombs below!

St. Joseph Historic Neighborhood
Adjacent to Mass Ave., this area is home to turn-of-the-century churches, homes, and landmarks. The St. Joseph Brewery, housed in a former Catholic church, is a unique destination in this neighborhood. You’ll also find a variety of bars and restaurants including The Flatiron, English Ivy’s, and Axum Ethiopian Restaurant.

Lockerbie Square Historic District
Just east of Mass Ave., you’ll find Lockerbie Square, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Indianapolis with buildings dating back to 1855. Known for its preserved Victorian architecture, it was once home to Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley. Today, you can take a tour of his museum home or a walking tour of the neighborhood, hosted by the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.

If you’re looking for a modern, upscale apartment in the heart of historic Indianapolis, come see The Pointe on Mass. These updated apartments on Mass Ave feature designer interiors in a neighborhood teeming with restaurants, festivals, theater, local boutiques, and more. Call (877) 608-6227 to schedule a tour today.