The District Theatre, Indianapolis, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The District Theatre stands at 627 Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis, in the middle of the city's Massachusetts Avenue Commercial District. This historic strip of old storefronts is now one of the most lively addresses in town, packed with theaters, galleries, restaurants and bars.

The story behind it

The theater is best understood through the street around it. The Massachusetts Avenue Commercial District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and was later enlarged. It covers roughly a block on either side of the avenue, running out from Delaware Street toward Interstate 65.

The area was not always so lively. By the late 20th century it had declined badly, and it was redevelopment starting in the 1990s that turned it into a fashionable place to eat, drink and see a show. The theater at number 627 is part of that revival, and the old buildings that frame it have kept their historic character.

What to look for

• Look up above the modern signs and shop windows, where the upper floors of the old buildings still show their original brickwork and decoration.
• Compare the facades side by side, because the block mixes Italianate and Romanesque fronts with Renaissance Revival, Art Deco and mid-century Modern styles.
• Check the rooflines and cornices, which are often the best place to spot a building's date or the fashion of the era it was built in.
• Notice how theaters, galleries and restaurants sit shoulder to shoulder, which shows how the avenue has been reinvented as an arts street.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 20 to 30 minutes if you only want to see the theater and stroll the surrounding block, and longer if you plan to stop for a meal or a show.
• Come in the late afternoon or early evening, when the avenue is at its liveliest and the venues and restaurants are open.
• Whether you can go inside depends on what is on, so check the current event listings and opening hours before you go.
• The avenue is easy to explore on foot, so combine the theater with a longer walk through the surrounding blocks.

See it on a quest

Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis brings you to this stretch of the avenue on foot as one stop of a longer route. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle in what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.

Lucky Treasure Hunt: The Golden Shamrock in Indianapolis is a treasure-hunt style walk through the area. You reach the places on foot, hear about each one as you get there and solve a puzzle on the spot. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.

Ghost Hunt in Indianapolis suits anyone who likes a spooky theme with their sightseeing. You walk from stop to stop, the app tells you about each place, and you solve a puzzle on the spot. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.