The Old National Events Plaza – Neighborhood Guide

The Old National Events Plaza in Evansville, Indiana, is a 280,000-square-foot convention center filled with versatile space. Amenities include a 2,500-seat auditorium, 38,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 14,000-square-foot ballroom, and a dozen meeting rooms. This allows The Old National Events Plaza to host a variety of events, such as concerts, conferences, musicals, and more.

In addition to The Old National Events Plaza, the city of Evansville has a lot to offer visitors. It contains multiple unique neighborhoods, each providing a different experience of the city.

Unsure where to begin? Choosing a neighborhood to explore might be your best bet. Here’s an introduction to some of the most popular neighborhoods in Evansville.

Downtown Evansville

Downtown Evansville is where many visitors and locals gather for a day out on the town. Between its dozens of eateries, shops, museums, and multiple new businesses, there’s something for everyone Downtown.

Among the fabulous eateries in Downtown Evansville is Bru Burger Bar, located inside a former Greyhound bus station. The Greyhound sign and the original facade of the building have been maintained throughout the years, making Bru Burger Bar unmissable.

After filling up on some burgers, cat lovers should head over to River Kitty Cafe. There, you can grab a cat-puccino and snuggle up to some adoptable kitties. River Kitty Cafe partners with the Vanderburgh Humane Society, and all the cats in the cafe are ready to be adopted into their forever homes. This makes it a wonderful place for cat lovers, and a great cause for animals in need.

If you’re in the mood for a formal dinner, Arazu on Main is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Downtown Evansville. Arazu on Main has incredibly ornate decor, including an intricate gold ceiling, Mediterranean accents, a starry mural on the ceiling, stained-glass windows, and detailed tile floors. With these surroundings, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to the Middle East. While dining on the outstanding food at Arazu on Main, it’s easy to forget you’re in Indiana.

For a drink head over to High Score Saloon, an energetic barcade with an impressive beer selection and even more games to choose from. Visitors may feel nostalgic playing classic pinball and other arcade games from the past few decades. You can also head over to Lamasco Bar & Grill for some live music or Thursday karaoke nights.

In addition to food and drinks, Downtown Evansville is home to six museums and multiple historical attractions. the Reitz Home Museum is the only Victorian home in the area and is open year-round for guided tours. It’s claimed to be “one of the country’s finest examples of French Second Empire architecture.”

Another museum in Downtown Evansville is the Evansville Museum, which covers art, history, and science, and contains more than 30,000 items in its permanent collection. The museum is located right along the riverfront, making it a beautiful place to spend a day. If you’re traveling with young kids, check out the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville. This interactive museum is on a mission to inspire the imagination of all its visitors.

Haynie’s Corner Arts District

Those who enjoy street art, eclectic businesses, and funky surroundings should head down to Haynie’s Corner Arts District. Located a few blocks from Main Street, the arts district of Evansville is where the artists of the town unite to express themselves and create a unique environment.

Have a quiet dinner at Sauced, an Italian restaurant located in a refurbished antique home. The owner of Sauced also established Schymik’s Kitchen, another delicious restaurant right across the street. These restaurants are a 20-minute walk or a five-minute drive from The Old National Events Plaza.

Beer lovers can get a taste of the neighborhood by visiting Haynie’s Corner Brewing Company. This small, local brewery is immensely proud of their neighborhood. They aim to reflect and complement the bohemian atmosphere of the neighborhood by creating a casual space for the community to gather. Couches, board games, and a variety of beers on tap are part of what makes Haynie’s Corner Brewing a great place to visit.

What would your visit to Haynie’s Corner be if you didn’t check out some art? After filling up on food and drinks, head over to one of the neighborhood’s galleries. 22 Jefferson Art Studios and Gallery is nestled inside a green colonial home from 1904. They offer art classes, gallery exhibits, and a thrift store.

If you’re visiting The Old National Events Plaza in time for the First Friday festival, Haynie’s Corner Arts District is the place to be. Hundreds of visitors enjoy this massive community festival, which features live music, vendors, food trucks, and more.

West Franklin Street

The West Franklin Street neighborhood in Evansville is where the majority of festivals take place. If there’s a big event going on in the city, it’s probably happening on West Franklin Street.

There’s something going on almost every weekend in this neighborhood, as well as annual events that bring the community together. These festivals include the summertime Franklin Street Bazaar, Dickens Christmas, and Mardi Gras.

The West Franklin Street and Haynie’s Corner neighborhoods team up for Mardi Gras to create a citywide celebration that brings the Big Easy to Indiana. During Mardi Gras, the city of Evansville sets up a free trolley that brings visitors back and forth between West Franklin Street and Haydie’s Corner. This allows guests to eat, drink, and explore new neighborhoods safely.

The main event on West Franklin Street, though, is the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. This week-long celebration is the second largest street festival in the country. It brings food, live music, games, and a celebratory atmosphere to West Franklin Street.

If there isn’t a festival going on while you’re visiting The Old National Events Plaza, create your own celebration! There are multiple bars along West Franklin Street, making it an ideal place for a pub crawl.

One of these is Maidens Brewery & Pub, a relatively new, family-friendly establishment. Maidens brews their own beer to enjoy along with some classic pub food. Around the corner is Gerst Haus, a classic beer hall with an old-world vibe. Those interested in playing some pool can stroll down the street to Sportsman’s Grille & Billiards.

In the summertime, the Franklin Street Events Association holds Movies in the Park. This summer-long series is part movie night and part sing-along, as the movies are all popular musicals. The Movies in the Park initiative is free for all visitors and lasts each year from May to August. Festival or no festival, the area surrounding West Franklin street is always filled with fun.