Caffeinate
Specializing in artisan German breads and pastries, Perk Up Cafe owners Jeanette Footman and Alice Matsuo welcome customers to sample Christmas stollen (a traditional cake) and other goodies by the slice during a weekly “Kaffeeklatsch” from noon to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Swing in any other morning for house-roasted coffee, quiche, bagels, and panini. 6536 Cornell Ave., 251-0033 perkupindy.com
Run
The newest Athletic Annex keeps fleet-footed customers on the move—even through the winter—with cute Lorna Jane fitness fashions, running shoes, reflective gear, winter tights, hats, and gloves. Group runs happen every Wednesday night; stroller moms get their own outings on the Monon Wednesday mornings. 6528 Cornell Ave., 253-1792, athleticannex.com
Stay
Your relatives will love you for recommending Hotel Broad Ripple. Each of the nine rooms offers its own layout and decor, as well as easy access to the rest of the village via the Monon. Locals can stop by for a glass of wine in the Bunkhouse Lounge. From $160/night; 6520 E. Westfield Blvd., 787-2665, hotelbroadripple.com
Ride
The Bike Line has maintained a love affair with two-wheelers since the Revard family opened it in 1979. The shop now hosts group rides on Thursday nights year-round. The Trek inventory includes mountain, cross-country, and fat-tire models. 6520 Cornell Ave., 253-2611, thebikeline.com
Shop
Well-heeled Broad Ripplers gravitate to Marigold Clothing for sophisticated wardrobe staples, including loose, colorblocked sweaters from Margaret Winters, handmade Heather Haase jewelry, and buttery-soft recycled-leather bags by Indy’s ReFind Originals. 6512 Cornell Ave., 254-9939, marigoldclothing.com
Purl
Pop into rainbow-hued Broad Ripple Knits for gorgeously colorful hand-dyed skeins and specialty sock yarns (yes, socks get their own threads). Need some help getting untangled? Open knitting sessions during store hours offer instruction and camaraderie. 6510 Cornell Ave., 255-0540, broadrippleknits.com
“Broad Ripple is so much more than a late-night drinking destination.
I see the Monon Trail and the
development alongside as the
true sign of the health of the
neighborhood.”
—Martha Hoover,
Public Greens owner
Cheers
The oldest establishment of its ilk in Indiana, Broad Ripple Brewpub was pulling pints long before craft beer was cool. Cozy up in the “Snug,” an intimate corner next to the fireplace, to enjoy fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, heavenly beer-cheese dip, and some sur-prisingly innovative vegetarian fare. 842 E. 65th St., 253-2739, broadripplebrewpub.com
Score
Take holiday guests to one of Indiana’s basketball temples: Plump’s Last Shot pub, owned (and frequented) by Bobby Plump, star of the 1954 “Milan Miracle” team that inspired Hoosiers. Memorabilia lines the walls. Get the tenderloin. 6416 Cornell Ave., 257-5867, plumpslastshotbroadripple.com
Schuss
Beyond its full-service ski shop, Rusted Moon Outfitters carries cross-country and downhill skis, snowshoes, outerwear, and insulated boots to keep you toasty at Perfect North Slopes or Paoli Peaks. 6410 Cornell Ave., 253-4453, rustedmoonoutfitters.com
Lunch
Public Greens is set up cafeteria-style, but the winter salads, soups, stews, and baked goods, made with homegrown ingredients, are in a class of their own. All profits go toward feeding hungry children locally. Comfort food, indeed. 900 E. 64th St., 964-0865, publicgreensurbankitchen.com
Treat
It’s never too nippy for ice cream—that’s why BRICS in the former Monon Railway depot scoops seasonal flavors including pepper-mint stick, apple crisp, pumpkin, and cinnamon. Warm up with a s’mores kit next to the fireplace. 901 E. 64th St., 257-5757, bricsindy.com
 flourishes in the bungalows fronting the Monon. Our interactive tour of the hot spot.){kind=link}