Favorite Stops Along the Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers, Indiana

The Amp, is the outdoor venue at the center of the Nickel Plate District, making it one of the easiest places to build a trail visit around. It hosts events through much of the year, from free summer concerts to festivals, ticketed shows and seasonal events.

In the summer, the free Tuesday night concerts are an easy favorite. You can bring your own lawn chair or blanket, or look for the accessible picnic tables with seats removed. They are great if you want to bring dinner and have a table to eat at during the show.

Some of the biggest events of the year happen here too, including Spark!Fishers in late June, Fourth of July fireworks, the ticketed summer concert series, Blues Fest over Labor Day weekend and a standout fall event, Glow in the Park, with black lights, neon paint, DJs, foam cannons and food trucks.

From an accessibility perspective, the Amp is easy to navigate. Fishers Parks offers sensory resource bags and assisted-listening devices for checkout at its tent. Accessible parking is located near the venue, and the restrooms are accessible and indoors.

The Fishers Farmers Market also takes place at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater every Saturday morning during the market season.

You will find a mix of local vendors selling produce, meats, baked goods, flowers and more. Because the market is set up on paved surfaces, it is easy to navigate with a wheelchair, stroller or mobility aid. It is also a nice place to slow down, grab something fresh and enjoy the downtown atmosphere before continuing along the trail.

The market is also dog-friendly if you want to bring your pup!

On a warm day, downtown Fishers is a good place to pause for something cold. Handel's and Rita's are right near each other, making it easy to choose between ice cream, Italian ice or frozen custard.

Handel's has a long list of ice cream flavors, including favorites like Oreo. Rita's is a good option if you want something lighter and fruitier. Crave Cookies is nearby too, so if you are in the mood for dessert, this little stretch of downtown has plenty of options.

It is an easy stop to build into a short trail outing, especially if you are starting or ending near the Nickel Plate District.

Angelo's Italian Market is one of those places that makes downtown Fishers feel personal. The shop is small and family-run, and it reminds me of the kind of food I grew up with from my Italian grandparents.

They make fresh pasta in-house, and we picked up a meat lasagna to take home and bake. It was the perfect size for the two of us and made an easy dinner after time on the trail.

If you are starting in downtown Fishers, there are plenty of restaurants and quick stops close to the trail. A few easy options include:

• Parks Place Pub: Casual food, drinks, and a lively downtown atmosphere.
• Four Day Ray Brewing: Local beer, a full food menu, and a rooftop patio.
• Cooper & Cow: A more elevated steakhouse dinner near the Nickel Plate District.
• Another Broken Egg Cafe: Breakfast, brunch, and coffee before a morning on the trail.
• Cafe Patachou: Breakfast, brunch, pastries, and a bright sit-down spot near downtown.
• Derailed at Hotel Nickel Plate: A casual meal right with a railroad-inspired setting.
• Java House: Coffee, tea, and a quick pick-me-up.
• Tiburon Coastal Cuisine: Seafood and coastal-inspired dishes for a nicer sit-down meal.
• Greek’s Pizzeria: Pizza, breadsticks, and a casual option that works well for families or groups.
• King Jugg Brewing Company: Craft beer and pub-style food a little farther from the trail, but still close enough to work into a Fishers outing.

The Nickel Plate Trail is not just a route from one place to another. In downtown Fishers, it is designed for people to stop, sit and spend time.

Along the trail, you will find benches, seating areas, public art and swings near the old train depot. On a nice day, the swings are usually popular, but they add to the relaxed, community feel of the area.

There is also a lot of art to notice as you move through the district, including murals, sculptures and painted utility boxes. One of the most memorable spots is the 116th Street tunnel, where colorful lighting and a mural make the underpass feel like part of the experience instead of just a way to avoid crossing a busy street.

As you're walking the trail, be sure to keep an eye out for Rocky the snake! It is a line of painted rocks along the trail that the community keeps adding to, one rock at a time. From what I understand, it started in a yard that backs up to the trail and grew as people passing by left their own rocks. I always like seeing how much longer it has gotten since the last time.

Farther south near 106th Street, the Hub & Spoke building is another good place to stop. Inside, you will find Niyyah Coffee, a local favorite with coffee, milkshakes, empanadas and other menu items.

I tried the Brown Suga Shook, which they described as a crowd favorite. It has espresso, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, so I can understand why people like it.

The Maker Playground is also located here, offering creative classes and hands-on opportunities for people who want to try something new. Outside, there are swings and a green turf area where kids can move around, making Hub & Spoke a comfortable stop if you are with family or just want a place to linger.

If you continue south, the trail remains smooth and easy to follow until you reach the 96th Street bridge. The bridge carries trail users up and over the busy intersection below, creating a safer and more comfortable connection at the southern end of the Fishers stretch.

The trail also runs north toward Noblesville, where the experience is quieter and more scenic. This part of the route has more trees and nature than shops and restaurants, so it is a good option if you want a calmer ride.

We have taken the trail up toward Noblesville, and if our chair batteries lasted longer, we would keep going. There is more to explore in that direction, especially as the trail continues toward downtown Noblesville.

If you are driving to the Nickel Plate Trail, there are several places to park near different sections of the route:

• There's a lot of street parking in downtown Fishers with plenty of accessible parking spots.
• Switch Garage, just east of City Hall in downtown Fishers, is free and closest to the downtown stops.
• Fishers Police Department Garage, 4 Municipal Drive, is also free.
• The gravel lot where the trail meets 106th Street, across from Hub & Spoke, doubles as the trailhead for the Cheeney Creek Natural Area.
• For the north end of the trail, park near S. 3rd Street and Vine Street in Downtown Noblesville.