1. Fishers is a place of firsts. It’s home to Indiana’s first Smithsonian affiliate, Conner Prairie, a nationally acclaimed, living-history destination spanning more than 1,000 acres. It’s also home to the state’s first Internet of Things Lab, Indiana IoT Lab-Fishers, a launching pad for new tech companies and epicenter of innovation. Fishers also boasts some of the largest assets in the region, and even the country. It’s home to one of the nation’s largest urban farms, the Fishers AgriPark, and the largest co-working space in the Midwest, Launch Fishers. With a vision to be smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial, Fishers strives to embrace innovation, take risks, and work to improve not only Hamilton County, but the entire region and state. Elected in 2015, Mayor Scott Fadness is Fishers’ first mayor and serves as chair of the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority.
2. Safety is a priority. Fishers was recognized as the second-safest city in America for 2024 by MoneyGeek. Fishers Police and Fishers Fire & Emergency Services not only protect and serve the community, but also host an array of public engagement and education initiatives including citizen academies, cul-de-sac drills, free carseat inspection clinics, vacation watch services, and events like Safety Day and National Night Out. Fishers Health Department – one of the state’s only municipal health departments – also keeps residents safe through vaccinations and testing, including free COVID testing, along with mental health services and a fall-prevention program. Recently, the health department launched a food grading scale for all Fishers restaurants, requiring them to post their food letter grade on their exterior door or window.
3. Fishers offers world-class entertainment and culinary options. With new restaurants like Cooper & Cow, Tiburon, Fishers Test Kitchen’s Chick Magnet, and the highly anticipated Café Patachou Nickel Plate opening soon, Fishers is quickly becoming a culinary destination. The entertainment scene is no different. Opening in November 2024, the Fishers Event Center will host national concert tours and local sports teams including Indy Fuel, Indy Ignite, and Fishers Freight. Also in the newly expanded Fishers District, the entertainment venue Chicken N Pickle will make its Indiana debut in 2025.
4. Outdoor recreation is big. With Geist Reservoir – home of Geist Waterfront Park – anchoring the city in the east, and the state-designated Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve to the west, Fishers boasts 23 unique park properties covering nearly 800 acres. There’s the Fishers AgriPark, an urban farm with animal encounters, free U-pick vegetables and flowers, and educational programming centered around Fishers’ agricultural roots. Then there’s the Nickel Plate Trail, a former rail-line-turned-pedestrian-path, connecting southern and northern Fishers from 96th Street to 146th Street. The Nickel Plate Trail is part of Fishers’ expansive 131-mile trail system, which also features the newly added Geist Greenway on the east side of the city.
5. Fishers’ Nickel Plate District is a Statewide Cultural District celebrating arts, culture and the city’s unique heritage. The downtown Nickel Plate District features boutiques, galleries, design studios, breweries, coffee shops and makerspaces. The brand-new Fishers Art Center, set to open in summer 2024, features a performance theater, art galleries, and classes operated by the Indianapolis Art Center. The award-winning performing arts venue, the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, hosts free Tuesday Night Concerts for residents throughout the summer, along with ticketed shows featuring national touring acts and the popular Blues Fest on Labor Day weekend. Also home to vibrant public artworks and community festivals like the Fishers Farmers Market and Spark!Fishers, the Nickel Plate District is truly the cultural epicenter of Fishers.
