I was actually looking for the State Capital building when I saw what, in a word, can only be described as beautiful. A small park smack in the middle of the city; it looks like a small version what you would find on the National Mall in D.C. The fountain draws you in and the 100 foot Washington Monument-like obelisk keeps you there. I later realized I was in Veterans Memorial Park, surrounded by monuments built in honor of Indiana Veterans. The fountain is surrounded by flags, flowers and manicured lawns. The historical area is peaceful, captivating and I am glad my camera battery was fully charged. The nearby buildings, that are as beautiful as they are significant, include two war Museums and the Federal Building.

The Park isn't far from the Canal Walk, which in and of itself is a piece of history. Just above the Walk is the oldest black church in Indianapolis, the Bethel AME Church on Vermont Avenue. The church, formed in the 1800's, is also known as the Indianapolis Station on the Underground Railroad, where fugitive slaves traveling north were harbored. The Walk itself is a great area to jog along and sight-see …

Indianapolis is a city with a metropolitan-urban feel that lacks intimidation. It's the perfect place for a small town girl trying out a bigger city, or a big city exec trying to slow down a bit. It all begins with the skyline, a building landscape of a small city with a lot going on.

But what the city could arguably have most of is history. It is a perfect blend of history intertwined with the modern and trendy. Even Indiana Avenue, an angled street that runs into downtown, is historically known for being the area for the Black movers and shakers of the late 1800s. Musicians, business people and entrepreneurs thrived in this area, and in the middle of it all sits the Walker Theater. The Theater is a symbol of the empire Madame CJ Walker created when she turned her idea to manufacture hair care products to use along with the pressing comb into a multimillion-dollar business.

The theater is well kept. The large rooms once used by hundreds of black employees, many of whom were female, are now used for cultural events and banquets.

On the same street are restaurants that appeal …

You know you're not supposed to be eating it, but it tastes really good so you eat it anyway.

If you know anything about hoagies you know that they are layers of lunch meat on thin yet soft submarine bread with American cheese, banana peppers, tomatoes, onions and oil. You'll also understand why I pulled the GPS out and made the 20 minute trek to Emerson avenue off Interstate 70 in Indianapolis.

Newly opened, this Black owned restaurant is small and clean. Andre, the owner and Chicago native, was at the register, smiling at the customers and offering free sodas.

Although this is a fast food joint, the restaurant - with homemade french fries they cut in-house - isn't fast. The food is fresh and prepared after you order. I only planned to take a bite, but I ended up eating the entire thing. If you are married and have the whole Claire/Cliff Huxtable anti-hoagie issue going on, prepare for a fight!!!!

While I waited for the sandwich, I checked out the adjacent businesses in the small strip mall. First, I discovered the store next door is Kut Kreators, a barber shop. Black …