Irvington.
Historic district founded in 1870, five miles east of downtown, famous for Halloween.
The lowdown
Irvington sits about five miles east of downtown, and it was planned that way on purpose. Founded in 1870 and named for Washington Irving, it was laid out with winding streets instead of a grid. Butler University called it home until 1928. Today it's the city's largest protected historic district, packed with Queen Anne, Tudor Revival and Arts & Crafts homes. Pleasant Run Parkway and the Pennsy Trail run right through it.
Our top 5
Five things we love in Irvington.
- Tiki & ramen
Strange Bird
Rum-forward tiki drinks and house-made ramen in a thatched, plant-filled room on Audubon Road. Expect a wait on weekends.
- Pizza
Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza
The Irvington original since 2007. Get the Slaughterhouse Five if you came hungry.
- Menswear
Dant
Irvington's menswear shop since 2014. Come for the denim and well-made basics with a story behind them.
- Park
Ellenberger Park
A 42-acre Kessler-designed park with a summer pool, pickleball courts, walking trails and an indoor ice rink.
- Annual festival
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
Running since 1947, it takes over Washington Street each late October with a parade, costume contests and wildly decorated yards.
