Indianapolis: A Championship Destination
Indianapolis, known as the Circle City, has achieved a reputation as a great place to watch championship sporting events. Indy hosted one of the biggest events in sports: Super Bowl XLVI in 2012 when the city established itself as an ideal place to hold such events. Indianapolis is perfect because of its central location and the fact that the city is so walkable. You can park your car and forget about it for the rest of your stay in Indianapolis. In recent years, Indianapolis has held the NCAA men’s and women’s final four, the Big 10 football championship, the men’s and women’s Big 10 basketball championships, and Olympic swimming trials. Not to mention, the annual Indianapolis 500 that draws approximately 300,000 people every year. Soon, Indianapolis will host the NCAA National Championship football game in Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, January 10, 2022. If you are planning to go to the game, this guide will help you know where to stay, where to eat, and highlights to see while you are in the Circle City.
How to Get Here
If you are driving, Indianapolis is nicknamed the crossroads of America. This is because of its central location at the junction of four major interstate highways: Interstate 65, Interstate 69, Interstate 70, and Interstate 74. No matter which direction you are coming from, it seems all roads lead to Indianapolis. If you are flying in, the closest airport is Indianapolis International Airport (IND).
Where to Stay
The JW Marriott Indianapolis is an ideal place to stay, especially if you are heading to an event at Lucas Oil Stadium. It is also very close to the Indianapolis conference center, Victory Field (home to the Indianapolis Indians baseball team), government buildings, and restaurants. All are within walking distance. It is a very luxurious hotel, towering 33 stories above the city. Amenities include a gym, Starbucks, High Velocity Sports Bar, and OP Italian (which is currently open only for breakfast).
Ballroom 
Train Car Room 
Union Station Exterior
The Crown Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station is a unique hotel that is very close to Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as the city’s shopping center and restaurants. The Crown Plaza Union Station is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It was the first “Union Station” built in the United States in 1888. It boasts 26 rooms that are in Pullman train Cars, which still sit on the original train tracks. This hotel also has an indoor pool, so if you have kids with you this would be a great choice. Best Parents ever if you can snag a train car room! If you are thinking of hosting some kind of event in downtown Indianapolis, the ball room here is absolutely breathtaking.
The Le Meridien Indianapolis is another great centrally located hotel. Steps away from great restaurants, but also within walking distance of Lucas Oil and Gainbridge Field House (home of the Indianapolis Pacers basketball team). There is a restaurant on site, the Spoke and Steel Restaurant.
Where to Eat
St. Elmo’s Steakhouse has been a landmark steakhouse in Indianapolis since 1902. It is well known in Indy for their steaks, seafood, and pork chops. You must try their famous shrimp cocktail. They also serve a delicious navy bean soup with the entrees. St. Elmo’s is definitely a splurge. If you are looking for a steakhouse that’s a little more casual and a little less pricey, check out Harry and Izzy’s. Harry and Izzy’s are owned by the same company as St. Elmo’s, so you can still get that world famous shrimp cocktail.
Buca di Beppo is a unique, family style Italian restaurant. The interior is different with all kinds of old world Italian trinkets and photos displayed about the restaurant. The Italian food is delicious. Choose a couple different entrees to share and experience an Italian family dinner.
The Old Spaghetti Factory is another long time restaurant in downtown Indianapolis. I can remember visiting Indianapolis as a kid and always wanting to eat at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Every entree at the Spaghetti Factory is a 3 course meal. Start with bread and either soup or salad as your first course. Then choose a delicious entree for your second course and follow that with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or spumoni for your second course.
If you are looking for a casual location for a good beer and burger with great service, look no further than Goodwood Brewing. This is a fairly new addition to downtown Indianapolis, at the old Ram restaurant location for those familiar with Indianapolis. This is a great place to grab a casual dinner with a southern flair. The menu has a great selection of burgers, sandwiches, and wings, along with some southern favorites like shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles. This Southern cooking will be perfect for the Alabama and Georgia fans that might be homesick for their Southern favorites. The 28 beers on tap rotate weekly, and are brewed right in downtown Indy. There are also 30 bourbon choices.
Other Downtown Indianapolis Landmarks
Besides all the fabulous sports venues located right downtown, Indianapolis has some other great places worth checking out if you have time.
If you have kids with you, do not miss the Children’s Museum. Kids, young and old alike will love visiting the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. The Indianapolis Children’s museum has won numerous accolades and rated as one of the top children’s museums in the country. Favorite exhibits include the train exhibit, Egypt exhibit, and Playscape. There are also exhibits that are rotated in and out so there is always something fresh and new to explore and learn about. The museum’s exhibits are very hands on which is why kids love visiting!
The Indianapolis Zoo is a great place to visit. For the months of January and February the zoo is open Wednesday-Sunday from 9am to 4pm. It’s located along the river adjacent to the White River State Park. If you are staying downtown, it is possible to walk to the zoo.
Other great points of interest are the NCAA Hall of Champions, the central canal which has beautiful walking paths along the canal, and Monument Circle which is a beautiful area surrounding the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
I hope you visit Indianapolis soon to check out one of the awesome sporting events being held there, or even just a weekend visit. Indianapolis is a great city to explore!
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Jess
I'm a pharmacist who has a passion for traveling. I enjoy reading, cooking, sports, learning new things, and history. I love traveling with my husband, Travis, and 3 sons: Austin, Drew, and Spencer.
