Calling all Indianans...what to do in Indy?

[Cookie]

I have racked my brain to come up with a good Christmas gift for my hubby...he's so hard to buy for. Since he is a big Peyton Manning fan, I decided that I might spring for playoff tickets for a Colts game. Before I do that, I want to make sure I can plan a good, fun weekend in Indy for the two of us. We'll probably arrive Friday night and leave on Sunday (the weekend of Jan 16th). Just wondering if anyone had any advice on places to go, things to see, etc. Hotel and restaurant recommendations would be great. I can certainly scan the travel websites for advice, but nothing beats getting advice from a local. Can anyone help?? Katiesue? (I know you're not that far, right?)

 

[katiesue1506]

You know how much those tickets are gonna be, right? lol... and booking the hotels should be done asap, many are sold out already. I would say you are looking at a $3000 dollar excursion at least!

I am from Indy! (actually 15 minutes west) But anyhow... Colts game will be a lot of fun! It depends on how much you are wanting to spend.

Dinner in Indy:
-St. Elmos (expensive steakhouse but a cool experience)
-Buca di Beppo (italian... little greasy but good)
-Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (again VERY expensive)
-Rathskeller (German bar... cool experience... usually have entertainment)
-Shula's (Another steakhouse, very fine dining (expensive)... dress up for this place)
-The Melting Pot

Of course there are a lot of other cheaper places to eat like
-Hard Rock Cafe
-Spaghetti Factory (good authentic italian)
-Jillians (this is a cool restaurant with bowling and pool on a different level http://www.jilliansindianapolis.com/)
-Alcatraz Brewing company
-Rock Bottom

Things to do in Indy:
-walk the canal (pretty, maybe a little cold, but a pretty place)
-Crackers (this is a comedy club, I've loved it everytime I go... but just know if you go to a later show, smoking is allowed and its pretty bad)
-Jillians (the restaurant, has live music saturdays with a 5 dollar cover)
-

Hotels:
-again, depends on your budget. A luxury hotel is the Canterbury, its about 250 a night for a deluxe queen suite. This is upscale though (can arrange for in room massages, valet parking, you get terry robes, turn down service, the works)

-The Adam's Mark in downtown indy is a nicer one (about 239.00 a night) It's a Hliton

Those are just the really nice ones (I know the Hyatt Regency is already sold out) I'm not a good person to ask about hotels because I never had to stay in one in Indy, lol

I hope you are able to book everything you need to... This is all I know about Indy. LOL

 

[Cookie]

Thanks, Katiesue. That's a big help. Being that we are not that far from Indy, it sounds like Cinci has some of the same places. Not St. Elmos or the Rathskellar, so I may have to check those out. Yeah, I know it will be expensive, but I was actually checking out tickets on Stubhub and the not so good, ok worst, seats are going for under $200 each. I think we can deal with nose bleed seats, as long as the rest of the weekend is memorable. We mostly would like to check out the Lucas Oil stadium (it looks sooo cool on TV) and just have a fun weekend away. At this point it's still just an idea...I'll let you know what I end up doing. Thanks for the help!

 

[Cookie]

I am very excited for our weekend! As it turns out, Indy will be playing the Ravens, and as a Steelers fan, I can't think of anyone I would like more to see them beat! I took your advice and made reservations at St. Elmo's. Apparently, my husband has already been there before, but said it was really good. We are going there on Friday night. Since the game is a Saturday night game, we will probably find a local bar near the stadium to watch the first game. I would like to check out the Rathskeller...looks pretty neat. I ended up booking a room at the Hampton Inn because everywhere else was either sold out or outrageously expensive and I got a good deal (I think) from travelocity. Thanks for all of the great advice...I'll let you know how it all turns out.

 

[DanSJVDavis]

Too bad I looked too late. My friend opened up a kick butt brew pub in downtown Hobart, Indiana called Brickworks Brewing Company. I'm not a beer drinker, but he makes beer that even I'd like. And their burgers there are awesome. I can't wait to go back this coming weekend!

 

[imisspopcorn]

Have fun Shadycat....A nice weekend get away is the best.