Things to do in Indianapolis?

[kymom99]

Thank you everyone for your responses! It's finally Friday and I'm going to spend the evening researching the things you have mentioned



Not opposed at all, we did an extended family trip there when DD was two, even stayed in the Wigwams (that I think have since closed). We have also made a day trip with my inlaws and did Kentucky Down Under.



Let's see, I went to Columbus Zoo when I was 7 , Cincy several times but last time when DD was 3, and St Louis in my 30's. I don't remember much about Columbus but my SIL just told me last weekend how wonderful it was. I loved the St Louis Zoo, and free entry certainly didn't hurt!

If anyone has any other suggestions I would love to here! Does anyone have any lodging recommendations?

I love the crowne plaza downtown. You can sleep in a train car. Very cool.
Our grandkids liked the museum this summer. They did a really nice job outside on the sports area.

 

[mamaanna]

No lodging recc's, sorry. (I live north of Indy, so I've only stayed in a hotel here once, and that was my wedding night!)

However I just remembered! If you're going to be here in October, the Zoo might have trick or treating, and the Childrens Museum has a haunted house! We've been to the haunted house as adults, and it's definitely kid-friendly, provided your kid is okay with a little spook. If not, they also do let you in during the day and they keep the lights on. The haunted house is an extra ticket, but I don't think the zoo trick or treating is anything extra.

 

[Cantw8]

Go look at the little green apples

OMG..

 

[momz]

I don’t have a specific lodging recommendation. But if you are wanting a safe area that has several hotel options, the area at I-65 and Southport Road would work. Lots of restaurants, several chain hotels, and easy access to the city. Downtown can be a bit sketchy at night this summer.

 

[mmbrad02]

For those that are live in or familiar with Indy, is there any areas to avoid as far as lodging? DH is comfortable with driving in congested areas, but I don't want to book us in an unsafe part of town. I found what I consider good rate for a Best Western Plus. Any thoughts of this location?

Best Western Plus NW Indy

It looks to be about a 12 mile/20 minute drive to the zoo.

I would LOVE to stay downtown but this is meant to be a more affordable getaway (Disney Cruise booked next summer that we are sinking our money into) so trying to see if we can stay a big out and save some money.

 

[mmbrad02]

I don’t have a specific lodging recommendation. But if you are wanting a safe area that has several hotel options, the area at I-65 and Southport Road would work. Lots of restaurants, several chain hotels, and easy access to the city. Downtown can be a bit sketchy at night this summer.

Just saw this - I will look there, thank you!

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Towne Place Suites on 71st St is a nice place. It's a good location in a good neighborhood.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Kayak on the White River
Visit Newfields (aka The Indianapolis Museum of Art)
Visit the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sheraton Keystone Crossing is great

I stayed there many times when I used to attend the NHRA drag races in Indy every Labor Day weekend. Easy to hop on 465 to get anywhere. If you wanted to do any shopping, there is the huge Keystone Fashion Mall right next door.

 

[porschegrl]

We are dabbling with the idea of a short fall break getaway, but keeping Covid in mind (our DD10 can't be vaccinated yet, that being the biggest thing we are keeping in mind). We are in Central KY and was considering a 2-3 night adventure .... one night in Casey, IL, to see the Giant things, and then 1-2 nights in Indianapolis.

Tentative idea would be to leave our house around 8am, arrive in Casey early afternoon, check out Giant items, dinner, hotel.... the next morning have breakfast and head toward Indy for the rest of our trip. I would like to do the Zoo (I'm more comfortable doing outside things, BUT not opposed to masking and sanitizing and enjoying inside things as well). I know the Childrens Museum gets rave reviews - would my soon to be 11 year old (only child) still enjoy it you think? Or have we aged out?

Looking for suggestions for places to eat, any unique things to do or see, etc. Any ideas?

I know you asked for input on Indy, but I'm interested in the Casey part of your plan. If you end up going, please report back what you thought! I bookmarked an article about Casey a couple years ago, but I haven't gone yet. I'd be interested to hear about your experience.

 

[mmbrad02]

I know you asked for input on Indy, but I'm interested in the Casey part of your plan. If you end up going, please report back what you thought! I bookmarked an article about Casey a couple years ago, but I haven't gone yet. I'd be interested to hear about your experience.

If the trip happens, Casey is definitely happening! And its all because of a social media video I saw. We planned originally to spend a night in Casey but are now leaning toward driving back to Indy that night. We decided to make the trip 2 nights instead of 3 so we will spend the afternoon in Casey and make our way to Indy in the evening. I didn't really want to break the trip into two different hotels if not necessary, since it's fairly close together. I am very excited for this part of the trip - The zoo is for my daughter and we are looking at touring Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday for my husband, before heading home. Finding something for everyone to enjoy on the trip Will definitely report back!

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

Towne Place Suites on 71st St is a nice place. It's a good location in a good neighborhood.

Not exactly a vacationy area but it would be a good place to be able to jump on the highway and get anywhere.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Towne Place Suites on 71st St is a nice place. It's a good location in a good neighborhood.

We were talking about hotels at work, and somebody said that Towne Place Suites has gone WAY downhill.. and from what I have heard, avoid at all cost!

 

[mmbrad02]

Hey everyone! We are back from Indy so thought I would do a little recap

We ended up staying in an Airbnb about a mile south of Lucas Oil Stadium. The neighborhood may have lacked curb appeal overall, but our place was awesome. And less foot traffic for Covid purposes. Lots of space compared to a hotel room, and we liked that we were super close to all the happenings downtown.

The weather ended up messing with all of our original plans - outdoor for covid + rain = not so great. And then we ended up with relatively good weather. That's how it goes So anyway, we did our first day as our drive to Indy, about 4 hours at the zoo (which we enjoyed. And we did the Trick or Treat items as well). We checked into our lodging, rested about an hour, went to Giordono's for dinner and then to Circle Centre, saw the Soldiers& Sailor monument, hit the candy store, and called it a night. While nothing happened, this was the only time of the trip I felt slightly concerned with my surroundings.

The next day we hit Long's for donuts, then spent almost the entire day at the Children's Museum. This wasn't really planned but we decided to do it due to the weather. Well 1) it never really rained and 2) this ended up being our favorite part of the trip. No one exaggerates when they say this place is awesome! My DD LOVED the outdoor sports (she plays softball) and loved the inside simulated baseball items. The crowds were very low so DH and I eventually just took a seat for a while as she pretended she could pitch I think DH and I enjoyed the first two floors as much or more than she did. The place is impressive! That evening we went to Mug N Bun for dinner, drove by the Speedway, and then went to Newfields for their pumpkin walk. It was nice, was a last minute FB feed idea, that worked out well.

Our last day we toured Lucas Oil Stadium which was fascinating to DH and I. DD tolerated it but it wasn't really her thing to say the least Then we headed to Casey, IL, which was neat! It's a small town so it's not a place to schedule a trip around exclusively, but it's close enough to Indy or St Louis that you could easily add it to one of those. DH was getting antsy to start our drive home (about 4-4.5 hours from there) so we only spent a couple of hours. Had we planned it better I would have liked to have eaten lunch or dinner here. We arrived about1pm and left around 3. We got to see almost all the Giant items (realized we missed a few after we left) and got ice cream at their local place next to the Mailbox. One thing about this town is that everyone was amazingly friendly. It's so quaint and cute!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

The Children's Museum is my favorite spot! They have a slide at Christmas that we still go visit! This year my kids will be 22, 20 and 17!

 

[bsmcneil]

For those who've gone recently - how does it feel (especially if you have children under the age re: covid vax)? I felt places like CM were doing well and thought about taking the kids but their mom isn't as sure and we try to respect each household's views on covid-security (as we are both mindful of different elements - and the kids split their time evenly between the two).

 

[mamaanna]

The next day we hit Long's for donuts, then spent almost the entire day at the Children's Museum

Yessss, Long's has great donuts! I'm so glad you guys went to the Children's Musem! It's so so fun! I'm thinking about getting us a family pass for this next year, but we will have to see if DD will keep her mask on for longer than 15 minutes, lol. (She's 2.5, so we're still working on it...)