Indianapolis, Indiana Visitor Guide - Superbowl XLVI
Superbowl 2012 is in Indianapolis!
The city of Indianapolis will host Superbowl XLVI February 5, 2012. If you plan on visiting the Hoosier state for this NFL football championship, you all you need bring is some warm clothing and your enthusiasm. Indianapolis will supply everything else as they anticipate 150,000 plus game day visitors.
Or if your convention, work or vacation travels bring you to the home of the Indianapolis Colts, during any other time of the year, you will find plenty to keep you occupied. Here's a travel guide to acclimate you to travel and fun in the country's 14th largest city.
General Information & Demographics
Indianapolis is centrally located within the state of Indiana and became the state capital in 1820. As of 2009, the population was over 800,000 within the city limits and over one million with the surrounding suburbs. The city's population is diverse --approximately 67% white, 21% African American, 10% Hispanic and 2% Asian. Indianapolis is on Eastern (daylight savings) time. You can enjoy all four seasons here with cold winters, hot summers and everything in between.
SuperBowl Venue
The Superbowl will be held in the Lucas Oil Stadium which is home to The Indianapolis Colts. This stadium was built in 2008 at an approximate cost of $716 million, seats 63,000-70,000, and has a retractable roof. Lucas Oil Stadium is located downtown at 500 S. Capitol Avenue and is directly across from, and connected to the Convention Center.
Lucas Oil Stadium
317-262-8600
Super Bowl 2012 - General Information
The City of Indianapolis is transforming a three-block downtown area into a interactive Fan Festival. This Super Bowl Village will feature free concerts, tail gate parties, contests and plenty of entertainment. Comedian Mike Epps and local personality, Zuri Hall serve as official hosts in a re-enacted Super Bowl Village complete with a four-line Zipline. The official Super Bowl breakfast will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 8 am at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Bart Starr will personally present The Bart Star Award to a worthy NFL candidate.
This Bowl will feature top-notch musical talent. Kelley Clarkson will singer the National Anthem. Madonna will perform during the Superbowl Half-Time show. Gospel singers, CeCe Winans, Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin and Hezekian Walker will perform. Free musical acts include Patti Labelle, En Vogue, LMFAO, Darius Ruckler, DJ Limelight, Cynthia Lane and Red Wanting Blue.
Accommodations - Where to Stay
Downtown Indianapolis offers accommodations with various price points and amenities. You have your choice of good, basic accommodations at the Comfort Suites to luxurious digs at the 5-Star Conrad Hotel.
Indianapolis' downtown hub is interlinked via a enclosed walkway or tunnel system. Many of the downtown hotels and the Convention Center, Circle Center Shopping Mall and parking garage are connected to this walkway system.
Marriott Place is the newest complex with the Courtyard, Springhill Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites. These properties are across from the Indy Convention Center.
If you're looking for some relaxation or are of need of salon services during your stay, Studio 2000 Salon & Day Spa (317-687-0010) with their board-certified staff would love to accommodate you at their downtown Monument Circle location.
Team Hotels
The AFC team will be housed at the University Place hotel at 850 W. Michigan Street. This hotel is near downtown on the campus of Indiana University - Purdue University (IUPUI). The NFC team hotel is the Marriott Downtown at 350 W. Maryland Street.
Hotels
Hotel
| Address
| Phone (317 Area Code)
|
---|---|---|
Canterbury Hotel
| 123 S. Illinois St.
| 634-3000 / 800-538-8186
|
Comfort Suites
| 515 S. West St.
| 631-9000
|
Conrad Indianapolis
| 50 W. Washington St.
| 715-5000
|
Courtyard by Marriott
| 601 W. Washington St.
| 573-6536
|
Courtyard Marriott / Capitol
| 320 N. Senate Ave.
| 684-7733 / 800-321-2211
|
Crowne Plaza at Union Station
| 123 W. Louisiana St.
| 631-2221 / 800-2-CROWNE
|
Embassy Suites
| 110 W. Washington St.
| 236-1800 / 800-EMBASSY
|
Fairfield Inn & Suites
| 501 W. Washington St.
| 573-6536
|
Hampton Inn
| 105 S. Meridian St.
| 261-1200
|
Hilton Garden Inn
| 10 E. Market St.
| 955-9700
|
Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites
| 120 W. Market St.
| 972-0600
|
Holiday Inn Express
| 410 S. Missouri St.
| 822-6400
|
Homewood Suites
| 211 S. Meridian St.
| 636-7992 / 800-CALL-HOME
|
Hyatt Regency
| One S. Capitol Ave.
| 800-233-1234
|
Indianapolis Marriott
| 350 W. Maryland St.
| 822-3500 / 877-640-7666
|
JW Mariott Downtown
| 10 S. West St.
| 456-7265
|
Omni Severin Hotel
| 40 W. Jackson Pl.
| 634-6664 / 800-THE-OMNI
|
Residence Inn
| 350 W. New York St.
| 822-0840 / 800-331-3131
|
Sheraton Indianapolis
| 31 W. Ohio St.
| 635-2000 / 888-627-8186
|
Springhill Suites
| 601 W. Washington
| 573-6536
|
Staybridge Suites
| 535 S. West St.
| 536-7500
|
The Westin Indianapolis.
| 50 S. Capitol Ave.
| 262-8100 / 800-WESTIN-1
|
Additional Lodging Options
Indianapolis has numerous hotels and motels located throughout the city and in the suburbs and adjacent towns. Check for the link for the Visitor's Bureau for info on these.
There are several Bed and Breakfast inns located one to two miles from the Indy downtown. If you will have your own transportation or don't mind cabbin' it, you may want to consider one of these.
Nestle Inn Bed & Breakfast
637 N. East St.
317-610-5200
877-339-5200
18th Century Victorian house. Rooms have private baths, TV and WiFi. Close to downtown's Mass Avenue art district with dining and nightlife.
Stone Soup Inn
1304 N. Central Avenue
317-639-9550
1901 Inn furnished with antiques, slipper tub or steam shower. Butler's pantry with free snacks.
Columbia Club
121 Monument Circle
317-767-1361
800-635-1361
This private club, located on Monument Circle,has over 90 guestrooms and honors reciprocal memberships. The Club has three restaurants, WIFI and fitness center.
Places for Great Eats
Indianapolis has plenty of quality restaurants located throughout the city and in the suburbs. Most of the chain eateries are represented here including P.F. Changs, Starbucks, Ruth Chris's Steakhouse, and Morton's Steakhouse. Here's a few more choices if you are hanging out downtown.
The Capital Grille at Conrad ($$$$)
40 W. Washington Street
317-423-8790
Bring your wallet and your taste buds for this high brow restaurant known for delicious fare and rich atmosphere.
Champions Sports Bar and Restaurant at Marriott ($)
350 W. Maryland
317-405-6111
Casual, fun and sports TVs galore. Looking for more informal. Here's your spot.
Eagle's Nest Restaurant at Hyatt Regency ($$$)
One S. Capitol Ave.
317-616-6170
Partake of some good food while enjoying the Indy skyline in this revolving restaurant perched atop the Hyatt.
The Indianapolis Colts Grille ($$)
110 W. Washington Street
Good food and plenty of flat screen TV's make this a great place to kick back and enjoy the game.
Le Peep ($)
301 N. Illinois St.
317-237-3447
A great place for breakfast
St. Elmo's Steakhouse ($$$)
127 S. Illinois St.
317-635-0636
Reservations for this legendary 1902 restaurant fill up months in advance. If you get in, make sure you order the shrimp cocktail. If you can't grab a table try, their sister restaurant, Harry & Izzys ,635-9594.
The Oceannaire Seafood Room ($$$)
30 S. Meridian
317-955-2277
A restaurant popular for its extensive seafood menu; seafood items are flown in daily.
Shapiro's Delicatessen ($$)
808 S. Meridian Street
317-631-4041
Home of mega sandwiches and good food. This cafeteria-style restaurant, has been listed as one of the top ten Jewish delis by USA Today newspaper.
Downtown Party Spots
If you're here for the Superbowl, there's certain to be a party on every corner and every hotel. Here are a couple of sure things if you plan to hit the party circuit anytime of the year.
The Slippery Noodle Inn
South and Meridian Streets
317-631-6974
Don't let this one slip away if you are looking for wall-to-wall fun, booze, blues and people.
Howl at the Moon
20 E. Georgia Street
317-955-0300
Don't miss the dueling babies -- grands -- that is -- at this fun music spot.
Things to Do - Downtown
NCAA National Headquarters and Hall of Champions
700 W. Washington Street
800-735-NCAA
Fans of collegiate sports can celebrate the passion of college sports at this museum located at the NCAA headquarters.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art
500 W. Washington St.
317-636-9378
Museum has exhibitions, performances and special events all related to the American West and Native America cultures.
Indiana Repertory Theatre
140 W. Washington Street
317-635-5252
Catch a professional play at this downtown theatre which was founded in 1927.
White River State Park / Tourist Center
801 W. Washington St.
317-233-2434
This 250-acre complex houses the Visitor's Center, an IMAX theater, museums and the NCAA Headquarters. The Indianapolis Zoo is adjacent.
Things to Do - Outside of Downtown
Broadway Across America
342 Mass Avenue
317-632-7469
This group brings in Broadway shows for local venues such as Butler University's Clowes Hall and the near downtown, Murat Theatre.
Broad Ripple Neighborhood
This popular neighborhood north of downtown contains dozens of restaurants, night clubs and shops. The Jazz Kitchen offers great Jazz and eats and The Vogue showcases both local and national talents.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N. Meridian Street
317-334-3322
800-208-KIDS
This award-winning museum is considered one of the largest world-wide. There are five levels of entertainment with permanent and special galleries, a planetarium, library and theater.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Hall of Fame Museum
4790 W. 16th St.
317-481-8500
800-822-4639
Home of the famous Indy 500. Of course, the race and race-events are held in May. However, there is a wonderful museum located on site, worthy of a visit. Visitors can review memorabilia, films, trophies and displays associated with racing and the Greatest Race On Earth. There is a great collection of antique and classic autos and racing cars.
Indianapolis Museum of Art
4000 N. Michigan Road
317-923-1331
This museum is located on 152 landscaped acres and contains Asian, European, African American and contemporary and decorative art.
Indiana Medical History Museum
3045 W. Vermont St.
317-635-7329
This museum includes labs, clasroom and preserved specimens and is located in the nation's oldest pathology lab. There are over 15,000 artifacts, as well as a Medicinal Garden with 90 plant species.
Colleges
If you are college shopping, IUPUI (Indiana and Purdue University divisions), Butler University, The University of Indianapolis, IVY Tech College and Marian College, and various smaller institutions of higher learning, are all located in the city.
Hoosier Park (Anderson) and Indiana Live (Shelbyville) each operate a racino (horse track and casino). Both are under an hour's drive from Indianapolis.
The Nashville, Indiana and Brown County area is a scenic area, about 1-1/2 hours from Indianapolis, with more than 200 stores and vendors showcasing the best in antiques and crafts. You'll find good eats and shopping here. The state park offers camping and recreational activities such as horseback riding, hiking and biking.
Professional Sports
Indiana Pacers (NBA)
Indiana Fever (WNBA)
317-917-2500
Football is just one of the sports Indiana is known for. If the Indiana Pacers or Indiana Fever are playing while you are in town, consider grabbing some tickets and visiting the awesome Conseco Fieldhouse also located downtown. The Fieldhouse was voted the top US basketball arena by the Sports Business Journal.
Indianapolis Indians
800-745-3000
Downtown, Victory Field, home to the AAA Indianapolis Indians, is a greet place to catch a game.
Something Different to Do In Indy
If you are into ghostly spirits, consider taking a ghost or cemetery tours.
Irvington Ghost Tours
Six South Johnson Avenue
317-850-1910
This tour encompasses one of the oldest Indianapolis neighborhoods.
Crown Hill Cemetery
700 W. 38th Street
317-920-2644
This is one of the largest cemeteries in the US with over 555 acres. The tour visits the final resting places of President Benjamin Harris, poet, James Whitcomb Riley,author Booth Tarkington, Colonel Eli Lilly and John Dillinger.
Getting to and Getting Around Indy
The Indianapolis International Airport (IND), 317-487-7243, is the main airport serving the city; It is southwest of downtown. A smaller airport, Eagle Creek Airport, provides service for smaller planes and private jets.This airport is adjacent to Eagle Creek Park on the city's westside,
The city has arranged for three Park 'N Ride locations so you can park your car and take a shuttle to all the Super Bowl action and parties. The cost is $2.00 per person or $10.00 per car.
There are three locations: -- 327 N. Illinois, 101 N. New Jersey Street (downtown) and 2155 S. High School Road (westside near airport). You can call 317-613-3333 for additional information.
Some downtown hotels offer shuttle service; inquire when booking your stay. The IndyGo, 317-635-3344, public bus system operates routes throughout the city. However, many routes run infrequently or discontinue completely in the evening/night hours. There are numerous taxi services, such as Yellow Cab, 800-TAXICAB, operating throughout the city. The AAA Hoosier Motor Club, 317-923-1500, is a full service travel agency that provides member roadside assistance.
Both Amtrak and Greyhound bus operate out of the downtown Union Station. The city is also serviced by MegaBus.
The Clarian Health People Mover is a 1.5 mile light rail service run by the near downtown hospital system. It travels between several Indiana University/Clarian hospitals and Methodist hospital. It was established to benefit physicians and staff; however, the public can also ride it.
Have a Great Time in Indianapolis
The capital of the Hoosier state is proud of its clean city and eager to show you around. Remember, there's are activities galore, not only downtown, but throughout the city and State. Come prepared to eat some good food, have fun and enjoy some good ole' Hoosier hospitality.
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