Downtown Indianapolis Hotels

The following post is a guest blog from Kirk Stelsel who has been a client, a guest and a fan of our hotel since 2010 when we hosted his wedding party and guests.  Kirk's post comes to us voluntarily and he was not paid or encouraged to write on our behalf.  Follow Kirk on Twitter: @kirkstelsel  THANKS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION, KIRK!

Being put in charge of planning a bachelor party is both an honor and a burden.

Anyone who has ever planned an event of any sort knows how hard it is to please an entire group of people by meeting everyone’s needs, ensuring everyone has fun and getting everyone on the same page.

Thankfully, one part of my planning was easy – picking the hotel for our downtown Indianapolis bachelor party. When it came to location, price, quality and service – I knew the service was good based on the way they handled my wedding – the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown was the only place I needed to contact.

Dinner at a local favorite for pretty much all the guys involved, Scotty’s Brewhouse, was a short walk down Pennsylvania Street from one of our favorite downtown Indianapolis hotels. After dinner, moving on to the best place to enjoy nightlife in the entire city, Mass Ave., was easy to walk as well.

If its basketball or football season and you want to take in a game as part of your bachelor party, the HGI is one of the closest hotels near Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a Pacers game and is an easy walk. Catching a Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium is just across a compact downtown, so either a healthy walk or a very short cab ride. If music is your thing, the Murat Centre (now the Old National Centre) is right down on the street on the aforementioned Mass Ave.  The HGI is one of the closest hotels near Murat Centre.

I’ve stayed at this hotel three times now, and had countless wedding guests stay there, and every time has been exceptional. The rooms are always clean, the staff is always friendly, and both my bachelor party and wedding guests went out of their way to tell me what a great hotel I had picked for them. If you want a downtown Indianapolis hotel for your bachelor party with bang for your buck, service and some pretty cool history, check out the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown.

Racing fans are in luck this year: the Circle City delivers once again with multiple races within the city and also in surrounding areas. Racing fans of all preferences are welcome to book a room in our Indianapolis area hotel for easy access to all these racing sites. Whether it's horse, hydroplane, or sprint car racing, there's a raceway for everyone. This is why your friendly local Indianapolis downtown hotel (that's us!) has compiled a list of the best raceways for you to check out, especially if you're only visiting in the area.

• O'Reilly Raceway Park – Located in Clermont, only 30 mins from us, features summit racing for the ET series. There will be several races held throughout the months up until October at least. This raceway also has motorbike and Camaro events for all you enthusiasts out there.
• Madison Regatta – Less than 2 hours from us, the Madison Regatta will be held from July 5th through 7th this year and will feature the best in hydroplane racing. This local event draws fans from all over because of the intensity and excitement of the races.
• World of Outlaws – Located in Kokomo, about an hour's drive. The World of Outlaws STP Spring Car Series 2013 schedule is jam packed with action from February until November. Some of these races will take place in other states but there are a significant number of local races too.
• Hoosier Park – Nothing screams excitement like the combination of a horse racing track with a casino. This is what Hoosier Park achieves by featuring Standardbred racing while offering various forms of entertainment, food, and drinks in their casino.
• Indiana Downs – This scenic race track hosts thoroughbred and quarter horse racing while offering other entertainment options at a fee. Access to gift shops, race wagering, and the bar is free. If you want to take it a step further, you can pay to use the theater and fine dining available.

As you can see, there's something for everyone. If you've made use of one of our Indianapolis hotel packages, it's likely you've brought the family with you. Well, instead of leaving them at home, many of these racetracks provide other sources of entertainment that they may find appealing so that you can turn the event into a family outing. Not such a bad deal, huh?
 

So you're on vacation and have decided to stay at our lovely Indianapolis downtown hotel. While you're here, you'll want to check out some of the fine dining options in the area. If you're here during spring, summer, or fall, why not go for outdoor dining? There's nothing like combining delicious meals with beautiful weather. Our staff has a list of favorite restaurants for this exact purpose:

• The Rathskeller – Located at the historic downtown Athenaeum Building, this restaurant provides the finest in German cuisine. If you're not a fan of authentic German food, they also serve seafood, steaks, chicken, and even vegetarian options.
• Scotty's Brewhouse – This restaurant features more of a typically American cuisine, along with a multitude of options for beer, wine, and margaritas that you won't find anywhere else.
• O'Reilly's – With the feel of a proper Irish pub, O'Reilly's delivers it all: great food, drinks, and atmosphere. This restaurant offers Irish specialties that are hard to find outside of Ireland.
• Bazbeaux – Bazbeaux specializes in pizza done right. Their restaurant features a gorgeous sidewalk cafe so that you can sip on specialty beers while you devour a tasty slice of pizza.
• Forty Five Degrees – It doesn't get much better than top quality sushi coupled with a bar full of options for various drinks. This restaurant provides all kinds of options for authentic sushi while also satisfying the desire to get out and experience all that Indianapolis' night life has to offer.

All of these restaurants include outdoor dining so that you can fully experience downtown Indy. By staying in our Indianapolis area hotel, you're ensuring that you're not very far at all from all the excitement of our Circle City.
 

Beatles' fans, brace yourselves: Paul McCartney is coming to a location near you. That's right, the man himself will be at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday, July 14th. Tickets range from $59.50 to $252 and with McCartney's popularity, it will not be surprising if this concert sells out. Don't hesitate; get your tickets today, and don't forget to check out hotels near Bankers Life Fieldhouse if you're coming from out of town.

The show will start at 8pm and is part of McCartney's “Out There” tour. This is the first time he has been back to Indianapolis since 2002. Eager fans should jump on this opportunity due to the possibility of not being able to see him perform for another 10+ years! During this tour, McCartney will be performing classic Beatles' and Wings' songs, as well as brand new material. Attending this concert is a chance in a lifetime – some of the music you will hear has never been released before.

Interested McCartney fans should look into downtown Indy hotels while rooms are still available. Let's not kid ourselves: most people are going to want to see Paul McCartney. This is one of those events where the phrase “if you snooze, you lose” holds particularly true. Tickets went on sale April 19th, so if you're just now finding out about the show, waste no time! As for where to stay, we can help you out with that. Our Indianapolis downtown hotel is only two blocks from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, which will allow you to save money on transportation so that you can buy more Paul McCartney t-shirts.

 

The end of this upcoming summer, the entirety of fall, and the beginning of winter, will prove to be very exciting times for fans of the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis' favorite team will start its season on the 8th of September. This seems like a painfully long amount of time to wait to see them play, but luckily preseason games begin on the 11th of August. This is the perfect way to wrap up the summer and make a smooth transition into fall. For those of you not in the know, the Colts play their home games at the Lucas Oil Stadium. If you're coming in from out of town, it's worthwhile to look into hotels near Lucas Oil Stadium. Luckily, we just happen to be one of them. Our Indianapolis downtown hotel is only seven blocks from the stadium.

Because our Indianapolis area hotel truly loves our local team, here is a list of the Colts' home games so that you don't miss out:

PRESEASON

• Aug 11 1:30PM EST vs. Bills
• 3 Aug 24 7:00PM EST vs. Browns

SEASON

• 1 Sep 8 1:00PM EST vs. Raiders
• 2 Sep 15 1:00PM EST vs. Dolphins
• 5 Oct 6 1:00PM EST vs. Seahawks
• 7 Oct 20 8:30PM EST vs. Broncos
• 10 Nov 10 1:00PM EST vs. Rams
• 13 Dec 1 1:00PM EST vs. Titans
• 15 Dec 15 1:00PM EST vs. Texans
• 17 Dec 29 1:00PM EST vs. Jaguars

Trust us: these are not games that you'll want to miss. You can buy tickets online at the Colts' website today.
 

In terms of free events centering on art, the Talbot Street Art Fair takes the cake. This year, the fair will take place from June 8th to the 9th. As we mentioned, it is free to get in, although the art is not necessarily free to take home with you. Hours on Saturday the 9th are from 10am to 6pm and 10am to 5pm on Sunday the 10th. The fair takes place in downtown Indianapolis and features 270 amazing artists. No matter what kind of art you favor, there is sure to be something for you at the Talbot Street Art Fair.

Parking can be a bit of a hassle when getting into the fair, however, and this is why we encourage you to look into downtown Indy hotels within walking distance. The fair itself provides tons of free parking, but the availability depends on how many people attend. Our Indianapolis downtown hotel is only about 1½ miles from where the art fair takes place. There is also public transportation within this area so you won't have to worry about finding a parking spot that doesn't charge an arm and a leg.

Unfortunately for artists just now finding out about the fair, they are no longer accepting applications. On the other hand, you have next year to look forward to. The Talbot Street Art Fair prides itself on being a family friendly event. This could be the perfect outing for locals or even a great addition to the itinerary of those vacationing in the surrounding area.

 

So you've perused all the downtown Indy hotels you could find and have decided on us. If you're from out of town, you may be using a rental coach or relying on our local public transportation. Either way, we want to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Because of this, we want to keep you informed about our policies regarding parking. This will help to ease any stress you have while on your vacation (and we undoubtedly want to keep that at a minimum; after all, you're on vacation).

If you've taken advantage of our Indianapolis group travel options, you may have rented a bus to transport everyone more easily. In order to gain access to our onsite parking meters, you need to apply for a parking permit at least 14 days in advance. This application will be passed on to the City of Indianapolis by one of our managers. Once approved, a manager will forward the approval email to you, as well as information on paying for and printing the parking permit. The application fee is $32, while the processing fee is $85. The actual parking meters cost $21 a day, so please take all of these fees into consideration when deciding on parking options. If you are staying overnight, keep in mind that the night counts as one day and the morning counts as another. Also remember that a single bus requires three meters due to its length, but only five meters for two buses if they are parked back to back alongside our three star hotel Indianapolis.

ParkWhiz.com also offers parking options for buses, but their parking lot is only six blocks due south of our Indianapolis downtown hotel. Visit their website, type in “Indianapolis” and click the “find parking” link. You will then want to click on the LaRosa South Bus Parking Lot Reserve. To accurately reserve a space, you need to know your definite arrival and departure dates/times. Make sure that your bus is no longer than forty feet before you reserve a spot. Please see directional map below.

Only six blocks from our luxurious Indianapolis area hotel, the Indiana State Museum is paying tribute to the infamous James Dean in their "Eternal James Dean" collection until June 2nd. In this exhibit, people will be able to see photographs and documents outlining the actor's life. Personal items he owned while alive will also be featured, such as his 955 500cc Triumph motorcycle and his uncle's 1949 Ford that Dean used during high school.

Dean has proven a particularly enigmatic character and an idol throughout the midwest. This exhibit shows his Indiana roots, emphasizing his teen years in Fairmount, Indiana. The exhibit takes a look into the time he spent at UCLA for college, as well as the brief time he lived in NYC. Since this youthful actor died at age 24, the years he spent in Indiana are a prime focus of the exhibit. Although having passed at such a young age, James Dean is known for his roles in "Rebel Without a Cause," "East of Eden," and "Giant." It is interesting because many actors living three times as long as Dean are not nearly as well-known as he is. Even teens in this day and age recognize his name despite the fact that he died in a car crash so long ago.

To get the full experience understand the "king of cool," book a room with our Indianapolis downtown hotel. Since we are so close to the exhibit, you won't have to worry about spending large sums of money to rent a car. In addition to the exhibit on James Dean, the Indiana State Museum will be featuring "The Lincolns: Five Generations of an American Family" until August 4th. So what are you waiting for? Check out our Indianapolis hotel packages right away!

Who's ready for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP this year? This event will be held August 18th of this year at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, only 5-6 miles away from your favorite Indianapolis area hotel. This event is to go on regardless of weather conditions so it's definitely worthwhile to purchase tickets in advance. MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 will all be competing at this event. Although it comes every year, don't let that keep you from joining in on this August's fun.

Taking place on a 2.621-mile circuit, the Red Bull Indianapolis GP is sure to keep everyone's attention. Even if you don't plan to watch the grand prix yourself, why not take part in the activities around this event? From 7pm to midnight on August 16th and 17th, motorcyclists will be able to show off their bikes in celebration of that weekend's festivities. You don't have to have a bike of your own to enjoy yourself from Monument Circle to South Meridian Street. This celebration is near our Indianapolis downtown hotel too!

Anyone with a love for fast-moving motorbikes should get a ticket as soon as possible. Riders have been known to reach over 200 miles per hour at times. The top speed record so far has been 208.6 miles per hour thanks to Dani Pedrosa. On top of the crazy speeds reacher during this race, you'll see riders leaning their bikes up to sixty degrees. Talk about amazing!

If you're bringing a little one with you, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a bunch of fun events planned for children too. General admission tickets start from $40. Don't forget to look at hotels near Indianapolis Speedway once you've gotten your tickets. Happy racing!

The best of the guitar world is here. That's right, "Guitars! Roundups to Rockers" has opened at the Eiteljorg Musem. Over 100 guitars owned by some of the greatest guitarists in the world will be displayed now through August 4th. To take full advantage of this exhibit, we've got hotel deals Indianapolis -- just for you!

This wonderful exhibit features guitars played by Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Roy Rogers, Les Paul, Buddy Holly and more. This is a once in a lifetime chance to see guitars one would normally have to travel all over the country or world to gain access to. If you stay at our downtown Indy hotel, though, you're about a mile away from these famed axes! Not only does Guitars! focus on the instruments of these artists, but also on the artists themselves. These artists include Jerry Garcia, Metallica, The Decemberists, Sleater-Kinney, Keith Richards, Gene Autry, and many more of course. As you can see, there's quite a variety of musicians that are being featured. There is sure to be someone or something of interest to all music lovers out there.

Those coming in from out of town should check our Indianapolis area hotel so they can spend a few days experiencing all that this exhibit (and city) have to offer. Guitars! Roundups to Rockers features quite a bit of interactive content aimed to teach individuals about Western music and the greats who have revolutionized it. Live performances and guitar instruction will be available at the exhibit. A guitar "corral" will be hosted by Fender Guitar.  Performances by Riders in the Sky and The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band will be held on May 11th and June 1st respectively. Check out our Indianapolis hotel packages to keep you comfortable while you spend your days rocking out!

Richard Letko, the general manager of our fine Hilton Garden Inn, has recently been recognized for the excellence of our Indianapolis downtown hotel. Thanks to staff participation and emphasis on cleanliness and guest service within our Indianapolis area hotel, Mr. Letko was sent on a trip to Dubai!

Mr. Letko, since the trip, has had nothing but good things to say about this country, which was founded in 1972 by seven sheiks. He is most impressed by the modernization of many of the buildings. Within Dubai, you will find the tallest building, largest mall, tallest hotel, and only seven star hotel in the world. Absolutely incredible!

Not only does Dubai have beautiful, modern buildings, but also palaces and mosques that are rich in culture and tradition. Mr. Letko has spoken highly of all the people he met there, whether locals or foreigners. While Dubai is in the middle east, it has a western feel to it as most signs have been translated into English and there are restaurants Americans will recognize immediately. On top of all this, the temperature during winter ranged from 75 to 90 degrees. Not so bad, huh?

Overall, Mr. Letko has nothing but pleasant things to say about his trip and is very proud of his staff for all the hard work they've done. The downtown Hilton Garden Inn has been scored as being within the top 5% of the Hilton Garden Inns in the Indianapolis region. Next time you're looking for hotels near Indianapolis, you'll know where to look for guaranteed satisfaction.

New to the area? Looking for an Indianapolis meeting hotel to gather up all your friends? The Hilton Garden Inn has you covered. On top of that, we've got some interesting things going on in Indianapolis that you should know about to have the best time here possible.

There are just so many things happening in the Circle City all the time! There are also many attractions you'll want to visit, such as:

• Indiana Convention Center
• White River State Park
• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
• Indianapolis Museum of Art
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• Mass Avenue Shopping District
• ...plus everything in between all these sights!

To get in on all this action, you'll need to look at hotels near Indianapolis Convention Center so that you don't spend most of your time driving. The Hilton Garden Inn - Indianapolis Downtown is perfect for this. Also nearby is the opportunity to go utilize Circle City Tours.

Circle City Tours stops at all of the aforementioned places. Instead of visiting the area and having to pay for a rental car, you can spend $15 on an adult ticket and $8 on a child ticket to be taken to the grand sites of Indianapolis. On a daily basis, Circle City Tours completes four round trips to these six different sites. Although the bus can only hop-ons and hop-offs from these sites, you are free to do exploring in between them, and then return to the comfort of the bus, which has air conditioning, heating, and cushioned seats. You may arrange to be pickd up at the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown, though!  Interested parties should call Carrie at 317-899-9285 to get their tickets today, and don't forget to book us as your three star hotel downtown Indianapolis!
 

The Scentsy Family Reunion 2013 is no joke for Scentsy lovers, buyers, and sellers alike. This event will be held in the Indianapolis Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium from July 10th through 12th of this year. During this event, current and future Scentsy salespeople will be given business tips and trained to better sell the product by experts. New products will be released and new friendships and business networking connections will be made at this event. Kelly Clarkson will also be performing, giving guests the chance to mix both work and play. Since that combination doesn't happen very often, we don't blame you for jumping right into it!

For anyone unfamiliar with Scentsy, this brand sells candles that do not use wicks, creating less of a mess for home owners. They also now sell body products and have expanded their collection to provide all different types of fragrances -- one for everyone, it seems like. Scentsy products have revolutionized the market for products that make your home smell better. If you're at all intrigued or wanting to know what Scentsy is all about, look at some hotels near Lucas Oil Stadium (yes, we do fall into that category *wink*).

If you're part of the Scentsy family or looking to join it, we'd love to have the opportunity to bring you as much comfort as possible if you choose our Indianapolis downtown hotel for your accommodations. We like what the Scentsy family is doing, and we want to support all of you in any way we can.
 

The Hilton Garden Inn is now offering HHonors™ Gold status to AT&T employees. Those who work for AT&T are eligible to be fast tracked into the program. In order to reap the benefits of HHonors™ Gold status, employees need to stay at the Hilton four times in the 90-day period following signing up for the program. Interested AT&T employees who frequently find themselves looking for hotels near Bankers Life Fieldhouse should jump on this deal as soon as possible to make their traveling easier.

What are the perks of this program anyway? HHonors™ Gold status gives you multiple opportunities, such as complimentary Internet access (and it's high-speed too), free upgrades to better rooms, and a 25% increase in Bonus Points for each stay, while racking up frequent flyer miles. Gold status also allows members access to the My Way program. This program gives members a choice between several perks. An example of the types of choices My Way participants have would be complimentary breakfast vs. 750 extra Bonus Points. Both are great perks, so it just depends on the individual's personal preference.

Bonus Points give members the chance to collect enough to be able to stay at any Hilton-affiliated Hotels for free. These include:

• Waldorf Astoria Hotels
• Conrad Hotels
• Hilton Hotels
• DoubleTree
• Embassy Suites
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Hampton Inn
• Homewood Suites
• Home 2 Suites
• Hilton Grand Vacations

As you can see, this list includes us. AT&T employees looking for an Indianapolis area hotel will be pleased to know they can use their Bonus Points at our very own Hilton Garden Inn. Interested participants should talk to their travel manager to book a hotel room in our Indianapolis downtown hotel or call 800-548-8690 to sign up for HHonors™ Gold status.
 

Let's just admit it: we all love our Indianapolis Indians. No matter where you're from in Indiana or even if you're not from this state, you can appreciate how fun their games are. Because of this, we offer so many different Indianapolis hotel packages to provide a comfortable place for fans to stay. If you've traveled across half of the state to see a few of their games, you certainly don't want to be stuck staying at a cheap hotel! Your comfort is our #1 priority, which is why we take great pride in keeping our rooms clean and turning them into a home away from home.

Since we appreciate your love for the Indians, we are also proud that our own newly renovated hotel Indianapolis is close to the field they play at, Victory Field. This is why it's important that you go with one of our downtown Indy hotel when you want to see them play. You won't have to spend as much money traveling to and from the field as you would with a hotel outside of the downtown area. No one wants to spend the majority of their vacation time traveling back and forth on the same roads. Wouldn't you rather spend this time watching the games and sightseeing? That's what we thought, too!

Book your Indianapolis hotel accommodations at our downtown three star hotel Indianapolis today!

To help you plan out your trip, here's a list of the Indians' home games this April 2013:

• Thursday April 4th at 7:05 p.m. vs. Columbus Clippers
• Friday April 5th at 7:15 p.m. vs. Columbus Clippers
• Saturday April 6th at 7:05 p.m. vs. Columbus Clippers
• Sunday April 7th at 1:35 p.m. vs. Columbus Clippers
• Monday April 8th at 7:05 p.m. vs. Toledo Mud Hens
• Tuesday April 9th at 7:05 p.m. vs. Toledo Mud Hens
• Wednesday April 10th at 1:35 p.m. vs. Toledo Mud Hens
• Sunday April 21st at 1:35 p.m. vs. Louisville Bats
• Monday April 22nd at 7:05 p.m. vs. Louisville Bats
• Tuesday April 23rd at 7:05 p.m. vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs
• Wednesday April 24th at 11:05 a.m. vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs
• Thursday April 25th at 7:05 p.m. vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs
• Friday April 26th at 7:15 p.m. vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs
• Saturday April 27th at 7:05 p.m. vs. Gwinnett Braves
• Sunday April 28th at 1:35 p.m. vs. Gwinnett Braves
• Monday April 29th at 7:05 p.m. vs. Gwinnett Braves
• Tuesday April 30th at 11:05 a.m. vs. Gwinnett Braves

Buy your tickets asap, and don't miss out!

For those who live in Indianapolis or who have ever been here, it comes as no surprise that our beautiful Circle City would be named as one of the Top 10 Spring Break Destinations for 2013 by Livability. If you've never had the pleasure of visiting our lovely home, be sure to book reservations in an Indianapolis area hotel in order to reap all the benefits of our spring break attractions.

Here's a list of attractions you absolutely cannot miss out on:

• Become friendly with wildlife at the Indianapolis Zoo.
• Check out our art scene in the Mass Ave Arts District where you will find gorgeous galleries and all types of art.
• Visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art to take in more art for free.
• Bring your kids to our wonderful Broad Ripple Park to play and enjoy the scenery.
• Travel back in time thanks to our Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers, Indiana, which is very close to Indianapolis.
• Take it all in on our observation platform at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
• Tour the largest children's museum in the world, our Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The museum includes over 120,000 artifacts and features 18 exhibits.

There's something for everyone here, plus we have some amazing Indianapolis hotel packages to help you spend less on a hotel so you can spend more on luxurious restaurants or tickets to see the Pacers play at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
 

The month of March is a particularly exciting time for the inhabitants of Indianapolis, as well as for those visiting from out of town or even out of state. You don't want to find yourself without an Indianapolis area hotel to stay in, so make sure to book a room with us as soon as you can before the best ones are taken! March has got us pumped for the variety of events taking place around our hotel. Here's a rundown of them:

• March 14 - The Hoosier Lottery Greening of the Canal will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Stardust Terrace near the Indiana Historical Society. There will be free food, live music, and prizes.
• March 15 - The St. Patrick's Day Parade will last from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. along the Indianapolis Downtown parade route while the Parade Festival takes place on Vermont Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• March 16 - The 22nd Annual Shamrock Run/Walk begins at 10 a.m. at Monument Circle and is followed by the Shamrockin' the Circle with live music, local beer, and good food. Blarney Bash will take place on the Georgia Street boardwalk this year and feature the local bands My Yellow Rickshaw and Flatbed Twitch on a stage in front of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Killian's will be hosting this event and providing all the green beer, delicious food, and live music you could ask for. On the boardwalk, you'll find a variety of bars and restaurants open for this event open to the 21+ crowd.
• March 23 - IHSAA State Basketball Finals for the boys teams will be hosted at Bankers Life Fieldhouse starting at 10:30 a.m. and lasting all day.
• March 29 and 31 - The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Midwest Regional will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium to host the "Sweet 16" and "Elite 8" games.

In addition to all of the events listed, our Pacers play seven home games at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse this month alone. There will also be a variety of acts being performed such as Sister Act at the Old National Centre and Beethoven's Fifth at Hilbert Circle Theatre. Even the 500 Festival Training Series 10K will be taking off on March 9 at 8 a.m. to warm up participants for the actual marathon.

As you can see, there's no shortage of things to do in Indianapolis this month. If you haven't planned a trip yet, your first step should be booking our Indianapolis downtown hotel so that you don't miss out on a single thing. Your next step will be deciding exactly what you want to do on each day, but hopefully the list will help!
 

Incoming or prospective college students looking for hotels near Indianapolis will be pleased to find out that we offer a special university rate for them. Our Indianapolis Downtown hotel is a perfect spot, putting you right in the middle of of the city, no matter what college or university you seek! If you're planning to visit Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and are checking out downtown Indy hotels, we have got you covered. IUPUI, Butler University, and Ivy Tech all even recommend our services to those coming in from out of town to visit college. We also are not very far from the Indianapolis Airport so that you can reduce gas mileage. This will, along with our rates, will help you save money.

Since these schools are partnered with us, anyone who reserves a room with us will pay the special university rate, which includes either self-parking or breakfast, rather than just the normal rate for a hotel room. IUPUI, Butler University, and Ivy Tech students, teachers, and family members will receive discounted rates for single and double occupancy rooms, which come with complimentary Wi-Fi, refigerator and microwave. You really can't beat the location; our downtown Indy hotel is located in the center of the city with easy access to these three universities. We also have special rates available for the Butler and IUPUI commencement ceremonies. We are one of the hotels near Indianapolis Convention Center, where the IUPUI commencement will take place on Sunday, May 12 this year.

Even prospective students looking to visit Marian University, University of Indianapolis, Art Institute of Indianapolis, Harrison College, Brown Mackie College and Franklin College can take advantage of our great location and low prices. Visiting downtown Indianapolis can really give you a feel for the culture and help you make your decision about which college to attend. Choose the downtown Indy hotel smack dab in the middle of it all for a full experience, and book hotel room Indianapolis in advance to get 25% off!*

Reservation links:

Don't forget to take in a Butler Men's Basketball game while in town!

*Advanced purchase rate plan only; full prepayment, no cancel, no refund. Does not apply to university rates.

Cheerleaders and cheer fans alike should rest easier knowing we have some great Indianapolis hotel packages for them. With the World Spirit Federation Indy Showdown coming up, look no further for a better hotel deal. The Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Indianapolis can give you what you need. Because the hotel is located in the same area as the competition, you'll have an easy trek to it and won't have to spend too long traveling. We know how important it is for participants, judges, and interested family members to get to the Convention Center without any problems. We also provide some space if you're looking to use an Indianapolis meeting hotel simply to get together with other participants and interested parties before the Indy Showdown.

If you're just now hearing about this event, you should know that you and your team of cheerleaders or dancers can participate if you register and pay at least eight days before the event! The competition features categories for both dance and cheer and great seating for anyone who wants to witness it. The Indy Showdown 2013 takes place from December 21st until the 22nd of this year. While registrants have to pay to participate, spectators get in free. Since the event lasts a full two days, starting to look for hotels near Indianapolis Convention Center is a good idea. Luckily, we are located so close to the arena that it's worthwhile to look into our current Indianapolis hotel packages, especially if you want to see who will qualify for the United States All Star Federation.
 

Looking to get your pride on in the beautiful city of Indianapolis? Have no worries. Circle City IN Pride celebrates 25 years out of the closet this year from June 1st through the 9th. The event will feature a festival, 5k run, a pet pride competition, comedy, cabaret, concerts, film fest night, and a community picnic. Along with the chance to showcase your pet's abilities, the 3rd Annual Pet Pride will feature adoption opportunities for pet lovers who are wanting to take in some more furry friends. There's a little bit of everything for every kind of person at this event.

Those who run the festival are actually still looking for vendors and entertainment so head their way if you're interested. Parade participants also still have time to register and submit fees if they wish to enter a float into the spectacle, which takes place on Saturday, June 8th. As for the actual festival, which takes place at the American Legion Mall, there is no cost for attendance or participation, just a suggested $5 donation. All ages are invited to this event.

We are able to happily announce that our very own Hilton Garden Inn is supported by Circle City IN Pride and is touted as being the Indianapolis area hotel to go to if you want to see or participate in the event. We are just four blocks south of where the Festival is located; click on Indianapolis hotel packages to book your reservation at the special Indy Pride rate. Whether you're traveling by yourself or with a group of friends and family, this is the place to be! Since the celebration lasts for longer than a week, you'll want to make sure you have a proper place to eat and sleep in order to keep up your energy levels for this fantastic celebration!

Here's a fun YouTube clip from last year's Circle City IN Pride: