Last summer, Mike Campbell wrote about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and how our Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown will be connected to it. (You can read his blog here.) Downtown Indy was featured in an article on Project for Public Spaces, "a nonprofit planning, design and educational organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build stronger communities." Our city was featured in an article next to cities like Hong Kong, Melbourne, Zurich and Bogota who are all transforming, or have transformed, to become a greener, less auto-reliant cities.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a pedestrian and bicycle focused greenway which, when completed, will connect many cultural districts in the central city. As our green hotel Indianapolis is 1/2 block away from Monument Circle, we are essentially connected. I think the City of Indianapolis is doing great things with this project. The Cultural Trail will connect hotels near Indianapolis Convention Center to the Murat, Conseco Fieldhouse, Fountain Square district and more.
I can't wait to move back downtown and ride my bike to work on this trail!
For more information on Project for Public Spaces and to read the article, visit their website.
The Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown is considered an Indianapolis historic hotel. Although the hotel was not the original purpose of the building, our property was constructed in 1915 as the American Fletcher Bank. In 2003 the building was converted into our three star hotel downtown Indianapolis.
Kurt Vonnegut, Sr., the famous author's father, was one of the architects of our building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now open in downtown Indianapolis just a few blocks from our downtown Indy hotel is the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library. Located in the Emelie Building at 340 N Senate Avenue, the library already has the author's artifacts displayed and will add more in January.
I was honored to meet the author in 2004 when he visited with his wife just before he passed away. The library's hours are:
Noon-5pm Friday and Saturday beginning December 3
Noon-5pm Monday and Wednesday through Sunday beginning late January
For more information on the the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library, please visit http://www.vonnegutlibrary.org/. Don't forget to stop by our historic hotel Indianapolis to see what the author's father and the architectural firm accomplished by building the first skyscraper in the city!
In less than one month FIFA will make the decision on the location of the 2022 World Cup. It seemed this year our country showed a ton of support for the World Cup! I know more than half of our downtown Indy hotel employees were glued to the TV watching matches when they had a chance. The bars and restaurants in downtown Indianapolis were packed.
Can you imagine what it would be like if the World Cup came to Indianapolis??
I bet there would be a few great Indianapolis hotel packages out there...that is if FIFA didn't secure every hotel room in the city! Being that we are in the heart of the city, our three star hotel downtown Indianapolis would be a great option to stay! We're within walking distance of pretty much everything.
The city and surrounding suburbs and cities would be buzzing with activities, events, parties and more! The economy would get a good boost from the long term soccer fanatics, fans and teams staying in the area.
Indianapolis is currently #2 on the list of the 17 cities with the most supporters. Philly is #1 with 20,000+ more supporters. If you want to support bringing FIFA World Cup to the U.S. and to Indianapolis, check out their site, sign the petition to bring it here in 2022! THE GAME IS IN US!
1. Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument/Indiana War Memorial
Monument Circle, well, circles this beautiful monument located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. The monument is also home to the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum. The Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown is located just 1/2 block from this attraction.
2. Indiana Statehouse
Three blocks from our hotel, built in 1888, this staple is home to our state government. It features our famous Indiana limestone and Indiana oak. Tours are available Monday through Saturday.
3. Broad Ripple
Located just six miles (15 minutes) from downtown Indy, Broad Ripple is a hot spot for entertainment and restuarants. Concert venues, local eateries and quirky shops line the strets of Broad Ripple. At night the area lights up with clubs, pubs and holes in the wall. My favorite bar is located in Broad Ripple (but I'm not telling which bar!).
4. St. Elmo Steak House
Ah yes, the steak house famed for their peel-your-face-off spicy shrimp cocktail! Have you ever had this stuff?! Let's just say if you ever have a stuffy nose, eat here and it will clear your sinuses up in a hurry! They're steak is wonderful and their service exceptional. Located just three blocks from our historic Indianapolis hotel.
5. Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The IMS is still celebrating their centennial through 2011! The home of racing has a Hall of Fame Museum open to visit. You can even schedule a ride around the track in an Indy Car. Of the hotels neart Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we are only about 20 minutes.
6. Conner Prairie
An interactive history park on the northeast side of Indy. Almost every grade school age child has been to Conner Prairie on a field trip. In the summer time, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs Symphony on the Prairie here in the evenings.
7. Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Home to "one of the finest collections of American Indian art in the country," the Eiteljorg is part of White River State Park and less than one mile from our Hilton Garden Inn. "where" magazine has a great tip: DON'T MISS THE GIFT SHOP!
8. NCAA Hall of Champions
Also located in White River State Park, this attraction has tons of photos and memorabilia from a variety of college athletics.
9. Hinkle Fieldhouse
Home to the Butler University Bulldogs! If you didn't know, Indy is very proud of the Bulldogs for making it to the NCAA Championship basketball game in 2010. Indiana is a sports spot, but basketball is loved above all. The movie "Hoosiers" was filmed at Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the game depicted in the movie was held. Our three star hotel in downtown Indianapolis is about four miles from Butler University and Hinkle Fieldhouse.
10. Madame Walker Theatre Centre
The first self-made African-American millionaire, Madame C.J. Walker, built this Egyptian-themed theater located in the Indiana Avenue district, about a mile northwest of our hotel.
11. Slippery Noodle Inn
My favorite downtown bar! Famous for live blues almost every night of the week, this is Indiana's oldest bar. This bar was also a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. About a four to five block walk, this is a must-see spot when visiting Indianapolis.
12. Downtown Canal
Another part of the White River State Park. This is a great spot for our guests to run, walk and meander under the street level of downtown Indianapolis. There are vendors, bike rentals and kayak rentals available, too.
13. Kennedy King Park
A place I've never heard of, but Robert Kennedy gave a speech here the night of Martin Luther King Jr.'s murder. A place for thought and reflection located about a mile and a half northeast of the Hilton Garden Inn.
The World Class Theatre Package is up and running! This new Indianapolis hotel package includes two tickets to a performance at the Indiana Repertory Theatre (5 blocks from the hotel), a stay in our newly renovated hotel and breakfast! Take a leisurely stroll through downtown: walk out of our beautiful, historic hotel (I'm biased, you know) and 
step on to Monument Circle. Stop to snap a photo of the monument and the blue fountain (while it lasts). Take Meridian Street or Illinois south and have dinner at one of the great restaurants between the HGI and the IRT. Then, you get to enter this amazing building for a great perfomance! ------->
You can find this great hotel deal on our website. Whether you want to make a normal night out special with a friend, that special someone or give it as a gift, the World Class Theatre Package is perfect to stay downtown and DO SOMETHING FUN!
For more information on the package and show dates, times and availability, please call Daniel Hoffman at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. 317-916-4836 or dhoffman@irtlive.com
For hotel reservations, you can either click here, or call us at 317-955-9700.
We have two hotel deals again this year:
Rib America Festival - room only and
Ribs & More 2010 - package room with admission, food & beverage tickets and breakfast in the hotel!
Click on one of the links above to make your hotel reservations at our newly renovated Indianapolis hotel before these great hotel discounts expire! Or call the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown at 317.955.9700.
As I said last year, it's the best carnivorous event of the summer!
When: Labor Day weekend, September 3-6
Where: Military Park, Downtown Indianapolis (5-6 blocks from our HGI)
What: Tasty ribs, cool drinks, awesome vendors, great music, and LOTS of wet wipes!
Friday, 9/3: Stereo Deluxe, L.A. Guns & Bret Michaels
Saturday, 9/4: Borrow Tomorrow, Healing Sixes, ZOSO (The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience), Jackyl, The Marshall Tucker Band & Ted Nugent
Sunday, 9/5: Dane Clark, The Why Store, The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Seven Mary Three, Candlebox & Collective Soul
Monday, 9/6: Corey Cox, Pat Travers Band, Foghat & Blue Oyster Cult
One of my FAVORITE bands to see live...EVER...Candlebox:
I met with Jillian's a couple weeks ago and was treated to lunch. Do you know Jillian's? It's that restaurant/bar/club/bowling alley/billiards room/arcade entertainment venue in downtown Indianapolis just a few blocks from the Hilton Garden Inn. The food was delicious! I had a chicken pasta dish and sweet tea. Just a heads up, if you haven't eaten there, you should really take the time to check it out. Their menu is varied and my contact recommends just about everything!
During my meeting, we discussed an idea to set up a new Indianapolis hotel package for all you guests out there. It will partner our downtown Indy hotel with entertainment and gift certificate from Jillian's to keep you occupied while there. Another hotel deal I'm working on is with the Indiana Repertory Theatre, or IRT. Stay and see a play, experience the Indy arts scene. Keep your eyes peeled for a couple new packages coming this August!
Don't forget about our other packages we're always selling. Our hotel packages are a great way to find a discount hotel room in Indianapolis paired with great goodies from local businesses or from our hotel.
Indianapolis Zoo Package
Circle Centre Shopping Package
Wine Lovers Package and
Romance Package
Just go to our website and check availability for your preferred staycation date and see which one fits you best!
If you'd like to help raise money, please visit my bail raising website to make a donation.
I look forward to helping these kids get medical equipment and supplies, support and hopefully a trip to Summer Camp! Sending just one lucky child to Summer Camp costs $800 and I'd like to send at least one child this year!
Thanks for your help!
Last week Mike Campbell and I had the pleasure of touring the Efroymson Conservation Center, home of The Nature Conservancy in Indiana. In April the organization held their opening gala and we played host to some of their out of town guests in for the celebration. Since our Indianapolis green hotel is a member of some of the same treehugger groups as The Nature Conservancy, it was a natural (no pun intended) for us to partner up and provide their guests some rooms at our property.
The Efroymson Conservation Center is located on East Ohio Street, just a quick walk from our downtown Indianapolis historic hotel. Mike and I were greeted by some beautiful landscaping at the back and Indiana limestone, yellow poplar, red oak, shagbark hickory and maple flooring and paneling in the entry way. Our guide toured us through two levels, a basement and roof pointing out neat features along the way.
Some of my favorite green features: all lights are on motion sensors, suspended flooring with interchangeable tiles with vents for cool air and of course the green roofs! From Ohio Street you can see the intensive green roof which has native Indiana plants and a deeper soil base. The building rooftop has an extensive green roof with a shallow soil base and low-lying plants. The bees seem to love it up there and it has a great view of the Maxwell apartments and of downtown!
In the basement they have a wall of windows looking out onto a Live Wall. This wall consists of many cement blocks which are staggered and act as planters. Soil is planted in each one and four different cliff-dwelling plants are planted in the soil. It's pretty amazing and I really need to find a way to build my own...in the office...As downtown Indy hotels and other businesses continue their green efforts, I hope they will look to new construction projects like that of Efroymson Conservation Center for ideas and self-sufficiency. They won an award, you know!
The last I heard, teams from at least 28 countries will be visiting Indy to compete. Tickets are only $10 at the gate for adults and $6 at the gate for students. You can take the entire family out to see a great event, support Team USA and it won't break the bank!
Now, if you'd like to stay in our newly renovated hotel in Indianapolis, I've got something for you. There are four downtown Indy hotels which have special rates for friends and family. We have a great Indianapolis hotel package which includes an overnight stay and breakfast for you. If you click here, you can make a reservation at our three star hotel in downtown Indianapolis, enjoy a full, hot breakfast, ride the Red Line to the Natatorium and the rest of your time in the heart of downtown.
We hope to see you soon!
While perusing Twitter for interesting things around town, I came across this link. Indianapolis was listed in the top 50 bike-friendly cities in the country! Although there are many trails in Indy to ride, the most well-known and probably the most popular is the Monon Trail. It's beginning/end points are located in downtown, near 10th and Massachusetts, connects with the Monon Greenway at 96th Street and ends at 146th and Gray Road.
Mass Ave is a great place to start, too! The avenue touts some great local restaurants, unique shopping, salons, theatres and music venues. Our hotel is the closest of the downtown Indy hotels near Murat Centre, where touring bands, comedians and plays stop to entertain. Another staple, and one of my personal favorites, The Rathskeller is on Mass Ave. They have a great outdoor biergarten with concerts in the summer, a beautiful historic feel and a dizzying list of great German beers from which to choose! Also, many of the weddings booked at The Rathskeller find accommodations for their guests at our Indianapolis wedding hotel.
The Monon is paved and has great scenery along the way. From industrial warehouses to residential areas and a jaunt through Broad Ripple, the Monon has lots to see in its 15.5 miles. The Monon begins just 1.5 walking/riding miles from the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown. So you can start here, ride up, check out Broad Ripple and Carmel or start up there and come visit our hotel Indianapolis green hotel just off the greenway!
As our Indianapolis downtown hotel continues to grow and improve, we have recently started serving Starbucks® Coffee in our hotel! Starbucks® started out as a single coffee shop in Seattle's Pike Place Market. Now the company is an internationally recognized brand known for its quality coffees.
Starbucks® is now being served in our Great American Grill, located on the first floor of our newly renovated hotel.
As a smaller conference hotel in downtown Indianapolis, we thought it would be a great idea to offer Starbucks® Coffee as a hot beverage option for all banquets. Planners who are searching for an Indianapolis meeting hotel, or even couples searching for a hotel wedding brunch can now offer their guests the familiar flavor of premium Starbucks® coffee! We plan to offer Tazo Teas and different blends in the future.
Stay tuned! Or, better yet...come in for breakfast, lunch or dinner and have a cup today!
The Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown would like to announce and introduce ourselves as a new member and Preferred Hotel partner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We are very excited about our new partnership! Being one of the Indianapolis downtown hotels near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it seems natural we partner with the most famous sports venue in the world right here in Indianapolis.
I and the staff at the Hilton Garden Inn are committed to working hard to create competitive packages for our partners, like you, that include preferred partner benefits whether you are here for the races or other meetings and events in town. What are you waiting for? Let the Hilton Garden Inn put you in the driver’s seat for the 94th running of the Indy 500, scheduled for May 30 at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Don't forget about the Brickyard 400® and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP®!
**This is your opportunity to experience our HGI hospitality and the rush of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing® at a great Indianapolis hotel package price!
-=For package pricing and availability on our great Indianapolis hotel deal, please contact Camille Lauer at 317-405-5709 or clauer@fhginc.com.
Indianapolis is fast becoming a major destination for individuals and families looking for an enjoyable and affordable getaway! The beautiful, historic Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown hotel is an ideal hotel to select when seeking exemplary discount hotel accommodations for your next Indianapolis visit In addition to our out of town guests, HGI is becoming ever popular with local residents looking for the perfect, yet inexpensive “staycation”! Many of our guests like our staff and amenities so much, they visit us again and again. This allows us to develop an ongoing rapport with these visitors, and most importantly it allows us to individualize our services even more, to better meet the needs of these guests.
When considering y our next getaway, be sure to call the Hilton Garden Inn – Downtown Indianapolis (317-955-9700) and inquire about your next great hotel deal located in the heart of the city!
***While in Indianapolis, you might want to consider visiting one or more of the following attractions:
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The State Soldiers and Sailors Monument and Civil War Museum
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Museum (Home of the Indianapolis 500)
Lucas Oil Stadium (Home of the Indianapolis Colts)
Carrie Underwood, Academy of Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year and the woman named Top Female Vocalist, will be in Indianapolis on Friday, April 9 at Conseco Fieldhouse! Carrie also recently won a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "I Told You So" (with Randy Travis). Come see this country star shine! Great seats are still available and being one of the downtown Indy hotels near Conseco Fieldhouse, what better place to stay than with us?
If you're taking that special someone out for an evening on the town, top it off with one of our Indianapolis hotel packages. We have a great Romance Package that includes dessert to share, a bottle of wine (no underage drinking, of course!), breakfast for two the next morning and a 1pm check-out! Are you not planning a romantic getaway, but a trip with the girls instead? Another hotel package we have is our Girlfriends Getaway which includes an $80 spa certificate for Studio 2000, just across the street, and breakfast for two!
No, I'm not talking about the eco-friendly green! It's time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (and our Guest Service Manager, Megan Mills's birthday)!
St. Patty's Day festivities begin on Saturday, March 13 with the four mile Shamrock Run & Walk. This run & walk starts and ends at Monument Circle, just one half block from our Indianapolis downtown hotel!
Mayor Greg Ballard will dye the downtown canal green in honor of
St. Patrick's Day on Wednesday, March 17 at 6:50am. At 11:30am the St. Patrick's Day Parade will begin. It starts at North and Pennsylvania Streets, goes south on Pennsylvania, right onto Ohio, then back north of Meridian Street. The parade ends at Vermont Street where there's a tent party featuring live entertainment, a beer garden and more! I have to work at my beautiful green Indianapolis hotel, but YOU should go in my place! If you have one too many pints of Guinness, you can find downtown Indianapolis hotel reservations with us!
For more information on the festivities, check out the Indy St. Patrick's Day site!
Wow! it is hard to believe that the Big Ten Tournament is about to start again; it just seemed like yesterday our downtown Indianapolis hotel was playing host to some of the most notable teams in the Big Ten Conference. This year is extra special as the city of Indianapolis takes center stage in the NCAA Tournament. With the selections and seedings being announced right here in Indianapolis before the Tournament, as well as the Final Four with the Championship game being played at Lucas Oil Stadium downtown, there is sure to be a buzz in and around our city for the next couple months.
With all the action and excitement located just blocks away from the Hilton Garden Inn, there is an opportunity to be part of March Madness as it transcends into downtown Indianapolis. There are a very limited amount of spaces available for the women’s as well as the men’s Big Ten Tournament, so don’t delay and make your reservations today! We are one of the hotels near Conseco Fieldhouse, at only two blocks which is a very convenient walk to all the action, and near Indianapolis Airport. So when you’re searching for downtown Indianapolis hotel accommodations, and cheer on your team, join us at the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown! Although the Final Four is not available, don’t miss the chance to be a part of this historic year in the Big Ten Conference as well as the NCAA Final Four!
Calling all stylists! Are you ready for the fashion experience of a lifetime? The Indianapolis Children’s Museum presents Barbie: The Fashion Experience, where you can not only be Barbie’s stylist, or makeup artist, but you can also walk the runway as she would! Barbie will be on the runway in Indianapolis until February 2011. The Children’s Museum is less than five minutes away straight up Meridian Street. Also, don’t forget to bring along your friends to meet Barbie!
Our General Manager, Mike Campbell, took his daughters to see Barbie and his son got to see Bob the Builder. As you can see in the picture, the girls look like they're having a great time in front of the wall of Barbies! While you are visiting, make a weekend of it and stay with us in our newly renovated hotel in downtown Indianapolis. We offer different family-friendly Indianapolis hotel packages that you can reserve to see our magnificent Indianapolis Zoo, or go shopping in the Circle Centre Mall, which has plenty of stores, a movie theater and great restaurants and is only a block and a half away.
Guess what? Race season is just around the corner! There are three races this season: The Indianapolis 500 (The Greatest Spectacle in Racing), the Brickyard 400 (NASCAR) and the Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP.
As a newly renovated hotel in Indianapolis, we are happy to offer rooms and rates during the Indy 500. Our Indianapolis group travel deals are great for your group if you need ten rooms or more. The Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown is the northmost Hilton hotel in downtown, making it the Hilton hotel nearest the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
For group rates and Indianapolis hotel reservations information, please contact Camille Lauer, Corporate Sales Manager at clauer@fhginc.com or 317.405.5710.
Looking for something for the whole family to do in Indy? Although this event isn't until September, it's something to plan for! The 29th O'Reilly Auto Parts 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals will take place September 17, 18 and 19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It's a fun 4x4 event the entire family can enjoy! The event includes enthusiasts who come from all over to display their 4x4 trucks and race them the whole weekend. There's vendors and sponsors there to visit as well.
You should check it out! Of course, you know I'll recommend you make a weekend out of it and enjoy the rest of what Indy has to offer, which is quite a bit! There might be a concert at the Murat Centre or a Colts home game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Being one of the hotels near Indianapolis Speedway, you could take a few hours to tour the Hall of Fame Museum.
If you need Indianapolis hotel reservations while visiting, we have discount hotel rates for the 4-Wheel Jamboree online. If you visit the event website, you'll find a great hotel deal for our newly renovated Indianapolis hotel!
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