Going to Indy for the first time, what to see?

I am actually going to Indianapolis for a trade show and staying in the Indianapolis Convention Center. As i will be there for 3 days and never have been, i would like to see a couple of places.

Is there anything nice to do around the Indinapolis Convention Center?

Is it safe, as i will be there by myself?

Any suggestions will be great. I will probably be doing things after 6pm, so please take that into consideration.

Thanks,

Playa

Going to Indy for the first time, what to see?

First off, yes, it%26#39;s safe.

After 6, eh?

I notice you%26#39;re from Boston - if you%26#39;re a baseball fan and the weather is pleasant, you might enjoy taking in the AAA Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field right next to the convention center. It%26#39;s not the Sox - but it%26#39;s terrific baseball in a very nice ballpark. There also might be a concert at the White River State Park. There%26#39;s an IMAX theater about 4 blocks from the convention center that might be showing something of interest.

There are a number of night clubs in town - and some great bars (with and without music). The Slippery Noodle on the very near south side - about 3 blocks from the convention center - has good pub food and typically has good bands playing after about 8 or 9. The Chatterbox is in the Mass. Avenue district - a tiny place that%26#39;s seen the likes of the Stones, Wynford Marsalis and his band (several times), and regularly features some of the best jazz in the midwest.

I%26#39;m sure others will chime in with other stuff ...

Going to Indy for the first time, what to see?

Thanks Dave, by the way, I do like baseball but i am not from Boston even though it is my current city of residence, i am from NYC.

I usually like sight seeyng, but guess i am out of luck with the times of the convention. What times are museums open till.

I might have some time the first day i get there, since i am only setting up, but don%26#39;t know how much time.

Thanks,

Playa

IT is certainly safe downtown. Everything is within walking distance to and from all points of interest. The Circle Centre mall has plenty of shopping and dining to chose from. Downtown has a multitude of restaurants to chose from also. Being from New York I%26#39;m sure you know how to handle yourself to be safe after dark. Just use your head and some common sense. Check out indy.com for more information regarding the downtown area. I second the suggestion of the Slippery Noodle great bar and food. Cover charge after 7pm. Great live blues the best around every night. Visitors come from all around. Oldest bar in Indiana lots of history. Enjoy!!

Everyone had good suggestions... I%26#39;ll add a few myself.

I would take a walk along the canal. Great exercise and good people watching. It%26#39;s always busy before dusk, which is about 8:30pm now, so you%26#39;ll be safe. The zoo and museums are along the canal (Eitljorg, Indiana State Museum, Indiana History Center) but all close relatively early (I think around 5pm.)

When are you coming? There are evening events on the canal (music by the History Center Thursday nts) and at the zoo (art show on Aug 28) in the summer. There%26#39;s also a nice local restaurant at the northern end of the canal, Buggs Temple. Worth the walk.

There are also plenty of spas within a few blocks of the convention center. Closest are on Monument Circle (Studio 2000) and one at the Conrad Hotel. It%26#39;d be nice after a long day at a convention.

I suggest breakfast or lunch at ';Patachou on the Park';. Excellent local restaurant - organic and local foods. It%26#39;s located at the Simon building very close to the convention center. Unfortunately they are only open for breakfast/lunch.

I live downtown, and walk around with my toddler son quite often during the day. Perfectly safe. At night, I%26#39;d use caution and stay on the busier sidewalks (Meridian, Washington, Illinois.)

Enjoy!

Thank you all for all the suggestions, I really appreciated. Too bad i won%26#39;t be able to enjoy any of the museums, maybe this makes it so i%26#39;ll try it out on my on at another time.

I will be ther August 3-6, so not much.

Again thanks,

Playa

The Eiteljorg Museum is very close to the Convention Center, hours are only 10-5 Mon-Sat and noon-5 on Sundays, but it might be doable if you have a break in your meetings.

http://www.eiteljorg.org/

Dear Playa20,

I concur that Indy is a very safe city. I cannot imagine that you will not be prepared for anything that you will encounter here.

Yes, the Whiteriver State Park area, (most of the downtown museums) close early, but I suggest you check out the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It is a hidden gem. One of the best Impressionist collections in the country. Also, there is currently an exhibit of the original transcript/scroll of ';On The Road'; by Jack Kerouac.

For food, I recommend either R Bistro or Elements. Both places focus on local food. Both are non-chain, which is a rarity here. I do agree that Patachou is a great place for breakfast or for lunch. There are a number of branches in Indy, but it is only Indy, so it%26#39;s still local.

I hope you enjoy your trip here.

Thank you all for the great suggestions. My co-worker lives close to Indy and he will give me a few pointers. I might get to do one Museum the day i get there since it won%26#39;t be a full day.

Again, you guys are very kind to take the time to response.

BTW i%26#39;ll be staying at the Hampton hotel in downtown.I read the reviews and they are good, so happy about that choice, even though it was not mine.

Thanks, I will come back and let you know what i think of your city.

Playa

Hey guys i am staying at the University Place Hotel.

I did not have time to get a manicure.

If there a manicure place around here with reasonable prices?

Thanks,

Playa

Not sure what is ';reasonable';. There%26#39;s a place in the Embassy Suites downtown (actually between Embassy Suites and TJ Maxx on the second level) that specializes in manicures. Or you could try one of the spas I mentioned in my previous post. Too bad you aren%26#39;t at the Hampton. But there is a good shuttle from your hotel to downtown, as I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ve used it.