Colts visit to the Lucus Oil Stadium Pregame 8/24/08

I purchased 2 tickets to surprise my husband for our 3 year anniversary to the game this year. We are not frequent travelers to Indy, and I barely know where anything is. We are traveling from Evansville, IN.

I want to find reservations that are very close/fun atmosphere hotel not too over the price range. $ 130

What else is there to do that is up our ally.

I am 25 and he is 27, we enjoy a great time and will be away from our baby so we need the break. :)

I found the tickets off of EBAY sect 135 row F if anyone knows if these are any good? I want this to be a nice mini vacation for us, but do not want to spend too much. Max total trip $500.00 not including gas. We are going to stay Sat night and Sunday for the game and return back Monday.

I was just informed that we may be the first game played in the stadium which may mean that Manning will not play more than likely :( Is that correct?

Colts visit to the Lucus Oil Stadium Pregame 8/24/08

Section 135 is along the Colts sideline at the rear corner of the endzone. I assume row F is very low. A seating chart can be found here.....

colts.com/images/鈥?0Prices.pdf

Hard to say how much Manning and the other starters will play. Although this is the first game in the new stadium, it%26#39;s the Colts%26#39; 4th of 5 pre-season games. If guessing, I%26#39;d say the starters will possibly see an entire half of action.

Sorry I%26#39;m not any help with the hotel, however, if at all possible, stay downtown even if it means going slightly over your $130 figure. You%26#39;ll be within walking distance of virtually everything.

Have a great time.

Colts visit to the Lucus Oil Stadium Pregame 8/24/08

Atjoe..

Thanks so much for all your input and help! Gosh I would love to see Manning play and the rest of the starters, I would think that they would want to play jjust to say that they have played in the firs game at the New stadium maybe? LOL but that is a womans point of view too though. Thanks again and you take care.

The $130 price range might be a bit of a problem on a game weekend if you want to stay downtown (not sure how much they jack up the prices). The downtown hotels (Westin, Marriot, Courtyard, Crown Plaza, Hilton, Omni, etc.) are all a 5-15 minute walk. Since I live in the Indy area, I have very limited personal experience in the hotels, but have stayed at the Westin, Sheraton, and Omni Severin. I personally prefer the Westin.

Homewood suites gets good reviews as does the Hampton Inn both are next to Circle Center Mall on South Meridian in the heart of downtown. Check out Indy.org also for some good helpful information. Hope this helps.

If you want to see Manning and the other starters play, make sure you get there for kick-off. The first preseason game or two, they may take the first few plays (one quarter tops) of the game and that%26#39;s about it.

I highly recommend staying downtown for the game. You can walk there, and you avoid the hassle of driving/parking. Well worth it. The Colts players stay at the Westin the night before the game, so you may have problems getting in the Westin. But, if you are flexible, I recommend trying Priceline. I have always had fantastic luck getting a decent price at many cities (name your own price, of course.) Make a reservation with a good cancellation policy at a price you can take now, then try Priceline about a few days to a week before.

If you aren%26#39;t interested in Priceline and the downtown hotels are a bit too pricey, I%26#39;ve suggested before on this forum to try the Old Northside inns, such as The Villa Inn, Stone Soup, Looking Glass or Nestle Inn. All are a ';doable'; walk, about a half hour walk, to ';The Luke';. You%26#39;ll be close to great restaurants, a couple of pubs on Mass Ave., a nice spa at The Villa. It%26#39;s a little bit quieter than the middle of downtown, but still close to the action.

Check events websites closer to the game - there are usually pregame events/parties. I love the White River park area downtown - there%26#39;s even Segway tours now along the canal. Looks like fun. There are many museums, and several good places to eat along the canal - Buggs Tavern, Stardust Terrace Cafe, and the Eiteljorg%26#39;s Sky City Cafe.

Enjoy the game and your weekend in Indy. Go Blue!

Hi, I am Robert with the Comfort Suites City Centre and Holiday Inn Express City Centre in downtown Indianapolis. We are pleased to offer the two closest hotels to Lucas Oil Stadium (both hotels are located less than 1 block away). In addtion we are the only downtown hotels to offer free parking (limit one space per room) plus free breakfast. The Comfort Suites is our newest hotel, opening next week. I hope this information helps!

I%26#39;ve heard The Holiday Inn Express is nice. Nohing fancy but it%26#39;s new and a block or two from the new ';Luke';. A couple from Houston stayed there in May (see Indy 500 posts back in Apr/May/June). There is plenty to do downtown. Cheap and fun before the game would be just to wander around and look at all the tailgaters. maybe I can fix you up to join one. For dinner, try McCormicks %26amp; Schmick%26#39;s in the Hilton at Illinois and Market Streets. A lot of times they have half price appetizers from 4-6 in the bar area. You can also call ahead there and they will put your names and the reason your visiting on the menus (menus change daily). Try taking a walk along The Canal. It%26#39;s a nice stroll and a good way to kill time (about a two mile walk round trip. My guess is Peyton WILL play the 1st quarter and will try to be the first to trow a TD pass in the Colts new home. Whereever you stay downtown you won%26#39;t need a car. Everything is easily walkable. If you stay out of downtown, parking is FREE on the streets after 6 p.m. on weekdays and FREE on the weekends.