Hotel Near RCA Dome
 

My husband and I will be in Indianapolis in March for a conference/concert at the RCA Dome. Having never been to Indy before, I was wondering if anyone could offer hotel and restaurant advise? Thanks!

The Embassy Suites, Hyatt and Marriot are actually attached by tunnels to the convention center, which I think is attached to the Dome. There's a Comfort Inn (I think) right across the street from the Dome.

What kind of food are you looking for and will you have a car?

Thanks! Attached by a tunnel would be great - I'll look into it. Yes, will have a car....will be there just one night...looking for a nice place to have an early dinner. Nothing too expensive...not a chain...just a local hang out.

These are all downtown- I moved a couple of years ago, and these are the places I miss most.

Bosphorus- not walkable- it's a tiny little Turkish restaurant about 2 miles from the Dome. They're so friendly, and the food really is good. The tabouli the last time we were there was just odd- it tasted just like the almost-all parsley version, but it was almost all cracked wheat. It was still excellent.
www.bosphoruscafe.com

The Rathskeller is good if you like German food. It has a great beer selection on tap. Their Cordon Bleu Chicken fingers are probably the best bar food ever! It's walkable.

Bazbeau's Pizza is good super thin crust upscale pizza- more of a Cajun Shrimp pizza place than deep dish pepperoni. Also walkable.

If you just want burgers, the Golden Ace Inn on East Washington is great. It looks awful (and the neighborhood is sketchy at best), but the people are great. It gets a very eclectic crowd- sometimes it's the janitors, sometimes it's the governor's staff. Super cheap- burgers and drinks for two is usually under $20. Great homestyle burgers, only beer on tap is Michelob because that's what the owner likes. Do not walk there.

My 4th generation Hoosier wife recommends St Elmos (steaks).

Stu Dudley

I second St. Elmo's. The Crowne Plaza across from the RCA Dome is an interesting hotel. It's built in part of old Union Station and several rooms are actual Pullman cars in the old train sheds.

The only warning is that there are still active tracks nearby and you get some noise and vibration. So if you're a light sleeper, you may want to consider the other options.

Thanks! I was just reading about the train-car rooms. I will have to look into it. Thanks for the tip on St. Elmo's - I'll check it out.

Has anyone had success bidding on Priceline in Indianapolis. I've never bid but if I'm reading it correct, it looks like all of the downtown 4* hotels are connected to the RCA Dome, right??

One is not- it's like 4 blocks north of the mall/hotel/convention center walkway area I think. It is still walkable (and safe) though. McCormick and Schmick's is in it, but I can't remember which chain it is.

Also St Elmo's is supposed to be good, but it's one of the more expensive restaurants in Indy.