I am going to be at the Indiana State Fair next week and booked at the Extended Stay Deluxe I465 (NW) Is that a good area? How far from the fairgrounds timewise? Thanks...

I'm not much of a northsider as I live in the deep south, Brown County.

However my company's headquarters is in that area of Michigan Rd and I-465. Depending upon traffic I'd say it's about 30 minutes. If you're in rush hour it'll be longer. The NW corner of I-465 is under construction mostly from the NW corner down towards the airport. I'd really avoid that around rush hour. Your best bet is to run down Michigan Ave to 38th street and turn east.

The area of the hotel is fine. It's mostly office parks and strip malls including the pyramids. Yeah it's strange. There are 3 tall pyramid-shaped office buildings there. There's an Outback Steak house in the area. My co-workers in the office (I'm an offsite contractor) go there.

If you go east on 86th St you'll end up at the high-end fashion mall. More dining options there like Sullivan's for steaks and Keystone Grill. Traffic around this area is some of the city's worst around rush hour.

I've a friend really, really into sushi. She loves Ocean World at 1200-ish W 86th. It's in a strip mall and nothing to look at but all she cares about is their super high-quality sushi.

Speaking of neighborhoods I'll be frank and tell you the Indiana State Fairgrounds is not located in the best area of town. There was an article today about the extra police on patrol due to a couple of murders a few blocks over in the past 10 days. You really, really want to make sure to park in an official state fair parking lot. There are several on the north side of the fairgrounds and a couple in the fairgrounds.

In past years friends have paid less to park in the neighborhoods around the fairgrounds and had minor damage, stolen hubcaps, etc. Don't want to alarm you. It's not really a problem if you park in an official lot and don't go for a stroll outside the fairgrounds after dark.

The state fair here is very nice. Lots of animals to see and exhibits of machinery. Look for the "world's biggest pig." I like the 4H displays of crafts and baked goods. I've gone the last couple of years and really enjoyed it. I try to do the trifecta a sandwich at each of the poultry producers, pork producers and beef producers. I've never made the quad and got the lamb producers too...speaking of the world's largest pig.

Wow, what a helpful post... Thanks for the restaurant suggestions. I went to the Indy fair three years ago (I'm from Ohio) and I remember going into the Agricultural building and drinking some of the finest tomato juice I have ever tasted. I think the brand name was Red Gold. Tried to find it when I got home, but no one sells it in Ohio. My friend and I are leaving on Sunday and going to go to the Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky state fairs this next week. Never went to three in a row like that.... should be interesting.

Sounds like a mission!

Red Gold is available in the Marsh and Kroger grocery stores in the Indy area. It's based in Elwood, IN. I like their salsa too. Since they are a tomato company the taste of the tomato really comes through in the salsa.

Emucom
Please post a report on the three fairs (comparision) on your return. I would love to read it.

If I can, I'll post a daily trip report... depends on internet access at each hotel if they have a pc station there for guests.

Yes, do a full report. I go to county fairs every year, and 1 in MI that has probably 500 acres of animal exhibits. I'd love to hear about all you see.

Trip report....

Sun (8/13) went to the Ohio State Fair. It was ok, in that it's what I'm used to. My advice is don't go on the last day. The animal exhibits are released early in the morning, so you cant see them, and everyone there has one foot leaning out the door thinking of going home after their long stay at the fair.
It is mostly a parking lot with buildings and no racetrack. Also saw quite a few people being 'escorted' out of the fair by police. Heard one policeman say to someone who he was escorting... "You don't show colors here".

Monday - drive to Indianapolis. Stayed at an Extended Stay Hotel. The room was nice, although not a lot of restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.

Tuesday - Went to the Indiana State Fair. If there is one fair that every other state should take ideas from, this is it. It is very large. Lots of agriculture displays and animal displays, although we tried to find the horses and couldnt find them. I must have at least three large bags full of information and freebe giveaways. Lots to see there. The concert that night was Big and Rich. I got to get in free for the last few songs. My friend purchased a tee shirt. It was the 150th Indiana State Fair anniversary. I purchased a commemorative book.

Wednesday - Drive to Louisville, KY. Stayed at the Country Inn & Suites. Nice hotel with lots of restaurant selections closeby. Located right next to the highway (I64) room overlooked the highway, but it was quiet. Tried to get on their pc internet in the business room, but had problems (it was a slow system).

Thursday - Went to the Kentucky State Fair. This one is held at the Exposition Center and part of the rides are in Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom next door to the fair. It was large and lots of walking. Most of the displays are indoors in air conditioned comfort. Not a lot of amimal displays. Lots of rides, and as i mentioned you also have access to a limited set of rides at Six Flags, including some of their roller coasters. Had some good bbq sandwiches there, and ate smoked mushrooms. Also collected bags of freebies. Was very tired at the end of the day, also it was very hot that day (105 heat index).

Friday - still in Louisville. Took an easy day, did not do much. Ate breakfast and napped a little bit. Went to the Ceasars Indiana Casino which was a half hour away from Louisville west of town. I was lucky in that I came out ahead by 100 dollars. I was hopeing to win enough to pay for the trip, but only a tiny dent.

Saturday - drive to Lexington, KY to see the Kentucky Horse Park. I was not very interested in it, but my friend is into horses, so we went. When we got there, the visitor center was closed, but we walked around some of the grounds and they had a hunter/jumper competition, so we watched that for an hour. Then we went on to Cincinnati.

We got into Florence KY around 10:00 pm and tried to find an inexpensive hotel. Most wanted 99 - 120 dollars a night (not sure what was going on in town, but musthave been something). Found an extended stay hotel for $55 so I booked it right away. It was an ok room to sleep in, but I would not want to stay there for any lengthy period of time. No pool, no free breakfast, nothing. They still had the old fasioned room card keys (the ones that have holes punched in them) instead of cards that have the mag strip on them. Found a Hooters restaurant and ate a very good ham and cheese sandwich and fries there.

Sunday, drove back home. Stopped in Columbus for dinner. Ate at the Smokey Bones in Polaris. Always a good food there. Finally arrived home around 11:45pm. Unpacked the car and washed some clothes. I slept like a rock that night.

Got up at 8 am and returned the rental car to the airport. Then drove to work.

Good report.

I so agree about the last day. We go to county fairs in MI where they have so many animals' quarters that you literally can't see them all in one visit, but the owners usually literally sleep in the chairs on the night before judging and after that the tone is different and most of the prime exhibits are 3/4ths empty.

IL had their State Fair at the same time and all we saw was the politicos on TV. On our news they've only highlighted the Republican and the Democratic Rally Days (Different) and speeches, as if that was the fair. It's not.

But what you noted about last day is true. I think these Fairs on the whole are events that really differ from day to day, so it's rather essential to plan your activities with their schedules quite a bit ahead of time. You did great at the spur of the moment and kudos for all your driving.

Thanks for the report Emucom. We live in Ohio but have never been to the fair. We used to live in Indiana and went to the fair most every year and I've often wondered how other State Fairs measured up.

Thanks for reporting back Emucon. It's nice to know that Indiana's State Fair is holding up nicely.

I went to Nebraska's for the first time last year. I think they've done really well too with the lotto funds diverted into the facility.