Indianapolis is a compact city, and for almost every visitor the right base is downtown or just beside it. The Mile Square puts Monument Circle, the walking tours, the canal, the zoo and the State Museum within walking distance, while the Speedway, The Children's Museum and Newfields are short drives from anywhere central. The real choice is the character of your street: the heart of downtown, lively Mass Ave, or the south side near the stadiums and Union Station.
Central downtown: best for first-timers and luxury
West Washington and Meridian Streets, around Circle Centre and Monument Circle, put everything at your door. Our splurge pick is Conrad Indianapolis on West Washington Street, with 247 city-view rooms, The Capital Grille downstairs and Conrad Spa Indianapolis, where the spa, steam room and fitness room are included with every stay. Two blocks away on South Meridian Street, the Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown Across from Circle Centre is our value pick, with a free hot breakfast buffet and the Circle a couple of blocks north. Parking at both is valet, so arrive without a car if you can.
Mass Ave: best for food, drink and style
Massachusetts Avenue runs diagonally northeast from downtown, lined with restaurants, bars, theatres and shops, and the Cultural Trail runs along it. Our featured pick is Bottleworks Hotel, in the former Coca-Cola bottling plant at the top of the avenue, full of Art Deco details, with the Sundry and Vice cocktail bar, a coffee bar, billiards in the lobby and a MICHELIN Key for the third year in 2026. It suits couples and food lovers best; Monument Circle is a fifteen to twenty-minute walk, and the nightlife is right outside.
CityWay and the stadiums: best for game days and art lovers
On the south side of downtown, CityWay is a modern district a few blocks from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil Stadium and the convention center. The Alexander, Autograph Collection fills its 209 rooms and public spaces with art, and has the Nesso Italian restaurant and a 24-hour gym with Peloton bikes. Budget for its garage parking, and note that guests must be 21 to check in.
Union Station: best for history, families and train travellers
Facing the old Union Station on Jackson Place, the Omni Severin Hotel has been welcoming guests since 1913 and has been carefully restored. It has an indoor pool, rare downtown and welcome in winter, plus Bar Cardinale and a café, and the Amtrak station is about a block away. The convention center and Lucas Oil Stadium are a short walk.
How to choose
On a first visit, stay central, at the Conrad or the Hampton Inn, so you can walk to the Circle, the tours and White River State Park. For a weekend of eating and drinking, choose Bottleworks on Mass Ave. For a Colts, Pacers or Fever game or a convention, pick The Alexander or the Omni Severin. Families should look at the Omni Severin for its pool or the Hampton Inn for its free breakfast. Whatever you choose, check parking costs before you book, and expect higher prices on big convention and game weekends.
