Lodging in a Nutshell |
by Rana Lyn, Contributing Writer |
 Indianapolis is truly Circle City. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument sits in a circle paved with bricks at the center of the city. Streets are angled like spokes of a wheel from the downtown circle overlaid with streets in a grid pattern.
The square grid pattern is typical of the way the roads are built in the flat Midwest. Indianapolis can be described as a big-city atmosphere with Midwest sensibilities. Beware the month of May unless you enjoy large crowded events with big, bold black and white checks everywhere.
If you want to be completely immersed in all the activities to celebrate the greatest spectacle in racing then plan your visit to include Memorial weekend and the Indy 500 Race. The AAA baseball team, Indianapolis Indians, has a new lush, green Victory Field within walking distance of the downtown area. The city has a great convention center connected to the RCA dome for sporting events and a two-block-long, three-story Circle Center Mall with shopping and restaurants and several large hotels across the downtown area. The impressive Indiana State House with its history and grandeur stands a block west of the circle on Capitol.
The Midwest is car-oriented as far as transportation is concerned. There are buses in the downtown area, but mass transit in the outlying areas is minimal to non-existent. Driving is a way of life in Indy. There are major interstate highways, I-65 and I-70, that intersect as well as a large interstate, I-465, that circles the city and connects the airport, northern shopping areas, southern suburbs and eastern businesses.
The weather covers the spectrum with four distinct seasons; summers are warm and humid, and winters are cold with some snow. The saying in Indiana is that if you don't like the weather just wait a while and it will change.
Indianapolis has many small neighborhoods that are diverse and interesting -- from the historic Lockerbie area with refurbished Victorian homes and cobble stone streets on the near east side to trendy Broadripple area. This area boasts restaurants and pubs situated north central not too far from the Butler University campus. The center of town boasts restaurants, nightspots and theatres. Near north and east historic renovated homes and businesses. Near south side is industrial and residential and far west you'll find Indianapolis International Airport. The area far north, northeast and north central offers many beautiful residences and many shopping areas.
There are many motel and hotel chain establishments located at major intersections and interstate highways. The area downtown has several high-rise hotels, which house a large percentage of corporate travelers.
One of the most frequently observed traits found in many of the lodging businesses in Indianapolis is friendly Hoosier hospitality - the attitude that customers are not merely clients but friends and service is part of the overall package. Top
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