October 2025
We kicked off our adventure to Indianapolis to see the Arizona Cardinals take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium with a pre-flight stop at the American Express Centurion Lounge. You really can’t beat a pre-flight snack and cocktail shared with Football Family – the perfect way to start a game-day weekend!
Where We Stayed: Tru by Hilton
Once we landed in Indy, we checked into the Tru by Hilton, a newer, modern hotel just a couple of blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium. You can actually see the stadium sign as soon as you step outside! The location was ideal, not right in the heart of downtown (so it was quiet) but still within easy walking distance to all the action.
The hotel is clean, comfortable, and great for a short stay. However, since it’s a minimalist setup, there’s limited storage and no true closet – something to keep in mind if you’re staying more than a night or two.
Pro tip: If late-night munchies hit, there’s a White Castle just a short walk from downtown back to the hotel.
Exploring Downtown Indianapolis
After settling in, we hit the streets to explore downtown.
Our first stop was The Slippery Noodle Inn, Indianapolis’s oldest bar, established in 1850. This spot is full of history, great food, and cold drinks – plus live blues music across multiple stages. It’s an absolute must visit for anyone spending time in Indy!
From there, we walked to Monument Circle, home to the stunning Soldiers & Sailors Monument, completed in 1902. Standing 284 feet tall, it honors Indiana veterans from the Revolutionary War through the Spanish-American War. It’s one of those “you have to see it to appreciate it” landmarks that truly defines downtown Indy.
While exploring, we stumbled upon Big Red Liquors on Pennsylvania Street – which, of course, we had to check out (after all, Big Red is the Cardinals’ mascot!). To our surprise, we learned the building used to be a Federal Reserve Bank, and the basement still has the old vault – now filled with whiskey. Naturally, we ventured down to see it. A very cool, unexpected find!
Morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The next morning, we got up early and headed to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
We opted for a guided museum tour, which focused mainly on the evolution of race cars over the years – interesting for true motorsport enthusiasts, but if you’re more of a casual fan, you might prefer to explore on your own instead.
The Victory Podium Tour, on the other hand, was an absolute blast and a must-do! We drove through the Garage Area, walked under the Gasoline Ally sign, and stood atop the Victory Podium overlooking the track and grandstands. We even posed for photos with bottles of milk, just like the Indy 500 winners.
Unfortunately, the “Kiss the Bricks” Tour wasn’t available that day due to a BMW Performance Driving School event, but as a bonus, we got to watch BMW M-series cars performing donuts and precision maneuvers on the track. (Kurt was very jealous, as an M-series owner he would love to go to the school. For another trip!)
Afterward, we explored the museum on our own – snapping photos in an Indy car, checking out the NASCAR collection, testing our skills on a racing simulator, and admiring the gallery of trophies and memorabilia.
For brunch, we headed to Charlie Brown’s Pancake & Steak House, a cozy diner packed with racing history and memorabilia. The food was hearty and delicious – the perfect post-speedway stop!
A big shoutout to Susan Haulzan, the AZ Cardinals’ 2022 Fan of the Year and a member of our Cardinals Family for reaching out to Maren Johnson, the Colts’ 2023 FOTY who went with us to the Speedway and Brunch and shared so many insightful details for game day. It made the experience even more special!
Pedal Party and Downtown Fun
Later that day, we met up with more of our Cardinals Family and joined a pedal bar tour – the perfect way to see more of downtown while having some serious fun.
We revisited Monument Circle, then pedaled to 16-Bit Bar + Arcade, where we grabbed drinks, slid down the indoor slide, played Skee-Ball, and even took over their giant Light Bright to show off some Cardinals pride. Highly recommend this spot for a playful afternoon or night out!
Next stop was Kilroy’s Bar and Grill, a great place to rest those pedaling legs, enjoy a drink, and make some new friends.
For dinner, we dined at the iconic St. Elmo Steak House. Established in 1902, it’s the oldest steakhouse in Indianapolis, and still in its original location. Of course, we had to try their world-famous shrimp cocktail (warning: it packs a punch!).
We continued our evening at Clayton’s Country Bar, dancing the night away to a live band, and popped into The Wild Beaver Saloon, a karaoke bar that’s probably best enjoyed a little earlier in the evening. We stayed for a couple of songs before calling it a night.
Game Day: Cardinals vs. Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium
Game Day! 🏈
We started the morning at The Stable Tailgate on the north side of the stadium (corner of West and Northwood Street). It was a classic, fan-driven tailgate full of friendly faces, food, and fun. We met some great locals, including “Cherry Man” and “Shot Master,” who made everyone feel welcome.
From there, we walked over to Lucas Oil Stadium and explored before heading to our seats in the north end zone. The game itself was fantastic, it came down to the final two drives, with the Colts edging out a 31-27 win.
Lucas Oil Stadium Notes:
- You can snap a photo with the Colts’ Anvil behind section 101 in the north end zone.
- The Green Streak tractor is also nearby for another fun photo-op.
- Tons of food and drink options on the 100 level and surprisingly short lines!
- The fan experience was incredible. Our game was part of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, and fans received a color changing cups and game day programs. (There is a gift and program at every game! That is not the case at the stadiums we have visited so far.)
- Colts touchdown celebrations included fireworks, streamers, and confetti.
- Instead of a t-shirt cannon, the Colts launched shirts and towels with parachutes that floated down from above, such a fun touch!
We also made it our mission being a military family to find and take a photo with the POW chair after spotting it during the National Anthem, another meaningful moment in an amazing stadium experience.
Overall, Lucas Oil Stadium ranks as our favorite fan experiences so far, top-notch energy, hospitality, and entertainment from start to finish.
Wrapping Up the Weekend
After the game, we made one last stop at The Slippery Noodle Inn for post-game drinks (no real wait to get in, thankfully!) and then checked out The Patron Saint Shack, where Cardiac Gnome joined us for some frozen drinks and shenanigans.
All in all, it was another unforgettable Cardinals road trip with incredible friends (who are really family), another stadium checked off the list (#8!), a new city explored, and so many great memories made.
If you’re planning a visit to Lucas Oil Stadium to cheer on your team reach out! I’d be happy to share more tips to help you plan your own amazing Indy football weekend.
Check out our posts on social media below to see more on our adventure in Indianapolis, Indiana and going to Lucus Oil Stadium. Be sure to follow and like us on social media for more travel inspiration!
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