Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium — plus everything to eat, drink, and do in Indianapolis for a perfect sports weekend.
Indianapolis is a compact, walkable, sports-obsessed city that consistently ranks as one of the best host cities for major events. Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Pacers) are half a mile apart in the downtown core. The city has an excellent hotel stock, a surprisingly good restaurant scene, and the kind of civic pride that makes visiting fans feel genuinely welcome.
Use GamePlan to combine a Colts game with a Pacers game — both are downtown, both are a short walk from each other, and Indianapolis handles sports weekends better than almost any other city.
Lucas Oil Stadium opened in 2008 and is widely considered one of the finest indoor football venues in the NFL. The retractable roof opens on pleasant days, and the operational excellence — honed through hosting Super Bowls, Final Fours, and major NCAA events — is evident in every detail.
You cannot leave Indianapolis without eating these.
The finest hotel in Indianapolis, connected to the Indiana Convention Center. Walking distance to the stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and downtown dining.
Best for: Groups, luxury travelersBoutique luxury hotel with excellent restaurant, sophisticated bar, walking distance to both sports venues.
Best for: Couples, design-focused travelersA contemporary art hotel with rotating exhibitions throughout. Excellent restaurant and one of the most distinctive properties in Indy.
Best for: Art-focused travelers, couplesThe oldest bar in Indiana (1850) and the most important blues venue in the state. Live blues every night of the week, cold beer.
Must order: Cold beer, whatever's on the stageA solid Indianapolis brewpub with consistent beers and a comfortable atmosphere. Good game-day pre-gaming option within walking distance.
Must order: Local draft, Hoosier TenderloinAn Indianapolis craft distillery with an excellent tasting room and cocktail bar. One of the best options for a post-game drink.
Must order: Indiana whiskey neat, seasonal cocktailJames Beard Award-winning brunch restaurant. The cocktail brunch program is extraordinary. Lines form — arrive at 9am.
Order: Dutch Baby, whatever seasonal special exists, a brunch cocktailOne of Indianapolis's finest fine dining restaurants on the vibrant Massachusetts Avenue arts corridor.
Order: Seasonal tasting menuSince 1905. A genuine Jewish-style deli in the heart of Indianapolis. The corned beef on rye and matzo ball soup are the reason to visit.
Order: Corned beef on rye, matzo ball soup, black and white cookieIndianapolis is America's premier event host. The infrastructure, the hotels, and the civic hospitality are all built for major events.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse is a 10-minute walk from Lucas Oil Stadium. A Pacers Friday + Colts Sunday makes for an excellent Indianapolis weekend.
Massachusetts Avenue is Indianapolis's arts and dining corridor — the best concentration of restaurants, galleries, and bars in the city.
Indy is a large event city but Colts tickets are generally available at reasonable prices on the secondary market.
Indianapolis's downtown core is extremely walkable. The White River State Park, the Canal Walk, and the Cultural Trail all connect sports venues to dining.
The Brickyard is 10 miles northwest. A tour of the facility is one of the great motorsport experiences in America, even without a race.
Use GamePlan to find the exact dates when your favorite teams all play in the same window — then book everything in one trip.
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