The Midwest city of Indianapolis went all out in tourism improvements in conjunction with the 2012 Super Bowl. The city spent over three billion dollars to build new attractions, hotels and an eight mile urban bike trail that connects the cultural districts. All of this makes the home of David Letterman a great place to visit for more than the NFL mega show.
Where to Stay
Hotels sold out quickly, but if you are lucky you might score a cancelled room at one of the best, like the JW Marriott Indianapolis, the chain’s largest property in the world (over 1,000 rooms). The hotel broke ground as soon as it was announced the Super Bowl was coming to Indy and opened in February 2011. It towers over the city, encompassing seven acres along downtown.
If you are looking for spectacular views from your room, try the Omni Severin. It’s in the middle of the city, just a short walk from the four story Circle Centre Mall.
Also consider staying outside the area in Midwest towns that are a few hours away. Places such as South Bend, Indiana; Champaign, Illinois; or Columbus, Ohio, still have hotel rooms available and reasonable flights.
What to East
Residents know the best place for breakfast in Indianapolis is Café Patachou, where you can decide between the indulgent Broken Yolk Sandwich with Bacon and Avocado, or health-conscious organic bread with hummus and cucumbers. Lunch at Goose the Market is a must. Sample local cheese, unique homemade charcuterie, and the most unusual selection of beer and wine you’ve ever seen.
For dinner, St. Elmo’s Steak House has been an Indianapolis institution since 1902. Order the infamous “sinus clearing” Spicy Shrimp Cocktail. Meridian Restaurant, where you may spot Peyton Manning or one of his fellow Indianapolis Colts dining, is great spot for dinner if you’d like to venture a bit away from the heart of the city.
Find Time to Chill
Everyone deserves a little down time and the best place in Indianapolis to do that is at the Evan Todd Salon & Spa. Escape to a tropical island with the Caribbean Body Treatment, which includes a cane sugar exfoliation; seaweed masque; mango; and cocoa butter massage and orange body mist. Leave some time to stay and linger in the steam room, sauna and indoor pool.
Just a few steps from Evan Todd is the perfect way to finish any day in Indianapolis. At Tastings, A Wine Experience you can sample over 100 wines from around the world. Their tasting machines allow you to walk around the comfortable lounge and pick the ones you want to try.
Visit a Museum
Indianapolis has a museum for everyone. Every sports lover should make a stop at the NCAA Hall of Champions. It is one of eight museums in White River Park, where you can actually ride a gondola in the canal during the summer. Outside the park, walk among Picasso, Van Gogh, Rembrandt and other legends at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, which has free admission. After you gaze at the mural of Kurt Vonnegut, one of 46 created for Super Bowl XLVI by the Indianapolis Art Council, visit his Memorial Library and check out the testament to this literary icon.
Fun Facts
A family friendly Football Theme Park has been created inside the Indiana Convention Center;
Jimmy Fallon will have three live broadcasts from Indianapolis before the big game;
Four Ziplines will run across Super Bowl Village;
Nine NFL Teams are within a five hour drive of Indianapolis (more than any previous Super Bowl), but none of them are playing;
Indianapolis’ Sun King Brewery will be brewing ten times as much beer as they do for a Colts game;
130 parties are planned over the six days surrounding the Super Bowl;
Over 1,000 private planes will land in Indianapolis during the week;
8,000 scarfs have been knitted for the volunteers;
150,000 visitors will come to Indianapolis, only half of whom will be sitting in the stadium.