Where to Stay in Indianapolis (4 Best Places, By a Local)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Indianapolis | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQs

As a long-time Hoosier and Indianapolis resident, I’m extremely familiar with everything Indy. 

If it’s your first time visiting, my top recommendation would be staying in Downtown Indy at the Bottleworks Hotel. This hotel is a part of the renovated Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Indianapolis and is attached to a bowling alley, movie theater, bar, and restaurants. It’s outside of the major city hustle, but within walking distance to a number of fun spots. 

Another good option if you’re in Indianapolis for an event or game at Lucas Oil Stadium is TownePlace Suites Indianapolis Downtown. The hotel is so close to the stadium that you can walk over rather than dealing with traffic and parking.

Besides Bottleworks and TownPlace Suites, there are plenty of other great places to stay around the city. Just keep reading to find your perfect fit.

Best Places to Stay in Indianapolis

Here are my top hotel picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Bottleworks Hotel
• 📍Best Location – Bottleworks Hotel 
• 💎 Best Luxury – Conrad Indianapolis 
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Best for Families – Omni Severin 
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – Bottleworks Hotel
• 🏎️ Best Near Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) – Courtyard Indianapolis West Speedway 
• 🏟️ Best Near Lucas Oil Stadium – TownePlace Suites Indianapolis Downtown
• 🏢 Best Near Convention Center – Hyatt Regency Indianapolis at State Capitol 
• 🛏️ Best Budget: Candlewood Suites Indianapolis by IHG 

Keep scrolling for a deep dive into the pros and cons of Indianapolis’ most popular neighborhoods: 

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Indianapolis

Most of Indianapolis is circled by Interstate 465. The main hubs of Indianapolis, like Broad Ripple and Downtown, sit in the middle. The looping highway makes it extremely convenient to drive to any area of the city quickly.

Downtown Indy

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Downtown Hotels: Bottleworks Hotel • Omni Severin • Conrad Indianapolis  • TownePlace Suites Indianapolis Downtown • Hyatt Regency Indianapolis at State Capitol

The best way for first-time visitors to experience Indianapolis is to stay downtown. Downtown Indy is filled with attractions like Monument Circle, the Canal Walk, and Lucas Oil Stadium. It’s also the home of St. Elmo Steakhouse, Indy’s most famous and oldest steakhouse. 

Downtown Indy is extremely walkable and bikeable. In fact, there are several bike paths across the area, making it simple to explore the city. 

The majority of Indy’s hotels are downtown, meaning you’ll have a huge variety of options. Bottleworks Hotel is my #1 overall pick because of its boutique atmosphere and convenient location. It’s great for travelers who want plenty of activities right outside their door.

The Omni Severin works well for families since it offers family rooms. Meanwhile, the Conrad Indianapolis is ritzy, luxurious, and has a fantastic view in the heart of downtown. 

If you’re in town for an event at Lucas Oil Stadium, book a stay at TownePlace Suites Indianapolis Downtown. It’s just a short walk from the stadium, so you won’t have to worry about parking. Similarly, Hyatt Regency Indianapolis at State Capitol is perfect for visitors headed to the Convention Center, since the hotel is connected to it. 

If you’re traveling to the city to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, staying downtown is a wonderful choice, too. You’ll get to enjoy the heart of Indy and have a quick drive to the track. 

Pros of Staying in Downtown Indy:

• Extremely close to many of Indy’s main attractions 
• Very walkable, with plenty of paved paths 
• Picturesque hotel views 

Cons of Staying in Downtown Indy:

• Mostly expensive hotels 
• It can be hectic and loud at night

Fountain Square

👉 Best Area For Foodies | ✨ Best Fountain Square Hotels: Fountainview Inn • Tru by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown 

Fountain Square is located just southeast of Downtown Indy. If you’re a foodie, this is the area for you. Fountain Square is also a good area for those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of downtown, but don’t want to be too far-removed from the action.

This neighborhood is filled with a variety of unique restaurants with authentic atmospheres. Be sure to check out Bluebeard for an upscale meal. For something more casual, try Kuma’s Corner. 

Besides food, try out duckpin bowling at Atomic Bowl Duckpin. Stepping inside is like taking a step back in time. 

The closest hotel to Fountain Square is the Fountainview Inn, which is my top recommendation for the area, due to its proximity. Tru by Hilton is a bit outside of Fountain Square, but staying there makes it faster to travel to other parts of the city.  

Pros of Staying in Fountain Square:

• A ton of amazing restaurants and bars
• Cool architecture for pictures 
• An artsy vibe

Cons of Staying in Fountain Square:

• Too many potholes
• Few hotel options 

Broad Ripple

👉 Best Area For Bar Hopping | ✨ Best Broad Ripple Hotels: Hotel Broad Ripple • Ironworks Hotel Indy • Homewood Suites by Hilton Indianapolis At The Crossing 

Broad Ripple is where you should stay if you’re coming to Indy for a bachelor or bachelorette party. Or maybe you just like to party. This neighborhood is located northeast of downtown Indy. 

The bars in Broad Ripple are walkable, making it simple to have a bar crawl without worrying about how you’ll get to your next location. There are restaurants, like Ripple Bagel and Deli and Bazbeaux Pizza, which are great hangover cures. 

The best and coolest hotel in this area is Hotel Broad Ripple because of its boutique, homey vibes, and unique property. Ironworks Hotel offers luxurious rooms and an industrial vibe. Homewood Suites offers nice views and comfortable rooms for mid-range travelers. 

Pros of Staying in Broad Ripple:

• Great restaurant selection
• Cute local shops 
• Small, walkable area

Cons of Staying in Broad Ripple:

• Rowdy bar life 
• Not child-friendly at night

Irvington

👉 Best Area For Small-Town Vibes | ✨ Best Irvington Hotels: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Indianapolis East• Marriott Indianapolis East• The Fontana Hotel 

Irvington is an adorable, historic neighborhood on the east side of Indianapolis. The homes are filled with character. You’ll often find plastic skeletons in various poses and costumes as you walk through the tree-lined streets during the fall. Come here for the cozy atmosphere and small-town vibes. 

Each one of the hotels, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Marriott Indianapolis, and The Fontana Hotel, is pretty evenly ranked on Booking.com, so I recommend going with what best fits your budget.   

The best time to visit here is during the fall! Each year, the neighborhood has a Halloween festival. There are booths, a costume contest, and plenty of apple cider donuts. There’s also a haunted tour you can take that contains haunted landmarks from Irvington’s past. 

Pros of Staying in Irvington:

• Homes are extremely festive for holidays 
• Great for families 
• Plenty of local bars and restaurants 

Cons of Staying in Irvington:

• Far from most attractions 
• Few hotel choices 

Tips for Staying in Indianapolis

Always Check the Weather

One quirk of Indy is its unpredictable weather. Sometimes, we seem to get all seasons of weather in the same week, so always check the forecast before heading to your excursion. 

Rent a Car 

Indianapolis does have a bus system, but it’s limited. If you don’t want to deal with pricey ride shares or the bus schedule, you’ll likely need to rent a car to see the city. 

Talk to the Locals

Indy is known for its “Hoosier hospitality.” If you’re in need of things to do or find yourself lost, try talking to someone. The people who live here are friendly.  

Take Advantage of Free Sunday Parking  

There is free parking in downtown Indy and Broad Ripple on Sundays. If you’re on a budget or simply despise paying for parking, keep this in mind during your trip. 

Avoid the Potholes!

Every year, Indy residents go to war against the city’s potholes. If you’re driving a rental car around the city, be careful. My husband popped two tires in one morning on some of Indy’s devious potholes. These are particularly problematic in the spring. 

Consider Your Options for Staying Near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis is best known for racing, with the yearly Indy 500 drawing major crowds. If you’re in town for this or another event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, consider which area makes the most sense for you. 

Most people opt to stay in Downtown Indy and then drive the 15 minutes over to the venue since downtown has more to offer. However, if you want to be closer to IMS, the Courtyard Indianapolis West Speedway is affordable and close to the venue.

FAQs about Indianapolis

Where should Indy first-timers stay? 

The best place for first-timer visitors to stay is Downtown Indy. It’s extremely walkable and filled with attractions like Monument Circle and the Canal Walk. 

Is downtown Indianapolis safe? 

Downtown Indianapolis is generally safe. Walking around during the day, you should feel completely safe. At night, it can get a bit wild, especially on the weekends, due to the bars. I wouldn’t recommend being out by yourself at 3 am, but if you’re with a group, you’ll be fine.   

Is Indianapolis safe for LGBTQ+ travelers? 

I’m a queer person who lives in Indy, so I’m speaking from experience when I say yes, it’s safe for LGBTQ+ visitors. There are plenty of gay bars and an extremely vibrant drag scene. 

What’s the best way to get around Indianapolis? 

A car is the best way to get around Indianapolis. And if you want to see anything outside of downtown, then you’ll definitely need a car. There is public transportation, but it’s limited. There are plenty of ride shares available, though.

What are the best activities for families visiting Indianapolis? 

The best activities for families visiting Indianapolis are the Children’s Museum and the Indianapolis Zoo. If you’re on a budget and your kids enjoy baseball, I recommend seeing an Indianapolis Indians game. During the games, they have activities for children, like face painting.  

Where can I get out and enjoy nature in Indianapolis? 

If the city is hustling and bustling a bit too much for you, try Holliday Park, Eagle Creek Park, or White River State Park. My personal favorite is Holliday Park because it’s free, smaller in size, and has interesting art. 

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Thanks for reading! There are plenty of great hotel options in Indy for travelers of all budgets and interests! Before you go, make sure to read about all my favorite things to do in Indianapolis.