Home › Destinations › Lucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium, United States - Things to Do in Lucas Oil Stadium

Things to Do in Lucas Oil Stadium

Lucas Oil Stadium, United States - Complete Travel Guide

Indianapolis hosts more than just sports—though the sports are excellent. Downtown feels alive and authentic, not like some corporate makeover, with Lucas Oil Stadium anchoring a district that works. The stadium sits surrounded by museums, restaurants, and walkable neighborhoods that give you plenty to do. Total game-changer. You'll find that Midwestern friendliness here, but the city has real energy, especially during Colts games or major events.

Top Things to Do in Lucas Oil Stadium

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The most famous 2.5 miles in racing delivers. The track museum engages even non-motorsports fans, and the bus tour around the oval gives you a real sense of the speed and banking involved. Racing fans treat this place with reverence. That intensity becomes infectious quickly, whether you came caring about racing or not.

Booking Tip: Museum admission runs around $15, track tours are $5 extra. Go during May for the Indy 500 buildup, but expect crowds and higher prices. Off-season visits are more relaxed and you'll have better photo opportunities.

Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

This isn't dusty history. The Indiana State Museum makes state history engaging through interactive exhibits housed in a striking building made from Indiana limestone and local materials. Exhibits cover Native American history through the state's industrial development. They rotate special exhibitions regularly, so check what's running during your visit.

Booking Tip: Adult tickets are around $17, with discounts for seniors and students. Check their website for special exhibition pricing. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, and parking downtown can be tricky during events.

Mass Ave Cultural District

Mass Ave is Indianapolis's arts district. Galleries, theaters, and quality restaurants line this walkable strip of restored historic buildings mixed with newer developments. Evening brings it alive. Weekends get busy when theaters run shows, making it the best time to experience the full energy.

Booking Tip: Most galleries are free to browse, theater tickets range from $25-75 depending on the venue and show. Make dinner reservations ahead of time on weekends. Street parking fills up quickly after 6pm, so arrive early or use paid lots.

White River State Park

White River State Park works as urban parkland should. Multiple attractions spread across 250 acres right downtown, including the zoo, science museum, and river trails that connect several major city attractions. You can spend all day here. The park is a natural tourist hub, making it easy to hit multiple spots efficiently.

Booking Tip: Park admission is free, but individual attractions charge separately - zoo tickets are around $22 for adults. Consider a combination ticket if you plan to hit multiple spots. Weekends get busy, especially during nice weather.

Fountain Square

Fountain Square has undergone serious revival. The restored Fountain Square Theatre hosts live music, while surrounding blocks filled with interesting shops and restaurants create a neighborhood locals use. Grittier, more authentic vibe. It feels less polished than downtown proper, which works in its favor for experiencing real Indianapolis culture.

Booking Tip: Most venues are reasonably priced - concert tickets typically $15-40, food is mid-range. Check the theater's calendar online as shows sell out regularly. The area is safe but parking can be limited during events.

Getting There

Indianapolis International Airport sits ~15 miles southwest of downtown and ranks among the country's best airports. Clean, efficient, manageable size. The city sits at the intersection of several major interstates, making it easily accessible by car from Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville, or St. Louis. Amtrak's Cardinal line stops here three times weekly, though the schedule isn't convenient. Rideshare to downtown costs $25-35, while airport shuttles charge ~$12 per person.

Getting Around

Downtown Indianapolis is walkable. Most attractions cluster around Lucas Oil Stadium, making it easy to hit multiple spots on foot. The city runs IndyGo buses, with a new rapid transit line connecting downtown to outer neighborhoods, though coverage remains limited. Having a car gives you flexibility beyond the core. Rideshare coverage is solid metro-wide, and parking downtown runs $10-20 for events—reasonable compared to bigger cities.

Where to Stay

Downtown Indianapolis
Mass Ave District
Fountain Square
Broad Ripple
Carmel
Airport Area

Food & Dining

Indianapolis has built a legitimate food scene beyond the expected steakhouses and sports bars. Farm-to-table restaurants showcase Indiana ingredients well. The craft brewery scene keeps growing, with Mass Ave and Fountain Square offering the best restaurant clusters downtown. Don't skip the pork tenderloin sandwich—it's an Indiana specialty that's worth trying. The ethnic food surprises too, with strong Vietnamese, Mexican, and Middle Eastern communities running excellent restaurants.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Indianapolis

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

Conner's Kitchen + Bar

4.7 /5
(4891 reviews) 2
bar

The Eagle Mass Ave

4.5 /5
(4801 reviews) 2
meal_takeaway

Yard House

4.5 /5
(4459 reviews) 2
bar meal_takeaway

Harry & Izzy's

4.7 /5
(4251 reviews) 3

The Fountain Room

4.7 /5
(1596 reviews) 3

Fire by the Monon

4.6 /5
(1365 reviews) 2
bar

When to Visit

Fall works best for Indianapolis. Comfortable temperatures and football season bring energy to the city, while spring timing with Indy 500 buildup in May offers good weather but crowds and higher prices. Summer gets hot and humid but offers outdoor festivals that make the weather worthwhile. Cold, quiet winters. Hotel prices drop significantly and you'll have attractions mostly to yourself, making it ideal for budget travelers willing to bundle up.

Insider Tips

The Cultural Trail connects most downtown attractions via dedicated bike and pedestrian paths—rent bikes at stations along the route
Many downtown hotels offer game day packages including parking, saving money and hassle during Colts games
The Indiana Roof Ballroom offers one of downtown's best skyline views—check their event calendar even if you're not staying there

Explore Activities in Lucas Oil Stadium

Continue Planning Your Trip

Itineraries

Sample trip routes and plans for Lucas Oil Stadium

Getting Around

Transport options and tips for Lucas Oil Stadium

Where to Stay

Accommodation guide for Lucas Oil Stadium

Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for Lucas Oil Stadium

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.