Can't travel for the title game? Make Indiana your next trip.
The Indiana Hoosiers will face the Miami Hurricanes for a college football national championship on Jan. 19. But if you can’t get to Florida, consider making a vacation of their next home game.
“Indiana is the best of the Midwest,” Visit Indiana told USA TODAY in an email. “With world renowned attractions and so much (to do in every) season, Indiana is a must-see/do destination all year round.”
The Hoosiers play home games in Bloomington, but travelers can easily combine that with a stay in Indianapolis and see a good portion of the state even in a short amount of time – especially helpful for those with limited PTO days. Here’s what to do during a quick trip to Indiana.
Primary airport
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is the closest major airport to both Indianapolis and Bloomington, according to Christina Griffiths, manager of public affairs and communications for AAA Hoosier. The airport is located roughly a 20-minute drive from downtown Indianapolis and about 50 minutes from downtown Bloomington, depending on traffic.
Getting around
“I think my recommendation would probably be, especially if you're going to Bloomington, rent a car since it is a little bit of a drive, then it's probably easiest just to drive yourself from the airport and then have that flexibility to get around Bloomington,” Griffiths said.
Travelers staying in downtown Indianapolis or Bloomington “could get away with just doing rideshares, and then maybe some public transportation.”
Where to stay
“You could stay in Bloomington. I think, again, it kind of just depends on, are you spending more time in the Bloomington area, or are you wanting to try and spend a little more time in Indy?” Griffiths said. “So, if it were me, I would stay in downtown Indianapolis, just because there are a lot more options.”
She described Bloomington – home to Indiana University – as more of a “college town” while Indianapolis is more metropolitan. “We have a minor league baseball team, for example,” she said. “Maybe I want to go see a baseball game, so I want to go stay at the JW Marriott across the street.”
Travelers should note that while the roughly hour-long drive between the two is relatively easy with some hotel options, according to Griffiths, those who want to be “where the action is” would be better off staying in one of the two cities.
Ideal stay length
Griffiths recommended a two-day trip. “You can almost plan maybe a day in Bloomington, and then the game could be that night, or maybe it's a day game, whatever it may be,” she said. “And then you spend the next day in downtown (Indianapolis) before you have to get back to the airport for a flight or head out of town.”
Who this trip works best for
“We have so much here. There's so many different even just neighborhoods around downtown Indy,” Griffiths noted. “You know, if you're coming with kids, your family, you can maybe check out the Children's Museum (of Indianapolis). There's a lot of outdoor parks and playgrounds. If you're coming at a time when the weather is nice, maybe you're a college student, or in your 20s or something, you want to go somewhere with some more bars and restaurants.”
“There really is something for everybody in Central Indiana and in the state as a whole, and I think that's very unique,” she said.
The Fountain Room, a supper club on Mass Ave. in Indianapolis.
Where to eat
St. Elmo Steak House is “the one we’re pretty well-known for,” according to Griffiths. The Indianapolis institution was founded more than a century ago.
“You walk into St. Elmo and you literally see pictures on the walls of celebrities who have eaten there over time,” she said. The restaurant was also featured in the TV show “Parks and Recreation.”
The Fountain Room, a supper club on Mass Ave, is another favorite of Griffiths’, along with Harry and Izzy’s, an American grill with multiple locations (and companion restaurant to St. Elmo).
What to do before the game
Griffiths said Bloomington is “so fun to be there on a game day, especially football.” The lawn south of Memorial Stadium hosted B-Town Boulevard this season, a festival-like setup with food trucks, live music, games and more.
There are also plenty of bars and restaurants in downtown Bloomington where visitors can hang out before the game such as Nick’s English Hut – or watch it if they aren’t going in person, she said.
What you shouldn’t miss
“While Indiana is famous for basketball and motor sports, there is so much more to discover than you ever could have imagined,” Visit Indiana said. “From the deep caves in Southern Indiana to the rolling Indiana Dunes in Northern Indiana, Indiana is a diverse state full of natural and man-made marvels.”
Indiana Dunes National Park is about two-and-a-half hours from Indianapolis by car, as well. “It's right on the coast of Lake Michigan, so you can hang out on the beach of Lake Michigan,” she said.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].
