Homewood Suites Indianapolis Northwest

NCAA Tournaments

by BigBlueOne

The NCAA basketball tourney is a frequent visitor of the Indianapolis area (my guess is it might have something to do with the fact that the NCAA headquarters is there). As is the case in most cities, the tournament in Indianapolis shouldn't be missed. No gear, just make sure you book a room with plenty of time to spare. I went in 2005 and couldn't get a room within 15 miles of the Dome no matter how much I was willing to pay.

The Wellington

by Cabana_Boy about The Wellington

This is one of those bars that hasn't changed much over the years, with one very large and disappointing fact. They no longer serve the Broadripple Brewpub's beers (the two establishments were somehow at one time, probably through ownership). One of my biggest reasons for going to the Welly was the Broadripple Brewpub beers...I loved the Wheat beer, the ESB; and, in the winter, the porter was an excellent choice.

The look, feel, beer, darts and size of a small English pub. I simply feel in love with this place the first time I went there (illegally) with my brother. I have many great times at the Welly and even a few bad ones, but that's life a bar like the Welly is there during the good times and the bad! It's like your kitchen table at home, only much cooler and there are other people there besides your family.

see the solders and sailors monument

by pourparafor

A symbol of Indianapolis(sometimes called the circle city)This monument in the center of a traffic circle honors those killed in past wars. including the Civil and Spanish-Americian. You can take an elevator or steps and go up to the top. The Friday after Thanksgiving it is turned into a christmas tree from the lights that are hung from it

Interior of the Indiana World War Memorial

by deecat

Originally built to honor Hoosiers in World War I, it has since been rededicated for World War II and other wars.

Inside is just as breathtaking as the outside. It has 3 main floors, each equally beautiful. On the upper level is the incredible Shrine Room This room symbolizes peace and unity. It is made of materials from all over the world (symbolic that World War I was world wide in nature). They tell you that if you visit the Shine Room, you will leave with "a renewed sense of patriotism and an appreciation for the sacrifices of those who fought in the first World War." It does, indeed.

The Main Floor houses exhibit space, offices, and two 75-seat meeting rooms. In addition, it also houses a 500 seat Pershing Auditorium. The public can use the two rooms and the auditorium for a nominal fee. Quite impressive is the list of names of all Hoosiers who participated in World War I & all Hoosiers killed or missing in action from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The enormity of these lists is quite sobering.

On this main floor, we viewed an exhibit (photographic and commentary) concerning all the winners of the Medal of Honor. We spent a good deal of time here because it was so impressive...beautiful, bittersweet, and historic.

On the Lower Level, there is a FREE Military Museum portraying the history of Indiana's veterans. There's a commission plate of the battleship U.S.S. Indiana, Military firearms, Korean War era helicopter, Mexican War cannon, a Navy Terrier Missile, & a Desert Storm Humvee.

The use of marble, granite, brass, and gold leaf is really something. We commented that this structure would last forever!

The photograph is of a green marble water fountain. I just could not resist taking a picture.

Indianapolis - The Circle City

by PKCass

My parents are both from Indiana, and some of my earliest childhood memories are of going to Indianapolis to visit relatives. It wasn't until I was an adult that I actually had a chance to stay in downtown Indianapolis. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of things there were to do downtown. Though my main purpose on my visit was to do some genealogical research at the state library, it was easy to see that Indianapolis would be a fun place for a family vacation.

Indianapolis is a pedestrian friendly city. There is a large mall (Circle Centre) located right downtown. If like me you are interested in Indiana genealogy, the state library is very nice and has microfilm copies of newspapers from all over the state.

Indianapolis is called "The Circle City" because of the Monument Circle in the center of the city. Originally, the governor's house was inside the circle, but now there's a impressive limestone monument to the Indiana soldiers and sailors who fought in the American Revolution, War of 1812, Mexican-American War, and the American Civil War. There's a museum in the bottom of this monument, and it's also possible take an elevator to the top of the monument. The elevator trip is not advisable during the summer as it gets quite hot at the top of the monument.