Everydaymatters
Engineer
There's rarely anything on the forum about Indianapolis. Has anyone been to the station, and the city? It has the 12th largest population and is on the route of the Cardinal. ???
Indianapolis
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I have been through there but have not gotten off. Iirc there is a hotel in the station that has regular rooms and rooms on old sleeping cars.
If you look at trip advisor you can see what attractions are downtown. There is also a nice jw Marriott.
To get to the speed way you might need a rental car.
Use yelp to find good restaurants.
If you look at trip advisor you can see what attractions are downtown. There is also a nice jw Marriott.
To get to the speed way you might need a rental car.
Use yelp to find good restaurants.
I was born in Indiana, lived a few miles north of Indianapolis for twenty years.
Of course, I attended many Indianapolis 500 Races and other interesting sites
in the area. While my Mother was living, I would travel to Indy on the Cardinal
to visit her. The downtown area in the Amtrak Station area has been greatly
improved with the Lucas Stadium (Colts) and several hotels. There is a Crowne
Plaza hotel adjoining the station (must leave by the back service door to the station).
There are also several noted restaurants within a couple of blocks of the station.
Greyhound Bus shares the station with Amtrak.
Of course, I attended many Indianapolis 500 Races and other interesting sites
in the area. While my Mother was living, I would travel to Indy on the Cardinal
to visit her. The downtown area in the Amtrak Station area has been greatly
improved with the Lucas Stadium (Colts) and several hotels. There is a Crowne
Plaza hotel adjoining the station (must leave by the back service door to the station).
There are also several noted restaurants within a couple of blocks of the station.
Greyhound Bus shares the station with Amtrak.
Betty, we have been to Indianapolis on several occasions and once even rode to Chicago on the Hoosier State for a day of sightseeing and then returned that evening to Indy. The station has seen better days and not a great place to hang out. The city has several excellent art museums, one of which has a great collection of Native American and western art. We enjoy the ride over from our place in Ohio. Some very nice parks and of course, Indianapolis Motor Speedway for racing enthusiasts. We toured the speedway museum which is very interesting. You do need to have a car for access to many of the places. Buses and cabs are abundant though.
Our Hoosier ride was interesting but very slow. Lots of students ride on weekends from West Lafayette, Purdue U and families ride up to Chicago for a day of museums as we did. Too bad they cannot travel at a faster rate. More people might ride and there would be more time to enjoy Chicago.
Our Hoosier ride was interesting but very slow. Lots of students ride on weekends from West Lafayette, Purdue U and families ride up to Chicago for a day of museums as we did. Too bad they cannot travel at a faster rate. More people might ride and there would be more time to enjoy Chicago.
andersone
Conductor
I haven't been there for a while, but in the 80's they made the old station into a very touristy destination,, and the hotel (Holiday Inn?) actually had a couple of sleepers they rented for rooms,,,,,
Everydaymatters
Engineer
Thanks for the great info. It is relatively close to where I live and it sounds like it would be a fun place to visit. Is there a restaurant in the station or adjoining hotel?
I spent a month in Indianapolis on business a few years ago ( in the Summer) and found it a very friendly, interesting city with plenty to see and do! ( as was said, a car is necessary for some of the sites)
Indianapolis has become a "Sports City" with all kinds of venues and activities. (I do miss the old Classic Baseball Stadium featured in several movies)
Contrary to popular belief there is not a Corn Field on the State Capital Grounds! LOL I also enjoyed eating sacks of White Castle Burgers!
Its not a dangerous City but @ night downtown can be sort of deserted if no events are going on and there are areas around the Speedway that are ghetto like and drug infested with all the associated street life and characters!!
The Train/ Bus Station is a Pit, located in the Basement under the old Union Station which is now a nice Rail Road themed Hotel as has been said! There are plenty of places to eat close to the Station, the Hotel is Expensive and the food isn't that great!
Indianapolis has become a "Sports City" with all kinds of venues and activities. (I do miss the old Classic Baseball Stadium featured in several movies)
Contrary to popular belief there is not a Corn Field on the State Capital Grounds! LOL I also enjoyed eating sacks of White Castle Burgers!
Its not a dangerous City but @ night downtown can be sort of deserted if no events are going on and there are areas around the Speedway that are ghetto like and drug infested with all the associated street life and characters!!
The Train/ Bus Station is a Pit, located in the Basement under the old Union Station which is now a nice Rail Road themed Hotel as has been said! There are plenty of places to eat close to the Station, the Hotel is Expensive and the food isn't that great!
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The station there is a pit. It is one of the worst staffed staions in the system (the staff is fine, the station isn't). It is in part of the old REA complex under the platforms, on the other side of the raised tracks and across the street from the Union Station headhouse. It is cramped and dingy and the only thing it shares with Indy's magnificent (and now largely closed) Union Station is the platform.
The mall that they put in Union Station is gone, driven out of business by the huge downtown mall they built behind the facades of existing buildings. The only thing left of that development is the Crowne Plaza.
I usually ride the train when the option is available, but given the slowness and roughness of the Hoosier State/Cardinal, the lack of amenities on Hoosier State days, the bad times at Indianapolis and the crappiness of that station, and the relatively early departure of the Hoosier State/Cardinal from Chicago making a very iffy connection from the West, I have pretty much given up on the train CHI-IND. I ride to Chicago, rent a car at CUS and drive to Indy.
The mall that they put in Union Station is gone, driven out of business by the huge downtown mall they built behind the facades of existing buildings. The only thing left of that development is the Crowne Plaza.
I usually ride the train when the option is available, but given the slowness and roughness of the Hoosier State/Cardinal, the lack of amenities on Hoosier State days, the bad times at Indianapolis and the crappiness of that station, and the relatively early departure of the Hoosier State/Cardinal from Chicago making a very iffy connection from the West, I have pretty much given up on the train CHI-IND. I ride to Chicago, rent a car at CUS and drive to Indy.
oldtimer
OBS Chief
I have to agree with Tom, St.Elmo's is great. The hotel is getting a little tired but the rooms in the rail cars are unique and so is the statuary scattered in the building. At night with no events going on the downtown area is a ghost town.
I can't speak to the presence/absence of the hotel (I did not notice it while there), but I did not feel terribly safe the one time I was at IND. Now, part of that was the fact that you had a bit of a rough crowd sleeping on cots (this was when everything was frozen up from that deep freeze back in January); the net result was an ex-Marine Blackwater contractor and I sitting with our backs to the wall grazing on MRE leftovers talking a lot more shop than I should be capable of talking.
Everydaymatters
Engineer
The eastbound Cardinal leaves Indianapolis around midnight. How safe is the waiting room?
Betty, there are Indianapolis police at the station during late hours. I have departed on the Cardinal several
times without incident. There have been some homeless people in the station, but they are usually over at
the Greyhound waiting area. I have taken the Hoosier State to Chicago but never noticed that it was moving
slowly. St Elmo's steakhouse is outstanding and often quite crowded. I rent a car from Enterprise, about
three blocks north of the station. I walk to and from the Amtrak Station to the Enterprise Office and have
never felt unsafe. I have stayed at the Crowne Plaza hotel and walk out the service door of the hotel to
the train station.
times without incident. There have been some homeless people in the station, but they are usually over at
the Greyhound waiting area. I have taken the Hoosier State to Chicago but never noticed that it was moving
slowly. St Elmo's steakhouse is outstanding and often quite crowded. I rent a car from Enterprise, about
three blocks north of the station. I walk to and from the Amtrak Station to the Enterprise Office and have
never felt unsafe. I have stayed at the Crowne Plaza hotel and walk out the service door of the hotel to
the train station.
Everydaymatters
Engineer
Nice! I've always wondered how they decorated the inside of the cars.
iggy
Service Attendant
Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Pullman Sleeper Car hotel rooms video
No longer in operation part of hotel Conference meeting area
Crowne Plaza Hotel Inside Indianapolis Union Station
Riding Amtrak Hoosier State leaving Chicago leaving Indianapolis Video shows leaving Chicago and Indy. Taken before recent upgrades - when route was still looking for it's life saving funding.
Current Amtrak / Greyhound station is old as was mentioned and needs some serious attention. Thick caked on bird droppings covered entrance ground - weekend I was there. On way home I did see someone on Greyhound side getting arrested for drugs. I stayed at Omni just across from old Union Station - also across street from Crowne Plaza. You have to walk under dirty overpass to get to either hotel. Local cabby late at night refused me as a fare in cold to drive me a couple blocks to Omni. Didn't get warm fuzzy feeling it was an area you wanted to walk with luggage late evening. Omni was great stay, but cabbie and States hate for rail made me less than interested in returning any time soon.
"the lack of amenities on Hoosier State days"
That has since been resolved in past few months. That line now has Business Class seating, Free Wi-Fi and food service.
"It is one of the worst staffed staions in the system (the staff is fine, the station isn't)."
I've seen several attended and unattended that are actually much worse. Although "decor" at Indy does remind you of what most people think of as a prison block. Stairs leading to platforms - if you don't use elevator - definitely have that institutional feel.
No restaurant is station that I am aware of = just a convenience store. Across street is White Castle.
Rail meeting was at Crowne Plaza - lobby was being renovated at that time. Property looked clean. Stayed at Omni so can't comment on Crowne room quality. I'd definitely stay at Omni again.
No longer in operation part of hotel Conference meeting area
Crowne Plaza Hotel Inside Indianapolis Union Station
Riding Amtrak Hoosier State leaving Chicago leaving Indianapolis Video shows leaving Chicago and Indy. Taken before recent upgrades - when route was still looking for it's life saving funding.
Current Amtrak / Greyhound station is old as was mentioned and needs some serious attention. Thick caked on bird droppings covered entrance ground - weekend I was there. On way home I did see someone on Greyhound side getting arrested for drugs. I stayed at Omni just across from old Union Station - also across street from Crowne Plaza. You have to walk under dirty overpass to get to either hotel. Local cabby late at night refused me as a fare in cold to drive me a couple blocks to Omni. Didn't get warm fuzzy feeling it was an area you wanted to walk with luggage late evening. Omni was great stay, but cabbie and States hate for rail made me less than interested in returning any time soon.
"the lack of amenities on Hoosier State days"
That has since been resolved in past few months. That line now has Business Class seating, Free Wi-Fi and food service.
"It is one of the worst staffed staions in the system (the staff is fine, the station isn't)."
I've seen several attended and unattended that are actually much worse. Although "decor" at Indy does remind you of what most people think of as a prison block. Stairs leading to platforms - if you don't use elevator - definitely have that institutional feel.
No restaurant is station that I am aware of = just a convenience store. Across street is White Castle.
Rail meeting was at Crowne Plaza - lobby was being renovated at that time. Property looked clean. Stayed at Omni so can't comment on Crowne room quality. I'd definitely stay at Omni again.
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Everydaymatters
Engineer
Is there an elevator to the platform? Is it safe to go across the street to the White Castle?
There is an elevator. I guess safe depends on your definition of the word. I wouldn't walk real far from the station late at night. OK in the daytime hours.
The Crowne Plaza hotel has a rear service exit that is very near the Amtrak Station entrance.
Just ask the reception person and they will have someone escort you to the rear exit.
I have stayed at the hotel several times, but never in the train car. I found the hotel
most comfortable and the staff friendly and helpful.
Just ask the reception person and they will have someone escort you to the rear exit.
I have stayed at the hotel several times, but never in the train car. I found the hotel
most comfortable and the staff friendly and helpful.
iggy
Service Attendant
Elevator to platform as stated does exist and does get used during boarding. Freight style if I remember correctly. White Castle shouldn't be an issue - parking lot was well lit - area around station exit decently lighted - just very dirty. Be mindful of traffic when crossing - you should be OK.
NorthShore
Conductor
I've been through the station several times. But, always, on Greyhound. It isn't terrible. I actually find it almost charming inside. Though, it isn't especially great, either, and is mostly just old. Outside and entrances at a viaduct are nothing to write home about and appear dingy. Restrooms outdated but clean enough and safe. There's a little concession stand selling pizza and hot dogs.
The old station house waiting room at the hotel is beautiful, especially during day with light streaming through the windows, and well worth a visit.
The area is urban, but I haven't perceived it as unsafe. I can't guarantee someone won't panhandle, but wouldn't expect any problems walking over to the white castle or chicken(?)place or even a few block tge other way towards downtown. It's practically right by the football stadium, so would be convenient for a game.
An acquaintance who has spent more time there says that public transit service is fairly atrocious for a bigger city, what with the state's attitude about funding such.
But the downtown area seems nice, and quite walkable, with plenty of activities available.
The old station house waiting room at the hotel is beautiful, especially during day with light streaming through the windows, and well worth a visit.
The area is urban, but I haven't perceived it as unsafe. I can't guarantee someone won't panhandle, but wouldn't expect any problems walking over to the white castle or chicken(?)place or even a few block tge other way towards downtown. It's practically right by the football stadium, so would be convenient for a game.
An acquaintance who has spent more time there says that public transit service is fairly atrocious for a bigger city, what with the state's attitude about funding such.
But the downtown area seems nice, and quite walkable, with plenty of activities available.
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justinslot
Service Attendant
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So I'm looking at maybe IND-PHL on the Cardinal in October, and this is the most recent thread I could find on Indianapolis, wanted some basic "how does it feel to be at this station in the middle of the night" info. It doesn't sound very inspiring.
But it looks like the hotel is right there? Like, I could hang out at the bar there for a bit?
But it looks like the hotel is right there? Like, I could hang out at the bar there for a bit?
Seaboard92
Engineer
I was traveling from Washington to Chicago as part of a deadhead between excursions this spring. And we arrived in Indy twenty five minutes early for an hour and ten minute stop in total. I got out walked into the station. Out the door and down the street to the old Union Station brook some night photos of it then walked back. There were some homeless sleeping in the underpass but not many. Little bit sketch but not bad
amtrakpass
Service Attendant
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I stayed at the crowne plaza union station in indy recently by chance through hotwire. Just had a regular ground floor room. Very nice place. Would definitely recommend it. Also stayed at the downtown la quinta a different night which was fine if you want to save a bit and still be able to walk to the station. The downtown area is small but fine. Enjoyed the upstairs 1933 lounge for a few drinks which is part of the steakhouse mentioned before. Maybe more panhandlers than most similar sized cities but seemed as safe as any city i've traveled to. And who wants total gentrification anyway? Enjoyed a little walk around the white river park downtown by the zoo. And the art museum and gardens were nice although a taxi, bus or drive away. Took the hoosier state home which was totally cool but of course it makes you think how much there is a need for faster and more frequent service
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crescent-zephyr
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A few years ago I stayed at the Crowne Plaza and walked the underpass to the station to catch the cardinal In the early morning. I lived to tell the tale.
About a year ago I stayed outside of the city at a cheaper hotel and was dropped off at the station.
The station itself is one of the worst transit stations I've been to. Probably tied with the greyhound bus stop in Daytona Beach. Plan on spending as little time as possible in the actual station.
About a year ago I stayed outside of the city at a cheaper hotel and was dropped off at the station.
The station itself is one of the worst transit stations I've been to. Probably tied with the greyhound bus stop in Daytona Beach. Plan on spending as little time as possible in the actual station.
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