It has been well-documented (and sometimes even mocked), that I travel less globally than my fellow GT staffers. I do a fair amount of traveling to cities which aren’t exactly world class, but certainly worth a trip.

Recently, I joined my brother-in-law Scott and my nephew Matt on a quick one-day trip to Indianapolis for a football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans. Scott and Matt lived in Houston for several years, so they had a special interest in the game (although Matt jumped ship and joined my Peyton Manning bandwagon).

Indianapolis is a three-hour drive south on I65 from their Mokena, IL home. We stayed at the Marriott in the downtown area, within a long walk of Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts. The Marriott staff was so helpful. When we asked where we could watch the UFC fights over dinner at a sports bar, three separate members of the staff quickly got options for us. The Marriott was top notch. The beds were among the most comfortable I have ever had. The workout facility included machines and some free weights. A sports bar (Champions) and a casual eatery (Circle City Bar and Grille) are housed on the main floor adjacent to the lobby.

We didn’t have much time (or real interest) for sightseeing, but Monument Circle was within a quick walk. The State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is dedicated to Indiana’s citizens who died in wars pre-World War I. It is a fascinating historical sight. Also within a couple of miles is the Children’s Museum (billed as the largest in the world), the Eiteljorg Museum (dedicated to the American Indian), the Conseco Fieldhouse (home of the NBA Pacers) and the Indiana Convention Center (which will eventually connect to Lucas Oil Stadium, once the RCA Dome is demolished).

We leisurely woke up on Sunday and headed to the game for some pre-game tailgating. Scott’s thorough plan came to fruition as we enjoyed some finely grilled burgers and dogs. We had a good time mingling with the Hoosiers, even though Scott proudly wore a Texans’ jersey.

We ditched our coats and entered the stadium about an hour before the game. This was one beautiful facility. The gift shop alone was about three times the size of my house. Watching a game here (no matter the weather outside) would be enjoyable, as opposed to suffering through the myriad of problems at Soldier Field in Chicago. The game ended with the Colts on top, although it was a tough battle.

We drove straight home from the game but agreed we would return and give ourselves more time on the next trip. While we are sports fans first, we agreed we would like to check out a bit more of this underrated gem of a city.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist