Indiana Road Trip Celebrating the all-new Aer Lingus direct service to Indianapolis.

🛬 Day 1: Welcome to Indianapolis

Omni Severin Hotel, Downtown Indianapolis
Our base for the first two nights. Built in 1913 and recently renovated with a $38 million investment, this historic hotel sits beside the nation’s first Union Station. A perfect downtown location, combining timeless elegance and convenience.

🚲 Day 2: From Bike Trails to Cider Trails 

Breakfast:
8th Notch Café & Market (Located in Omni Severin Hotel)
Inspired by Union Station’s railroad legacy, this café offers grab-and-go options, artisanal teas, coffees, and breakfast dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.

Cultural Trail Bike Tour. Indianapolis is one of the best cities to see by bike. With its flat terrain and connected trail system, this casual bike ride will provide a good sense of place and history on the city.  https://indyculturaltrail.org/tours/ . The weather was not kind but it did not dampen our spirits as we made our way through downtown Indianapolis. The perfect way to get a good feel for the city and its suburbs.

Drive to Danville – in our all American SUV’S. Lunch at Bread Basket Café and Bakery. This Mother and Daughter inspired business served us the best soups, salads, bread and cakes imaginable. https://www.breadbasketcafe.com/about Followed by a Downtown Danville tour in Hendricks County.

Local Exploration:
Downtown Danville Walking Tour – a quaint and welcoming Main Street full of history and local pride.

Agritourism Stop:
Beasley’s Orchard
A 75+ year-old family-run orchard. We toured the cider brewery, apple fields, and market—experiencing true Hoosier hospitality.

Root & Bone, Indianapolis

Back to Indianapolis for Dinner that night in the very impressive Root & Bone located in the funky college Avenue https://www.rootnboneindy.com/  for some honest Southern food and hospitality.

Southern comfort food in Indy’s hip College Avenue district. Expect fried chicken, cornbread, craft cocktails, and a buzzy local crowd.

Day Two

We bid farewell to downtown Indianapolis as we head for a Long’s Donuts Breakfast pitstop en route to The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

This hole-in-the-wall donut shop bakes fresh donuts daily. A long-time Indy tradition. Anyone who is heading to the Motor Speedway stops for an iconic donut. Long’s Bakery is a cozy spot that brings back memories of traditional baked goods. Located in the heart of the city, it offers a wide variety of nostalgic treats like classic glazed yeast donuts and old-fashioned apple pies.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The IMS Museum just reopened on April 2 after an $60.5 million renovation, featuring cutting-edge tech and immersive sensory experiences. Take a walk through the museum and get the sounds, sights and feels of the Indianapolis 500, plus so much more. https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/history/ims-museum

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Track Tour. https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway also is known as “The Greatest Racecourse in the World.” Nestled in Speedway, Indiana, just minutes from downtown Indianapolis, IMS is most known globally for hosting the largest single-day sporting event in the world, the Indianapolis 500, every Memorial Day weekend. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway also hosts the Verizon IndyCar Series, NASCAR, LPGA and many other forms of racing and events throughout the year. Fans from every continent come in droves to visit The Racing Capital of the World. Whether it’s for the sound, speed and thrills of world-class motor racing, jamming to rock, country and EDM concerts, visiting the IMS Museum, travelling faster than 150 mph in a two-seat Indy car or playing 18 holes on the unique Brickyard Crossing Golf Course, the massive, 1,000-acre acre facility does it all and is a true bucket list destination.

We all hopped back into our amazing Hertz Supplied SUV’S to head for French Lick, West Baden Hotel. https://www.frenchlick.com/west-baden-springs-hotel.htm

French Lick Resort. https://www.frenchlick.com/west-baden-springs-hotel.htm

This luxury hotel built more than a century ago. Once called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the focal point of West Baden Springs Hotel is an awe-inspiring atrium that spans 200 feet. Mixing comfortable ambiance with modern amenities. Just a short trip to the stables or a quick trolley ride to the casino and French Lick Springs Hotel, there are endless possibilities for a truly extraordinary stay at West Baden Springs Hotel.

Dinner at West Baden Hotel – Table One Restaurant – Was a very special, unique and intimate culinary experience with a seven-course master class from our head chef Katlyn and her team. Simply amazing! No words only pictures of pure artform in the kitchen. The dining area provides you with full access to the kitchen area where you can see, hear and almost taste all the team prepare for you. Courses are served one one-of-a-kind Versace dinnerware, and glass walls allow you to watch our culinary team in the kitchen as they prepare your meal. With the flip of a switch, the glass is frosted for dining privacy.

Day Three

Breakfast @ Sinclair’s in the West Baden Hotel. The range of breakfast options is named after Lee W. Sinclair, one of the original owners of West Baden Springs Hotel. Sinclair brought sophistication to southern Indiana and transformed the hotel into a slice of European elegance in America. https://www.frenchlick.com/files/6754/Cafe_Sinclair’s_Menu.pdf

With a full breakfast onboard it was time for spa treatments, Horseback Riding and then off to the Mansion overlooking the Pete Dye Golf Course https://www.frenchlick.com/files/6754/The_Mansion_at_Pete_Dye_Full_Menu.pdf

This is a Golf Enthusiasts paradise. Nowhere else in the world can you play courses designed by Pete Dye and Donald Ross together at one resort. The rolling hills of southern Indiana provide a beautiful yet challenging experience with two championship courses, plus the 9-hole Valley Links Course.

We were hosted for dinner that night at the French Lick Springs Hotel in the very special 1875 Steakhouse. Named to commemorate May 17, 1875, the date of the first Kentucky Derby, French Lick Springs Hotel’s signature restaurant is located adjacent to the main lobby. Bask in an elegant atmosphere with an open kitchen, overlooking our scenic gardens and iconic Pluto Spring gazebo. Serving 100% premium aged Midwest, corn-fed Angus beef, 1875: The Steakhouse offers choice cuts that are aged to be tender and full of flavour. Simply the best Ribeye steak and Nappa Valley Red wine ever!!!!!

Day Four

As we wave goodbye to the French Lick Resort and make our way back to Indianapolis for our Aer Lingus direct service to Dublin, we take time to head to Patoka Lake- tour marina, accommodations, winery and yes, you guessed it! More food with lunch at the Winery and hotel. https://www.patokalakeindiana.com/

Heather and her team provide you with the perfect Southern Indiana Houseboat, Cabin, Slip & Boat Rental Destination. Along with lodging options on the lake and endless boats to hire, you can also visit the guy’s brewery (Great Stout!) Winery, Hotel and saloon for tours, tasting and experience real Indiana hospitality.

The Hoosier state is perfect for a Midwest fly drive experience flying directly into Indianapolis with Aer Lingus from Dublin, taking in the downtown experience and following our route as you head for the great lakes towards Lake Michigan to the Northwest, Michigan to the Northeast, Ohio, Kentucky to the southeast and Illinois to the West. The options and fly drive itineraries are endless.

https://traveltrade.visittheusa.com/state/indiana