Tips for first time at Lucas Oil stadium

[Nadine]

Starting this thread for a bucs fan who is new and can't start a thread yet

[HOZER]

There is a lot of good information here...

http://forums.colts.com/topic/41160-1st-visit-to-indy-and-stadium-need-advice/page-1

If by chance the fan is from Florida, they might want to purchase some cold weather gear if they plan on doing any sightseeing! High/low next weekend is 45/29, that might be a lil frigid for those Southern folks, lol.

[crazycolt1]

Dress warm and come early. Great tailgating is in for store. Lots of good places to eat, some can get expensive but there is a few that are reasonable. Park close and anything you might want is within walking distance. Downtown Indy is really nice and fan friendly. Have a good time.

[cjwhiskers]

Stop at St Elmo's at some point of your trip. Even if it is for a drink/shrimp cocktail in their lounge. Very cool place and one of my favorite parts of the trip to Indy. Also thoroughly enjoyed Cafe Patachou for breakfast.

As for the actual stadium, we had a great time partying it up in the little touchdown town area before the game. Drink prices compared to NJ were incredibly reasonable. Only like 3-5 dollars a bottle if I recall.

If you can, try and get a tour of LOS. It was relatively cheap and an amazing experience. They take you through the stadium, give you tons of history and you get to go out on the field.

[BullsColtsFan1]

I always get to the stadium roughly an hour early to enjoy the whole experience.  I decided last minute to attend this game with a buddy whose never been to an NFL game before.  I hope it's a good time and I hope the Colts win(of course)!  Have a fun time, you should enjoy this stadium!

[Gabriel Alexander Morillo]

Don't feed the Yaoguai!

[OffensivelyPC]

You'll want to get to the field fairly early if you want to tailgate near the stadium (2-3 hours).  How much you're willing to pay obviously depends on how close you'll be to the stadium.  I've always had better luck parking on the south/southwest side of the stadium, but that's just my personal experience.  There's parking everywhere, really.  If you're not planning on tailgating, you should be just fine if you get there an hour before the game.

 

As far as food goes, Indianapolis has TONS of great places that you can eat, whether your on a tight budge or willing to spend a little extra.  If money is not an issue, St. Elmo's or Harry and Izzy's are great places (and Indianapolis local restaurants you won't find anywhere else in the US).   Food is top notch.  You cna still eat for under $25 per person minus drinks and tip if you still want to "splurge on a budget." There's also a Fogo de Chao which is also pricey, but you get all the all-you-can-eat steak you want (and I promise, i'ts GREAT steak, not some crappy Golden Corral all-you-can-eat steak) which is also pricey.  Don't mess with the buffet and go on an empty stomach, the steak is fantastic there.  

 

If you're wanting something a little more affordable that will give you a taste of Indianapolis, there's several options depending on what you're looking for.  If you want burgers I'd recommend Bru Burger.  It's an Indianapolis favorite with only 4 locations - all within 100-ish miles of Indianapolis - so you'll be getting a taste of Indianapolis you probably won't get at home.  Other types of restaurant/pub type places include Colts Bar and Grill and Rock Bottom.  If you're looking for Pizza, go Bazbeaux Pizza - it doesnt' get much better than that place (on a side note, if you're willing to drive a little distance, we just recently opened a Giordano's, but it's about 30 minutes from the stadium, so I'd recommend that maybe the evening before the game if you're hear on Saturday). If you want a lunch/deli type place, Shapiro's Delicatessen.

 

As far as things to do around Indianapolis, it really depends on what you're looking for.  We have a children's museum if you have younger kids (say,in elementary school or younger).  There's the circle center mall if you want to do some shopping (3 stories tall, shops for everyone).  Monument Circle or Indiana War Memorial if you want to do some sight seeing.  

[jskinnz]

Not sure if the person going is a seasoned NFL game attendee or not, but if not...

 

if you have the fairer sex with you, they will not allow purses into the stadium.  Everything must be in a clear bag.  Have seen many first timers get to the gate and then have to go back to their car because they had a purse with them.

[2006Coltsbestever]

St Elmo's is a must, we also have a Hooters downtown too which is nice, wings pretty good and nice scenery . Traffic generally isn't that bad but the bars/restaurants are packed at least 2 hours prior to game time. All Bucs fans welcome to the home of the 2006 World Champions and one of the greatest franchises ever.

[ar1888]

Follow crowd etiquette. If everyone in your section stands, stand. If everyone is sitting in your section, sit.  Don't be that one jerk(I just really cleaned that word up) Who thinks they will do the opposite because they are rooting for the away team. Other then that have a good time.

[Laree Williams]

I'm a Bucs fan coming into town for not only Bucs/Colts, but Pacers/Bulls (GO PACERS). I was wondering what is there to do OUTSIDE of the tourist area. I'm driving so I don't mind traveling..looking for local hangout spots, cool bars and good food.

 

 

OH! Also, can you scan your ticket via phone at L.O.S.?

[2006Coltsbestever]

Follow crowd etiquette. If everyone in your section stands, stand. If everyone is sitting in your section, sit.  Don't be that one jerk(I just really cleaned that word up) Who thinks they will do the opposite because they are rooting for the away team. Other then that have a good time.

We are such a laid back crowd, it generally is silent when we are on Offense. We just expect perfection and usually get it, no Andrew though. It seems we only get loud when we are on Defense on 3rd downs LOL. Always been like that since I can remember.

[Nadine]

I'm a Bucs fan coming into town for not only Bucs/Colts, but Pacers/Bulls (GO PACERS). I was wondering what is there to do OUTSIDE of the tourist area. I'm driving so I don't mind traveling..looking for local hangout spots, cool bars and good food.

 

 

OH! Also, can you scan your ticket via phone at L.O.S.?

Depends on what kind of food you are looking for

 

I really like the food at Ralston's.  It's on Mass Ave which is a place you should go to if you are looking for bars and restaurants

http://ralstonsdrafthouse.com/menu/

 

I just had the cheese stuffed mushroom caps this past weekend and they were AWESOME

CHEESE-STUFFED MUSHROOM CAPS

4 button mushroom caps stuffed one each with goat cheese, gorgonzola, aged cheddar, and smoked gouda flash-fried and served with a flight of sauces.

[twfish]

Don't feed the Yaoguai!

ran into one of those below level 7, you better beleive it took all I had

[Esquire59]

Have fun in Indy.  Its one of 'Merica's best towns and a hell of a sports town. 

[shakedownstreet]

be sure to carry a fat role of $50 bills to hand out to the homeless derelicts!

 

[bucfanfromky]

Hey guys, haven't read through the tips so far as I'm overloaded with the holiday. I plan to respond later tonight though. I really appreciate the warm welcome and I actually live just down the road in Henderson, KY.

[bluebombers87]

Don't feed the Yaoguai!

Is that a Fallout reference?

[bucfanfromky]

Okay, so I read through everything and sorry for the probable double post. But, it sounds like we will be eating at St. Elmo's by the amount of suggestions that way. So would arriving around 9:30 or so be a good target time to arrive? I've went to a few different NFL games before but never tailgated. This might sound a little dumb but how does tailgating work? Can I just walk up and just start talking and hanging out? Is there any unwritten rules I need to follow? 

[peytonmanning18]

If you are spending the weekend, make sure to hit up Brad's Brass Flamingo one night

[Gabriel Alexander Morillo]

Is that a Fallout reference?

that it be

[2006Coltsbestever]

Depends on what kind of food you are looking for

 

I really like the food at Ralston's.  It's on Mass Ave which is a place you should go to if you are looking for bars and restaurants

http://ralstonsdrafthouse.com/menu/

 

I just had the cheese stuffed mushroom caps this past weekend and they were AWESOME

CHEESE-STUFFED MUSHROOM CAPS

4 button mushroom caps stuffed one each with goat cheese, gorgonzola, aged cheddar, and smoked gouda flash-fried and served with a flight of sauces.

I have never ate there before, that sounds good. I love stuffed mushrooms. When I go downtown I usually go to St Elmos which used to be after the game if we played early or Hooters if I just want wings or buffalo shrimp to watch the game if I didn't attend. You have to get there pretty much when it opens at 11am because if you don't it's packed by gametime. I rarely even go downtown anymore as I usually just stay at home and watch the Colts game.

[Laree Williams]

What's the most hopping bar before Gametime? It looks like it's gonna rain so I no tailgate.

[Timo1]

I suggest this link be stickied to the top if the forum. This gets asked over and over during the year. This thread has really good info. Powwow can add to it as needed.

http://forums.colts.com/topic/41160-1st-visit-to-indy-and-stadium-need-advice/page-1

[Nadine]

What's the most hopping bar before Gametime? It looks like it's gonna rain so I no tailgate.

Beats me, the game is at 1 so, no clue what is even open

 

But all around the stadium is pretty pumped up before a game.  Google bars near Lucas Oil Stadium

 

Not sure how old you are but if you are  young maybe Kilroys?  The location in broadripple seems to be popular with the 20s crowd so maybe the one down town?

http://www.kilroysindy.com/index.php/menu/

[HOZER]

What's the most hopping bar before Gametime? It looks like it's gonna rain so I no tailgate.

The Tow Yard Brewing(host of Blue Crew Tailgating), The Ram, Colts Grille, all great places to party pre game.