Monument Circle

Downtown core — business by day, dining and nightlife in the evening

🚶 0 min from Convention Center via skywalk

The heart of downtown Indianapolis. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument anchors the city's most iconic intersection, surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and major redevelopment. The former Circle Centre Mall is being transformed into Traction Yards — a mixed-use district with new retail, dining, and public space. Most convention hotels are within a 5-minute walk.

Highlights

  • Soldiers and Sailors Monument — climb to the observation deck for panoramic views
  • Traction Yards (formerly Circle Centre Mall) — major mixed-use redevelopment underway, some retail still open during transition
  • Hilbert Circle Theatre — home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
  • Christ Church Cathedral — stunning Gothic architecture
  • Spring park installation on the Circle (seasonal)

Restaurants & Bars

St. Elmo Steak House

St. Elmo Steak House

restaurant $$$$ ★ 4.6

Steakhouse

“World-famous shrimp cocktail that'll clear your sinuses — an Indianapolis institution since 1902”

127 S Illinois St

Buca di Beppo

Buca di Beppo

restaurant $$ ★ 4.1

Italian

“Family-style Italian that feeds the whole group — huge portions meant to share”

35 N Illinois St

Cafe Patachou

Cafe Patachou

restaurant $$ ★ 4.6

Breakfast / Brunch / Cafe

“Indianapolis' favorite breakfast and brunch spot — across from the State Capitol, beloved by locals”

225 W Washington St

Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar

Southern/BBQ

“Southern smokehouse and raw bar with bourbon-forward cocktails steps from the Convention Center”

127 W Maryland St

Five Guys

Five Guys

restaurant $ ★ 4.3

Burgers

“Smash burgers and fresh-cut fries — a reliable, fast option steps from the Convention Center”

36 E Washington St

Giordano's

Giordano's

restaurant $$ ★ 4.4

Pizza / Italian

“Chicago-style deep dish pizza right on Illinois Street — a convention crowd staple”

43 N Illinois St

Harry & Izzy's

Harry & Izzy's

restaurant $$$ ★ 4.7

Steakhouse / American

“St. Elmo's more casual sister restaurant — same ownership, same famous shrimp cocktail, easier to get a table”

153 S Illinois St

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

restaurant $$$$ ★ 4.5

Steakhouse

“USDA Prime steaks and an extensive wine list right on Monument Circle — polished business-dinner atmosphere”

51 N Illinois St

India Garden

India Garden

restaurant $$ ★ 4

Indian

“Best Indian food downtown — the lunch buffet is a local favorite and incredible value”

207 N Delaware St

Knotted Spoon

Knotted Spoon

restaurant $$$ ★ 4.3

Italian/Pasta

“Handmade pasta and Italian-inspired dishes in the heart of downtown Indianapolis”

255 S Meridian St

Loughmiller's Pub & Eatery

Loughmiller's Pub & Eatery

restaurant $ ★ 4.4

American / Pub

“No-frills downtown pub with cold beer and solid comfort food — a local lunch staple”

301 W Washington St

Piedra

Piedra

restaurant $$$ ★ 4.7

Latin American

“Creative Latin American cuisine near Monument Circle with bold flavors and a vibrant atmosphere”

116 E Market St

Prime 47

Prime 47

restaurant $$$$ ★ 4.5

Steakhouse / Seafood

“Locally owned steakhouse in the historic 1895 Majestic Building — Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner”

47 S Pennsylvania St

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Ruth's Chris Steak House

restaurant $$$$ ★ 4.7

Steakhouse

“Sizzling butter steaks served at 500 degrees — a reliable upscale option steps from the Convention Center”

45 S Illinois St

Spoke & Steele

Spoke & Steele

restaurant $$$ ★ 4.2

New American

“Craft cocktails and elevated American fare inside Le Meridien hotel — sophisticated but not stuffy”

123 S Illinois St

Thai Paradise

Thai Paradise

restaurant $ ★ 4.4

Thai

“Solid, affordable Thai right downtown — great pad Thai and lunch specials near Monument Circle”

137 W Market St

The Block Bistro and Grill

The Block Bistro and Grill

restaurant $$ ★ 3.9

American / Contemporary

“Contemporary American dining in the historic William H. Block building — right on Monument Circle”

115 W Market St

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

restaurant $$$$ ★ 4.5

Seafood

“Upscale seafood with a retro ocean-liner vibe — the best fish downtown”

30 S Meridian St

Tin Roof

Tin Roof

bar $$ ★ 4.1

Bar Food / Live Music

“Live music every night and open until 3 AM — the place to go when everything else closes”

36 S Pennsylvania St, Ste 190

Weber Grill Restaurant

Weber Grill Restaurant

restaurant $$$ ★ 4.3

American / BBQ / Grill

“Everything cooked on Weber kettle grills — great steaks, burgers, and ribs right on Monument Circle”

10 N Illinois St

Wild Beaver Saloon

Wild Beaver Saloon

bar $ ★ 4

“Rowdy mountain-lodge-themed bar with karaoke nights and live music — lively late-night spot near Circle Centre”

20 E Maryland St

Yard House

Yard House

restaurant $$ ★ 4.5

American / Craft Beer

“Over 100 beers on tap and a massive menu — connected to Circle Centre Mall near the Convention Center”

15 W Maryland St

Yolk

Yolk

restaurant $$ ★ 4.5

Breakfast / Brunch

“Creative breakfast right on Monument Circle — specialty juices and premium coffee”

111 Monument Circle, Suite 100

Hotels

Embassy Suites Downtown

Embassy Suites Downtown

hotel $$$ ★ 4.2

“All-suite hotel with free cooked-to-order breakfast and evening reception — great value for families”

110 W Washington St

Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites

“On the corner of Illinois and Market — walking distance to everything downtown”

120 W Market St

Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

hotel $$$ ★ 4.3

“Connected to Convention Center via skywalk — revolving rooftop restaurant with city views”

1 S Capitol Ave

Kimpton Hotel Indianapolis

Kimpton Hotel Indianapolis

hotel $$$ ★ 4.2

“Boutique lifestyle hotel coming to downtown Indianapolis in late 2026”

Downtown Indianapolis

Signia by Hilton Indianapolis

Signia by Hilton Indianapolis

hotel $$$$ ★ 4.4

“Downtown Indianapolis's newest major convention hotel — 800 rooms, skywalk-connected to the ICC, opening Fall 2026”

200 S Illinois St

The Westin Indianapolis

The Westin Indianapolis

hotel $$$ ★ 4.3

“Connected to Convention Center and 200+ venues via the downtown skywalk system”

241 W Washington St

Attractions

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

attraction ★ 4.7

“The iconic centerpiece of Indianapolis — climb 330 steps to the observation deck for panoramic city views”

1 Monument Circle

Country Carriage Company

Country Carriage Company

attraction $$ ★ 4.3

“Horse-drawn carriage tours departing from Monument Circle — a classic Indianapolis evening activity”

1 Monument Cir, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Hilbert Circle Theatre (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra)

“Home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra — a stunning 1916 theater right on Monument Circle”

45 Monument Circle

Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT)

Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT)

attraction $$$ ★ 4.8

“Professional live theater in a gorgeous 1927 movie palace — one of the best regional theaters in the country”

140 W Washington St

Indiana War Memorial Plaza

Indiana War Memorial Plaza

attraction ★ 4.7

“Seven-block National Historic Landmark with war memorials, museums, fountains, and public parks — free admission”

55 E Michigan St

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

Indianapolis Cultural Trail

attraction $ ★ 4.8

“8-mile urban bike and pedestrian trail connecting all six downtown cultural districts”

Runs through downtown Indianapolis (8-mile loop)

Lugar Plaza

Lugar Plaza

attraction $ ★ 3.8

“Downtown's only interactive spray fountain, swings, free Wi-Fi, and a dog park — right on the Cultural Trail”

200 E Washington St

Morris Bicentennial Plaza

Morris Bicentennial Plaza

attraction $ ★ 4.4

“Public art, basketball court that converts to an ice rink, and community events — right next to Gainbridge Fieldhouse”

125 S Pennsylvania St

Pacers Bikeshare

Pacers Bikeshare

attraction $ ★ 4.1

“Grab a bike and explore downtown — 50+ stations and 500+ bikes across the city, free for Indy residents”

Stations throughout downtown Indianapolis

Parking

“One of the closest garages to the Convention Center on Illinois Street — steps from the skywalk entrance”

50 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

BMO Plaza Garage

BMO Plaza Garage

parking $$ ★ 3.5

“Mid-block Pennsylvania Street garage between Monument Circle and the north downtown corridor”

135 N Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Capital Center Garage

Capital Center Garage

parking $$ ★ 3

“Underground garage near Monument Circle with ~517 spaces — a quieter alternative to the Convention Center garages”

251 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Capitol Commons Garage

Capitol Commons Garage

parking $$$$ ★ 1.8

“Closest garage to the Convention Center — but you'll pay for the convenience”

20 N Capitol Ave

Circle Centre Mall Garage

parking $$ ★ 4.3

“Best value downtown parking — $2 for up to 3 hours, connected to Circle Centre Mall and skywalk system”

48 W Maryland St

City Park Garage

City Park Garage

parking $$ ★ 3.5

“Pay-on-foot automated system near Gainbridge Fieldhouse — cameras on every floor”

120 E Washington St

Court Street Garage

Court Street Garage

parking $$ ★ 2.7

“Connected to Claypool Court and the Indiana Repertory Theatre — one of the closest garages to the Convention Center”

33 N Capitol Ave

Express Park Garage

Express Park Garage

parking $$ ★ 3.8

“24/7 garage right on Pennsylvania Street — early bird rate $15 if you enter before 9 AM”

20 N Pennsylvania St

Government Center Garage

Government Center Garage

parking $$ ★ 3.5

“State government garage near the Statehouse — public access available, moderate rates”

100 N Senate Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Huntington Plaza Garage

Huntington Plaza Garage

parking $$ ★ 4.4

“Monument Circle-area garage on Pennsylvania Street — central location for downtown dining and events”

35 N Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Hyatt Regency Garage

parking $$$ ★ 4.5

“Attached garage for the Hyatt Regency — 2 min walk to Convention Center, publicly accessible”

1 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Indiana Government Center North Garage

“North government garage at Senate & Ohio — public access, 10 min walk to Convention Center”

100 N Senate Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Market Tower Garage

Market Tower Garage

parking $$ ★ 3

“Central downtown garage steps from Monument Circle — $24 max daily”

139 N Illinois St

Merchants Garage

Merchants Garage

parking $$ ★ 3

“Downtown garage steps from Monument Circle on South Meridian — good value for evening events”

31 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Regions Tower Garage

parking $ ★ 1

“Best evening deal downtown — just $4 after 4 PM and on weekends”

150 E Ohio St

Sheraton Hotel Garage

Sheraton Hotel Garage

parking $$$ ★ 4

“Sheraton Indianapolis hotel garage near Monument Circle — publicly accessible”

55 W Ohio St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Westin Indianapolis Garage

Westin Indianapolis Garage

parking $$$ ★ 4.3

“Attached garage for the Westin Indianapolis — connected to Convention Center, publicly accessible”

241 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204