This Sunday, February 5, is Super Bowl Sunday. It’s like a holiday. The big game will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Lucas Oil Stadium, which is a fantastic piece of kinetic architecture (that means it has moving parts).

Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C. in the number of monuments within the city, and it also features two natural waterways that run through it. Basically, it’s a pretty town.

The New York Giants will be playing the New England Patriots. Despite the Patriots playing in the same division as the Indianapolis Colts (AFC) I’m guessing that Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning, being brother to the Colts’ Peyton Manning, will garner the cheers of the hometown fans.

Remember, get to the stadium early for a good parking spot, and better yet, more time to tailgate (be responsible!).

If you’re looking for a good place for lunch and a beer check out Basey’s Downtown Grill and Spirits or Tavern on South, both are walking distance from the Lucas Oil Stadium. Also walking distance are some nice, affordable, and probably booked hotels, Comfort Suites City Centre and Holiday Inn Express.

Directions to Lucas Oil Stadium

Have a good time!

Photo: Triple Tri via Flickr

As far as I could tell, the instruments were for decoration.

Walking into the Crescent San Francisco Hotel is like walking into the den of hipster vampires. In a good way. They call it “a new interpretation of an original Victorian era.” I call it bold and haunting.

The lobby is bright and open and the staff is friendly and accommodating (although they were unable to provide me with a reputable tattoo parlor in the area after I stumbled in from the nearby Irish Bank Bar — actually, that’s probably a good thing).  Upon first impression of the hotel I was pleased and comfortable. Then things got different.

There is one small, quaint, and very old-school elevator that actually requires the rider to manually open the door — something that made me, and I hope assume other guests, stand there like an idiot for a moment too long. This isn’t a complaint mind you, just a PSA to any potential visitors. Learn from me, people.

And then there was the hallway. It was dark in the daytime and glowed with hues of red. Strolling the corridor alone I couldn’t help but feel that I was checking into my own private screening of The Shining. When I passed the very cool, very hip bar called The Burritt Room (named after the murder scene in The Maltese Falcon) I glanced at the bartenders and gathering patrons — none of them seemed to be ghosts, so I bellied up and had a pint(s). Read More »

The official Chicago festival season generally kicks off with the Blues Festival in Grant Park on the first weekend in June but the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival which starts today, represents the beginning of the Windy City’s myriad of summer neighborhood festivals.  Located in central Lakeview, the heart of the city’ trendy bars, clubs and cafe scene, the Sheffield-Belmont fest offers live music from underground bands, food and drink vendors and a host of fashion, crafts and jewelry booths. Read More »

The logo for Buddy Guy's famous Chicago blues club

After years of speculating and waiting, Chicago’s landmark Buddy Guy’s Legends Blues Club opens in a new, spacious building with a state-of-the art sound system.  Blues fans have been on pins and needles, waiting to see if the legendary guitarist would remain in the South Loop area or move into a less accessible location.  The new club is just a few doors down from the original, in the old space that hosted the venerable Hothouse nightclub and it promises to offer fans an even better blues experience. Read More »