How to Plan a Romantic Weekend Getaway in Indianapolis

Can't afford to whisk your sweetheart off to Paris or Rome? Try a romantic weekend getaway in Indianapolis, where the many great restaurants and cultural options will help you rekindle that special spark. Here's how to have a magical weekend in Indiana's capital city.

Things You'll Need

• Your own automobile or a rental car

Instructions

1. Book your room at one of the bed and breakfasts in downtown Indianapolis. Local favorites include the Looking Glass Inn (try the Rose Room), Stone Soup Inn and the Inn at the Villa, which has an excellent restaurant and spa. More the five-star type? Splurge on a luxury suite at the Conrad Indianapolis, which has a spa, two restaurants and a great downtown location.

2. Make a reservation for dinner at R Bistro, consistently voted one of the best restaurants in the city. Its menu changes weekly to reflect local, in-season ingredients, and the portions are perfectly sized so you can enjoy an appetizer, entrée and dessert without feeling uncomfortably stuffed. Don't miss the wonderful soups or French press coffee. The restaurant - in downtown's Massachusetts Avenue Arts District - only has about a dozen tables, so reservations are strongly recommended.

3. Need another dinner option? For a romantic dinner downtown, try the award-winning Elements. A bit further north, try Meridian. If you're in the mood for steak, don't miss century-old St. Elmo Steak House and its famous shrimp cocktail. For something fun, try downtown's hot new tapas bar, Barcelona Tapas. In the Broad Ripple neighborhood, your best bets are Broad Ripple Steakhouse or Midtown Grill, which has an extensive martini menu. Finally, on the north side of the city, try Oakley's Bistro, Matteo's (in Noblesville) or Peterson's steakhouse.

4. If your romantic weekend getaway takes place during the summer, consider the possibilities of picnics. On Friday nights, the Indianapolis Museum of Art has outdoor movies on its terrace - the perfect place for an evening picnic. Or, pay a visit to Conner Prairie, where the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs outdoors all summer long, accompanied by the flickering lights of candle-lit wine-and-cheese picnics.

5. Okay, we've covered dinner. Now, what are you going to do during the day? If she's the shopping type, explore the unique retail options in the Broad Ripple neighborhood and the Mass Ave Arts District, or head to the northwest suburb of Zionsville. Its brick streets and charming, historic shops are a leisurely way to pass a few hours.

6. Don't laugh: One of the best date spots in Indianapolis - really and truly - is the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. You can spend hours riding the historic carousel, playing board games, navigating a mirror maze, gazing at model trains and dollhouses, or seeing a planetarium show. It's a great place to reconnect with your inner child and just have fun together. And, thanks to the outstanding gift shop, it's also a great place to pick up a souvenir for the children back home.

7. If you want something more refined, explore the extensive collections at the Indianapolis Museum of Art or Indiana State Museum. Or, stroll through the lovely Holcomb Gardens and Butler Woods, on the campus of Butler University, and enjoy the fountains, formal gardens and woodland scenery. (It's another great picnic spot, too.)

8. Indiana is a proud part of the nation's Midwestern bread basket, so try shopping for some homegrown foods at one of the city's many farmers markets, often held on Saturday mornings. When the markets shut down for the winter, Traders Point Creamery picks up the slack, holding an indoor farmers market (also on Saturday mornings). Stop by for local dairy products, meats, produce, crafts and much more, or tour the farm to learn more about the city's agricultural roots.

9. Another daytime option: Spend the afternoon in White River State Park. The beautiful space, in the heart of downtown, is home to several museums, a zoo and an outdoor concert venue. When the weather is nice, you can rent bikes, have a picnic, do some in-line skating, navigate a pedal boat along the canal or even take a gondola ride.

10. What's a romantic getaway weekend without a trip to the theater? Your best bet for a Shakespeare play or favorite drama is the Indiana Repertory Theatre. The Phoenix Theatre is a good choice for irreverent, funny and cutting-edge shows. Or, check the schedules of the Murat Centre and Clowes Memorial Hall for touring Broadway musicals, ballet and opera performances, and more.

11. Yes, it's touristy, but the horse-drawn carriages on downtown's Monument Circle offer the perfect opportunity to snuggle up together under a warm blanket and enjoy the sights of the city. You can make a reservation in advance or just hail a carriage on the street. The experience is especially lovely during the holidays, when the circle's Soldiers and Sailors Monument is transformed into a giant Christmas tree.

12. Before you head home, stop in at Café Patachou for the city's best brunch. Try a gourmet omelet with the restaurant's signature cinnamon toast, or opt for a mile-high sandwich on fresh-baked bread. The restaurant was once named one of the top 10 breakfast spots in the nation by Bon Appetit magazine, and it continues to deserve the honor.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're in town during mid-August, recapture the magic of childhood at the Indiana State Fair. Instead of a candle-lit dinner, you can enjoy once-a-year fair-food specialties under the glittering lights of the midway. Don't miss the Jaycees' corn on the cob, pulled pork sandwiches from the Indiana Pork Producers' tent, or a milkshake or grilled-cheese sandwich from the Dairy Bar.

• If you're in town in the fall, spend a few hours picking apples or pumpkins at a local you-pick farm. One of the best options is Stonycreek Farm in nearby Noblesville, where you can enjoy a hay ride out to the fields, sip cider and relish the crisp autumn air.

• Unless you're interested in the Indianapolis 500, don't plan your romantic getaway during Memorial Day weekend. The city is always packed, and hotels are booked solid for miles around.

Resources

• Looking Glass Inn, Stone Soup Inn and Restaurant at the Villa
• Conrad Indianapolis
• R Bistro
• Indianapolis Museum of Art
• Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
• Greater Zionsville Chamber of Commerce
• Children's Museum of Indianapolis
• Indiana State Museum
• Traders Point Creamery
• White River State Park
• Indiana Repertory Theatre
• Phoenix Theatre
• Clowes Memorial Hall
• Murat Centre
• Mass Ave Arts District
• Broad Ripple Village
• Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association