Ready ... Set ... Traffic!

As FH and I were driving back from Buffalo tonight in a 16' box truck I started pondering this post about Indianapolis drivers. Let's just say, Indy drivers can be a wee bit aggressive. They have a tendency to weave in and out of lanes, cut off anyone leaving a full car length between themselves and the next car, and travel at speeds somewhat greater than the speed limit. I blame this phenomenon on the popularity of car racing here. I mean, when you grow up with all the Indy 500 hype how can you avoid trying to imitate it on the highways, right? I've lived in at least one larger city and driven in several other larger cities but still can't help but remark upon the rude habits of drivers here ...

Just don't say I didn't warn you! See you all in 3.5 weeks!

Due Dates

This post has nothing to do with the impending birth of a child, and everything to do with rsvps! :P Today is the official rsvp due date. Chances are if you bother reading this blog you've sent in your rsvp, but if you haven't mailed your little card back yet you'd better get on it! Or just expect a phone call/email/facebook message inquiring whether you plan to attend our nuptials.

Block reminder

Just a friendly reminder, if you plan to book a room in one of our hotel blocks now is the time to act! The block rate expires this wednesday (one month from the wedding, yikes!)

Thinking outside the block ...

Most of you are aware of our hotel block options (if not, look to your left, they're right there!), and there are plenty of rooms left in all the blocks at the moment, but for those of you who might be looking for other lodging options let me suggest Hotwire.

Now, Hotwire is a bit of a travel gamble because you don't get to see the actual name of the hotel you've booked until you've already paid for it. This, however, is why you can get such a great deal on a really nice room. For example, a quick search this morning for rooms in downtown Indy for June 12-13 brought up a 4-star hotel for $75/night. There are only four 4-star hotels in downtown (the Canterbury, the Conrad, the Marriott, and the Omni) so you can be certain it's one of those. I'm sure the regular room rate for these hotels is more like $175-$200 a night so talk about a steal!

If you decide to use Hotwire I would suggest limiting your search area to Downtown Indianapolis and also employing the "3-star and up" filter (so you don't end up in the totally sketchy Days Inn downtown, it's pretty bad.) I have personally used Hotwire for hotel rooms in the past and it's always worked out great!

Indianapolis Downtown Parking Part Two

This post contains information about overnight parking in downtown Indianapolis. For day-only parking see Part One.

If you are staying at the Embassy Suites overnight self-parking in the attached parking garage for $20/day with unlimited in/out privileges. The entrance for this garage is on the north side of Washington street, between Illinois and Capitol.

If you are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, overnight self-parking is available in the Express Park Garage at 20 N. Pennsylvania, 1/2 block south of the hotel. This is a different garage than what is currently listed on the Hilton Garden Inn website. The hotel will be changing to the Express Park garage as of June 1. Self-parking rates for this garage are $14/day with unlimited in/out privileges. Valet parking is also available for $22/day.

Other parking garage options can be found on the Indianapolis Downtown website. In general, overnight garage parking in downtown Indy runs about $15-$20.