Solo Work Trip to Indianapolis

Written By Brooke Tyler

Pretty Views, Layered Weather, and a Few Surprises

Hey friends — Brooke here! While most of our Travel with the Tylers adventures include Nick by my side, this one was a little different. I recently took a solo trip to Indianapolis for a work convention, and while it wasn’t your typical “vacation,” I always like to find the fun (and the lessons!) in every destination.

A downtown Indianapolis street in the fall, lined with golden trees, city buildings, and a clear blue sky.

First Impressions

I visited in early November, and honestly, the city was pretty. The weather was mild — highs in the 60s, lows in the 40s — which meant layers were key. I started most mornings bundled up, only to be sweating by the time I walked to my conference. Classic Midwest weather, right? Or so I’ve heard, being from Florida myself

Staying Downtown

I stayed at the Aloft Indianapolis Downtown, which was convenient for walking to the convention center and grabbing a few essentials. There’s a Whole Foods a short distance away — perfect for a quick gluten-free bite or stocking up on snacks. Just a small note for solo female travelers: the walk was fine during the day, but in the evening, there were a few “interesting” characters out, and not many people around in general. After daylight savings, it got dark around 6 p.m., so I mostly played it safe and stayed close to the hotel after sunset.

 

Exploring the City

Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis in the early fall morning.

I didn’t get to explore as much as I’d hoped — mostly because there honestly didn’t seem to be a ton going on downtown. There’s the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and Monument Circle, which are both great for a quick walk if you want some fresh air. But overall, Indianapolis felt pretty quiet, even during the day.

Highlights (Because There’s Always a Silver Lining!)

The biggest highlight? Petting the therapy dog at the convention. Seriously — 10/10 stress relief. I also grabbed some amazing sushi at Whole Foods, which turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip. Normally, I love trying local restaurants when I travel, but gluten-free and healthy options were a bit limited this time around.

Photo of golden retriever therapy dog getting a bandana tied around his neck.

Click the image to view my insta reel from this trip!

Final Thoughts

If you’re heading to Indianapolis for work, it’s a clean, calm, and easy-to-navigate city — just don’t expect a ton of nightlife or daytime bustle downtown. Pack layers, plan your meals ahead if you have dietary restrictions, and if you’re traveling solo, stay aware after dark.

Would I go back? Maybe — but probably with Nick next time, and for a quick weekend rather than a work trip.

Till our next adventure, 

Brooke Tyler


FAQ

How long is the drive from the airport? & how much is a uber/lyft/taxi?

About 20 minutes (14 miles) to the Aloft. My Lyft was about $30 including tip.


Is there a Starbucks within walking distance?

Yes! I got coffee there each morning. It is across Monument Circle from the Aloft, and down the street a bit. It was on my way to the convention center from the hotel. I learned after the first day to order my coffee ahead, before leaving the hotel. It was about a 10 minute walk to Starbucks, so my coffee would typically be ready when I was arriving. The first day I did not order ahead and got caught waiting about 15 minutes for my coffee. The Starbucks is in an office building and was very busy from about 8:30am to 9:30am.

Brooke Tyler