10bestlogo

  • 10bestlogo

  • Awards
  • Arts & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Trip Planning
  • City Guides
  • Home

SEARCH: by place + food, budget, style, hotel, attraction, etc

SEARCH
10BEST: Trusted Travel & Lifestyle Advice
Indianapolis:
Overview

overview

See & Do

see & do

Eat

eat

Party

party

Stay

stay

Shop

shop

Regions

regions

 
  • facebook share
  • twitter share
  • google plus share
  • pinterest share
  • stumble upon share
  • linkedin share
  • Flipboard
graphic

Most Popular 10Best Lists

  • #
    Las Vegas: 10 Fun and Free Things to do in Las Vegas
    View This List
  • #
    London: London's Best Brunch Spots
    View This List
  • #
    Las Vegas: 10 Fun and Free Things to do in Las Vegas
    View This List
  • #
    Honolulu: The 10 Best Shopping Malls and Centers in Honolulu and on Oahu
    View This List
  • #
    Dallas: The Ultimate Dallas Bucket List For Family Fun
    View This List
graphic

Most Popular 10Best Articles

  • #
    Road Trip: 10 Must-See Spots Along the Oregon Coast
    View This Article
  • #
    Where to eat each state's most iconic dish
    View This Article
  • #
    Where to eat each state's most iconic dish
    View This Article
  • #
    These are some of the best free things to do in 10 American cities
    View This Article
  • #
    These are the best signature sandwiches in all 50 states (and DC)
    View This Slideshow
 
10bestlogo
facebook twitter instagram pinterest
  • About 10BEST
  • 10BEST Local Experts
  • Sitemap
SHOW MORE INFORMATION
  • Indianapolis
Save This Page +

Top 10 Indianapolis Hangouts Where You Might Find David Letterman

Insider secrets on where to spot Dave, from the Indy 500 to his favorite hotels and restaurants

May 20, 2015 // By Lyn Mettler

By Lyn Mettler
Travel Expert May 20, 2015

 

Photo courtesy of Broadway Tour

Hoosier-born David Letterman, one of America's favorite late night talk show hosts, is hanging up his tie after 33 years. A native of Indianapolis, Letterman still has many connections to the Circle City from his mom Dorothy, whom he made famous, to owning a racing team that competes at the Indianapolis 500. 

With a little more time on his hands during retirement, you just might have a shot at catching the Ball State graduate at some of his favorite Indy hangouts. In honor of his many great years reigning as late night king, here's a final Top 10 List of the places you'd be mostly like to spy "Dave." 

1. St. Elmo Steak House

St. Elmo Steak House — Photo courtesy of VisitIndy.com

It seems every celebrity, not just Letterman, who visits Indianapolis makes a stop at the famed St. Elmo Steak House, known for its steaks, seafood, chicken and chops. Be sure to try their signature spicy shrimp cocktail.

2. Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Photo courtesy of Lavengood Photography

As one of the owners of Rahal Letterman Lanigan racing, you'll certainly spot this celebrity at the annual running of the Indianapolis 500 cheering on his drivers. Stop by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway anytime in May during practice, Pole Day or Carb Day and you just might pass him at the track.

3. Monon Trail

 Monon Trail — Photo courtesy of Jason Lavengood, VisitIndy.com

Running through the heart of Broad Ripple, a charming village area in Indianapolis where the late night legend called home for a time, is the Monon Trail. The 18-mile rail trail is one of the world's busiest greenways with walkers, joggers, cyclists, bar-goers and dog walkers lining the path by the White River throughout the day and night. It happens to go right by his alma mater, Broad Ripple High School.

4. Conrad Indianapolis Hotel

Conrad Indianapolis — Photo courtesy of Kevin Foster

Where does the late night talk show host like to hang his hat when he's in town? At the Conrad Indianapolis downtown, his favorite Indy hotel, which happens to house an art gallery. He’s a regular and one of the few who's granted back door access.

5. Monument Circle

Monument Circle — Photo courtesy of VisitIndy.com

Indianapolis is perhaps best recognized by the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the center of the city's Monument Circle downtown. After all, the monument was the butt of one of his jokes when he told his audience the island of Guam was purchasing it, painting it green, turning it into asparagus and moving it. People were in an uproar after believing him.

6. R Bistro

R Bistro — Photo courtesy of VisitIndy.com

Shhh... it’s a well-kept secret that he eats dinner at this farm-to-table, intimate restaurant the night before the Indy 500. Located along Mass Ave, one of the most happening and charming districts in town, R Bistro features fresh local ingredients, seasonal flavors and slow food-style dishes.

7. Indianapolis Museum of Art

Indianapolis Museum of Art — Photo courtesy of Lavengood Photography

With the new Dream Cars exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, you might find Dave wandering through the 19 unique concept cars from the 1930's on display. Be sure to stroll the beautiful grounds of the museum, which is located just north of downtown and along the White River.

8. Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Bankers Life Fieldhouse — Photo courtesy of VisitIndy.com

You might find Letterman cheering on the NBA's Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse downtown. Former Pacers star, Reggie Miller has been on his show three times, and even Pacers’ coach Frank Vogel made a debut as a talented kid in 1986. Bankers Life Fieldhouse is a retro-styled basketball arena that was named the finest NBA basketball arena in the country by Sports Business Journal.

9. Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Children's Museum of Indianapolis — Photo courtesy of Lavengood Photography

With son, Harry, in tow, the late-night king might be spotted at the world's largest children's museum. Named the No. 1 children's museum in the U.S. by countless media outlets, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis features one of the largest collection of adult and juvenile dinosaur fossils, Dale Chihuly's 43-foot Fireworks of Glass sculpture and many rotating exhibits.

10. Goose the Market

Goose the Market — Photo courtesy of VisitIndy.com

Look for Dave shopping at Indy’s posh deli, Goose the Market, particularly for ham. He got his start as a weatherman for an Indy TV station, providing forecasts that included one of his most famous lines, “it’s going to hail the size of canned hams.” Goose the Market is chef-owned and operated offering bacon, wine, beer and cheese clubs.

x

Next Up

Memories of Christmas Shopping in Indianapolis Are Truly Priceless

Read More »


About Lyn Mettler

Lyn Mettler is an Indianpolis-based freelance writer, who hopes to one day run into David Letterman around town.

Read more about Lyn Mettler here.

Connect with Lyn via: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest


Share

Facebook
Twitter
Google Plus
Pinterest
StumbleUpon
LinkedIn
Flipboard
×

×