Sleep in History: Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown Canal’s Underground Railroad Past : TRAVEL/FOOD

Once known as the “Indianapolis Station,” because it was a major stop on the Underground Railroad, the series of hidden networks and trails that Freedom Seekers took to escape slave states and make their way north to safety, the Bethel A.M.E. Church built its historic West Vermont Street brick structure in 1867–1869 next to the Central Canal which runs through the heart of the city.

The church, with its four-story tower and listing on the National Register of Historic Places was also the site of Black state conventions and its members worked tirelessly to better their community and the city as a whole, recruiting U.S. Colored Troops for the war effort and opening a school.

Now, after a deep dive in re-imaginative architecture, the church, with featuring stained glass windows made by Kokomo Opalescent Glass Company, a company founded in Indiana almost 150 years ago that supplied Louis Tiffany with glass for his creations, is now a dual-branded Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hampton by Hilton. Its interior honors the past by preserving distinctive architectural details, woodwork, and brickwork while embracing the present with sleek furniture, communal gathering spaces, modern amenities, and a fascinating art collection.

The hotel offers spacious, residential‑style suites with fully equipped kitchens and well-thought out amenities that enable guests to maintain daily routines, foster connection, and comfortably balance work and life during extended stays. But the place is also great for short stays.

Located on a charming cul-de-sac on the canal, it’s ambience is that of a quiet serenity with outdoor grills and seating for cooking meals overlooking he calm canal waters yet it’s also part of the vibrancy of downtown Indy. Situated in a prime location near the IUPUI campus and such downtown attractions including the Indiana Convention Center, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil Stadium, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse, it’s location is convenient for exploring the city and checking out Indy’s excellent culinary scene.

The canal walk connects to the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, home of the award-winning Indiana Historical Society. It’s also just about a five to ten minute drive to White River State Park, known as “America’s only urban cultural State Park”, where the Indianapolis Zoo with its Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center, home to one of the largest groups of orangutans in any American zoo, is located. Also on the campus are the beautiful White River Gardens, Victory Field, where the Indianapolis Indians, Indy’s minor league baseball team plays their home games, IMAX, NCAA Hall of Champions, Indiana State Museum, and Eiteljorg Museum.

When the weather is warm, an absolute must is to take an Old World Gondolier, an Italian-style gondola ride on the Indianapolis Canal and yes, the gondolier will sing in Italian.