I'm going to be meeting up with some friends for Mecum Indy at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. We will be flying in from different states and staying for the week. There seems to be clusters of hotels around the fairgrounds but none really close. Somewhere between the airport and fairgrounds would be ideal but not staying in a sketchy area takes prioity. Any recommendations of where to stay or where to avoid? Trip is a ways off but where looking to book flights and hotels in advance. Thanks.

Whenever we'd attend Mecum at the fairgrounds or an event at IRP, we'd stay around I-465 and 71st. on the west side of town. Not sketchy at all and a number of good restaurants close by. Bit of a drive to the fairgrounds but no worries about the neighborhood.

That sounds good. Glad you mentioned restaurants in the area, event food is okay for lunch but by evening we'll be ready for something good to eat.

Do not stay anywhere near the Fairgrounds. It is just a little east of Ground Zero of The Hood.

465 & 71st is suburbs with chain restaurants. Trader's Point Creamery is sorta near there and very good but a bit out of the way.

Personally I would stay downtown. Great hotels and restaurants near the Circle. Parking isn't bad either, compared to most major cities. Depends what you like - Hilton, Hyatt, Conrad, JW Marriott, Le Meridian, Omni Severin. St. Elmo's Steakhouse (since 1902), and Harry & Izzy's are great.

Otherwise stay on North side near 465 and Keystone or Meridian.

Look up Cunningham Restaurant Group - local restauranteurs with quite a few establishments that are all very good.