If you’re searching for a truly unique staycation, or if you happen to have a train-obsessed child (or are one yourself!), there’s an unforgettable local getaway waiting for you. Located right in downtown Indianapolis, the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station, often called the Indianapolis Train Hotel, offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Yes, you read that right: you can actually sleep inside a real, vintage Pullman train car.
My son and I recently had the chance to experience this, along with my best friend and her kids (including her newborn!). We were pleasantly surprised at how easily the train car accommodated all of us. One heads-up: getting a stroller up the steps and into the train room was a bit of a workout.
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Step Back in Time at Union Station
The Crowne Plaza is located inside the historic Indianapolis Union Station, and the atmosphere is incredible. You truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
The star of the show is the train car stay itself. The hotel offers 26 Pullman train car sleeper rooms housed within 13 vintage Pullman cars resting on their original tracks. Each room is uniquely themed, and many are named after notable personalities from the early to mid-20th century. We stayed in the P.T. Barnum room, which felt perfectly fitting for our lively crew.
Inside the Pullman Train Car: A Unique Hotel Room Experience
Let’s talk about the room itself, because that’s the main attraction. Stepping inside is like stepping into a different world.
- Shape and layout: The room is long and narrow, just like a real train car, which is a fun change from a typical square hotel room. One entire wall is lined with windows, letting in natural light and offering a perspective you won’t find anywhere else.
- Cozy and comfortable: Despite the unique shape, the room feels surprisingly cozy. The décor strikes a nice balance between modern comfort and subtle nods to the golden age of rail travel.
- Plenty of space: Our room had two double beds and was more than enough for our group. The layout is efficient and makes smart use of the train car’s dimensions.
- Authentic atmosphere: One of the most memorable touches was being close to working train tracks. We could hear and feel the gentle vibrations of passing trains, and falling asleep while imagining our “train” might start moving at any moment was genuinely fun.
Even with the unique footprint, the room has everything you’d expect: a private bathroom, TV, and climate control. It’s not just a hotel room. It’s an experience.
More Than Just a Train Room
One of our favorite unexpected highlights was hunting for the “ghost people” throughout the hotel. These life-sized white statues represent figures from Union Station’s past, including flappers, train conductors, and more, and they make for a surprisingly engaging way for kids to explore the space and absorb a little history.
Union Station itself is a landmark worth exploring. Walking its halls and imagining the hustle of its heyday is fascinating for adults and kids alike.
The kids also loved spending time on the platforms and steps leading up to the train cars. They took turns playing conductor and spun elaborate stories about where our train was headed. It kept them entertained for a good long while.
Exploring Downtown Indy
The location is ideal for exploring downtown Indianapolis. We took an easy one-block walk to The Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner, which was perfect for keeping with our train theme. The Children’s Museum, the Indianapolis Zoo, and major sports venues are all nearby, so there’s plenty to keep families busy.
A Restful Night’s Sleep
You might assume that sleeping in a train car near active tracks would be noisy, but the rooms were quieter than we expected. Comfortable beds and a steady room temperature made it easy to get a solid night of sleep, even with a newborn in the mix.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a memorable, one-of-a-kind hotel experience in Indianapolis, the Pullman train car rooms at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Union Station are hard to beat. It’s a perfect blend of history, comfort, and fun, and sleeping in a real train car is the kind of thing kids (and parents) don’t forget.
The Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station is located at 123 W Louisiana St., Indianapolis, IN 46225. Book directly through the hotel’s website.
