Stay in a Historic Train Car at Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Union Station

When we travel, we always like to find unique out-of-the-box lodging when we can. There's always the comfort of predictability in staying at a well-known hotel chain, but when you venture out and look beyond the box, you can find some wonderful historic gems and places with awesome personality. Sometimes you're lucky to find a perfect balance of both the traditional and unique in one place - and that's what you get with the Crown Plaza Downtown Indianapolis at Union Station.

Originally the country's first Union Station built in 1888, each space has been converted into upscale accommodations and the station's grand hall now serves as a ballroom with 60-foot ceilings and 3,200 square feet of original stained glass. Among those who have walked through the grand hall are Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Abraham Lincoln also passed through Union Station twice. Once as he traveled to Washington D.C. for his inauguration and the other to lie in state after his asassination.

On a visit this past spring to Indianapolis I was able to stay in one of the train car rooms - The Rudolph Valentino car. I loved the accommodations, which had all of the amenities of the other rooms. There are 13 train cars were converted into guest rooms (2 rooms in each car), which is just so cool. Throughout the hotel are statues or "ghosts" of the past.

The hotel is also conveniently located downtown with a connecting skywalk that takes you to the Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. For more information, visit www.crowneplazaindydowntown.com.