They call the Indianapolis 500 "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," and after experiencing it live for the very first time, we can officially confirm that it lives up to every bit of the hype!
This was a massive family milestone for us. Our crew included Cameron, myself, Ryan, his girlfriend Natalie, Breanna, and her boyfriend Carson. We packed up and prepared for the legendary massive crowds, and headed out to witness the historic 110th running of the race on May 24, 2026.
If you are thinking about planning your own inaugural trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, preparation is everything. From our perfect hotel base to the ultimate trackside setup, here is how we conquered our first Indy 500.
Where to Stay: The Best Western Plus Indianapolis North at Pyramids
Finding the right hotel for race weekend is half the battle. We stayed at The Best Western Plus Indianapolis North at Pyramids, a fantastic 3-star hotel located at 9320 Michigan Road in Indianapolis, IN.
They completely understand the race day assignment. Knowing that race fans need to hit the road incredibly early to beat the traffic, the hotel started their breakfast service at 5:00 AM. This was a massive win for us. We pre-ordered our ride for 5:30 AM, filled up on breakfast, and had absolutely zero issues getting to the track. In fact, our timing was so perfect that we pulled up right as the morning fireworks were going off and the gates were officially opening!
Setting Up Base Camp: Infield Turns 3 and 4
The sheer scale of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is hard to put into words until you see it. We headed into the infield and found an incredible spot between turns 3 and 4 at the top of a hill. It could not have been more perfect. We had an awesome vantage point to watch the cars fly past.
One of the best things about the Indy 500 is how generous their gate policies are. They allow you to bring in a ton of gear, which is essential for surviving a long race day. Our crew utilized two collapsible wagons to haul our setup. Everyone was equipped with:
A comfortable camp chair
A cooler fully stocked with adult beverages
Plenty of food, snacks, and sunscreen
Rain ponchos (which we luckily only needed for about two minutes during a tiny sprinkle!)
Future Upgrades for Our Packing List
Even though we felt pretty prepared, a first trip always teaches you a few things. Next time, we will definitely be bringing a large blanket and some type of pop-up tent or outdoor sunroom to keep our gear secure and shaded. We are also officially adding bug spray to this list, just like we did after the Derby!
Behind-the-Scenes Audio: The Ultimate Race Day Upgrade
If you want to take your race day experience to the absolute next level, you need to do what Breanna did. She made Cameron’s entire day by renting him a track headset.
This allowed Cameron to listen directly to the live, unedited radio chatter between the drivers and their pit crews. He absolutely loved having that exclusive, behind-the-scenes data. He would relay the pit updates to Ryan and me, and we would pass the information down the line to the rest of our group. It kept us incredibly dialed into the race strategy and is officially a mandatory item for all our future racing events!
Swag Hunts, Hot Dog Socks, and Veteran Perks
Before the green flag dropped, we spent time exploring the massive vendor areas. Pro tip: bring an extra empty bag just for free swag! There are so many booths giving away great items.
The Oscar Mayer Water Gun Races
Breanna is a massive hot dog lover, so when we spotted the Oscar Mayer booth running fair-style water gun races, we knew we had to play. The grand prize was a personalized hot dog bag. While Brea unfortunately didn't take home the bag, the game was still a total win because Cameron and Ryan both desperately needed socks, and every single participant walked away with a pair of long, hilarious hot dog socks!
Barking Up the Right Tree with Benebone
The grandpuppies didn't get left out of the fun either. Benebone was hosting a booth where you could scan a QR code, enter your email, and receive a free dog bone perfectly sized for your pup. The grandpuppies are going to be very happy.
Wish For Our Heroes (A Huge Find for Veterans!)
As a family of United States Navy veterans, stopping by the Wish For Our Heroes booth was incredibly special. We made a small donation to support the cause and picked up a sharp new Navy hat for Cameron.
While chatting with the staff, they shared an amazing piece of information: through their organization, veterans can secure up to six free tickets to major events like the Indy 500, the Brickyard 400, and more. Needless to say, we are completely hooked, and this organization is going to help us attend many more events moving forward!
Race Highlights: High Drama and Historic Finishes
The pre-race ceremonies were breathtaking. The American flag drone show during the national anthem paired with the traditional military flyover gave us absolute chills.
Once the green flag dropped, it was non-stop drama. The race was highly chaotic, featuring several major accidents and multiple red-flag stops that halted the action.
A Couple of First-Timer Realities
To keep it completely real for anyone planning a trip: the lines for the women’s restrooms were staggeringly long, to the point where some women gave up and started using the men's rooms! We also went on an epic hunt across the grounds for those famous, giant smoked turkey legs but never managed to find them. Thankfully, there was plenty of other decently priced track food to keep us happy.
The Long Journey Home: 19,000 Steps Later
If there was one area where our rookie status showed, it was the post-race exit strategy. We figured waiting around for the crowds to thin out before ordering an Uber would be the smartest move.
We figured wrong!
Our Uber drivers kept repeatedly canceling due to the absolute gridlock around the stadium. We ended up walking a little farther, then a little farther, and then a little farther. It took a few hours of walking before we could finally secure a car. By the time we got back to the hotel, everyone was completely exhausted and very sober. According to my Samsung Health app, we clocked almost 19,000 steps for the day! That is a massive amount of walking, but every single step was worth it.
We had an absolute blast for our first ever Indy 500, and it definitely won't be our last.
Let Us Help Plan Your Next Sports Getaway
Major racing spectacles and massive sporting events are unforgettable experiences, but navigating the logistics of hotels, early morning transportation, and stadium gate rules can be overwhelming. You don't have to tackle the planning alone! If you are ready to check the Indy 500 or any other bucket list sporting event off your travel list, contact Cameron at Olson Travel Group, Dream Vacations by visiting OlsonTravelGroup.com. Let us handle the details so you can focus on the fun!
Share Your Thoughts!
Have you ever been to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? What is your ultimate trick for surviving the post-race traffic? Let us know in the comments below!
