Indianapolis, Indiana: Sleep in a Pullman Rail Car

The Crowne Plaza provides an authentic experience: In the early morning, when you are still in bed, you can hear real life train cars passing through the converted train station that shake, rattle, and squeak as if you yourself were moving. The hotel desk staff warn you about this when you check in, but train enthusiasts will find that it heightens your experience.

If you have someone go up to the third floor railing looking down, and you open the window shade in your train compartment, you can have a picture taken simulating riding in the train car and looking out the window!

The Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Indianapolis is in the city's old Union Station. In keeping with the railroad theme, there are two full-size trains that have been converted to hotel rooms. Statues next to them look like old-time passengers getting ready to board [There's even a set of railroad hobos]. Even if you don't stay there, the hotel staff is very friendly and they allowed me to wander about and take photos.