Your kid got into IU East. Or they're already there, and now you're making the first real trip to see them.
Either way, you're going to find yourself in Richmond, Indiana — probably more than once over the next few years. Orientation weekend. Move-in day. Parents' Weekend. Graduation. Maybe a random Saturday when you just miss them and need an excuse to drive out.
This guide covers everything a parent needs to know: where to stay near Indiana University East, how far the campus is from the best hotels in town, what to eat, what to do, and how to make the most of your time in Richmond — whether you're here for a whirlwind 24 hours or a full long weekend.
Let's start with the most important question.
How Far Is Best Western Plus Richmond from IU East Campus?
Indiana University East is located at 2325 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374 — just off I-70 at Exit 151 (US-27 south).
Best Western Plus Richmond Indiana I-70 is located at 533 W Eaton Pike, Richmond, IN 47374, directly off I-70.
The drive between the hotel and campus is under 10 minutes — about 4 miles. If you're arriving on I-70 from the west (Indianapolis) or east (Dayton), you'll pass the hotel exit before you even reach the campus exit. It couldn't be more conveniently positioned for a campus visit.
| 📍 IU East Campus
2325 Chester Blvd, Richmond, IN 47374 Entrance off US-27, south of I-70 Exit 151 Campus phone: 765-973-8200 |
🏨 Best Western Plus Richmond
533 W Eaton Pike, Richmond, IN 47374 Distance to campus: ~4 miles / under 10 min Hotel direct: (765) 939-9500 |
Why Parents Choose Best Western Plus Richmond
Richmond has about a dozen hotels. Most of them are clustered along I-70 and offer the same basic setup. So what makes Best Western Plus the right call for a college visit trip?
- Newly Renovated — It Actually Looks Like the Photos
Best Western Plus Richmond was recently fully renovated. Modern finishes, commercial-grade bathrooms with walk-in showers, fresh linens, and rooms that genuinely look and smell clean. Parents who've stayed here after years of chain hotel roulette consistently mention how much nicer it is than expected.
After a long drive and a full day on campus, you want a room that feels like a real rest — not a tired double queen that hasn't been updated since 2009.
- Free Full Breakfast Every Morning
Every stay includes a complimentary full breakfast buffet: hot eggs, waffles, pastries, fresh fruit, and coffee. For a morning campus visit — or a quick fuel-up before hitting the road home — this matters more than it sounds. It's one less decision, one less cost, and a genuine reason to get up at a reasonable hour.
Several parents in reviews specifically mention Viviana, who runs the breakfast, as someone who makes the whole experience feel welcoming and well-run.
- Indoor Heated Pool — A Bonus If You Bring the Whole Family
If you're making the trip a full family affair — bringing younger siblings along — the indoor heated pool and fitness center (open 6 AM to 11 PM) gives everyone something to do after the campus tour wraps up. It also helps decompress after a long travel day before the real visit begins.
- Pet-Friendly — Bring the Dog
If your family dog is part of the road trip, Best Western Plus Richmond welcomes pets at just $20 per night. Free parking, outdoor areas nearby, and a low-stress check-in process make it easy.
- Locally Owned — The Staff Knows You
Best Western Plus Richmond is owned and operated locally by Sam Patel. That means you're not dealing with a remote corporate management chain. The front desk knows returning guests, handles requests promptly, and actually cares whether you had a good stay. For parents who come back semester after semester, this kind of consistency is worth a lot.
| What's Included for Every Stay
✓ Complimentary full breakfast buffet (hot eggs, waffles, fruit, coffee) ✓ Indoor heated pool and fitness center (6 AM – 11 PM) ✓ Free high-speed WiFi throughout the property ✓ Microwave and refrigerator in every room ✓ Free parking — including truck and RV spaces ✓ Pet-friendly ($20/night) ✓ 24-hour front desk ✓ Dry cleaning, fax, and printer services available |
Key Visit Dates at IU East: Plan Around These
IU East has a handful of high-traffic windows every academic year when Richmond hotels fill up fast. If your visit falls around any of these, book early.
New Student Orientation (NSO)
When: Late July to mid-August, before fall semester begins.
New Student Orientation is when incoming freshmen and transfer students go through everything they need before their first day of class. Parents often accompany students, tour the campus, meet advisors, and get oriented to Richmond. If this is your first visit, plan a full weekend — there's more to take in than you'd expect.
Move-In Day
When: Typically late August, just before fall semester starts.
Move-in day is chaotic everywhere, and IU East is no exception. You'll be carrying boxes, assembling furniture, and navigating a campus full of other families doing the same thing. Having a hotel room just 10 minutes away — where you can drop off extra bags, take a break, and regroup — makes the whole day easier.
Pro tip: Book at least 6–8 weeks in advance for move-in weekend. Richmond is a small city and rooms go quickly when campus events draw regional families.
Homecoming / Fall Events
When: October, exact dates vary by year.
Fall is a beautiful time to be in Richmond. The campus is active, the arboretum is turning, and there's a good energy around campus events. Check the IU East events calendar at east.iu.edu for specific dates.
Parents' Weekend
When: Typically fall semester — check east.iu.edu for current year dates.
Parents' Weekend is the dedicated time when IU East invites families back to campus for organized events, meetings with faculty, and a chance to see how your student is settling in. It's usually the busiest hotel weekend of the year for Richmond — book as early as possible.
Graduation
When: May, exact date announced by IU East each academic year.
Graduation is the big one. Extended family often travels in, and Richmond hotels fill up weeks in advance. If you're planning a graduation celebration in Richmond, consider booking the moment the date is announced — and look into the extended stay discount if multiple family members need rooms across several nights.
| ⚠️ Book Early for These High-Traffic Weekends
Move-in Day (late August) — Parents' Weekend (fall semester) — Graduation (May) Richmond is a small market. These weekends book out 4–8 weeks in advance. Call (765) 939-9500 or book directly at richmondbw.com to secure your room. |
What to Do in Richmond With Your Student
One of the best parts of a college visit trip is exploring the town together. Richmond has more going on than most parents expect — and several things worth building a day around.
Hayes Arboretum
355 Beech Grove Rd, Richmond, IN | Free admission (donations welcome)
This is Richmond's best-kept secret for first-time visitors. Hayes Arboretum covers over 350 acres of natural forest, wildflower trails, a restored prairie, and a nature center. It's a genuinely beautiful place for a morning or afternoon walk — especially in spring when things are blooming, or fall when the leaves are turning. If your student hasn't been, take them. It's the kind of place that makes Richmond feel bigger than it is.
Glen Miller Park
2500 National Rd E, Richmond, IN | Free admission
A well-maintained city park with walking and biking paths, tennis courts, a small rose garden, a fishing pond, and open green space. Good for a casual morning before campus, or a low-key place to decompress after a full day of touring.
Richmond Rose Garden
Glen Miller Park | Best visited May–June
Located within Glen Miller Park, the Rose Garden is maintained entirely by volunteers and is genuinely lovely in late spring. If your visit falls in May or June, it's worth a 20-minute detour.
Gennett Walk of Fame / Indiana's Jazz Heritage
Downtown Richmond | Free
Richmond is known as the Cradle of Recorded Jazz — Gennett Records' studio here was among the first to record artists like Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton in the 1920s. The Gennett Walk of Fame downtown commemorates this history with bronze plaques. It's a short walk and an unexpectedly interesting piece of American music history to share with your student.
Model T Ford Museum
309 N 8th St, Richmond, IN | Admission charged
For any family with a car enthusiast, this small museum is worth an hour. It houses an impressive collection of early Ford vehicles and traces the history of American automotive culture. Unique to Richmond and genuinely well done.
Cardinal Greenways Trail
Accessible near downtown Richmond | Free
A paved multi-use trail that runs through the city, good for walking, running, or biking. If your student is a runner or you want an active morning option, this is the easy choice.
Antique Alley — US-40 Corridor
US Route 40, through Richmond and eastward | Free browsing
Indiana's famous Antique Alley runs directly through Richmond along US-40. If your family enjoys antiquing, you can easily spend a few hours browsing shops in and around town. It's a fun, low-pressure afternoon activity that pairs well with a long-weekend visit.
Where to Eat in Richmond With Your Student
Richmond's dining scene is better than its size suggests. Here are the local favorites worth knowing about:
Old Richmond Inn — Fine Dining
138 S 5th St, Richmond, IN | Reservations recommended
The go-to spot for a celebration dinner — graduation, good grades, or just a proper sit-down meal. Set in a Victorian mansion, chef Galo Molina has been running the kitchen for over 26 years. Steaks, seafood, and daily specials. This is where Richmond families go for milestone moments.
Galo's Italian Grill — Casual Italian
Call ahead for groups of 8+: 765-973-9000
From the same Molina family as Old Richmond Inn — a more casual Italian restaurant with pastas, wood-fired pizza, steaks, and seafood. Great for a family dinner that doesn't require suit-and-tie energy. Large enough to handle groups comfortably.
No. 9 Grill — American Comfort
Known for hand-cut steaks, juicy burgers, and the Indiana classic pork tenderloin. A local favorite for a hearty casual meal. Good for the whole family including picky eaters.
Roscoe's Coffee Bar & Tap Room — Breakfast & Coffee
Richmond's most beloved local coffee spot — quirky vibe, excellent coffee, and a tap room in the back. A great first-morning stop before heading to campus, or a place to decompress with your student over a slow afternoon cup.
Ullery's Homemade Ice Cream
A Richmond tradition. Freshly made ice cream, seasonal flavors, waffle cones made in-house. Pet-friendly, part of the Richmond Chocolate Trail. A simple and genuinely good end to any day in town.
How to Book Your Stay
The easiest way to secure your room is directly through richmondbw.com. Direct bookings give you the best rate and make it easy to communicate specific requests — early check-in, a specific floor, late checkout — before you arrive.
Extended Stay Discount
Staying for graduation weekend or a longer visit? Book 5 nights or more and receive 15% off your total stay. For families traveling from a distance who want to spend real time in Richmond, this adds up.
Weekend Getaway Package
Booking a Friday and Saturday night? Get 10% off your total stay with the weekend package. Perfect for Parents' Weekend or a casual fall visit.
Contact Information
| Best Western Plus Richmond Indiana I-70
📍 533 W Eaton Pike, Richmond, IN 47374 📞 Hotel Direct: (765) 939-9500 📞 Toll-Free (US & Canada): 1 (800) 780-7234 ⏰ Check-in: 3:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM | 24-hour front desk |
The Bottom Line for IU East Parents
Richmond, Indiana is a friendly, manageable small city — and once you've been a few times, it starts to feel like familiar territory. The campus is easy to navigate, the hotel is minutes away, and the town has enough going on to make a weekend feel full.
Best Western Plus Richmond is the right base for all of it — close to IU East, genuinely well-run, with free breakfast waiting for you every morning before you head over to campus.
Whether it's orientation, move-in day, Parents' Weekend, or graduation — book your stay early at richmondbw.com. Rooms fill fast during campus events, and you'll want one less thing to worry about.
