Located at the intersection of several interstates, Indianapolis is a road trip away from several cities, like Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. From sporting events to outdoor recreation to museums find the top things to do in Indianapolis with kids. Indianapolis offers families some top activities for summertime travel along with school breaks.
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Top Things to do in Indianapolis with Kids
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
As the largest children’s museum in the U.S., it’s a museum for families. Not just littler kids, the diversity of exhibits is interesting to teens and adults as well. It offers 11 galleries across five floors and the Dinosphere: Now You’re in Their World is one of the top spaces to explore.
Kids even get a dose of the arts with a Chihuly art glass display. There’s an outdoor area for kids to get active as well.
Located at 3000 N. Meridian Way. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (though it’s closed Mondays from mid-September through mid-March). Adult and kids admission varies by the day and demand though babies 2 and under are free. The first Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every gets in for $6.
Indianapolis Zoo
Another must for families is the Indianapolis Zoo. Located in the White River State Park, the zoo features five biomes: the desert, forest, ocean, plains and flights of fancy. See animals demonstrations along with special animal encounters (extra fee).
Located at 1200 W. Washington St.. Open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to at least 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from spring until fall with extended hours during the summer. During the winter the Indianapolis Zoo is closed Monday and Tuesday. Adult and kids admission varies by the day and demand though babies 2 and under are free.
White River State Park
Located in downtown Indianapolis, White River State Park is on both sides of the White River and is 267 acres in size. Home to the Indianapolis Zoo, Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, Victory Field along with many memorials. Find lots of green space for playing and picnicking along with trails and walkways.
Located at 801 W. Washington St. Open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Free to enter park, attractions are extra.
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Eiteljorg Museum
Visit the one of only two museums dedicated to the art, history and cultures of the American West and American Indians east of the Mississippi River. See traditional art of the West along with contemporary art by artist of the Indian Nations of North America.
Located at 500 W. Washington St., inside of White River State Park. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $15; youth between the ages of 5 and 17 get in for $8, while children 4 and younger enter for free.
Indiana State Museum
Dedicated to the history, both human and natural of the state of Indiana, from prehistoric times to present day. See everything from dinosaur bones to the arts of the First Nations of Indiana. It is also home to an IMAX Theater.
Located at 650 W. Washington St., inside of White River State Park. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $17 and youth (3 to 16) is $12.
The Central Canal
The Indy Canal Walk is a 3-mile loop that connects the White River State Park with the Indiana State Museum along with Victory Field. It serves as a walkway through downtown Indianapolis and popular with tourists and locals. During the summer season, kayaks are available for rent and there’s even a gondolier.
Free to enter.
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Indiana War Memorial Plaza
In Downtown Indianapolis, find 25-acres dedicated to the memorials from several wars in history. Honoring veterans, find the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Indiana World War Memorial and Museum, University Park, American Legion Mall, Veteran’s Memorial Plaza and USS Indianapolis CA 35 Memorial.
The Indiana War Memorial Museum offers 30,000 feet of indoor space to explore. The Shrine Room is of particular importance.
Located in Downtown Indianapolis between N. Michigan Ave. and N. Pennsylvania Ave. at Vermont Ave. and The Indiana War Memorial is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and free to enter.
Newfields, A Place for Nature and the Arts
With gardens, the Indianapolis Museum of Art along the a nature park, it’s an easy art museum to visit with kids. The complex includes 152 acres and one of the best art museums in the country with a cafe, beer garden and museum store. This is the location of the Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture, who was born in Indiana.
Located at 4000 N. Michigan Ave. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,Thursday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday for the majority of the year. Summer hours extend to 8 p.m. on Thursday to Saturday. Adult admission is $ 18, youth (6 to 17) are $10 and kids 5 and younger are free.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Inside the famed 2.5-mile loop, find a museum dedicated to motorsports and especially the legendary Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum offers several specialized tours for motor sports fans, the Kiss the Bricks tour and the Golf Course Private Tour.
Located at 4750 W 16th St. Seasonal hours: March to October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and November to February 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adult admission is $15 and $8 for youth between the ages of 6 and 15. Tickets are free for the first child 5 and younger ($2 for additional children 5 and younger). Additional tours are available, check its website for more information.
Indianapolis Colts at the Lucas Oil Stadium
The home to the Indianapolis Colts. Take the family to a NFL football game at a stadium with an retractable roof while in Indy.
Note: The Lucas Stadium offers a tour on Fridays though those are suspended due to a renovation project.
Located at 500 S. Capitol Ave. For information on tickets, head to its website.
Conner Prairie
Visit this 800-acre property to learn about history and cultural heritage of early Indiana with costumed interpreters. The property is divided into areas based on different time periods. This is one of the top things to do in Indianapolis with kids.
Located at 13400 Allisonville Rd. The outdoor interpretive is open April until October. The indoor welcome center offers learning activities year-round. Winter hours (November through March) are Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open for the rest of the year from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission fee of $20 is charged to everyone 2-years-old and older.
Eagle Creek Park
As the largest park in Indianapolis, Eagle Creek Park offers 3,900 acres property for water and land activities. Find over 16 miles of hiking trails, a 36-hole golf course, a summertime concert series on Wednesday evenings and even a dog park. For visitors wanting to get out on the water, rent a paddleboard, canoe, kayak, petal boat or rowboat.
Located at 7840 W. 56th St. Open from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. during the summer and roughly follows the sunset. Daily admission is $6 per vehicle.
Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden
The 10,000-square foot Garfield Park Conservatory is an art deco structure housing a tropical oasis with palm trees, bananas, orchids, vanilla vines, coffee trees, and cacao trees. Additionally the 3-acre sunken garden including springtime tulip plantings and fountains. Don’t miss Blake’s garden that encourage children to explore with their senses. In addition to the gardens, the 122-acre Garfield Park features an outdoor pool, play ground and a performing arts center along with playing fields and courts.
The Conservatory is located at 2505 Conservatory Dr. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for everyone over 3.
William Harrison National Historic Site
Tour the home of the only U.S. president from Indiana, Benjamin Harrison served from 1889 to 1893. Learn about his presidency while touring the 10,000 square-foot Italianate home.
Located at 1230 N. Delaware St. Open for guided tours only Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. with several seasonal closings. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Prices start at $14 for adults and $9 for kids 5 to 17.
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