.With its location at the intersection of several interstates and along the White River, Indy is a hub for fun. In the heart of the Midwest, Indianapolis is a road trip away from Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis. Visitors can enjoy museums, outdoor recreation and even a Presidential Museum. Here are the top things to do in Indianapolis.
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The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
William Harrison National Historic Site
Indianapolis Zoo
White River State Park
Eiteljorg Museum
Indiana State Museum
Indiana War Memorial Plaza
The Central Canal
Newfields, A Place for Nature and the Arts
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Indianapolis Colts at the Lucas Oil Stadium
Conner Prairie
Eagle Creek Park
Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
As the largest children’s museum in the U.S., it’s a museum for families. Not just little kids, the diversity of exhibits is interesting to teens and adults, too. 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 also an outdoor area for kids to get active.
Located at 3000 N. Meridian Way, it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (though it’s closed Mondays from mid-September through mid-March). Adult and kid admission varies by day and demand, though babies 2 and under are free. On the first Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., everyone gets in for $6.
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William Harrison Presidential Site
Tour the home of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd U.S. president from Indiana, who served from 1889 to 1893. Learn about his presidency while touring the 1874 10,000-square-foot Italianate home in the Northside Historic District.
Built in 1874 to 75, I took the tour and walked through the 16-room house, which still has many of the original family furnishings. The house includes 11,000 historical items across its three floors, including a special exhibit with U.S. Presidential memorabilia from most presidents in the ballroom on the third floor.
Home to Harrison, his first and second wives, and both families, the front porch was added after his presidency, and electricity was added at that time. The Front and Back Parlours plus the Library offer a glimpse into the prosperity of the Harrison family and period styles.
Be sure to tour the restored gardens with century-old shade trees, on a double lot. The Presidential Walk is inscribed with the US Presidents’ names.
The rebuilt carriage house acts as a visitor center, and tours depart from there. The property is a National Historic Landmark.
Located at 1230 N. Delaware St., Open for guided tours only Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Adult admission is $16 and kids (5 to 17) are $11.
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Indianapolis Zoo
Another must for families is the Indianapolis Zoo. Located in White River State Park, the zoo features five biomes: the desert, forest, ocean, plains and flights of fancy. Visitors can see animal demonstrations and 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 on Monday and Tuesday. Adult and kids admission varies by the day and demand, though babies 2 and under are free.
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White River State Park
Located in downtown Indianapolis, White River State Park spans both sides of the White River and is 267 acres in size. It is home to the Indianapolis Zoo, Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana State Museum, Victory Field, and many memorials. Find green space for playing and picnicking, along with trails and walkways.
Located at 801 W. Washington St., it is Open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The park is free to enter, but the attractions are extra.
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Eiteljorg Museum
Visit 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 artists of the Indian Nations of North America.
Located at 500 W. Washington St., inside the 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 $20, youth ( 5 to 17) are $12, and children 4 and younger enter for free.
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Indiana State Museum
Dedicated to the history, both human and natural, of the state of Indiana, from prehistoric times to the 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 White River State Park. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $23 and youth (3 to 17) are $17.
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The Central Canal
The Indy Canal Walk is a 3-mile loop that connects White River State Park with the Indiana State Museum and Victory Field. It serves as a walkway through downtown Indianapolis and is popular with tourists and locals. During the summer season, kayaks are available for rent, and there’s even a gondolier.
Free to enter.
Indiana War Memorial Plaza
In Downtown Indianapolis, 25 acres are dedicated to memorials to several wars in history. Honoring veterans, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Indiana World War Memorial and Museum, University Park, American Legion Mall, Veterans Memorial Plaza and USS Indianapolis CA 35 Memorial are located there.
The Indiana War Memorial Museum offers 30,000 feet of indoor space to explore. The Shrine Room is particularly important.
Located in Downtown Indianapolis between N. Michigan Ave. and N. Pennsylvania Ave. at Vermont Ave., the Indiana War Memorial is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to enter.
Newfields, A Place for Nature and the Arts
With gardens, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and a nature park, it’s an easy art museum to visit with kids. The complex includes 152 acres and is 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 Sunday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer. Adult admission is $23, youth (6 to 17) are $15 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 motorsports fans, including the Kiss the Bricks tour and the Golf Course Private Tour.
Located at 4750 W 16th St. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $26.50 and $18 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 of the Indianapolis Colts. Take the family to an NFL football game at a stadium with a retractable roof while in Indy.
Located at 500 S. Capitol Ave. Adults are $20 and kids (4 to 12) are $15.
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Conner Prairie
Visit this 800-acre property to learn about the history and cultural heritage of early Indiana with costumed interpreters. The property is divided into areas based on different periods. This is one of the top things to do in Indianapolis with kids.
Located at 13400 Allisonville Rd. The outdoor interpretive area is open from 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. Adult admission is $25 and kids (2 to 12) are $19.
Eagle Creek Park
As the largest park in Indianapolis, Eagle Creek Park offers 3,900 acres for water and land activities. Visitors can 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, pedal 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 $8 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, and cacao trees. Additionally, the 3-acre sunken garden includes springtime tulip plantings and fountains. Don’t miss Blake’s garden, which encourages children to explore with their senses. In addition to the gardens, the 122-acre Garfield Park features an outdoor pool, playground, performing arts center, playing fields and courts.
The Conservatory is located at 2505 Conservatory Dr. It is Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for everyone over 3.
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