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The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Photo: Volkan Yuksel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsFamily FavoriteRainy-Day Pick

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

3000 N Meridian St · Indianapolis, IN

Why you should go…

Founded in 1925, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis fills five floors on North Meridian Street and adds 7.5 acres of seasonal outdoor sports experiences. Dinosphere puts you among dinosaur fossils, ScienceWorks is a hands-on science gallery, and the Sports Legends Experience lets kids try sports outside. Fireworks of Glass, a 43-foot Dale Chihuly sculpture of more than 3,200 handblown pieces, rises inside the building. You can also ride a carousel first installed in 1917, and garage parking is free.

  • #children's museum
  • #dinosaurs
  • #hands-on exhibits
  • #family activities

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Newfields

    Under $25

    Tour the Indianapolis Museum of Art's galleries, then wander gardens, a historic estate and a 100-acre art and nature park.

    1.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

    Under $25

    Docents lead you through the 16-room Indianapolis home of President Benjamin Harrison, filled with memorabilia that belonged to his family.

    1.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Indiana War Memorial

    Under $25

    Climb the steps of a limestone memorial to see military artifacts and the 110-foot Shrine Room with its red marble columns.

    2.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Indiana State Museum

    Under $25

    Explore Indiana's natural and cultural history, from Fred the mastodon to Lincoln artifacts, plus an IMAX theater.

    3.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Indianapolis Zoo

    $25–$50

    Watch dolphins, orangutans, chimpanzees and sharks across themed biomes, then stroll the flower beds of White River Gardens.

    3.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Date Night

    Gainbridge Fieldhouse

    $25–$50

    Downtown Indianapolis arena where you can catch Indiana Pacers and Fever basketball, Big Ten tournaments and major concerts.

    3.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions