Why You're Wrong About "There's Nothing to do Here": Indianapolis Museum Guide
One of the main reasons I chose to live in Indianapolis is the amount of historical and artistic centers we have in town! After all, it would’ve been difficult for me to pursue a Masters in Museum Studies if there weren’t any museums around. I’ve compiled a guide of some of the big names in town, some smaller institutions, and ones you may have never even heard of or considered a “museum”. By definition, all a museum needs to be considered such is a collection of something, so this is exciting when it comes to a city like Indy that has a lot to offer. Use this guide to plan your next date night, activity with your kids, or if you find yourself with some free time and want to explore the city by yourself.
Feel free to refer back to this blog if you’re ever wanting something to do in Indy!
Big Names
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
What it’s about: The encyclopedic museum has everything from Turners to Warhols to cups you can buy at Target, and it is world renowned which makes it so exciting that it’s in Indy!
What’s new: The installation “Infinitely Kusama: All the Eternal Love I have for Pumpkins” will be leaving the museum on March 29th. But be sure to visit the new Pie Popup that will be there until May!
Why I love it: I may be biased since I interned here during grad school but I love Newfields for all it has to offer! The level of art they have in their collection is amazing, their gardens and park are beautiful, and I love the antiquity of the Lilly House.
How much: Admission: Adults - $18, Youth 6-17 - $10; Membership: Solo - $45/year digitally, Duo - $55/year digitally
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
What it’s about: The Children’s Museum is actually the largest in the world! It has numerous exhibits for all ages to learn from and areas to play in.
What’s new: The newest addition to the Children’s Museum is the outdoor Sports Legends Experience that has everything from basketball to racing to football. The Pigeons and Pals! A Mo WIlliams art and play exhibit also opened and will be around until May 10th.
Why I love it: Even as an adult, I love the Children’s Museum because it really provides a great place for kids to learn. I’ve been to other kinds of children’s museums that were basically just large themed playgrounds and ours really cares to educate children.
How much: Admission: Adults - ranges from $20.75-$30.50, Youth - $16.75-$24.50; Membership: Basic - $220/year
What it’s about: The state museum encompasses the history of Indiana as a state from prehistoric to modern times, with other related exhibits at the Indianapolis museum and its numerous historic sites.
What’s new: The Fix: Heartbreak and Hope Inside Our Opioid Crisis highlights the opioid epidemic within the state of Indiana and how we are trying to combat it.
Why I love it: I love the large scale of this museum and how extensive there exhibits always are.
How much: Admission: Adults - $17, Youth - $12; Membership: Family - $100/year, Individual - $75/year
What it’s about:The Eiteljorg collects and exhibits North American history in all its diversity and complexity. The focus is primarily on the American West and Native American history.
What’s new: Please Touch! The Sculptures of Michael Naranjo is an interactive exhibit that allows visitors to interact with the objects and actually touch them, which is usually not allowed in most museums.
Why I love it: I’ve always found the American West intriguing since it seems like a wild and rebellious time, but I love that they exhibit Native American art at the same level as European art as it should be.
How much: Admission: Adults: $15 pre-purchased eticket, Youth: $8 pre-purchased eticket; Membership: Basic - $70, Family/Grandparent - $85
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
What it’s about: The Indy 500 may be the greatest spectacle in racing, but the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is the greatest spectacle in racing history! The museum has a large collection of classic race cars, 500 items, and other memorabilia.
What’s new: The From the Vault exhibit will be going on until April 20th featuring rare and exciting pieces from their collection.
Why I love it: I love IMS because I grew up going to races and my dad actually raced his car, so it’s always exciting to bring him to the museum.
How much: Admission: Adult - $12, Youth - $8; Membership: Fan Support (Individual) - $75/year, Teammates (2 adults) - $95/year. Keep in mind that members get into the museum for free!
What it’s about: The IHS collects and preserves Indiana history and is especially known for their "You Are There” exhibits where actors play the role of a person in history.
What’s new: Currently there is a “You Are There” exhibit surrounded Madame C.J. Walker!
Why I love it: I love how involved the actors get in their roles! You can ask them tons of questions about their certain time in history and they will answer in character. I also love Christmastime at IHS because Festival of Trees is so much fun.
How much: Admission: Adult - $13, Youth - $5 (free with membership); Membership: Student - $20/year, Individual - $50/year, Household - $75/year, Sustaining - $100/year
What it’s about: Conner Prairie is a living history center that involves actors roleplaying historic scenes and figures in the villages and buildings. Like IHS, these actors are always in character and are highly knowledgeable about their time period.
What’s new: There are new exhibits and experiences around STEM starting March 14th in the museum space of Conner Prairie.
Why I love it: I love Conner Prairie because it feels like historical Disney World! The campus is vast and there’s so much to do and see.
How much: Admission - $9; Membership: Family or Grandparent Basic - $120, Individual + Guest - $95
Smaller Institutions
Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
What it’s about: One of Indiana’s most illustrious authors, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library commemorates him with his personal letters, works of literature, and other archival material.
What’s new: The museum just planted new roots on the corner of Indiana Avenue and MLK/West Street!
Why I love it: I love it because even though I’m not a fan of Vonnegut as an author, it’s so cool to have a literary figure of that level from Indiana!
How much: Admission: Adults - $12, Youth/Students - $7; Membership: Friend (Individual) - $60/year, Duprass Karass (2 people) - $95/year (members get in for free)
Indiana Medical History Museum
What it’s about: Located on the old grounds of the Central State Hospital, the museum exhibits the past of the medical field here in Indy.
What’s new: The IMHM hosts lots of lecture series revolving around the topic of medical history and the next one is on March 25th called “Open Wide: A Look into Forensic Dentistry”
Why I love it: This museum has all things quirky, gross, and shocking! If you are into grotesque history or just weird objects and want to learn more, this should be on your list to visit.
How much: Admission: Adults - $10, Youth - $5 starting April 15th; Membership: Basic - $35, Supporting - $50
What it’s about: The Indianapolis Art Center is a place where local artists can make and display their work in one location.
What’s new: The Library Coffee Bar just opened not too long ago! It’s located in their library that has a vast collection of art books.
Why I love it: The Art Center has Make It Take It classes where you can come and make art yourself and take it home!
How much: Free to walk around and see the Center, Make It Take It classes vary in price
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
What it’s about: This is the house that the one Indiana president lived in! It is nestled in the Old Northside and is a gorgeous Victorian home with lots of charm and history.
What’s new: A new exhibit “Votes for Women: The Road to Suffrage” will be opening March 12th.
Why I love it: Ever since I first interned at a historic house museum, I’ve been obsessed with them! I love what local history can tell us about our surroundings and our culture.
How much: Admission: Adults - $12, Youth/Students - $7; Membership: Citizen Basic - $45/year (members get in free)
What it’s about: The Indiana State Library is a state institution that stores and collects noteworthy books and other written works, especially in relation to state history.
What’s new: There is an exhibit on the Weaver Settlement that will be up until May 4th.
Why I love it: I love it because I used to work here! I love the history behind the building and how many old things they have there!
How much: Free to wander!
Have You Heard of These?
What it’s about: I’m sure you’ve seen the monolithic structure downtown, but you may not know that the Indiana War Memorial contains an entire museum underneath!
What’s new: The scaffolding is down! The roof was being repaired for a while and now that it’s gone, you can see the memorial in all its glory.
Why I love it: I love that it includes every war, it’s all encompassing and commemorative. If you are in need of a contemplative moment or have one of those holidays off (think Veteran’s day), maybe take the time to visit.
How much: Free! Be sure to donate at any museum you visit that has free admission, even just a dollar or two makes a difference!
What it’s about: This large monument makes the Circle City what it is today; if you’ve ever seen an Indianapolis mug, poster, or t-shirt, there’s definitely an outline of the monument on it.
What’s new: “Shining a Light” is a nightly salute that plays music from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and shows patriotic projections on the surrounding buildings.
Why I love it: This is where I take all visitors when they come to see me in Indy! I love taking them to the top of the monument so they can see a great 360 view of the city.
How much: Elevator fee: $2 for adults, $1 for youth, doesn’t cost to take the stairs all the way up
Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum
What it’s about: Everything is in the name, this is a museum with tiny figurines and memorabilia of the green lady.
What’s new: Tour guides lead you through and tell you all about the history of the Statue of Liberty.
Why I love it: I love how niche and kitschy this museum is! All museums start with a collection, and this place goes to show that you can make a museum of anything and people will still come.
How much: Admission has always been only 50 cents!
What it’s about: This museum in Carmel houses tiny houses! The homes are all miniatures and include furniture, windows, doors, and even people.
What’s new: From now until the end of May, the “On the Job” exhibit will be up, displaying miniature workplaces and employees.
Why I love it: If you’ve ever been to the Art Institute in Chicago, you may have seen the entire floor of the museum dedicated to miniature spaces that are lavish and decadent. This museum reminds me of that and it’s so cool that we have something similar in Indiana.
How much: Admission: Adults - $10, Youth - $5; Membership: Friend - $25/year, Family/Guest - $45 (members get in for free)
What it’s about: This building was once the headquarters of Madame C.J. Walker’s cosmetic empire! It was eventually turned into a theater that hosted numerous African-American figures in history.
What’s new: The building is actually currently being restored! It will open back up in June of this year.
Why I love it: I love the legacy of Madame C.J. Walker and the impact she left on the city of Indianapolis. This building even through restoration has kept a lot of the original 1927 architecture and it’s absolutely beautiful and easy to see on the corner of Indiana and West, across from the new Vonnegut Museum.
How much: Unknown due to restoration.
What it’s about: This is the first percussive museum, with interactive exhibits and programs.
What’s new: Rhythm! has multiple new exhibits open right now in relation to percussive history.
Why I love it: I think this is the perfect place to take kids on a rainy day! They can play drums and other percussive instruments and really have an immersive experience.
How much: Admission: Adults - $12, Student - $9, Youth - $6; Membership: Individual + 1 - $50/year, Family Basic - $75/year
What it’s about: This museum collects, preserves, and presents Indiana State Police history like the cars they’ve used but also things like the death mask of John Dillinger.
What’s new: They will be hosting an Easter egg hunt on April 4th.
Why I love it: I love that even though it seems like a museum with a specific focus, they collect beyond the subject and topic and include other kinds of things in exhibits.
How much: Free to the public
What it’s about: This museum may leave you with more questions than answers. Inside the Murphy Building in Fountain Square is a collection of curiosities, mysteries, and ephemera.
What’s new: First Friday is a great time to check out what’s new here! Every first Friday of the month, galleries and art spaces throughout the city host up and coming artists.
Why I love it:I love it because it’s all things weird and doesn’t have to be understood, but just experienced.
How much: Free to the public.
Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana
What it’s about: This museum houses the history of Indiana Masons and their artifacts and other printed materials.
What’s new: There is a new exhibit up about Carl Erskine who was an Indiana Mason and baseball star.
Why I love it: The Masonic heritage is shrouded in so much mystery and history so this place is a great way to gain some understanding about them.
How much: Free to the public.
Gallery 924 / Arts Council of Indianapolis
What it’s about: This is a small downtown gallery curated by the Arts Council of Indianapolis. It hosts Indiana’s contemporary artists in solo or small shows.
What’s new: “Feminine Bloodlines, Mexican Womanhood: Erasing Submissiveness” by Beatriz Vasquez will be up until March 27th.
Why I love it: I actually had the opportunity to work with a group during grad school to create an exhibit for the House Life Project here and the space is so inviting and versatile.
How much: Free to the public.
What it’s about: The Harrison Center for the Arts hosts local artists who are looking to address community issues with cultural and artistic solutions.
What’s new: “We Wait” exhibit will be up until March 27th.
Why I love it: I love how many venues and opportunities local artists in the Indy area are able to promote and showcase their art, and this is one of those places!
How much: Free to the public.
Center for Ray Bradbury Studies
What it’s about: The Center is housed at IUPUI and includes all the letters, scripts, drafts, and other archival material from author Ray Bradbury.
What’s new: The Center will be celebrating the Centennial of Ray Bradbury later this year in August.
Why I love it: I love this place because it is one of the most overarching archive I’ve seen dedicated to one person, they have so many papers and letters that really help you dive into the mind of this science-fiction writer.
How much: Free to the public.
These are “museums”??
What it’s about: Yes, a zoo counts as a museum! Our zoo is one of the best in the country and has a wide variety of animals and fun!
What’s new: xZOOberance will be taking place from March 26th to April 12th to celebrate Spring with music, entertainment, and special activities!
Why I love it: I love how large the zoo is and the proximity to downtown! If you’re ever looking for an escape or a fun day date, the zoo is the perfect place.
How much: Online admission: Adult - $10.20-$18.20, Youth - $8.45-$13.70; Membership: Individual and Guest - $160/year, Family Basic - $190/year
Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens
What it’s about: Located on the south side of the city, Garfield Park Conservatory houses tropical flora and fauna inside a glass greenhouse!
What’s new: The Conservatory hosts numerous inexpensive events like Herbal Soap Workshops, Bonsai 101, and Gnome Away from Home.
Why I love it: I love the labels they have scattered around talking about interesting plants, but I especially love how warm it is in the building, making it the perfect winter getaway that’s not too far from home.
How much: Admission: $2 a person through March 21st; Annual Pass: Individual - $30, Family - $70
There are also numerous galleries around town but I thought I’d list the ones I’ve heard of the most! Be sure to let me know which ones I’ve missed!
Did your favorite museum make the list? Which ones will you visit next?
Indiana State Museum
Indiana War Memorial
Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Indiana State Library
Garfield Park Conservatory
Indianapolis Zoo
Gallery 924 / Arts Council of Indianapolis
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
Eiteljorg Museum
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Indiana Historical Society
