The best museums in Indianapolis

What is it?
The biggest children's museum in the world and Indy's most famous museum.

Why should you go?
It is a busy 29 acres-playground where both children and adults enjoy the interactive exhibits and collection of 130,000-plus objects. As you explore the vast five-story museum, you will step into the dinosaurs' habitat and space, browse the toys and children's literature of the past and meet world-famous children like Anne Frank. A new 7.5-acre addition dedicated to 12 sports awaits outdoors.

What is it?
A comprehensive museum in White River State Park that narrates Indiana's natural and cultural history.

Why should you go?
You will trace the timeline of the state's history from prehistoric times to today in detail as you walk through the expansive three floors. Explore the Ice Age glacier and see the period animals, meet Native Americans and first settlers of the pioneer Indiana, and prominent Hoosiers, historical and modern. The museum boasts its largest in the state IMAX screen for documentaries and the celebrated nostalgic tearoom.

What is it?
Indiana's most influential art venue hosting a diverse collection of general art amidst the lush 152-acre Newfields campus.

Why should you go?
Inside the IMA Galleries, you will explore 5,000 years of art history told across the artworks from all over the world, including masterpieces by Turner, Rembrandt, Cezanne, Picasso, O'Keeffe, and more. Be awed by the museum's highlights like Neo-Impressionist paintings and Asian art collections. When done indoors, stroll the historic landscape follies and admire outdoor artworks scattered around scenic Fairbanks park.

What is it?
A premiere art museum dedicated to the American West that hosts a singular collection of Native American art.

Why should you go?
You will browse artworks created by the Indigenous peoples of North America and Western art in the impressive Southwestern Pueblo-inspired building. Take a chance to trace the Native American history of Indiana by art-looking. The museum's collection features pieces by famous artists of the past, like Frederic Remington and Charles Russell and contemporary artists, like Joe Feddersen and Kay WalkingStick, too.

What is it?
One of the most popular Indianapolis museums, located under the iconic annual Indy 500 automobile race track.

Why should you go?
The track itself and the IMS Museum exhibits embody the city's famed racing reputation, dating back to 1909. Engage with the legendary race history and browse the collection of the Indy 500 historic winning cars. If you are lucky, see the nomadic prize for the winners, the extraordinary Borg-Warner Trophy, which towers some 5 feet tall and weighs 110 pounds, on-site. To coincide with the museum tour, you can step onto the IMS track and ride or drive in a professional race car.

What is it?
A small museum dedicated to Indianapolis's beloved luminary and a great American writer of the 20th century, Kurt Vonnegut.

Why should you go?
Meet the prominent eccentric Hoosier and get an insight into how Kurt Vonnegut's life events influenced his writings, often banned. You can sneak into his recreated writing studio to peruse samplings of drawings and the original publishers' rejection letters. Keep an eye out for the rare memorabilia of his life, like the Purple Heart medal, an unopened box of his favorite Pall Mall cigarettes, and see the replica of his typewriter.

What is it?
A fascinating museum in the once fully operational old pathology laboratory of the Indiana Hospital for the Insane.

Why should you go?
To witness the furnishings, equipment, and tools abandoned as they were at the closure of the mental health facility fully operating since 1895. Sneak into the offices and labs where psychiatric medical research and education took place and check out the teaching amphitheater where they performed autopsies. As you scrutinize the jars with specimens like brains and hearts, listen to the stories of the former patients they belonged to.

What is it?
A small interactive museum that showcases memorabilia and the history of all the 24 N.C.A.A. sports within two floors.

Why should you go?
To get an overview of the college sports in all divisions on the first floor and do some of them virtually and hands-on upstairs. First, browse the sports exhibits that include listings of reigning champions and current team rankings, see the uniforms, and answer trivia questions via touchscreen kiosks. Next, try out sports, like skiing and swimming, yourself via special simulators and poke into the 1930s gymnasium on the second floor.

What is it?
A history museum that extensively uses innovative technologies to introduce Indiana's past unconventionally.

Why should you go?
To be amazed by the extraordinary storytelling. Experience three dimensions of historic photographs to learn directly from their characters via hologram-like projections. Proceed to the time-travel stations with touchscreen controls and immersive displays to witness the past of Indiana in the driver's seat. Visit the Cole Porter Room to engage with the legacy of the Indiana-born world-famous musician and enjoy the live performance of his songs.

What is it?
A theme park on 850 acres of prairie land overlooking the White River.

Why should you go?
Get a glimpse of life in an Indiana village of the 1800s. You will live the history as you explore historic areas and walk into the period buildings, meet costumed Indianians, and take part in hands-on activities. The most glaring is the interactive 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana show that immerses you into the only Civil War battle in the state. You can also ride the 105 feet tall balloon.

What is it?
A house museum of the prominent Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, in the historic Victorian building.

Why should you go?
Step into the quaint brick home that James Whitcomb Riley moved in when his literary career was in full swing and where he would lodge until he died in 1916. The furnishings and decorations are original and well-preserved, so you can reimagine life back then. Notice the captivating household fixtures like indoor plumbing and speaking tubes to transmit orders to the kitchen staff and see his writing desk and iconic garments like the top hat and cane.

What is it?
A free museum that narrates Indiana military history in detail inside the imposing Indiana War Memorial building.

Why should you go?
The Memorial evokes Greek architecture with its shrine structure adorned with heroic sculptures and Ionic columns. Admire its grandeur from the outside and explore the symbolism of the Shrine Room's splendid decor inside. Browsing the Museum's exhibits that showcase Indiana's involvement in war affairs from the American Revolution to the present day, you will see the radio room replica of the USS Indianapolis cruiser, the storied AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter, and firearms.

What is it?
A house museum of Indiana's only President of America, Benjamin Harrison.

Why should you go?
You will get a glimpse of President Harrison's personal life and presidency with its far-reaching accomplishments as you walk through the rooms with authentic furnishings and period pieces where the lesser-known 23rd president and his family would live. Be surprised with the amenities available here at the time this ornate Victorian-era house was built in 1875, like central heating and a flush toilet.

What is it?
A zoo, an aquarium, and a botanical garden all in one located in the White River State Park, hence many things to do here.

Why should you go?
Connect with animals from around the world as you walk the Zoo's enclosures. Sneak into the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center, which boasts one of the biggest orangutans colonies in the U.S., and gaze at the odd-looking functional forest of 80-foot towers that serves a forest canopy to them. And join the animal feed experiences to feed flamingos, budgies, lorikeets, or even a giraffe.

What is it?
The low-key D.B. Newill Exhibition of historic engines at the Rolls Royce headquarters in Indiana.

Why should you go?
Discover how the airplane engine works as you browse a collection of 25 landmark pieces by Allison Engine Company, produced before and after the acquisition of Allison by Rolls-Royce in 1995. Spot the aircraft models each product was designed for and be surprised to learn and see the vehicular, marine, and space crafts that also featured power products by Allison. Design records and visual media support the hardware exhibits.