Top Museums in Indianapolis, Indiana

If you’re looking for a fun afternoon in Indianapolis, the top Indianapolis museums are there to entertain, inform, and educate you. The top museums in Indianapolis are the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the State Museum.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is an enormous museum located at 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis IN 46208 (317) 334-3322. This museum hosts over 400,000 square foot of space with eleven major galleries containing displays of science, history, culture, and art. It is not a museum restricted to looking. Instead, a hands-on approach is not only encouraged, it’s part of the actual experience. Back in 1925, the museum was established in its founding location. In 1946, that location was moved to the St. Clair Parry mansion, and its grand opening was celebrated in 1976.

A visit to the Children’s Museum begins on any level, but each level has its share of unique offerings. Now, the Children’s Museum offers Dinosphere, an incredible look at prehistoric life in an interactive platform. The displays also use lighting and ambient sound to bring the displays more realism. Outside, an Anklyosaurus is available for children to climb, and the exterior is quite exciting, as it seems the dinosaurs are literally busting out of the museum.

On the Museum’s lower level is a Victorian railway depot and locomotive called All Aboard!, the Lilly Theater, A replica of a tomb and underwater coral reef called What If . . ., and the Spacequest Planetarium. On Level 1 is the welcome center, water clock, gift shop, food court (complete with its own Starbucks), the infozone, and the entrance to Dinosphere. On level two you can see dinosaur art, see a huge stuffed polar bear, enter Passport to the World and learn about cultures around the globe, or browse three different special exibits, including Jolly Days around Christmas time.