Affordable Vacation Ideas in Indianapolis with Kids

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum in the world with 29 acres of exhibit space with interactive displays and fun activities for kids of all ages. Located in the United Northwest Area neighborhood of the city, the museum boasts five floors of exhibit halls divided across three domains - the American Collection, the Cultural World Collection, and the Natural World Collection – showcasing a collection of more than 120,000 artifacts and exhibit items. Notable exhibits include a steam locomotive, a vintage carousel, a simulated Cretaceous dinosaur habitat, Playscape for toddlers, and a brand-new outdoor Sports Legends Experience.

3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208

One of the largest community art centers in the country, the Indianapolis Art Center provides art classes, educational programs, community-based events and workshops for the public, with the aim of interactive art education. Based out of the Marilyn K. Glick School of Art, the Center is home to three public art galleries, where local art is exhibited, 11 state-of-the-art studios, where classes and workshops are held, a 224-seat auditorium, for special performances and shows, and a library for research and education purposes. The center also features ArtsPark, a nine-acre outdoor creativity and sculpture garden located in one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods which showcase a variety of public art.

820 East 67th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220, Phone: 317-255-2464

The Central Library forms part of the Indianapolis Public Library, formerly known as the Indianapolis–Marion County Public Library, and is the public and community library for the city of Indianapolis. Founded in 1873, the library was designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret and features a new, six-story curved-glass and steel facility and atrium that is connected to the Cret building and situated next to the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza. The Central Library houses the Nina Mason Pulliam Indianapolis Special Collections Room, which features fiction and nonfiction books by local authors, autographed editions, magazines, newspapers, photographs, and an archive of adult and children's materials.

One Library Square,40 E. St. Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 317-275-4100

For young history fans

Located in Fishers, just north of Indianapolis, Conner Prairie is an interactive history park, living and museum and paradise for fun and learning for children of all ages. Created by Eli Lilly in 1934, Conner Prairie is a nationally acclaimed history destination that combines history with science with the aim of encouraging curiosity and learning through engaging, hands-on, immersive and interactive experiences. Set on an 800-acre property, the museum boasts several historically themed, indoor and outdoor experience areas that offers a variety of experiences such as 1859 Balloon Voyage, 1836 Prairietown, 1863 Civil War Journey, a Lenape Indian Camp, several animal encounters, the William Corner House, Treetop Outpost, Craft Corner and a Discovery Station.

13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038, Phone: 317-776-6000

Founded by Harrison Eiteljorg, The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art was established to “inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history, and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America.” The museum’s contemporary collection of Western and Native American art and cultural objects, which has been named one of the best in the world, includes works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Charles Russell, and Frederic Remington. The institution also features a variety of world-class exhibitions across a range of diverse subject matter, such as ‘The History of Pistols and Motorcycles’ and ‘Jewish life in the West,’ as well as a range of dynamic educational programs and workshops for the public and surrounding communities.

500 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 317-636-9378

For teens and tweens

Located on the grounds of the world-renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis Hall of Fame Museum is devoted to the world of automobiles and auto racing. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the museum features an outstanding collection of race vehicles and automobile memorabilia associated with the Indianapolis 500 race, including motorcycles, dragsters, and cars that have set world land speed records. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the Speedway, which include the victory platform, garage area, and Gasoline Alley hospitality suite, as well as narrated track tours, which cover one lap around the 2.5-mile oval track in a special bus.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame Museum, 4790 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222, Phone: 317-492-8500

Located in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, the Indiana State Museum features an annual calendar of exhibits that explore Indiana art, science, and culture and is home to the state’s largest IMAX theater. Constructed of steel, brick, and glass, the building is a work of art in itself, spanning three floors of galleries, which house over 452,000 artifacts in collections. The museum offers a variety of educational programs and community-based projects throughout the year, as well as special events and visitors, can enjoy refreshments and light meals at the Farmers Market Café at the Museum.

650 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 317-232-1637

Recommended Attractions

The Indianapolis Indians are a professional minor league baseball team that currently play in the International League and have been playing baseball in Indianapolis for more than 100 years. Based at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis and currently, the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Tribe has won 12 minor league championships and offers a memorable experience for their fans at every game. The team's mascot is Rowdie, the Bear.

Victory Field, White River State Park, 501 W. Maryland Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225, Phone: 317-269-3545

Home to over 3,800 animals representing 320 species, the Indianapolis Zoo features a zoological park, an aquarium, and a botanical garden. Located in White River Park, the zoo is organized into biomes (areas of the planet with similar climates, plants, and animals) and a variety of exhibits, habitats and displays showcasing the zoo’s inhabitants. The zoo is famous for its state-of-the-art dolphin pavilion, which features a combination of approaches to dolphin/human interaction and is home the Underwater Dolphin Dome, where dolphins can be viewed from beneath the water; the Marsh Dolphin Theater, which features a vast pool and a coastal village scene, where a dolphin show occurs every day; and the Dolphin In-Water Adventure, an interactive dolphin program.

1200 W. Washington St., IN 46222, Phone: 317-630-2001