Indiana State Museum
#8 in Best Things To Do in Indianapolis
Price & Hours
Details
Scorecard
- Value 3.5
- Facilities 3.5
- Atmosphere 4.0
Within the White River State Park and close to downtown Indianapolis, the Indiana State Museum tells the story of Indiana from the Ice Age to present day. Part of the permanent exhibits, visitors can explore a replica of an ice cave along with animal skeletons, including the saber-toothed tiger and the dire wolf. Other exhibits include the rocks and minerals found in Indiana along with Indiana's animal species from mounted birds to hoofed animals, some in real-life settings.
Another permanent exhibit tells the story of Indiana's Native Americans. "First Nations" explores artwork, traditional pottery, recipes, navigation techniques and other innovations of pre-Columbian Native Americans as well as the Potawatomi people.
One visitor to the Indiana State Museum recommended making time to walk around the museum’s exterior to see 92 sculptures representing each of Indiana’s counties. As the Indiana State Museum is in the White River State Park, another visitor appreciated it was next to the Eiteljorg Museum and the Central Canal. Families liked the amount of interactive exhibits that helped kids understand the significance of Indiana's history.
On the eastern side of White River State Park, the Indiana State Museum is about a mile from the center of Indy. The Indiana State Museum offers a IMAX theater along with a shop, a cafe and a tearoom. Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum is closed both Monday and Tuesday (except for major Monday holidays in which it is open). Adult admission is $17 and youths (3 to 17) enter for $12. There's an underground parking garage on Washington St. and rates start at $5. For more information or to reserve tickets in advance, visit the Indiana State Museum’s website.
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2 of 17#1 White River State Park
Anchoring the west side of Indianapolis, the White River State Park offers 250 acres of green space dotted with memorials and museums as the Central Canal and the White River offer waterways in the park. The White River bisects the park from north-to-south. On the west side of the river sits the Indianapolis Zoo, which can be accessed by the White River Pedestrian Bridge. On the east side, you'll find the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum and the Military Park. Additionally, Victory Field is within White River State Park, providing visitors and locals a chance to relax and catch a baseball game. Want to get active? The park features five walking and biking trails (fully paved), like the Canal Walk and Cultural Trail, the River Promenade and Waterfront Trail.
As the central park in Indianapolis, most find it close to many attractions and hotels. Recent visitors were amazed by White River State Park, and one recent visitor called it a "treasure." Some explored the park on foot, while others rented bikes or kayaks. If you plan on driving, note that parking entrances can be hard to find, according to past visitors.
Anchoring the west side of Indianapolis, the White River State Park offers 250 acres of green space dotted with memorials and museums as the Central Canal and the White River offer waterways in the park. The White River bisects the park from north-to-south. On the west side of the river sits the Indianapolis Zoo, which can be accessed by the White River Pedestrian Bridge. On the east side, you'll find the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum and the Military Park. Additionally, Victory Field is within White River State Park, providing visitors and locals a chance to relax and catch a baseball game. Want to get active? The park features five walking and biking trails (fully paved), like the Canal Walk and Cultural Trail, the River Promenade and Waterfront Trail.
As the central park in Indianapolis, most find it close to many attractions and hotels. Recent visitors were amazed by White River State Park, and one recent visitor called it a "treasure." Some explored the park on foot, while others rented bikes or kayaks. If you plan on driving, note that parking entrances can be hard to find, according to past visitors.
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