The Children's Museum of Indianapolis offers visitors the chance to learn, play and explore by interacting with exhibits. It is the biggest children's museum in the world with 120,000 exhibit items spread over five floors, and its mission is to promote family learning. The museum gives children the chance to touch real dinosaur bones in the Dinosphere exhibit, learn about NASA in the planetarium and investigate a frog pond in the ScienceWorks exhibit. You can also explore a real locomotive, ride an antique carousel and watch a live show at the Lilly Theater.
Best and worst time to go to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
One of the busiest times to visit the museum is on the first Thursday of every month because it is a free admission day. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, then visit early in the morning and get to the museum by 10 a.m.
Must see/do at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Dinosphere exhibit gives you the chance to dig for dinosaur bones and see real fossils at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. In the Treasures of the Earth exhibit, you can make your own terra cotta warriors while learning about archaeology and ancient treasures. You can also play with trains and learn more about railroads in the locomotive exhibit.
Admission to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Children under the age of two get free admission. Tickets for older children and adults are generally in the $20 range. The museum has a free admission day once a month on the first Thursday and occasionally offers free admission during holidays. Parking at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is free.
How to get to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The museum is located on the corner of 30th Street and North Meridian Street in Indianapolis. It is best to have your own transportation and use the free parking garage located at 3000 North Illinois Street.
Food at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis has a food court with dining options that include the Dino Deli, Playscape Pizza, Kid Zone, Burger Works and Carousel Confections. Prices range from $2 to $10, and the food is made from local and natural ingredients. You can enjoy a variety of burgers, sausages, pizzas, salads and cookies.
Insider tip for visitors to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
If you need a safe place to store a jacket, then consider renting an affordable self-serve locker with a key. The lockers generally cost in the $1 range.
Lana Bandoim is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Indianapolis. Her work has been published on websites ranging from Yahoo News to Technorati.