Last Updated: February 24, 2022
Best Museums In Indiana
Visitors to Indiana shouldn’t miss out on learning all about the Hoosier State and its connection to American history while they are there.
Indiana is home to a huge array of museums with some that will suit the whole family, some that are just for kids, and others that focus on everything from art to war, history, and even aviation.
Join me as we take a look at the best museums in Indiana that are worth a visit during your trip to this great state.
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Indianapolis Museum of Art
The Indianapolis Museum of Art has a huge collection of art spread out across numerous exhibits that showcase collections of everything from Native American art, to western art, fine art, and even African art.
Set in the White River State Park in the heart of the state’s capital city, on your visit you can wander through the nature park, take in the 54000 piece art collection over the three floors, and explore the two libraries on site too.
The Stout Reference Library and the Horticulture Society Library are home to a huge non-circulating research collection and reference books that anyone can access on request.
Of all the Indianapolis museums to visit, this one should be at the top of your list. The museum also hosts traveling exhibitions so even if you have been before, you will find something new when you visit again.
Indiana Medical History Museum
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The Indiana Medical Museum is housed in the former Central State Hospital which was open from 1896 all the way to the early 1990s. It functioned as a hospital for the insane but is now a museum showcasing the medical industry’s evolution.
The best exhibits in the museum can be found in the Old Pathology Building, the oldest building of its kind in the United States. Visitors can join a guided tour that leaves every hour on the house which will take them through all the different parts of the hospital.
Visitors will be able to see a teaching amphitheater, laboratories, records rooms, autopsy rooms, and the anatomical museum. Inside the anatomical part of the tour, you can see preserved brains and skeletons.
This is truly one of the historic sites of Indiana and is great for families and kids that aren’t too squeamish.
Indiana State Museum
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The Indiana State Museum is located in downtown Indianapolis on Washington St and is a great museum to explore if you’re in the area.
This museum is all about the history and culture of the state and it showcases it all from 200 years into the past all the way to the present day. You’ll learn about the founders of the state, historical figures, a national historic landmark or two, and lots more.
There are also exhibitions all about the changing flora and fauna of the state to explore and learn about the state’s geography and why the north is much flatter than the south. The most popular of all the exhibits is the Pendulum Clock which uses the earth’s rotation and a ton of science to keep time.
This is a fun museum to explore with children and the whole family as it’s highly educational and super interesting as well.
Eiteljorg Museum
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The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is all about showcasing art, artifacts, and the history of the American West.
Referred to as one of the best art collections in the world, you’ll find pieces made by ancient American Indians and even contemporary pieces from Native Americans too. The collection also features artifacts and does an interesting Artists-in-Residence program.
The program hosts a native American artist that specializes in artwork from their culture such as weaving to singing and basket making. Another of the museum’s attractions also includes traveling exhibits that are great to explore.
Between all the pieces and artifacts in the collection, there is a ton to learn about Native American history through art and it is a museum you should visit on your trip.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
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The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the world’s largest children’s museum and if you are traveling with children, it would be a crime not to explore this wonderland.
The museum sits on 29 acres and has 473 thousand square feet of exhibition space that houses more than 120,000 specimens and artifacts to see and explore.
Some of the most popular collections of the museums is the World Cultures Collection which features Native American clothing and art, ancient samurai armor, and an awesome tomb figure of Pharaoh Seti.
You’ll also find a planetarium and science center at the museum plus a carousel of wishes and dreams and even a playhouse. Another great thing to see is the Water Clock which uses flowing colorful liquids which show you the hours and minutes.
The best thing about this museum is the changing exhibits as they are awesome. Past exhibits have included Egyptologist and Egyptian Antiquities Director Dr. Zahi Hawas, Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex, and even the Anne Frank exhibit.
Indiana War Memorial Museum
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The Indiana War Memorial Museum is located in Indianapolis and is housed in a stunning building with a Greek architectural style.
The museum is dedicated to soldiers from Indiana who sacrificed themselves and covers multiple conflicts from World War I all the way to stories of veterans who served at the Battle of Tippecanoe.
You’ll find a shrine room that features an altar with an American flag hanging over it to honor those who fought in WWI. There are also exhibits of military equipment from the Battle of Tippecanoe.
After your trip to this museum, you should explore the five-city-block plaza with 25 acres of statues, monuments, fountains, and three parks.
While this might not be the most interesting museum for children, it’s a good one for them to see and learn about the sacrifices made by those who served.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
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If there is one motor race that everyone in the world knows, it’s the Indy 500 aka Indianapolis 500 and such a race deserves to have its own museum, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
The museum is dedicated to showcasing all the famous vehicles you could ever want to see. Within the 30,000 square feet of the museum lies an incredible collection of Sprint cars, NASCAR, Formula One, and IndyCar cars.
As well as all these amazing vehicles you’ll also find a collection of others that have either broken or set world speed records. If you’re into cars and racing, you’ll be in heaven as you explore this museum.
You’ll also find a Hall of Fame of auto-racing where you can see all the best of the sport honored as they should be so their legend lives on.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is located in northern Indiana and is all about showing off automotive history through antique cars and vintage automobiles. If you love cars and engines, a trip to this museum is a must.
You’ll find more than 120 antique cars as well as a car-themed fine art gallery plus a library and archives too. The resources are available to learn about the history of the automotive industry and appreciate it as astounding at this museum.
Every year, the week before Labor Day sees the museum host the ACD Festival known as the best classic car show in the world. It pays to time your visit with the festival if you can as it’s a really fun event that includes activities like driving the cars, meeting the other enthusiasts, and even wine tasting.
Conner Prairie Living History Museum
The Conner Prairie Living History Museum literally brings history to life and schools from all around the state come here every year to see it. The museum literally showcases the day-to-day life of Indiana in 1836.
Youngsters get to see the historically accurate homes, make candles, actually have a primary school lesson, and learn about the old ways of managing gardens and livestock. It’s an incredible learning experience.
The museum also offers tours around the Lenape Native American camp, hot air balloon rides, and if you happen to be there at Christmas or Halloween, you’ll find it decorated to the max.
The museum also hosts “Symphony on the Prairie” every year where the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs at the naturally acoustic Conner Prairie Amphitheater.
Grissom Air Museum
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The Grissom Air Museum was opened in 1981 and was created by a group of veterans. The museum is all about preserving 32 military aircraft and has 24 of them on display at a time.
While visiting you can actually sit the planes and helicopters which include a Bomb Loader, H1-Huey Helicopter, and even the F-4 Phantom.
Located on the Grissom Air Reserve Base, this museum is easy to find and while there, a veteran will even take you on tour and teach you about all the aircraft on display.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
