Are you looking for free and discounted admission to your favorite Indianapolis area museums? Here’s a great list of free days and cheap days to visit Indy museums. On these days you’ll get to see your favorite exhibits and attractions free, that’s right, without paying a thing! We’re here to help your family do the things you love while saving money, family fun on a budget! Also, check here to see which Indianapolis museums always have free admission.
Free Admission to Museums in Indianapolis
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Free Admission | Conner Prairie Free Admission | Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art Free Admission | Indiana State Museum and Historical Sites Free Admission | Indiana Historical Society Free Admission | Rhythm! Discovery Center Free Admission | Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Free Admission | Soldiers and Sailors Monument Free Admission | Fan Museum at Fanimation | Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (IMOCA) Free Admission | Indiana State Police Museum Free Admission | Indianapolis Zoo Free Admission
Local museums are a family favorite for my eclectic crew, but the admission prices can be a real deterrent. Thankfully, many of our local museums offer free and/or discounted opportunities throughout the year. Check out these budget friendly opportunities. The laundry can wait!
Free Admission to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is five stories of fun for kids of all ages. The 472,900 square-foot facility is host to such exhibits as Dinosphere, Fireworks of Glass, Beyond Spaceship Earth, Barbie You Can Be Anything exhibit and in 2021, Nickelodeon’s Dora & Diego- Let’s Explore.
Visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for free:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18, 2021)
- President’s Day (February 15, 2021)
- Fiesta Familia (TBA)
- Generally, Christmas Eve (December 24, 2021)
In addition to their free days, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis also offers the following discounted passes:
- $6 First Thursday Nights – Enjoy the museum for $6 from 4-8 pm on the first Thursday of every month.
- Access Pass -Families that receive Indiana state assistance may qualify for the museum Indiana Access Pass program.
- Neighborhood Club – The Children’s Museum offers free museum memberships to families who live in the museum’s six surrounding Mid-North neighborhoods—regardless of a family’s income or ability to pay.
- Under 2 Years Old – Children under age 2 years old are always free at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Riley Children’s Health Sports Experience.
Free Admission to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Explore Native America and the American West with this one-of-a-kind museum located in downtown Indianapolis. Learn about the early beginnings of North America through the art and culture of the indigenous people.
Visit The Eiteljorg for free:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 18, 2021)
- During the 2021 Juneteenth Celebration TBA
- Day of the Dead Celebration TBA
In addition to free admission days, the Eiteljorg Museum also offers the following discounted admission:
- Blue Star Museum – The Eiteljorg offers free admission to active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families, Memorial Day – Labor Day.
- Special Discounts – Discounts for educators, students, military, AAA members, and even Downtown Hotel guests or Convention Center attendees.
- Reciprocal Membership Discount – Discounted admission for Time Travelers reciprocal membership network members.
- Free Parking – The Eiteljorg offers free parking to visitors.
- Under 5 Years Old – Children under the age of 5 are admitted free to the Eiteljorg.
Free Admission to the Indiana Historical Society
Experience Indiana’s history and immerse your budding-historians with exhibits including Destination Indiana, the Cole Porter Room, and much, much more.
Visit The Indiana Historical Society for free:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 18, 2021)
- Circus Day (TBA)
- 4th of July
- Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day (September 18, 2021)
- December for the Author Fair (TBA)
In addition to free admission days, The Indiana History Center also offers the following discounted admission:
- Blue Star Museum – The Indiana History Center offers free admission to active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families, Memorial Day – Labor Day.
- Free Parking – The IHS offers limited free parking to visitors.
- Under 5 Years Old – Children under the age of 5 are admitted free to the Indiana Historical Society.
Free Admission to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines! Race fans of all ages will be amazed at the one-hundred years of racing memorabilia from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum admission discounts include:
- Blue Star Museum – The IMS Museum offers free admission to active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families, Memorial Day – Labor Day.
- Under 6 Years Old – Children under the age of 6 are admitted free to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
Free Admission to the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (IMOCA)
The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art exhibits work from national, as well as local and regional contemporary artists.
Visit the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art – IMOCA for free (always!)
Free Admission to the Indiana State Museum
Don’t let the name fool you. Packed with Hoosier history, the Indiana State Museum also houses the pendulum clock, interactive exhibits like Birth of Earth and Frozen Reign, and IMAX! Admission includes access to the new early childhood play area, Firefly Landing (when available).
Visit The Indiana State Museum for free:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 18, 2021) – Visitors are asked to attend during one of the two-hour timeframes (10 a.m. to noon, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., or 3 to 5 p.m.) so exhibits can be cleaned during 30-minute breaks. No pre-registration is required, but admission will be first-come, first-served.
- President’s Day (February 15, 2021) – Visitors are asked to attend during one of the two-hour timeframes (10 a.m. to noon, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., or 3 to 5 p.m.) so exhibits can be cleaned during 30-minute breaks. No pre-registration is required, but admission will be first-come, first-served.
- Free admission on Smithsonian Day (September 18, 2021)
Free admission to the Indiana Historic Sites is also offered on the same dates, but reservations must be made by calling the sites.
In addition to their admission days, the Indiana State Museum also offers the following discounted admission:
- Blue Star Museum – The Indiana State Museum offers free admission to active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families, Memorial Day – Labor Day.
- Special Discounts – The Indiana State Museum offers discounts for educators, military, AAA members, state employees, and more.
- Campus Discounts – Visitors to the IMAX Theater at the Indiana State Museum receive a discount on museum admission.
- Access Pass – Families that receive Indiana state assistance may qualify for the museum’s Access Pass program.
- Under 3 Years Old – Children under the age of 3 are admitted free to the Indiana State Museum.
Free Admission to the Indiana State Police Museum
The Indiana State Police Museum is a free museum that houses police cars and other memorabilia from different eras in Indiana State Police history. They do also offer a fingerprint station in which children can take their own fingerprints or those of a friend and learn about different fingerprint styles.
Visit the Indiana State Police Museum for free (always!)
Free Admission to Newfields: Indianapolis Museum of Art
Newfields, also known as the Indianapolis Museum of Art is a campus rich with art, indoor and outdoors. Family programming and other popular programming helps create a space that children and adults can come into contact with art and nature in meaningful ways.
Visit Newfields for free:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 17, 2021) – Members and public will be required to reserve a ticket (free of charge) online ahead of time to maintain a limited capacity.
- Free admission on First Thursday of the month March – September. Reserve tickets online.
In addition to the dates above, visitors can obtain free or discounted admission:
- Marion County Students – Marion County students, in grades K-12, receive free admission to campus if visiting for a school assignment.
- BofA Museums on Us – Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit cardholders must use promo code “MOUDEC20” during online checkout to reserve their complimentary admission. Cardholder is required to present their ticket confirmation, active credit or debit card and photo ID upon arrival.
- Access Pass -Families that receive Indiana state assistance may qualify for the museum’s Access Pass program.
- Blue Star Museum – Newfields offers free admission to active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families, Memorial Day – Labor Day.
- Free Parking – Newfields offers free parking to visitors.
- Under 6 Years Old – Children under the age of 6 are admitted free to Newfields.
Free Admission to Rhythm! Discovery Center
Bang that drum! The Rhythm! Discovery Center is an interactive percussion museum located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Not only do they provide educational exhibits and performances, every Saturday there are two interactive family programs.
Rhythm! Discovery Center is closed until further notice due to COVID 19.
In addition to free admission days, Rhythm! Discovery Center also offers the following discounted admission:
- Under 2 Years Old – Children under the age of 2 area admitted free.
Free Admission to the Indianapolis Zoo
Dedicated to animal conservation efforts, the Indianapolis Zoo is a fun place to learn about animals from all over the world.
Visit the Zoo for free:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18, 2021)
Free Admission to the Soldiers & Sailors Monument
The Soldiers & Sailors Monument is a memorial to honor Hoosiers veterans, but don’t miss the number of art pieces throughout the monument grounds. Or, venture up to the observation deck for a 360-view of Indianapolis.
Visit the Soldiers & Sailors Monument museum and observation deck for free when you summit the stairs. Use of the elevator has a fee.
Free Admission to the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park: 100 Acres
This popular outdoor art park is full of shady spaces in the warmer months, perfect for a picnic, an afternoon nap under the trees, family photos and discovering nature and art IN nature. During the winter, you can enjoy many of the same sights and activities, just bundle up!
Visit the 100 Acres at Newfields for free every day!
Free Admission to Museums in Hamilton County
Just north of Indianapolis is our friendly neighbor, Hamilton County. With several popular museums, Hamilton County is a great place to visit.
Free Admission to Conner Prairie
Did you know that the Indianapolis area has one of the largest outdoor museums in the country? Be transported back in time at Conner Prairie, where families can experience first-hand life on the homestead. Conner Prairie also hosts many unique seasonal opportunities–1859 Balloon Ride, Symphony on the Prairie, Conner Prairie By Candlelight, Headless Horseman Festival and more! Even if you can’t make it to a free admission day, admission prices are very reasonable, especially when the outdoor areas are closed for the season.
Visit Conner Prairie for free:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18, 2021)
- President’s Day (February 15, 2021),
- Smithsonian Day (September 18, 2021)
- Sensory Friendly Day (Typically April).
In addition to their free days, Conner Prairie also offers the following discounted admission:
- Blue Star Museum – Conner Prairie offers free admission to active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families, Memorial Day – Labor Day.
- Access Pass – Families that receive Indiana state assistance may qualify for the museum’s Access Pass program.
- Under 2 Years Old – Children under the age of 2 area admitted free.
Free Admission to Other Museums in Indiana
Free Admission to the Fan Museum at Fanimation
Browse more than 2000 antique desk and ceiling fans, including the earliest battery-powered fans, water- and steam-powered fans, rail car fans, and more!
Visit the Fan Museum at Fanimation for free (always!)
Free Admission for Military Families/Blue Star
Please see information about applicable dates on our Blue Star Family Information page.
Auburn, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
National Auto & Truck Museum
Battle Ground, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Tippecanoe Battlefield Museum
Bloomington, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Monroe County History Center
Cedar Lake, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Cedar Lake Historical Association
Corydon, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site
Harrison County Discovery Center
Elkhart, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Ruthmere Foundation
Evansville, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Angel Mounds State Historic Site
Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science
Reitz Home Museum
Fishers, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Conner Prairie
Fort Wayne, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Science Central
Fountain City, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Levi & Catharine Coffin State Historic Site
French Lick, Indiana Blue Star Museums
French Lick West Baden Museum
Greenfield, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Richard E. Peeler Art Center
Indianapolis, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Indiana Historical Society
Indiana Medical History Museum
Indiana State Museum
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
NCAA Hall of Champions
Newfields
Jasper, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Dubois County Museum
Kokomo, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Howard County Historical Society
Lafayette, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Haan Mansion Museum of Indiana Art
Madison, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Lanier Mansion State Historic Site
Muncie, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Minnetrista
Muncie Children’s Museum
National Model Aviation Museum
Nashville, Indiana Blue Star Museums
T.C. Steele State Historic Site
New Albany, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site
New Castle, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Henry County Historical Society
New Harmony, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Historic New Harmony
Notre Dame, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Snite Museum of Art
Plymouth, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Marshall County Museum
Portland, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Jay County Historical Museum
South Bend, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Studebaker National Museum
The History Museum
Vevay, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Switzerland County Historical Society
Vincennes, Indiana Blue Star Museums
Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy
All information is up to date at the time of publishing (12/2019). Please call ahead to double check pricing and hours or weather changes.
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