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.
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
The algorithm is always the same. Kids plus school holiday equals “Hey mom, what are we going to DO today?” I’m sure you can imagine how well my usual itinerary of coffee not sipped from a travel mug, catching up on laundry, and a nap is received.
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 Museums in 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, and in 2019, they will also host Paw Patrol and Star Trek!
Visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for free on: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21, 2019), President’s Day (February 18, 2019), Fiesta Familia (September 29, 2019), Christmas Eve (December 24, 2019)
In addition to their free days, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis also offers the following discounted passes:
- $5 First Thursday Nights – Enjoy the museum for $5 from 4-8 pm on the first Thursday of every month.
- Access Pass -Families that receive Indiana state assistance may qualify for the museum’s 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 Days
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21, 2019)
- President’s Day (February 18, 2019)
- Fiesta Familia (September 29, 2019)
- Christmas Eve (December 24, 2019)
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 on: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 21, 2019) – with the donation of a non-perishable food item.
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 Days
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 21, 2019) – with the donation of a non-perishable food item.
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 on: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 21, 2019), Circus Day (March 30) and December for the Author Fair (details for both to be announced).
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.
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 Days
• Children under 6 always free
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 Days
- Always free!
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!
Visit The Indiana State Museum for free on: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 21, 2019) – with the donation of a non-perishable food item.
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 or Peewinkle’s Puppet Studio receive a discount on museum admission.
- Access Pass – Families that receive Indiana state assistance may qualify for the museum’s Access Pass program.
- Under 5 Years Old – Children under the age of 3 are admitted free to the Indiana State Museum.
Free Days
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 21, 2019) – with the donation of a non-perishable food item.
• President’s Day (February 18, 2019)
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 Days
- Always free!
Newfields: A Place for Nature & the Arts
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 on: the Sunday of Martin Luther King Jr Weekend and the first Thursday evening of each month, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning in March.
- 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 Days
- MLK Sunday (January 20, 2019)
- First Thursdays, 4-8pm (Beginning March 2019)
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.
Visit Rhythm! Discovery Center for free on: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21, 2019) and Smithsonian Day (September 28, 2019)
In addition to free admission days, Rhythm! Discovery Center also offers the following discounted admission:
- Under 6 Years Old – Children under the age of 2 area admitted free.
Free Days
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21, 2019)
• Smithsonian Day (September 28, 2019)
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 Days
- Always free!
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 Days
- Always free!
Free Admission to Museums in Hamilton County
Did you know Indianapolis 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 on: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21, 2019), President’s Day (February 18, 2019), Smithsonian Day (September 28, 2019).
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 Days
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21, 2019)
• President’s Day (February 18, 2019)
• Smithsonian Day (September 28, 2019)
Free Admission to Other Museums in Indiana
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 Days
- Always free!
Free Admission for Military Families/Blue Star
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 (1/2019). Please call ahead to double check pricing and hours or weather changes.
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