FREE Museums Near Indianapolis Waiting to Be Explored

Looking for a fun and educational outing with your kiddos that won’t break the bank? Whether you’re a seasoned local or a visitor seeking unique sights, there are many Indy-area museums that offer a wealth of intriguing educational opportunities without the admission fee. Enjoy the vibrant cultural scene, explore the great outdoors, or experience a more niche venue you won’t soon forget.

Free Museums In and Around Indianapolis

Hours listed for each museum are accurate at the time of publishing but may change at any time. As always, we recommend verifying open hours directly with venue you plan to visit before you go.

The Indianapolis Art Center

820 E 67th St, Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Art Center, located in Broad Ripple, is an immersive blend of art and nature. Explore the six indoor galleries on weekdays from 9 am to 10 pm, on Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm, or on Sundays from 12 pm to 6 pm. The 9.5-acre outdoor sculpture garden and park can be visited from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park

1850 W 38th St, Indianapolis

While not technically a museum, the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields offers modern art along the footpaths that tangle through a beautiful, natural landscape. Inconspicuously tucked away in Indianapolis, and waiting to charm you, the park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

The Stutz Car Museum

1060 N Capitol Ave, Indianapolis

The Stutz Car Museum showcases an array of vintage vehicles in downtown Indianapolis in a former car factory. Check out this timeless collection of classic automobiles on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 pm to 8 pm, or Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.

The Indiana War Memorial Museum

55 E Michigan St, Indianapolis

Indiana War Memorial Museum pays tribute to our veterans and houses many historical military artifacts. From Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, the 30,000-square-foot museum is open to those ready to learn the ins and outs of Indiana’s military. The IWM’s properties include the Indiana War Memorial, as well as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the center of our city. A handful of other memorials throughout the city make Indianapolis home to the most monuments dedicated to our veterans in the states.

The Indiana State Police Museum

8660 East 21st St, Indianapolis

The Indiana State Police Museum has a huge collection of police vehicles, including one where guests are allowed to get behind the wheel! Head to the east side of Indianapolis to experience this mix of fun and history yourself. The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm, or the third Saturday of the month from 12 pm to 4 pm.

The Indianapolis Fire Fighters Museum

748 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis

Indianapolis Fire Fighters Museum provides an incredible glimpse at life in fire services and its intriguing history. Your family can enjoy this experience from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays, with seasonal Saturday hours available from April to October.

The Indiana Geological and Water Survey

1001 E. 10th St., Bloomington

The Indiana Geological and Water Survey in Bloomington, complete with a hands-on Learning Lab, is an educational experience designed to be appropriate for all ages and abilities. The Learning Lab can be found in room 1011 of the IU Geology Building, with other nearby exhibits to explore if your crew is ready for more! Located in the east lobby of the Geology building, you will find a variety of earth science displays on rotation. Come explore with your biggest (and littlest!) geology enthusiasts from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

The Carmel Clay History Museum

211 1st St SW, Carmel

Carmel Clay History Museum may be modest in size, but patrons often say the experience exceeds their expectations. Uncover local history, enjoy the train exhibits, and enjoy weekly storytime adventures for the kiddos. The play area on the third floor is especially charming, with its model ice cream shop, pioneer cabin, and bank building, perfect for pretend play.

The Johnson County Museum of History

135 N Main St, Franklin

The Johnson County Museum of History, located in Franklin, features a blend of local history and other fragments of yesteryear. Exhibits can be visited Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm.

The Franklin Depot Railroad Museum

370 E Jefferson St, Franklin

The Franklin Depot Railroad Museum offers a quaint, and wonderfully unique treat to train lovers. Located within The Hoosier Cupboard Candy and Ice Cream Shop, you’ll find a collection of historic railroad memorabilia as well as friendly staff! Go for the museum, but stay for the fun refreshments in the shop. The museum is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 5 pm to 6 pm.

The Grover Center Museum and Historical Society

52 W Broadway St, Shelbyville

The Grover Center Museum and Historical Society in Shelbyville is touted as a family-friendly experience that includes kid’s activities and interactive exhibits about the local history. Enjoy the annually rotated exhibits from Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.

Zaharakos

329 Washington St, Columbus

Zaharakos in Columbus is a small but mighty experience with a cherry on top! Originally opened and operated as a candy store, it has since been fashioned into an ice cream parlor entwined with a bit of history. The museum is free and a bit of pocket change allows you to experience the “band in a box” from Sunday to Thursday, 11 am to 9 pm; or Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am to 10 pm.

Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum

4742 Ray Boll Blvd, Columbus

Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum is currently undergoing upgrades and will reopen on March 6, 2025.

Exhibits at the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum feature military and aviation collections, as well as a presentation room featuring short films to further immerse your family in the educational experience. This Columbus museum is a fitting destination for history-loving families looking for an inspiring adventure. Plan your visit Thursday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Extend your visit with breakfast or lunch at the nearby Blackerby’s Hangar 5 Restaurant, also on the property of the Columbus Municipal Airport. Kids will love watching small planes take off and land outside the windows while they eat!

The Fanimation Antique Fan Museum

10983 Bennett Pkwy Ext, Zionsville

The Fan Museum at Fanimation is a specialty museum with the largest collection of unique and rare fans. Located in Zionsville, this seemingly random but distinguished adventure is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Museums with Free Admission Days

See our full list of free museum days in Indianapolis!

Newfields

4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis

Newfields in Indianapolis offers free admission on the first Thursday of each month. As one of the oldest and largest art museums in the nation, it boasts a broad and spectacular collection of arts and interactive opportunities. Entry begins at 11 am, though the length of visiting hours varies from month to month.

While these museums offer free admission, fees for parking or extra amenities may apply at certain locations. Donations are encouraged when possible to continue these incredible services to our local communities. Please note that some venues may have limited hours, or may close seasonally for renovations and exhibit rotations. Be sure your visit is smooth by checking in with your destination ahead of time to confirm details such as hours of operation and admission fees.

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