Indiana State Museum

The Indiana State Museum is three floors of fun, entertainment and education. Located at 650 W. Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis (next to the Eiteljorg Museum and across the street from the J.W. Marriott hotel) the museum boasts permanent and featured exhibits that cater to all ages.  From interactive playscapes to learning about Native Americans that lived in Indiana to learning about the Ice Age and learning about national and world achievements that came out of the Hoosier state.

A full IMAX theater, one of only 19 nationwide and 30 worldwide capable of playing movies on 70mm film features the latest blockbuster releases out of Hollywood as well as science and nature documentaries as well.  It is located inside the museum. Tickets for IMAX movies are a separate charge from museum admission.

Opened in 2002, the 40,000 square-foot museum looks to educate visitors about the history of Indiana as well as Native Americans, natural and cultural history and the future of Indiana.  Featuring over a dozen permanent exhibits and a regular rotation of temporary ones there is always a ton to explore any given day.

Ancient Seas, Frozen Reign and Natural Regions will satisfy the animal lover and history buff.  Ancient Seas features a look back at the creatures the occupied the underwater world millions of years ago.  From giant squids to learning about the creatures of the Paleozoic Era through interactive experiences, there’s entertainment for all ages.

Frozen Reign takes a look at the creatures on land during the Ice Age.  Walk through the ice tunnel to step back in history and learn about Mammoths, giant sloths and fossils of the animals that roamed the Earth during the bone-chilling time in history.

 

As for Natural Regions, you’ll see life as early European settlers would have seen Indiana.  You’ll learn about the animals that used to roam the area, the massive forests, wetlands and travel through time to see how the land has changed over the centuries.

 

If you’re looking for some Indiana-specific history then you’ll want to check out the First Nations, 19^th State, Contested Territory, The Hoosier Way and Crossroads of America exhibits.  With First Nations, you’ll learn about the Native Americans who settled in Indiana.  How they created their communities and built their culture with traditions that have been passed down through generations.  The Contested Territory exhibit showcases the early days of Indiana that saw many battles throughout the state like the Northwest Indian War, the American Revolution and the War of 1812. You’ll learn about the important figures in those time periods and how Indiana came out of a war-torn era.  19^th State brings you to the pioneer days of Indiana and how they built towns, used farmland and how they used tools.  The Hoosier Way is another pioneer exhibit that showcases the religions, transportation and historical leaders that led Indiana to statehood.

Crossroads of America highlights Indiana’s railroads to connect with the rest of the United States, goods and services that were unique to Indiana and a whole lot more.

 

Another set of exhibits features Indiana’s contributions to technology, media and famous faces in pop culture.  Enterprise Indiana, Global Indiana and American Originals are where you want to head for this experience.  Enterprise Indiana showcases the impact immigration and World War I had on Indiana from prohibition to suffrage.  It also shows off Indiana’s impact on the early auto industry and national headlines that put Indiana in the spotlight.  Global Indiana puts the Hoosier State on a global stage.  Hoosier-made items that impacted the world, including helping win World War II, as well as the pop culture and lifestyle items in a booming post-war economy.  American Originals puts Indiana in the pop culture spotlight.  From Larry Bird to James Dean, David Letterman to John Leslie “Wes” Montgomery, this exhibit gives you a glimpse at Indiana’s cultural impact through music, movies, television and sports.

R.B. Annis Naturalist’s Lab, Gallery One and the Legacy Theater need to be on your must-do list as well.  The Naturalist’s Lab is a hands-on experience that teaches children and adults different sciences with interactive displays.  Paleontology, astronomy, geology and archaeology are on full display here.

Gallery One is another hands-on experience that teaches how to make music, play games, uses your senses and alter shapes and colors through interactive displays.

The Legacy Theater showcases the black experience in Indiana. From history and stories told through oral and written text and images.  You’ll meet the important African Americans that impacted the Hoosier state from a local, national and global scale.

Firefly Landing

The Firefly Landing gallery is a creative learning space for children that is only utilized during scheduled programming, which requires advanced registration and a separate fee not included in museum admission.

Hours of Operation

The Indiana State Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ticket Information

Adult Tickets are $19

Child Tickets are $13

Senior Tickets are $17

Children 3 and under are Free

Annual Family Memberships are $129 for 2 adults, and all children in household and grandchildren, ages 21 and younger

Benefits include:

Two (2) Indy IMAX® vouchers

Three (3) free parking passes to Indy’s White River State Park garage to be used during a visit to the museum

Free unlimited admission to Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites statewide

The ASTC Travel Passport Program which allows you free admission to museums like the Field Museum, The Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, the Cincinnati Museum Center and more.

Annual Family Plus Memberships are $179 for 2 adults, and all children in household and grandchildren, ages 21 and younger

Benefits include:

Four (4) Indy IMAX® vouchers

Free parking passes to Indy’s White River State Park garage to be used during a visit to the museum

Free unlimited admission to Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites statewide

The ASTC Travel Passport Program which allows you free admission to museums like the Field Museum, The Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, the Cincinnati Museum Center and more.

Ticket Discounts

Buying your tickets online will save you $1 per ticket.

Access Pass Members, college students, Scouts, Girl Scouts and their families need to purchase tickets in person to receive discounted prices.

Check to see if your library has free Indiana State Museum passes you can check out here.

Indiana State Museum also offers free admission on certain days throughout the year.

 

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Address
650 W. Washington St
Indianapolis
in

Visit Indiana State Museum

Upcoming Events

• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 29 Nov 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 30 Nov 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 1 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 2 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 3 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 4 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 5 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 6 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 7 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 8 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 9 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 10 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 11 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 12 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 13 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 14 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 15 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 16 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 17 Dec 2024 - 10:00
• Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum - 18 Dec 2024 - 10:00