Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is closed for renovations until April 2025. In the meantime, visitors can take a Track Tour, when available. Walk-ins are welcome, but guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online up to 60 days in advance. Tours begin at the Pepsi building to the left of the IMS Museum.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to the 37,500 square-foot Indy Racing Museum, or the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is a must-visit destination for all motorsport enthusiasts. This museum houses some of the most iconic race cars in the history of the Indianapolis 500 and other major motorsport events. The museum also features exhibits, displays, and interactive experiences that showcase the evolution of racing technology and the incredible achievements of some of the greatest drivers in the sport.

The museum is located at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has been the home of the Indianapolis 500 since 1911. Most people casually call IMS “the track,” you might get giddy when you drive into the tunnel at the motor speedway and get spit out right in between turn one and turn two. It’s that moment you’ll know you’re in the spot where history is made every May.

The museum opened in 1956 and has since been a popular attraction for visitors from all over the world. The museum’s collection is vast, with over 75 vehicles on display at any given time. These vehicles range from the earliest race cars from the 1910s and 1920s to the modern-day race cars that are currently used in the Indianapolis 500.

IMS Museum Exhibits

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum also features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience the thrill of racing firsthand. Visitors can race virtual Indy cars, try their hand at changing tires in a pit crew challenge, or test their reflexes in a reaction time game. These interactive experiences are a great way to engage visitors of all ages and create a fun and memorable museum experience.

“Traditions,” which explores the many traditions of the Indy 500, and “IN-Focus,” a photography exhibition highlighting the work of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum photographers.

“Second” features six themes, accomplishment, controversy, determination, heartbreak, mechanical, and redemption. The drivers were placed within a theme based on their Indianapolis 500 race attempts, racing careers, or future in racing.

The Winners Gallery showcases more than 25 winning cars, spanning more than 100 years of history at the Indianapolis 500. You’ll also see historic race programs, memorabilia, helmets, and trophies.

Museum at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

When you visit the IMS Museum, you’ll walk around in three large rooms. On this self-guided tour of IndyCar history, you’ll get a glimpse of the magic of the Indianapolis 500.

For an additional $10 per person, you can have a special guided tour that lasts about 35-45 minutes.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum with Kids

While the IMS Museum will be a big appeal to adults who are racing fans, they’ve made quite a few improvements since our first visit 8 years ago. Now there are activities to get kids excited about touring the museum. When you enter the museum, head through the first set of doors into the main area and grab a seek-and-find. This photo book will get kids moving and looking for the items shown in the photographs. For older kids, there’s an extensive scavenger hunt with a lot of questions to find answers to.

There’s a short film to watch about the history of Indycar. My three and five year old had a hard time enjoying it but my seven and nine year old were fine.

Admission to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

Children 5 years and younger: the first child is free, and $2 for each additional child
Children 6 – 15 years old: $8 each
Adults (age 16 and up): $15 each
Seniors (62+): $14 each

The IMS Museum is an Indiana Access Pass partner. Qualifying families can pay just $2 for admission to this museum and others.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is also a Blue Star Museum, providing free admission for Active-duty military personnel and their families, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Kiss the Bricks Tour + Other Tours at the IMS Museum

The Kiss the Bricks Tour at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is fantastic! Take a 30-minute bus tour that’s narrated by Bob Jenkins, a world-famous racing broadcaster. You’ll take a 2 1/2 mile lap around the track, with a stop at the finish line. Guests can exit the bus and pose for photos, especially the famous one where you kiss the historic Yard of Bricks, just like the race-winning drivers have.

Kids aged 12 and up can join their adults on a two-hour golf cart tour. You’ll get access to areas of the Speedway that most won’t ever see. Plus you’ll be treated to refreshments and have a wonderful guided tour.

Parking and Directions to IMS

Enter at Gate 2 off 16th street. Parking is free unless there’s an event at IMS.

to see more than 75 different race cars from many of the 100 years of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Families can pose for a photograph IN a race car. Moms, MY favorite thing was seeing the Tiffany & Co. race trophies! Gorgeous! Put it on a chain and I’d wear one of those around my neck!

There’s an 8-minute video for your viewing pleasure AND TWO gift shops in case you want to grab some Indianapolis or IMS gear to sport wherever you go.

The museum is open every day except for Thanksgiving & Christmas from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March through October and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from November through February.

Address
4790 West 16th Street
Indianapolis
in

Visit Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

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