I have lived in Indianapolis for a long time, and, like most local families, I have always had the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the background of my life here. Every May, the city transforms for the Indianapolis 500; checkered flags appear everywhere, the excitement builds, and even people who do not consider themselves racing fans know that something very special happens here.
Before taking my two daughters, ages 13 and 9, to the newly reimagined Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, I wondered how much they would connect with it. Would it feel like a museum for serious race fans? Would they be interested in looking at cars? Would they understand why this place is such a big deal?
The answer was yes, yes, and absolutely yes.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is not just a place to admire race cars behind ropes. It is an immersive, interactive family experience where kids can hear engines roar, climb into racing simulators, test their pit crew skills, see the most famous trophy in racing, and stand inside one of the most legendary places in Indianapolis. It’s also a great option when you are looking for indoor things to do in Indianapolis with kids, whether the forecast calls for rainy day activities in Indy, cold, or a blazing hot summer day.
Taking My Kids Inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
There is something incredibly cool about telling your kids that the museum you are visiting is actually located inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the same place you may (or may not) take your kids to see the Indy 500.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum reopened in 2025 after a major renovation and expansion, and it has been completely transformed into a family-friendly destination filled with interactive exhibits and memorable experiences. The new museum includes ten galleries focused on the cars, people, traditions, and innovation connected to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500.
As a mom, I appreciated that this museum did not require my daughters to already know everything about racing in order to enjoy it. My 13-year-old and my 9-year-old could each find things that appealed to them, whether it was the excitement of the interactive exhibits, the beautiful cars, the storytelling, or simply seeing a place that is such an important part of our city.
Walking Through Gasoline Alley
The first part of the museum was a stroll through Gasoline Alley.
The gallery includes garage spaces representing different eras of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, allowing families to walk through racing history that’s super visual and perfect for kids. My girls could see how the cars, tools, and atmosphere changed through the years without needing a lengthy explanation first.
For children, this is such a fun way to understand history. They are not simply being told that racing looked different decades ago. They can actually see those differences right in front of them.
It also gave us a chance to talk about all the people involved in getting a car ready for the track. Behind every driver is an entire team of people designing, repairing, preparing, and making quick decisions.
The Starting Line Experience
One of the first big moments of our visit was the Starting Line Experience, and this is the part that immediately helps kids feel the energy of the Indianapolis 500.
The experience begins with an enormous screen that fills the space in front of you and over your head with the sights and sounds of Race Day. Even if your kids have never been to the Indy 500, they begin to understand the anticipation, the traditions, and the buildup to the start of the race.
Then the engines roar.
That moment is big, loud, and exciting. My daughters may not have walked into the museum knowing very much about the Indianapolis 500, but they certainly understood the thrill of hearing those cars come to life. After hearing the engines roar inside the museum, families may also want to experience Indianapolis Motor Speedway practice and qualifying days with kids.
For families with children who are sensitive to loud noises, this is something to know before your visit. The museum offers sensory bags at the Welcome Center with sound-reducing headphones, fidget toys, and light-reducing glasses. There is also a Wellness Room for guests who may need a quieter space. They’ve worked with Kulture City to be sensory inclusive.
The Racing Simulators Were a Kid Favorite
My kids can appreciate looking at beautiful cars, but give them a chance to actually do something, and you have their attention.
The Qualifying Zone was one of the highlights of our visit because it puts kids right into the action. The racing simulators give visitors the chance to imagine what it would be like to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Suddenly, my girls were not just walking through a museum. They were testing their skills, competing, and experiencing a little taste of the racing world for themselves.
My 9-year-old enjoyed the fun and excitement of racing, while my teenager could get into the challenge and competition. Parents should absolutely plan to try it too, because this is the kind of family outing where grown-ups will not want to stand on the sidelines.
The museum also has a pit stop challenge where kids can learn about the speed, teamwork, and precision involved behind the scenes. It is a great reminder that racing is not only about the driver. Every successful race depends on mechanics, engineers, strategists, and crew members working together.
In this space, there’s a soft play area for the younger kiddos to get their race car building fix.
Kids Can Explore STEAM Through Racing
I also loved seeing the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Innovation Workshop, a dedicated STEAM learning space located next to the Qualifying Zone. This is where kids can connect the excitement of racing with science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on educational programming. On the day we visited, the activities included exploring aerodynamics with a digital wind tunnel, building race cars with a special building set, and programming robots to race on a course.
This area is great for families, field trips, and homeschool groups.
Seeing the Winning Cars Up Close
Of course, the cars are still a major part of the experience, and they are impressive even if your kids are not already race fans.
In the Indianapolis 500 Winners Gallery, families can see cars that have been part of the history of the race, including the 1911 Marmon Wasp and cars from more recent winners. Walking through the gallery with my daughters gave us a chance to talk about how much race cars have changed over time.
Instead of feeling like we had to read every single sign, we could simply look and compare. Which car would they choose? Which design was the coolest? Which one looked the fastest? Why did older cars look so different from the ones racing today?
That is one of the things I really enjoyed about visiting the museum with kids. The history is there for adults and older kids who want to dive deeper, but younger visitors can still connect with the exhibits by observing, asking questions, and choosing their favorites.
And then there is the Borg-Warner Trophy.
My daughters may not know the name of every face on the trophy, but they understood that they were looking at something special, something that represents more than a century of racing history and one of the most famous traditions in our city.
Add a Track Tour to Make the Visit Even More Memorable
One of the most exciting parts about visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is that you are already at the Speedway, so families can take the experience one step further by adding a track tour when available.
The Kiss the Bricks Tour typically takes guests around the famous 2.5-mile oval and includes a stop at the historic Yard of Bricks. Depending on track activity, other tour experiences may be available instead. Since the Speedway is an active racing facility, track tour availability can change, so families should check current options before visiting.
For kids, standing at the Yard of Bricks or seeing the track up close makes it all feel even bigger. It’s a family photo opportunity and an Indianapolis bucket list moment.
What Parents Should Know Before Visiting The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is located at 4750 W. 16th Street in Indianapolis, inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway grounds. The museum is typically open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours in May vary due to Speedway events, so families should check the museum website before heading out.
Strollers and diaper bags are allowed inside the museum, making it manageable for families with younger children. The museum does not have a full café, although grab-and-go snacks and beverages may be available during posted hours, so families may want to plan a meal before or after their museum visit.
Families who qualify for the Indiana Access Pass can visit participating attractions, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, at a reduced admission price.
Why Families Should Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Taking my daughters to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum reminded me that family adventures do not always have to begin with a place designed specifically for children. Sometimes, kids surprise us with how much they love being welcomed into an iconic part of their own city.
My girls did not need to be race car experts to appreciate the sounds, the simulators, the cars, the competition, and the excitement of being inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This is a museum for race fans, certainly, but it is also for families, curious kids, visiting grandparents, competitive siblings, and local parents looking for an Indianapolis experience their children will remember.
After seeing the museum through the eyes of my 13-year-old and my 9-year-old, I can say this with confidence: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum absolutely belongs on your family fun list.
Have a kid who cannot get enough cars and racing? Here are even more ideas for racecar fun for kids in Indianapolis.
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4750 West 16th Street
Indianapolis
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