Looking for your next great family trip that incorporates learning and fun? Whether you’re interested in history, science or nature, there are lots of destinations that offer a variety of educational experiences for families to enjoy. Here are four destinations to keep handy and checkmark as you go. These destinations can be reached as a day trip from Indianapolis, and stretched into a longer visit, too.
#1 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
3027 E. South St, Lincoln City, IN
nps.gov/libo
Walk in the footsteps of our 16th president at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City, which preserves the period of time from 1816 to 1830 when Abraham Lincoln called our great state home. The grounds feature a museum and the Living Historical Farm, a working pioneer homestead with a cabin, outbuildings, split rail fences, animals, gardens and field crops. (Note: The farm is only staffed April through mid-October, but visitors can feel free to explore on their own throughout the year.) While you are in the area, be sure to explore nearby Santa Claus, Indiana — the town where it is Christmas year-round.
#2 Field Museum
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
fieldmuseum.org
The Field Museum is a great destination for families to explore and discover together. With engaging exhibits like “Sue,” the largest and most complete T. rex ever found, kids and parents alike will find lots of educational displays all around this Chicago museum. Discover ancient artifacts, play with interactive displays, and learn from hands-on learning exhibits about everything from world cultures to plants to earth science.
#3 Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
333 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH
cosi.org
The year 2024 marks COSI’s 60th anniversary, inspiring people of all ages with hands on- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) learning. Located in Columbus, the COSI campus is over 320,000 square feet with interactive experiences, traveling exhibits, live shows, a planetarium and a little kid space for kids through first grade. Parent tip: If you have a membership to a local museum in Cincinnati or Dayton, be sure to see if it is reciprocal with COSI, meaning the membership will count toward your admission to COSI.
#4 Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites
Multiple locations throughout Indiana
indianamuseum.org
Downtown’s Indiana State Museum is a great educational resource that’s close to home. But did you know that there are 11 state historic sites in the museum system that are located throughout Indiana? Each historic site operates under its own hours, so check the website before visiting.
- Angel Mounds State Historic Site, Evansville
- Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, Corydon
- Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, New Albany
- Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, Rome City
- Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, Madison
- Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site, Fountain City
- Limberlost State Historic Site, Geneva
- New Harmony State Historic Site, New Harmony
- T.C. Steele State Historic Site, Nashville
- Vincennes State Historic Site, Vincennes
- Whitewater Canal State Historic Site, Metamora
