Conner Prairie: A Living History Museum and Attraction

Combining history with science, at Conner Prairie visitors can explore Indiana’s heritage through hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits. The museum offers history-themed, immersive experiences. These include interacting with costumed characters, visiting historical recreations, and playing atop Treetop Outpost.

Conner Prairie

What is there to do at Conner Prairie?

Explore the outdoor grounds:

1836 Prairietown

Visitors can go back in time to 1836 central Indiana and experience the way people lived, who they were and what they did on a daily basis. You’ll find the Prairietown residents going about their daily lives, ready to interact and tell stories or even some local gossip. 

1836 Prairietown Conner Prairie
1836 Prairietown Conner Prairie

Animal Encounters

Step inside Conner Prairie’s barn and meet some of the farm’s animals up close. Animals roam freely in the barn, allowing visitors to get a closer look and even pet the animals.

Animals at Conner Prairie
Animals at Conner Prairie

Treetop Outpost

Treetop Outpost at Conner Prairie features a 4-story treehouse and other activities for exploring, building, and even playing songs on outdoor instruments. Families can disconnect from gadgets and connect with natural materials in this beautiful wooded setting.

Treetop outpost

1859 Balloon Voyage

Conner Prairie’s Balloon Voyage takes you on a trip 370 feet above the ground. The balloon only ascends in good weather conditions and will not fly in unsafe conditions, including storms or high winds. The purchase of general admission is required to access the 1859 Balloon Voyage during regular daytime museum hours. An additional ticket is needed to ride the balloon.

Balloon Voyage at conner prairie

 

River Crossing

During the summer month’s River Crossing is the perfect place to cool down while visiting the prairie. The Civil War-themed splash area features a steamboat, cannons and boats. Kids can have fun boarding the Alice Dean steamboat, firing water cannons, guiding toy boats along the river, and more. In this area, hands-on activities encourage pretend play and family interaction.

River Crossing at conner prairie
River Crossing at conner prairie

 

Habitat

Habitat is a new way to explore the world around you at Conner Prairie. Through interactive experiences, it highlights the unique habitats throughout the gardens and landscapes of the park.  The experience showcases the unique habitats throughout the gardens and landscapes of Conner Prairie.

Habitat at Conner Prairie
Habitat at Conner Prairie

Indoor Exhibits:

Discovery Station and Craft Corner

Discovery Station is one of Conner Prairie’s indoor areas for children aged 0 to 9. Children can create, climb, explore, play, and let their imaginations run wild! There is a craft station, a reading nook, a train table, things to build, many places for pretend play, and a climbing structure. Babies under 18 months have a special area to crawl and explore.  Discovery Station even has a fort-building area, where kids can build forts with blankets and poles.

Discovery Station is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. 

Discovery Station
Discovery Station

Spark!Lab

Conner Prairie’s Spark!Lab is a place where kids and families can get creative, work together, and solve problems. It’s a fun way to develop important skills that will help them succeed now and in the future.

Conner Prairie’s Annual Events:

The Headless Horseman

Conner Prairie’s annual Headless Horseman Festival is full of activities, shows and spooky family fun. Come face-to-face with the Headless Horseman on a tractor-pulled hayride through the prairie grounds. Fly down the tubing hill for a spooky thrill. Discover what the future holds with readings from our fortune teller. Play classical games and take the little ones for a spin on the barrel train.

2023 Dates:

The Headless Horseman festival will be held from October 5–29, 2023, on Thursdays through Sundays. This special event takes place after standard hours from 6-10 pm. 

The Apple Store stays open until 9 pm during the Headless Horseman Festival. 

Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie
Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie

A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival

It’s the most magical time on the Prairie!  Enjoy a visit to Prairietown, where you can tour historic buildings and learn about the Christmas Eve traditions of the 1800s. Then head up to the North Pole Workshop to meet Santa and his elves. Celebrate the season with festive lights, a polar bear plunge, holiday rides and more during A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival.

2023 Dates:

Days: Nov. 24-26, Dec. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 20-22
Hours: 5:30 – 9:30 pm

Conner Prairie Holiday Christmas in Indianapolis
A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival

Symphony on the Prairie

Symphony on the Prairie is a 40+ year tradition that takes space each summer at Conner Prairie Amphitheater. The lineup includes everything from classical symphony to rock and roll classics. Guests can pack a picnic and enjoy the music from the lawn, or opt for table service with a bartender and catered meal. 

2023 Dates: June 23-September 3

Symphony on the Prairie
Symphony on the Prairie

Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival

Celebrate innovation and feel wonder at the 2023 Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival at Conner Prairie. Indiana’s largest hot balloon festival!

2023 Dates:

September 8 – 10, 2023

Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival at Conner Prairie 

Where is Conner Prairie Located?

Conner Prairie is located in Fisher, Indiana, at 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038.

What are Conner Prairie’s Hours?

Conner Prairie’s standard hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Visit connerprairie.org to purchase tickets.  

Upcoming events at Conner Prarie:

June

202302jun6:00 pm10:00 pmHistory on Tap6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryAdults Only,Museum/Zoo Event

202311jun10:00 am12:00 pmSensory-Friendly Morning at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 12:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,Special NeedsFilterSensory-Friendly

202323junAll Day24Symphony on the Prairie: The Music of Harry Potter(All Day) Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryConcert/Music/Dance Performance,Music/Dance Performance,Outdoors,Summer Concert SeriesSeasonalSummer Concert Series

202324jun9:00 am7:00 pmAdult-Only Throwback Camp9:00 am - 7:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryAdults Only,Museum/Zoo Event,OutdoorsSeasonalSummer Fun

202330junAll Day03julStar-Spangled Symphony(All Day) Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryConcert/Music/Dance Performance,Music/Dance Performance,Outdoors,Summer Concert SeriesSeasonal4th of July,Summer Concert Series

July

202330junAll Day03julStar-Spangled Symphony(All Day) Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryConcert/Music/Dance Performance,Music/Dance Performance,Outdoors,Summer Concert SeriesSeasonal4th of July,Summer Concert Series

202301jul10:00 am5:00 pmGlorious 4th at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 5:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,OutdoorsSeasonal4th of July

202302jul10:00 am5:00 pmGlorious 4th at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 5:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,OutdoorsSeasonal4th of July

202304jul10:00 am5:00 pmGlorious 4th at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 5:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,OutdoorsSeasonal4th of July

202307julAll Day08Raiders of the Lost Ark: Live in Concert(All Day) Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryConcert/Music/Dance Performance,Movie Event,Music/Dance Performance,Outdoors,Summer Concert SeriesSeasonalSummer Concert Series

202308jul9:00 am7:00 pmAdult-Only Throwback Camp9:00 am - 7:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryAdults Only,Museum/Zoo Event,OutdoorsSeasonalSummer Fun

202309jul10:00 am12:00 pmSensory-Friendly Morning at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 12:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,Special NeedsFilterSensory-Friendly

202314julAll Day15Symphony on the Prairie: The Music of ABBA(All Day) Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryConcert/Music/Dance Performance,Movie Event,Music/Dance Performance,Outdoors,Summer Concert SeriesSeasonalSummer Concert Series

202320jul7:00 pm8:30 pmCorn to Cocktail7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryAdults Only,Class,Museum/Zoo Event

202321julAll Day22Broadway under the Stars(All Day) Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryConcert/Music/Dance Performance,Movie Event,Music/Dance Performance,Outdoors,Summer Concert SeriesSeasonalSummer Concert Series

202328julAll Day29Symphony on the Prairie: Face 2 Face - A Tribute to Billy Joel & Elton John(All Day) Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryConcert/Music/Dance Performance,Movie Event,Music/Dance Performance,Outdoors,Summer Concert SeriesSeasonalSummer Concert Series

August

202313aug10:00 am12:00 pmSensory-Friendly Morning at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 12:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,Special NeedsFilterSensory-Friendly

September

202308sepAll Day10Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival(All Day) Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryFair/Festival,Museum/Zoo Event,OutdoorsSeasonalBalloon Festival

202310sep10:00 am12:00 pmSensory-Friendly Morning at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 12:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,Special NeedsFilterSensory-Friendly

October

202308oct10:00 am12:00 pmSensory-Friendly Morning at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 12:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,Special NeedsFilterSensory-Friendly

November

202309nov7:00 pm8:30 pmCorn to Cocktail7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryAdults Only,Class,Museum/Zoo Event

202312nov10:00 am12:00 pmSensory-Friendly Morning at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 12:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,Special NeedsFilterSensory-Friendly

December

202310dec10:00 am12:00 pmSensory-Friendly Morning at Conner Prairie10:00 am - 12:00 pm Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038CategoryMuseum/Zoo Event,Special NeedsFilterSensory-Friendly

 

Free Days at Conner Prairie

Below are the currently known free museum days for 2023. As we find out more, we will continue to update this page. 

Plus: Conner Prairie is proud to partner with other local museums to make family fun available to more Indiana families. Families participating in any state assistance programs listed on their website can visit for just $2 per family member. Children under age two always receive free admission.

Articles about Conner Prairie

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Conner Prairie

Address: 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038
Phone: (317) 776-6000
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm

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