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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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:

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.

January 16: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day
February 20: President’s Day
September TBD: Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day

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.

Top Indianapolis Attractions Opening On Thanksgiving Weekend – Indy's Child Magazine - Hoosier Living November 22, 2022 At 8:40 am

[…] you from your day-to-day into the stories of yesterday and the traditions of tomorrow. Step into Conner Prairie’s historic Prairietown to visit the Christmas Eve traditions of the 1800s, then head up to the North […]

Conner Prairie: A Living History Museum and Attraction

What is there to do at Conner Prairie?

Explore the outdoor grounds:

1836 Prairietown

Animal Encounters

Treetop Outpost

1859 Balloon Voyage

River Crossing

Habitat

Indoor Exhibits:

Discovery Station and Craft Corner

Spark!Lab

Conner Prairie’s Annual Events:

The Headless Horseman

2023 Dates:

A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival

2023 Dates:

Symphony on the Prairie

Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival

2023 Dates:

Where is Conner Prairie Located?

What are Conner Prairie’s Hours?

Upcoming events at Conner Prarie:

Free Days at Conner Prairie

Articles about Conner Prairie

Adult-Only Throwback Camp at Conner Prairie

2023 Symphony on the Prairie Lineup

Discovery Station at Conner Prairie

2023 Free Museum Days in Indianapolis

Top Indianapolis Attractions Opening On Thanksgiving Weekend

A Merry Prairie Holiday is returning to Conner Prairie for its fourth season, starting Nov. 25

15 Best Kid-Friendly Activities in Indianapolis

Discover Habitat at Conner Prairie: The newest outdoor experience

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