Let’s face it – life with little ones can be expensive and the more little ones you have, the more expensive it can become. That’s why the word FREE is exactly what so many of us love to hear.
Did you know many museums around Indianapolis offer free admission on different dates throughout the year? That’s right, free. That means you and your family can enjoy all the benefits a day at the museum provides – without breaking the bank.
We have created this handy dandy guide so that you can take advantage of these awesome opportunities. So grab your calendar, jot down these dates and head to the museum for a day of hands-on education and FUN!
Free Museum Days at Indianapolis Museums:
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
Location: 13400 Allisonville Road, Noblesville, Phone: 317-776-6000
- Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 10am-5pm
- Monday, February 20: Presidents Day, 10am-5pm
- Saturday, September 30: Smithsonian Museum Day LIVE, 10am-5pm
*Conner Prairie is proud to partner with other local museums to make family fun available to more Indiana families. Families that participate in any of the state assistance programs listed on their website can visit for just $1 per family member per visit.
*Children under age 2 receive free admission
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Location: 500 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Phone: 317-636-9378
- Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 10am-5pm (Admission into the museum is free this day with a minimum donation of one non-perishable food item per guest.)
- Saturday, June 17: Juneteenth Celebration: 10am-5pm
- Saturday, October 28: Dia de los Muertos: 10am-5pm
Community Tuesday Deal: The Eiteljorg offers free admission to children and students the first Tuesday of every month for their Community Tuesdays. Admission for adults and seniors is just $6.50 on these days.
*The Eiteljorg Museum offers free and discounted admission to many different groups of individuals. Please visit their website for a complete listing of those who qualify for free and discounted admission.
*Children under age 5 receive free admission
Indiana Historical Society
Location: 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Phone: 317-232-1882
- Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 10am-5pm
- Saturday, March 25: Circus Day, 12pm-5pm
- Saturday, April 22: Preservation Week Road Show, 12pm-5pm
- Tuesday, July 4: Independence Day, 10am-5pm
- Saturday, September 23: Smithsonian Museum Day LIVE, 12pm-5pm (Admission into the museum is free this day with coupon from their website.)
- Saturday, Dec. 2: Author Fair, 12pm-5pm
- Friday, Dec. 8: Statehood Day, 10am-5pm
*With the Access Pass, families who qualify may receive admission into the museum for $1 per guest.
*The Indiana Historical Society offers complimentary admission year-round to active members of the military and their families as part of the Blue Star Museums Program.
*Children under age 5 receive free admission
Indiana State Museum
Location: 650 West Washington Street, Phone: 317-232-1637
- Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 10am-5pm (Admission into the museum is free this day with a minimum donation of one non-perishable food item per guest.)
Community Tuesday Deal: 1/2 price admission. The Museum customer service line says you may need to remind the desk attendant to ring you up at this discount, but it’s worth the savings.
*The Indiana State Museum offers discounted admission to families who qualify with the Access Pass.
*Receive $2 off museum admission with the purchase of a full-priced IMAX ticket, or a full-priced Peewinkle’s Puppet Studio ticket, on the same day. Not available online.
*Children under age 3 receive free admission
Family Fun: The Indiana State Police Museum
Indiana State Police Museum
Location: 8660 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, Phone: 317-899-8293
*Admission is free, donations are welcome
Indiana War Memorial Museum
Location: 431 North Meridian Street, Phone: 317-232-7615
*Admission is free
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Location: 4790 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, Phone: 317-492-6784
*Children under age 6 receive free admission
Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA)
Location: 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Phone: 317-923-1331
- First Thursday of each month: The IMA offers free admission the first Thursday of every month from 4:00-9:00 pm.
- Sunday, January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, noon-5:00 pm with special MLK Day activities beginning at 1:00 pm (Admission is free wth a donation to the museum’s community partner, Martin Luther King Community Center. Donations being collected are: non-perishable food items, toiletries and school supplies.
- Tuesday, May 16: National Public Gardens and Museum Day, 11:00 am-5:00 pm
- Saturday, June 24: Summer Solstice, 11:00 am-5:00 pm
- Saturday, September 9, 2017: Penrod Arts Fair (please note this is for Museum Admission only, not access to Art Fair)
*The IMA is proud to be a part of the Access Pass program. Families that meet the requirements can visit the IMA and all participating locations for just $1 per family member per visit, for up to two adults and dependent youth living in the household. Visit their Access Pass page to learn more about this program that makes cultural attractions more available to Indiana families.
*The IMA is a Blue Star Museum and offers free admission to U.S. Active military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
*Students attending Butler University, CTS, IUPUI, Marian University, Martin University and University of Indianapolis may receive a free IMA annual membership. Students may apply at the Guest Services desk and must have a valid e-mail address and show proof of enrollment.
*Children under age 6 receive free admission
Indianapolis Zoo
Location: 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Phone: 317-630-2001
- Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 9:00 am-4:00 pm (Admission into the museum is free this day with a minimum donation of one non-perishable food item per guest.)
*The Indianapolis Zoo offers discounts for different groups of individuals. Visit their website for more information.
*Children under age 2 receive free admission
Discover the Rhythm! Discovery Center in downtown Indy
Rhythm! Discovery Center
Location: 110 West Washington Street, Suite A, Phone: 317-275-9030
- Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 10am-5pm
- Saturday, September 23: Smithsonian Museum Day LIVE, 10am-5pm
*Children under age 6 receive free admission
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Location: 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Phone: 317-334-4000
- Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 10am-5pm
- Thursday, February 2: Target Family Free Night, 4pm-8pm
- Monday, February 20: Presidents Day, 10am-5pm with special activities running from 10:00 am-3:00 pm
- Sunday, April 30: Dia de los Ninos, 10am-5pm
- Sunday, December 24: Christmas Eve, 10am-2pm
*The Children’s Museum is proud to make family learning available to more Indiana families through free or reduced admission days and reduced admission programs like Access Pass.
*Children under age 2 receive free admission
The Museum of Miniature Houses (and other collections) in Carmel may not on your radar.
The Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections
Location: 111 East Main Street, Carmel, Phone: 317-575-9466
- Saturday, September 23: Smithsonian Museum Day LIVE, 11am-4pm
WonderLab
Address: 308 West 4th Street, Bloomington, Phone: 812-337-1337
WonderLab offers half-price admission the first Friday of every month from 5:00-8:00 pm.
WonderLab offers a day when guests receive admission into the museum for $1 in the fall. The date for this day has not been set yet – stay tuned for more information.
*WonderLab is part of the Access Pass program. As part of the program, guests can receive admission into the museum for just $2.
*Children under age 1 receive free admission
With all of these discounted and free dates to choose from, you and your family are bound to have some fun this year exploring the museums and learning together. Let us know about some of your favorite museums around town. We would love to hear from you! Please reply below or email jthompson@indyschild.com
