Did you know many museums around Indianapolis offer free admission on different dates throughout the year?
That means you and your family can enjoy all the benefits that a day at the museum provides without breaking the bank.
We’ve created this handy-dandy guide so that you can take advantage of these excellent opportunities. Add these dates to your calendar and head to the museum for hands-on education and FUN! Be sure to bookmark this page and come back to it, as we will continue to update this list as museums release their free days for 2022.
Free Museum Days in 2022 around Indianapolis:
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
Location: 13400 Allisonville Road, Noblesville
Phone: 317-776-6000
- January 17: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day
- February 21: President’s Day
- September 17: 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 that participate in any of the state assistance programs listed on their website can visit for just $2 per family member per visit at any time. Children under age two always receive free admission.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Location: 500 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-636-9378
- January 17: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Advance ticket reservation is encouraged.
- September 17: Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day
Receive a $2 discount for the following any time:
- Time Travelers Program members
- Military active-duty members of any branch of service, plus immediate family members
- Military veterans of any branch of service
- AAA members
- Convention attendees with a badge
- Downtown hotel guests with room key
Plus: The Eiteljorg Museum offers free and discounted admission to many different groups throughout the year. 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
- January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Concerts on the Canal – Thursdays during the summer. Free admission to the Indiana History Center from 10 am to 6 pm. Concerts on the Canal begin at 6 pm, free seating for these concerts is available along the canal.
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- June 2 – Touch of Grass, Bluegrass
- June 9 – Doug Henthorn and the LLC, Classic Rock/Blues
- June 16 – 45 RPM, British Invasion Rock n Roll
- June 23 – First Time Caller, Covers
- June 30 – Cohen Rutkowski Mix, Jazz
- July 7 – Everett Greene and Trio, Jazz
- July 14 – Sizzlin’ Gregg Bacon, Smooth Jazz
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- July 2 – Independence Day Celebration
- September 17: Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day
Plus: With the Access Pass, families who qualify may receive admission into the museum for $2 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.
Related: Free things to do in Indianapolis
Indiana State Museum
Location: 650 West Washington Street
Phone: 317-232-1637
- January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Free admission this day with a minimum donation of one non-perishable food item per guest.)
- June 18: Juneteenth at the Indiana State Museum
Plus: The Indiana State Museum offers discounted admission to families who qualify with the Access Pass, as well as a myriad of other discounts for certain people/groups. Children under age 3 receive free admission.
Indiana State Police Museum
Location: 8660 East 21st Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-899-8293
Admission is always free. Donations are welcome.
Related: Family Fun: The Indiana State Police Museum
Indiana War Memorial Museum
Location: 431 North Meridian Street
Phone: 317-232-7615
Admission is always free.
Newfields
Location: 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-923-1331
- January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- First Thursday of each month: Enjoy free admission on the first Thursday of the month
- May 27: National Gardens and Museums Day
Plus: Newfields is proud to be a part of the Access Pass program. Families that meet the requirements can visit Newfields and all participating locations for just $2 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. Children under age 6 receive free admission.
NCAA Hall of Champions
Location: 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-630-2001
- January 17: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Feb 2: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Feb 21: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- September 17: Smithsonian Museum Day
Plus: The NCAA Hall of Champions is proud to be a part of the Access Pass program. Families that meet the requirements can visit Newfields and all participating locations for just $2 per family member per visit. Children under age 6 receive free admission. Active Military Personnel receives free admission all year long.
Indianapolis Zoo
Location: 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-630-2001
- January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
More Ways to Save
Note that tickets are always more expensive at the gate, so click here to buy tickets online to save money! The Indianapolis Zoo offers discounts for different groups of individuals. Visit their website for more information. Children under age 2 receive free admission.
Rhythm! Discovery Center
Location: 110 West Washington Street, Suite A
Phone: 317-275-9030
- January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- September 17: Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day
Plus: Children under five and under always receive free admission.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Location: 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis
Phone: 317-334-4000
- January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- February 21: Presidents Day
- September 25: Fiesta de la Familia
- December 24: Christmas Eve
First Thursday Night: From 4-8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, we welcome all visitors to pay $6 for admission to the museum and the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience®! Visitors can purchase tickets on-site, but we strongly encourage online purchasing. When you buy ahead, you beat the crowds and enjoy every minute of your time at the museum!
Plus: 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 two always receive free admission.
With 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. We will continue to update this list as museums release their free days for 2022! If you learn of one that we haven’t included yet, let us know at [email protected].
