Conner Prairie: Your Ultimate Guide to This Must-See Living History Museum

Combining history and science, Conner Prairie delivers a unique experience, allowing visitors to explore Indiana’s rich past. This museum has many interactive exhibits, both indoors and outdoors, where visitors can learn about Indiana’s history through activities. The fun activities include meeting characters in costumes, watching historical scenes, and playing in the Treetop Outpost area.

A trip to Conner Prairie is a great chance to learn about Indiana’s history in a fun way.

Conner Prairie

What is there to do at Conner Prairie?

At Conner Prairie, there are many things to do and explore for visitors of all ages. The museum offers history-themed exhibits, activities, and entertaining and educational events.

Conner Prairie hosts various events throughout the year. These events include candlelit dinners during the winter, beer tastings in the summer, and the Headless Horseman in the fall.

This museum hosts a variety of classes and workshops that visitors can join. Inclusion programming and sensory-friendly hours are also provided to cater to all guests. Here, history and fun blend seamlessly, eliciting curiosity and promoting learning in an engaging manner.

Explore the outdoor grounds:

1836 Prairietown

Visitors can experience life in central Indiana in 1836. They can learn about the daily routines, identities, and activities of the people who lived there. Prairietown residents live their daily lives, ready to talk, share stories, and maybe gossip a bit.

1836 Prairietown Conner Prairie
1836 Prairietown

Animal Encounters

Step inside the barn and meet some of the Conner Prairie farm animals up close. Animals roam freely in the barn, allowing visitors to get a closer look and even pet the animals. During the animal encounters, kids are able to speak one-on-one with the specialists who care for animals year-round on our grounds.

Sheep running on the farm
Petting the chicken in the barn

Treetop Outpost

Treetop Outpost offers a 4-story treehouse and activities to connect with nature and disconnect from technology. Guests can enjoy exploring, building, and playing songs on outdoor instruments.

Treetop outpost

1859 Balloon Voyage

The Balloon Voyage takes you on a trip 370 feet above the ground. The hot air balloon only ascends in good weather conditions and will not fly in unsafe conditions, including storms or high winds. You must purchase general admission to access the 1859 Balloon Voyage during regular daytime hours. You need an additional ticket to ride the balloon.

Balloon Voyage over Fishers Indiana

1863 Civil War Journey

Travel back in time and immerse yourself in the life of Dupont, a quaint town in southern Indiana. This town offers a unique experience of the Civil War era through the captivating 1863 Civil War Journey exhibit.

When crossing a bridge, you will encounter friendly individuals. Additionally, you will gain knowledge about intriguing subjects. Moreover, you will contribute to collecting resources for the Soldier’s Aid Society. 

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

William Conner House

The William Conner House, one of the state’s oldest brick homes, once housed William Conner and his family. Enter the house from the prairie side and start an exciting journey.

Explore interactive displays on critical historical topics like land settlement, surveying, and selling at this immersive exhibit. This house shows visitors how pioneers lived, making them imagine their daily meals and clothes in a small home. The Conner House, restored for Indiana’s 200th anniversary, lets you experience pioneer life and understand it better.

William Conner House
 William Conner House

Habitat

Habitat is a new way to explore the world. 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

Indoor Exhibits:

Discovery Station and Craft Corner

Discovery Station is an indoor area at Conner Prairie for kids aged 0-9. Kids can make, climb, explore, play, and use their imaginations!

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

Spark!Lab is where kids and families can get creative, work together, and solve problems. Children can develop essential skills in a fun way that will help them succeed now and in the future.

The Apple Store

The Apple Store is a fundraiser for Conner Prairie Alliance, helping support their mission and programs. Since opening its doors in 1985, the store has managed to raise over $1 million from sales. These funds have greatly helped in supporting the institution’s ongoing operations.

The Apple Store is typically open from mid-September through the end of October. In 2021, the Apple Store sold 14,275 caramel apples and served 5,636 people in a 6-week period!

Carmel Apples from Conner Prairie's Apple Store
Apple Store at Conner Prairie

Conner Prairie’s Annual Events:

The Headless Horseman

Every October, Conner Prairie has the Headless Horseman Festival with exciting activities, shows, and spooky family fun. Guests can ride on a spooky hayride through the eerie Prairie grounds and meet the famous Headless Horseman.

Additionally, guests can embrace an exciting journey down the eerie tubing hill for an added thrill. If curiosity tempts you, unveiling the mysteries of the future is possible with our fortune teller. At the festival, classic games fill the air with merriment, and the little ones can enjoy a delightful ride on the barrel train.

2023 Dates:

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

Headless Horseman Festival

A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival

A Merry Prairie Holiday, held every holiday season, brings the holiday spirit to life. This tradition turns the Prairie into a winter wonderland with lights and countless opportunities to step back in history.

2023 Dates:

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

A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival
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 performed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Guests can also pack a picnic and enjoy the music from the lawn. Or opt for table service with a bartender and a catered meal. 

2023 Dates: June 23-September 3

Symphony on the Prairie
Symphony on the Prairie

Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival

Every September, the skies above Fishers become a technicolor spectacle during the Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival. Indiana’s biggest hot air balloon event offers many activities for everyone to enjoy over several days.

Additionally, guests can enjoy live music, entertaining games, and delicious food, perfectly complementing the visual feast.

2023 Dates:

September 8 – 10, 2023

Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival at Conner Prairie 

Where is Conner Prairie Located?

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

Hours:

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

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. 

Indiana Access Pass

Conner Prairie partners with local attractions to bring family fun to more Indiana families. Families with Indiana Access Pass pay $2 per person per visit. Children under age two always receive free admission.

 

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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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