Indy parents know that their city is a hidden gem, full of Instagram-worthy museums and play spots kids love. The top-rated Children’s Museum of Indianapolis only the beginning: there’s a whole slew of family-friendly museums, attractions, outdoor parks and other things to do with kids that go way beyond the typical tourist destinations.
From the Motor Speedway (home to the Indy 500) to Conner Prairie, Indianapolis offers a ton of unique spots for families and kids of all ages — but that doesn’t mean it’s all worth visiting. We’ve gathered our editors picks for the very best things for families to do in Indianapolis that are 100% worth your time.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Kids will flip for this incredible museum, which is the largest kids’ museum in the world at 472,900 square-feet on an expansive 29 acres. The museum truly appeals to kids of all ages and is rated as one of our favorite children’s museums in the country. Plan to spend an entire day exploring the seemingly never-ending exhibits, from dinosaurs to trains to space.
3000 N Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46208-4716
317-334-4000
Garfield Park Conservatory & Sunken Garden
Home to hundreds of different plants from the world’s tropics, this 10,000 square foot conservatory is a gorgeous place to warm up on a cold day or explore a local treasure in the middle of Summer. With a huge variety of children’s programming, there’s no shortage of possibilities for a fun day out.
2505 Conservatory Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46203-4279
317-327-7183
garfieldgardensconservatory.org
Eagle Creek Park
Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest city parks in the country, featuring 1400 acres of water and 3900 acres of forest Eagle Creek Located minutes from downtown Indianapolis, the park features a ton of family programming, including the fishing derby, which is a local favorite. There are miles and miles of hiking, biking, zip lining, swimming, boating, kayaking, and picnicking opportunities in addition to the Ornithological Center, where kids can see all sorts of birds.
7840 W 56th St
Indianapolis, IN 46254-9706
317-327-7110
indy.gov/eGov/City/DPR/ECPark/
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Home of the world-famous Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is an epic day out for your mini speed demons. Take a tram around the track for an up-close experience and explore the museum.
4790 W 16th St
Indianapolis, IN 46222
317-492-8500
Central Canal
The Central Canal is a one-of-a-kind way to explore Indianapolis, via pedal boats! Rent them west of the Indiana State Museum, or take the Canal Walk alongside the water; Kids will love the pedal cars you can rent.
337 W 11th St
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3001
317-955-2389
visitindy.com/indianapolis-canal-walk
Go Ape Treetop Adventure
If your family is a bit more daring, head to the Go Ape Treetop adventure, which is a 2-3-hour journey through the forest canopy. More than just ziplines, you’ll take on suspended obstacles, and Tarzan swings. As you might have guessed, this attraction is best for older kids; their minimum age is 10 and 55 inches.
5855 Delong Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46254-9797
800-971-8271
goape.com/Locations/Indiana/Indianapolis
Speedway Indoor Karting
Located outside of Indianapolis in Speedway, this state-of-the-art indoor karting facility includes two separate tracks. There are four different types of karts, making this an exciting activity even four year-olds can enjoy.
1067 Main St.
Speedway, IN 46224
317-870-3780
The Best Upcoming Events for Kids in Indianapolis
If you’re looking for events and activities, don’t miss our local Indianapolis family events calendar, which has everything from story times to seasonal activities like apple picking, pumpkin patches, and Christmas tree farms.
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