Indianapolis Sights: Museums

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The colossal Indiana War Memorial

• Children's Museum of Indianapolis 3000 N. Meridian St. +1 317 334-3322. www.childrensmuseum.org This museum is the largest children's museum in the world. In March 2006, it unveiled artist Dale Chihuly's largest blown glass exhibit, Fireworks of Glass. It is a glass sculpture that rises 43 feet tall. Children (and adults alike) can dig for "dinosaur fossils", catch a planetarium show, view the miniature trains, ride the carousel and so much more. There are also temporary exhibits to check out as well. $13.50 adults, $8.50 ages 2-17, $12.50 seniors 60+. Free on Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, El Dia de Los Ninos, and Christmas Eve and from 4-8PM on the first Thursday of every month. Free parking.

• Indiana State Museum 650 W. Washington. +1 317 232-1637. www.in.gov/ism The state museum's new home is one of the most beautiful in the country. Learn about the beginnings of Indy - from dinosaurs and fossil finds to the Civil War, World War II and so forth. Explore a hall dedicated to famous Hoosiers, enjoy the IMAX theater, special events, and walk the grounds of White River State Park exploring the sculpture garden dedicated to the counties of Indiana. A must see. Standard admission: $7 adult, $4 ages 3-12, $6.50 seniors 60+. IMAX admission extra, discount combo passes are available. First Tuesday of the month, admission half off. Parking with validation $3

• National Art Museum of Sports 850 W. Michigan St. +1 317 274-3627. www.namos.iupui.edu/museum/museum.asp ($ parking) One of the largest collections of sports themed arts in the world. Check out over 800 pieces of art about over 40 different sports. Artists featured include Winslow Homer, LeRoy Neiman, Odgen Pleissner and more. Free admission.

• Museum of Miniature Houses 111 E. Main St, Carmel. +1 317 575-9466. www.museumofminiatures.org This is a rare find, a museum that caters specifically to miniature homes, room boxes and vignettes. They also have a gift shop and a children's play area. Very unique. About 20 minutes from downtown Indy. $4 adults, $2 children under 10.

• Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art 340 N. Senate. +1 317 63-IMOCA. www.indymoca.org/public A coalition of local arts have come together to put together this beautiful masterpiece of galleries featuring regional, national and international modern art exhibits. Gallery is free, donations are accepted.

• Indianapolis Firefighters Museum & Historical Society 748 Mass. Ave. +1 317 262-5161. Learn about the founding and history of Indy's firefighters, check out the antique hand pumper, horse drawn fire cart, horse drawn steam pumper and more. Also be sure to visit the Indy Firefighters Memorial too. Free.

• Crispus Attucks Museum 1140 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. +1 317 226-2432. www.crispusattucksmuseum.ips.k12.in.us Located inside of Crispus Attucks school, this museum celebrates Indy's African American heritage with art galleries, school history, and student achievement.

• Indiana Medical History Museum 3045 W. Vermont St. +1 317 635-7329. www.imhm.org Located in the old pathology building on the grounds of the now closed Central State Hospital - an ex-mental hospital that serviced Hoosiers for years, and might be haunted. It's the oldest pathology building in the country and is in the National Register of Historic Places. The museum offers a tour that shows off crazy medical equipment, preserved medical specimens, and so forth. Quite creepy, chilling and fascinating. $5 adults, $3 university students with i.d., $1 children. AAA and AARP discounts available.

• James Whitcomb Riley Home & Museum 528 Lockerbie St. +1 317 631-5885. www.rileykids.org/museum/index.asp Visit the home where this legendary poet and author lived out the last half of his life. Riley is known as "The Children's Poet". The home has been featured in Architectural Digest and is considered one of the finest preserved Victorian homes in the country. Take a tour and see his belongings, antiques collection and history. $3 adults, $.50 ages 7-17, $2 seniors. Limited free parking.

• Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art 500 W. Washington St. +1 317 636-WEST. www.eiteljorg.org The museum is the only one of it's kind in the Midwest. Featuring western art by T.C. Cannon, N. C. Wyeth, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Allan Houser, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and Kay Walkingstick. The museum also focuses on Native American history featuring artifacts, art, and history about our nations first people. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant too. Located within White River State Park, check into a park pass for admission to all seven of the park's attractions. $8 adults, $5 children 5-17 and students with id, $7 seniors 65+. Free parking.

• President Benjamin Harrison Home 1230 Delaware St. +1 317 631-1888. www.pbhh.org So far, Indy's only president, serving one term (1889-1893). Take a tour of this Civil War hero's home, this beautiful 1875 home built in the Italianate Victorian school. It's three stories, and filled with antiques, art, political memorabilia and personal artifacts. The carriage house in the back features a First Ladies exhibit. Throughout the year they have fun events, that often include amazing re-enactors, performing as Indiana historical figures. They also host Victorian murder mystery tours, a naturalization ceremony and the always fun croquet tournament. $8 adults, $3 children 5-17, $6 seniors 65+. AAA discount available.

• Indianapolis Museum of Art 4000 Michigan Rd. +1 317 923-1331. www.imamuseum.org Recently reopened following a multi-million dollar renovation it's one of the most beautiful buildings in the country for fine art. Founded in 1883, thsi is one of the oldest art museums in the country, boasting over 50,000 pieces of a art and an amazing public art library. Exhibits include Contemporary Art, European Art, Asian Art, African Art, Textile Art and more. Rotating and traveling exhibits are abundant. Experience hands on exhibits where you can create your own art, walk the amazing grounds exploring the sculptures, gardens and homes, shop at the museum store and eat and drink at the IMA Cafe and Wolfgang Puck's namesake restaurant- this is the city he got his start in. On Thursdays and Fridays from 5-9PM, the museum has a special "happy hour" for hip and artsy socialites at Puck's featuring cocktails and hor'dourves. Free admission. Special exhibits and events may have an admission charge.

• Conner Prairie Living History Museum 13400 Allisonvile Rd., Fishers. +1 317 776-6006 www.connerprairie.org Settled in the 1880s, Conner Prairie is an Indiana tradition for those interested in learning about Indiana living 'back in the day.' With volunteers dressed in period-costume year round you are able to experience every aspect of the way of life - from blacksmithing to cooking, games and schooling, farming and church. Start at the modern museum learning about the science and anthropological history, then head to the living history museum featuring authentic buildings from the 1880s. Current exhibits involves Native American regional language sponsored by History Channel. In the summer the grounds feature 'Symphony on the Prairie' where one can picnic in the evening and enjoy live classical and pops performances. Halloween features haunted hay rides and the Holiday season includes dinners, candlelight tours and other celebrations. Restaurants on hand and a gift shop too. $11 adults, $7 youth, $10 seniors 65+. Admission November through March is $4. Free parking.

• Indiana Historical Society 450 W. Ohio St. 1+ 317 232-1882. www.indianahistory.org An amazing place to visit for those interested in the people and places that make up every bit of our state. Featuring a state-of-the-art research library, music room, film viewing room, gift shop and cafe. Special events include "A Century of Black Film," "Hoosiers In Hollywood" and "The Faces of Lincoln." Located snugly on the White River Canal. Free.