Best art galleries in Indianapolis: find options near you

Very good and large museum for all ages of children. It’s interactive and knowledge sharing for children. It’s great place to take your children here. You must have enough time in hand to see indoor as well as out door facilities. Nicely made museum.

From the second you see the gigantic dinosaur cracking the building open from the car, it is an amazing experience. Every floor is absolutely packed with amazing exhibits. Things for children and parents, nostalgia at its best. On top of the amazing and beautiful exhibits, they have so many things for little children to do. The playscape is a life saver for kids who need to get some energy out. The staff is so friendly and helpful. They are so open to nursing mothers and mothers with small babies in general when it comes to feeding, relaxing, changing. 100/10 recommend. I’d go even if I didn’t have kids with me.

My family has always wanted to try this museum but the timing never worked out until yesterday! We went on a summer weekday when some Indiana schools were already in session. We went with 4 adults and three kids ages 4, 9 & 11. We bought tickets in advance and parked in the free covered lot. Entry was a breeze and my kids immediately found activities to interest them. We ate at the museum and the food was good (better than many other museums) and very good choices. Prices seemed fine. We were busy from 11-3 and then had to leave but missed two floors! I think my 11yo might be aging out but anyone into sports or solving mysteries would still love it! I would go back! The special Peru exhibit was our favorite, followed by the sports area and the Rube Goldberg Machine.

The Children’s museum is listed as one of the best in the nation. Some aspects of that claim I could definitely agree with. Other aspects left me wondering how they got the recognition. With that being said, the outdoor area is phenomenal. The dinosaur area, pretty fantastic. It felt like certain areas of the building were afterthoughts. Our kids had a great time and that’s the most important part. If you are familiar with the Denver Children’s museum or Portland’s Children’s Museum, those are better in my opinion. I do recommend that if you’re in the area that you check it out if you have the time, but I don’t think I’d make it a must see place in Indy.

Wonderful adventure!
First, I was kind of shocked at the cost of admission. As an IN resident on a Monday, it was $98 for me and my 2 children to get in. Once inside, I was much more understanding! I’ll be applying our admission today towards a membership! 5 levels (LL, and 1-4) plus the 7+ acres of outdoor fun!
The take-a-break room was fantastic for us when we got sensory overload from the lights and noise and people, specifically after lunch. Speaking of which… cost me $52 for 2 slices of pizza ($6.75 each), 2 breadsticks ($5.50), a salad ($16!), and 3 fountain drinks ($16.85). I expected some fairly high prices but the $16 for a salad and the same price for 3 fountain drinks threw me for a loop. Next time, we’ll head out for lunch and come back.
Overall, though, the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are worn out. If you’re planning to do all of it in 1 day… don’t. We arrived at 11:30 am and at 4:41 pm. We really rushed through after lunch when we realized we still had 2 levels and the outdoor area to still get to. They do offer “second day” passes for cheaper than general admission, but that would’ve still been another $50 for the 3 of us. With the bottom-tier family membership at $225, 2 visits and it’s basically paid for itself!

If I was rating just the outside area I would give it 5 stars, the outdoor sports area is incredible! Some of the exhibits inside are really nice but many or extremely screen heavy. I have been to tons of children’s museums all over the country and most have more stuff the kids can play with and more around. This had lots of kiosks and decor. The parking was free and the place is big so those are a plus. Indiana residents get $3 off per ticket.

My boys ages 7 and 5 absolutely love going here. We can spend all day here from open to close. There’s something for both of them no matter what their interest is at the time. The children’s museum is always updating its exhibits so there’s always something new when we go. It’s clean, and the staff is very friendly. It’s educational and keeps there attention which is such a big win! 10/10 Great way to get the littles up and moving. My boys sleep so well after we tackle all 4 floors!! Will be returning!!

My husband and I did a date day here, there was so much to see with 4 floors of art exhibits, cafes spaced throughout and the amazing gardens all around the outside. We weren’t able to see it all in one trip, and will go back soon. I’d love to visit the gardens in every season. There are lots of walking trails too that we will enjoy another time.

I went to the garden and felt i got transported to a totally different place, i arrived very late and should have planned it properly beforehand, there is lots to see in the garden, very well maintained and deserves full appreciation to the team who dedicated lots of their efforts. Serene and beautiful, every step feels lighter and you cant stop gazing every where trying to soak it all in.

Perfect place for weddings or intimate events or photo shoots.

We were in Indy for a two day “mini-vacation” and my husband found this spot. It was perfect. I loved that it was a small-ish but big enough museum with beautiful gardens attached. I wasn’t expecting to be impressed by the art, but I was pleasantly surprised at the variety and reputation of the artwork. They had it beautifully organized in a variety of galleries over three floors. We thoroughly enjoyed the art, then went outside to the gardens which were well-tended and beautiful.

The only suggestions I would make would be:
1. Have a grounds map that people can take (they had a map but it was quite outdated and incomplete)
2. In the gardens, post more maps so that it’s clear where you are on the grounds (and get your bearings).

Bottom line: I highly recommend!

I had not been there for very long time. The building was completely refurbished from my last visit. A lot more exhibits because of all the additional floor space. They have really done a great job of making the galleries something to enjoy. My favorite area was the 3rd floor modern furniture section. The 1st floor had a wing with employees art work. Yes, it was quite interesting.
I would recommend going with an open mind. Then just your thoughts take in everything you can see.
The open hours are 10am till 5pm.
Some days 10am to 8pm.
Yes, there is a cost for tickets.
Well worth the price and your time.

The staff are very helpful and know their information.
Check out this gem sometime soon.

Absolutely stunning flower collection and art inside. There are multiple floors of exhibits. Plenty of interactive exhibits for children and adults. We will be returning! The items in the gift shop were definitely a tad over priced along with the food in the little cafeteria, but it was all very cute. You have to go through a metal detector/purse and bag check when you enter, but it was super fast and easy.

My favorite go-to place in Indianapolis. I really like their gardens outside while I also love their museum. Try to go around with the guided tour in garden if it is your first time visiting. Definitely worth to hear the stories. Also, it has various different beauties around different seasons, so try to visit in different seasons of the year.

Beautiful museum to visit with an amazing garden. The collection is quite decent and work from all over the world includingnleseer know artists and that makes it special.. parking is easy. The cafeteria food is good but I do believe a service charge is added ( But I may be wrong). We enjoyed our visit.

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Holy COW this museum was great! Firstly, it is organized chronologically, as opposed to most museums which are organized by genre/concept. This made it feel more akin to a journey through time in Indiana. The exhibits also included miniature images of the state with a pin placed to show where in Indiana each artifact was found! So cool! Certain exhibits, particularly fossils, also included sculpted casts by the information plaques, I’m assuming for blind visitors to “see” the exhibits with their hands. This was very neat as well! The facility was clean and the café (especially the customer service!!!) was great.

Leaving a review and shout out for Erica Montgomery, the Event Coordinator there. My Wife and I booked an area for our wedding last week and when I say Erica is the best, she is the best. From the communication, care, above and beyond effort, to the actual day of running back and forth bridging the gaps, her assistance was vital, appreciated, and treasured.

She left no stone unturned and even provided us with ideas that made our day absolutely perfect. I can’t thank her enough and to recommend the ISM for your special day. Again, thank you to ISM and thank you to Erica for being a Core Memory of ours for a lifetime. Highly recommended.

Huge space. Staff is very kind. There is something for everyone. Kids have a lot of the 3rd floor. Basement is where you’ll find mammoths and the large skeletons. Famous people from Indiana is cool too.

Loads of fun for the whole family or just a chill date. Lots of interactive activities and great exhibits

Museums are my thing so while visiting Indianapolis I decided to experience the Indianapolis State Museum. One of the things that stuck out to me is how interactive it is. Not only are you reading and viewing but also indulging in trivia,games and activities. Great place for families as this keeps kids interested. The museum is in a park which adds to the ambiance. Also included inside is an IMAX theater which I had the pleasure of viewing a film.

A fun place for kids to have fun and learn. My kids loved the special exhibit where they could make anything they wanted with cardboard. They spent over an hour letting their creativity take over. They made several different cardboard creations.

I appreciate that the Museum validates parking. So if you’re wondering about parking know there is plenty of parking and it will be validated.

This is a great museum. It has many artifacts from Kurt Vonnegut’s life and work. But that’s not all. There is a focus on the things that mattered to him: freedom of expression, local jazz and being a decent human. There is a small concession area that serves snacks and drinks, including some alcohol (after noon for that) as well as a beautiful balcony with views of downtown. Patrons can even rent books. Each time I go I am delighted by something I didn’t notice the time before. They offer multiple educational activities and are activists in the fight against censorship. It is also part of N.A.R.M. (North American reciprocal Museum) program. What else could you ask for? Yes there is a small gift shop too.

The genius Kurt Vonnegut!! Being a big fan, I took the opportunity to check out the museum. I enjoyed it! It’s three levels of a building, so there’s a lot to see. The ticket price was fair. The staff were friendly. If you’re a fan I would definitely recommend checking it out!

What a wonderful tribute to one of the best authors that ever lived. Many times I was moved to tears in this, not just from excitement but from the stories shared within the exhibits. Each floor was exciting and new, offering different insight into KV’s life. Lots of awesome items on display, such as his personal typewriter and numerous copies of Cats Cradle in different languages. The gift shop had the best gifts for any KV fan and even some books you don’t see very often. The young woman in the gift shop was super friendly and made our visit seamless. I will absolutely be back! Loved this place!

Loved them museum. Such a nice tribute to one of our country’s best authors. The gift shop had a lot of his books some of which you don’t see as often. They also have a coffee shop and a great balcony to sit and enjoy a nice day. I would stop back again.

I had the pleasure of visiting in July, and this turned out to be the highlight of my summer! I highly recommend that all Vonnegut fans go out of their way to include this stop in their travels, as it is a true gem. Their collection of artifacts is amazing, and the staff are knowledgeable and extremely kind. My personal favorite part was getting to actually sit at Kurt’s desk and type on one of his typewriters. What a treat! Thank you, Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library for going above and beyond to offer a wonderful experience. You’re doing important work 🙂

The perfect stop for any true Vonnegut fan.
The slaughterhouse five exhibit on the third floor is worth the visit alone. It’s a miracle he survived. God must have had a plan for him to write those great works….

Stopped in for a quick visit today to avoid the rain and would have loved to curl up there with a book. There’s lots of spots to sit and read & write, a cocktail bar, a gift shop, and of course the history of Vonnegut’s life and works. The displays are modern and interesting. There’s a small parking lot, clean restrooms, and an elevator.

This museum was PHENOMENAL. The variety of artwork was amazing. We really enjoyed how the museum showcased not only “conventional” native artwork, but also made a point of showing how native artists use traditional techniques with modern materials to highlight issues that they currently face in today’s culture. The museum is a must see if you’re visiting Indianapolis. The children’s area is also packed full of hands-on play opportunities.

words cannot do the eiteljorg museum justice you will find breathtaking, touching, powerful pieces that will re-shape your view on “america” as you know it.
ever since my first indian market visit, ive made it a summer tradition to visit! its always an amazing experience here.
you simply have to come and find out for yourself! chin’an shida gasht’ana

I’m not a art expert but I enjoyed the Eiteljord. Lots of beautiful American Indian artworks, Western paintings (including lesser known Georgia O’Keeffe pieces), sculptures, and other interesting displays. The day we went there was an exhibit of Inuit art which was very interesting. The cafe is pretty good too. Validated parking is a plus.

What a great specialty art museum!

We saw Remington’s very first bronze in “Attitudes: The West in American Art.” (That bronc rider doesn’t stand a chance–he’s lost one of his stirrups.)

We saw all kinds of contemporary beadwork in “Radical Stitch.”

There was tons more Native art upstairs, from the coast to coast up to Alaska and Canadian tribes.

Plus, there were interactive activities that I just had to play with.

We spent about two and a half hours there and explored just about everything.

Beautiful art! For your average spectator, you can be through in an hour. They have hands- on, interactive things like putting together puzzles, sketching art, etc. The family zone downstairs was a hit with our students!! They got so into running the restaurant and taking care of the horses. The onsite cafe has good fresh food options .

The museum was nice, they were changing exhibits so there were a lot of empty rooms but the exhibits we saw were excellent. The gift shop is very nice. High quality merchandise. The childrens learning center was very well done, but the hidden gem is the cafe. You don’t have to pay an entrance fee to eat there. If I were in downtown Indy, I would eat there daily. Fresh , local ingrediants, home-made dishes , decent prices. The menu is seasonal so changes accordingly. My power bowl was delicious, my friend had the salmon salad that came with a blackberry sage dressing that was not only beautiful, but so good! They both came with a rustic corn muffin that was moist and delicious.
We sat on the patio that overlooked the canal walk and were able to the Corps warming up in Military Park since we were there for the DCI Finals. Seriously, go there. Tell your friends. You won’t regret it. It’s phenomenal

It is a lovely museum full of art depicting American Indians, landscapes, animals, and culture surrounding different tribes and historical moments. We went for the Indiana Arts Fair and Festival showcasing the art and artisans of many different tribes. Jewelery, beadwork, painting, pottery, leather crafting plus more. The dancing by Indigenous Entertprise was the absolute highlight of the day. Just astonishing talent and passion for sharing the original dnaces and costumes of their tribes. As for the museum, there’s a nice café, great children’s area, and the grounds are nice.

Nice new space for art and gathering seems very new! We went on a Sunday for the Vibe music series and had a great time.

Very cool spot, friendly staff and the ambience is nice and peaceful. Artwork is very beautiful and inspiring. We went there to have coffee and a nice time, and that’s what we did!
Took one star off because the prices were a little too high for slices of toast… but overall it was a good experience!

The art is good and the space is neat. Visit the Chicken Chapel!

Despite having been part of the Indy art scene for a few years now, I had never been to Tube Factory! I really enjoyed my first visit, though it wasn’t quite what I expected. Great space, great people, great work being shown. If you’re into that kind of thing, there’s vendors selling jewelry and candles, but that part is also really to ignore if you’re just there for the art. Come check it out!

I enjoyed the new art that was on display in the two galleries.
I’m disappointed in the toilet situation though. The main floor has two restrooms designated only for men and women. The women’s room has a large stall and a (almost unusably) tiny stall, as well as a diaper changing table. It would be better to make this a single-user restroom open to any person. The sign on the outside of the women’s restroom and the men’s indicates there’s an all-bodies restroom as well, but it is located down a set of uneven stairs and behind an almost unmarked door.
It seems like an afterthought, and certainly isn’t actually accessible to “all bodies”.

We eloped and came home wanting to throw a big wonderful party for our friends and family. Traditional “Indy wedding venues” were great but just didn’t feel like us. Then we went to a first Friday event at The Tube and fell in love. It’s such a community space and that feeling resonates not only in the building and space itself but the people who make it so amazing. From the artist who was showcasing a collection at the time of our party that I will never forget to the staff who helped us set up and by the end of the night felt like family. I can’t recommend this space or these wonderful people highly enough.

Beautiful Gallery with outdoor seating and a place for to send post cards. My grandchildren had a celebration there. Owners are beautiful and conscious concerned people. A beautiful experience .

Nice little museum. They are undergoing a huge renovation. Will likely be 5 stars when done

This museum is updating a lot of areas. Nice setup to view your child’s art and more.

Cute little stop on our drive through Indiana. They had a Renoir on loan and curated a little exhibition of Hoosier school artists to go along with it, but the permanent collection was really lovely. Free entry, docents were so friendly and helpful.

It was a lovely visit. Stopped in with my young kids who have an interest in art. We were able to enjoy each piece, and get some inspiration for our own projects.

Amazing find! I love that this museum has a wonderful display of Indiana artists. Definitely take an hour and stop in. Take a moment to enjoy art history and inspiration.

It’s free so the price is definitely right! This isn’t a huge collection, but for a small town it’s impressive. There’s some famous works here including a Andy Warhol and Edward Hopper. If you’re in town and an art fan it’s a no brainer to check this out. For most people I’d assume you’ll spend maybe a half an hour to an hour here.

Lovely little museum in Terre Haute, IN. A must see. Friendly staff and patrons. Thanks to locals Phil and David for their welcome and impromptu tour.

I visited the museum after doing the Indie Indy Book Crawl. I can’t believe I hadn’t been here before! The house is beautiful, and I really didn’t know anything about Riley before the tour, but I learned so much. Allison, the tour guide and intern, did an amazing job personalizing the tour and answering all of our questions!

My husband and I had our rehearsal dinner at the Riley home and it was also the place in which he proposed in Oct. 2023. It is a beautiful and underrated venue in the Indy area! The gardens are gorgeous and the home itself is a beautiful backdrop for any event, wedding, shower, etc. A big plus is the Riley Home comes with tables, chairs, speakers, microphone, coolers and indoor backup for events plus they do the set up and tear down of their own supplies. Amanda is awesome to work with and was so helpful leading up to our rehearsal. She was quick to respond to messages and answer our questions. When it started to rain in the middle of dinner, she quickly adapted and helped us move all our decor and supplies inside for the remainder of the evening. Not to mention, the Home is a staple for the Lockerbie Square neighborhood in hosting several neighborhood events. My husband and I greatly appreciate this as we live in Lockerbie. In summary, the Home is an amazing place for events and a true hidden gem in Indy! We couldn’t recommend this place enough.

We hosted our Rehearsal Dinner here in May and could not have been more in love! Amanda made the entire planning process so seamless, the rental fee goes to a great cause, and you have freedom on catering! Amanda hooked us up with tables, chairs, tents, AND a mic system for speeches. The weather held up, but there was a backup banquet room if not. We will be spreading the news about this angelic location nonstop. A truly beautiful “night at the museum” that our guests loved.

Home of James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier poet! Victorian home in mint condition with 90% plus original contents- including James Whitcomb Riley’s hat, walking stick, chair, books, clothing, calling cards, his entire bedroom with his desk and chair, and all household furnishings with a few exceptions in the kitchen. The tour was excellent, with interesting film and even better info shared by our guide. Has a small gift shop in the kitchen. A selection, basically of books of his poetry, and a few of the usual things, bookmarks, mugs, shirts…. Restrooms are in the Visitors Center. Tour and parking is free but need to book in advance. A little off the usual path, need good GPS to get there. Exceptional place. I love his poetry.

We hosted our daughter’s second birthday at the James Whitcomb Riley Home – in the visitor center. It was absolutely perfect! We had planned to have activities outside but the weather didn’t cooperate. It was stress free knowing there was basement space for a rain backup. Added bonus, Amanda Mirani is top notch! Amanda works with you from start to finish and ensures a wonderful experience. She’s friendly, informative, professional, and welcoming to you and all your guests. I’m seriously considering hosting all my daughter’s birthdays here. 10/10 recommend!

We had our wedding at the James Whitcomb Museum and it was absolutely perfect. Amanda was our main point of contact and she went above and beyond for us. Unlike most places that triple the price when they hear the word “wedding,” they kept things incredibly fair — almost too good to be true.

The venue included a multi-story building with clean restrooms, audio equipment, beautiful tables and chairs, and even coolers. We were able to bring our own food and drinks, which gave us full control over the day. The outdoor setting was stunning, and Amanda didn’t just hand us the keys — she helped with coordination, supported our musician and caterers, and kept things running smoothly throughout the day.

Can’t recommend this place or Amanda enough. If you’re looking for a beautiful, affordable, and stress-free wedding venue, this is it.

We rented the visitor center out for our daughter’s birthday. The space was amazing and the surrounding area is equally as amazing. Our event organizer, Amanda is probably one of the coolest humans I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. I absolutely recommend this spot!

This place was amazing, I learned so much new stuff that I never learned in school, they go into great detail on all the exhibits, I highly support going here if you’re in the area. I took so many pictures and videos.
I will definitely be back

Words can’t express the emotions you have when going through this. I do not even have a family member or know anyone close to me that went to war….

Recently went there walking off the streets ignorant to anything about the place. This place is much bigger than it looks from the outside and is multi leveled. Full of all kinds of interesting things from war history. I spent an hour and a half in there and that was rushing it as I had plans. You could easily lose some serious time in there and seems like a great place to bring people the young or old for educational purposes. Very quiet setting and relaxing atmosphere.

A great dedication to the armed forces. Free for the public from what I remember.
Definitely not a place where it can be described as “exciting” unless you like history and military history.
Take time walking in the main staircase, the names are incredible!
Would recommend for something interesting to do that’s free/low cost.

Very nice monument.

This is not a museum for all people

An amazing, beautiful place to visit! The tour guide was great on sharing details.