Indiana State Museum located in White River State Park

Go To Website
Indy
650 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 232-1637
Email

Overview

ADMISSION
$17-$23

The Indiana State Museum, located in White River State Park, brings the best of the museum world to Indiana. Spanning three floors of permanent and changing galleries, the museum tells the story of the Hoosier state, and features a year-round calendar of exhibits, events and educational programs for all ages. Here you can engage with the past and connect it to the present, carrying your newfound knowledge and experiences with you long after you leave. In addition to exhibits, the museum houses an IMAX movie theater, the Indiana Store, The Farmers Market Café, and the L.S. Ayres Tea Room, open to the public during the holiday season and available for private dining throughout the year.

Permanent galleries include:

  • Frozen Reign: A State of Change
    Feel the tooth of a saber tooth cat, explore a subglacial ice tunnel, and wind your way through replicas of caves that house the bones of many now-extinct animals that previously roamed Indiana, including jaguars, dire wolves and more. Plus, see a parade of the Ice Age giants, with skeletons of mammoths, mastodons and other larger animals. Learn about environmental change and how it continues to affect us today, and about the ongoing work that museum staff do out in the field. Frozen Reign covers the timeframe from about 5 million years ago up to about 12,000 years ago.
  • The R.B. Annis Naturalist’s Lab
    R.B. Annis Naturalist’s Lab invites you to explore Indiana’s natural history through your senses. Touch artifacts and specimens like rocks and minerals, animals and plants. Use the tools of a naturalist and engage with on-staff scientists and historical Hoosiers, as well as from other experts in the state, to discover the world around you. This is a place for hands-on exploration of different sciences, including paleobiology, archaeology, geology and more.
  • First Nations: The Story of Indiana's Founding People
    You’ll discover how Pre-Columbian Native Americans developed successful, strong communities. View artifacts from the museum’s archaeology collection including a Clovis point from 10,000 years ago, 2,000-year-old ceramic pottery, jewelry and more. Hear a Potawatomi storyteller share about the bear that lost its tail, telling the story of the constellation Ursa Major, and see how the Potawatomi used stars for navigation. Touch a 3D-printed mud daub and feel where the hands of these native people once were, view a life-size projection of Native Americans using ordinary objects like chunky stones and ceramic pots in their daily lives, and participate in an interactive station featuring hands-on activities for families. First Nations covers history that occurred from approximately 12,000 years ago up to 300 years ago.

Indy Attraction Pass

Amenities

  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Related Video

Related Stories

Must Read

Experience Indianapolis the local way and discover the appeal and lifestyle of Indy's attractions and iconic experiences.

Student Tour
The NCAA Hall of Champions is an ideal stop on a student tour of Indy
Holiday Season Tour
The holidays are bright during Circle of Lights on Monument Circle
White River Snake Park Tour
Indianapolis Family Fun Tour
Get eye-to-eye with orangutans at the Indianapolis Zoo

Related

Mark Your Calendar

Indy is a four season city, and something is always happening.

Sep 30 to Oct 26
Downtown
Hoosier Art Salon
Indiana art by Indiana artists.Explore stunning artworks from Indiana’s top artists during the 102nd annual Hoosier Art Salon. Celebrate the Hoosier…
This event is currently underway
Learn More
Oct 9
Downtown
Night at the Boo Bash
Fred the Mastodon and his friends are hosting their annual Halloween party at the museum, and you’re invited! Bring your family…
Learn More
Dec 2
Downtown
Holiday Sounds
Enjoy the sounds of the season in a spectacular holiday atmosphere of Celebration Crossing as local school and community choirs, bands…
Learn More