Indianapolis Student Tour

See, Do, and Perform

Splashing with dolphins, witnessing an 1863 Confederate raid on an Indiana town, stepping onto the field of a Super Bowl stadium, pedal-boating on a scenic canal, and digging for dinosaurs - sound interesting for your student groups? Consider these great Indy student tour ideas.

"Park It" at White River State Park

• Indianapolis Zoo – triple accredited zoo, aquarium, and botanical gardens, home to daily dolphin shows and the new Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center with aerial viewing via the Skyline Gondola Ride. (2-4 hours)
• NCAA Hall of Champions – the NCAA is headquartered in Indy, and its Hall of Champions provides educational, interactive, and inspiring activities that will make each student a champion. (1.5 hours)
• Eiteljorg Museum – this art and cultural museum houses the largest collection of Native American and Western art east of the Mississippi River, and always delivers interesting special exhibits that have included guitars, motorcycles, and trains. (1-2 hours)
• Indiana State Museum – the official collector and story-teller of Indiana’s history, culture, science, and art with intriguing permanent and rotating exhibits. (1-2 hours)
• IMAX Theater – inside the Indiana State Museum and featuring 3-D educational movies on a monster-sized six-story screen. (1-2 hours)
• Indianapolis Indians Baseball at Victory Field – simply the finest baseball park in America, overlooking downtown and home to the AAA Indianapolis Indians,  with games played April-August. (2-3 hours)
• Central Canal – a historic canal runs through the park. Groups can rent bikes and pedal boats, and even schedule gondola rides on the waterway. (1 hour)
• Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial – this national memorial graces the Canal and pays homage to more than 3,400 recipients of the Medal of Honor, received for military valor above the call of duty. (30 minutes)

History That's Fun

• Conner Prairie – a Smithsonian affiliate, where the past comes alive. Experience 1836 Prairietown; a Lenape-Indian camp; the Civil War Journey; and even take a ride on the 1859 Balloon Voyage. Special "History up Close" programs are available to groups. (2-4 hours)
• Soldiers & Sailors Monument & Eli Lilly Civil War Museum – visit the center of Indianapolis, Monument Circle, and the historic sculpture that towers 284 feet and honors Hoosiers who served in the military. The Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is also in the structure. When on the Circle, stop in at Rocket Fizz for soda and candy, and at South Bend Chocolate Company for sweet treats. (1 hour)
• Indiana Historical Society – engage in new ways with the past, by literally stepping through historic photos and being transported into the scene, and by hands-on experience of restoring historic papers. (1-1.5 hours)
• Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site – Indiana’s only president, Benjamin Harrison, is honored at this house museum, providing a glimpse of life in the late 1800s. (1 hour)
• Crown Hill Cemetery – the nation’s third largest cemetery, Crown Hill is the final resting place for presidents, vice-presidents, governors, and even John Dillinger, infamous bank robber. (1 hour)
• Indiana Medical History Museum – a fascinatingly unique learning experience about the beginnings of scientific psychiatry and the oldest pathology laboratory in the nation. The guided tour gives insight into how doctors in the late 1800s and early 1900s explored mental illness through clinical labs, autopsies, and analysis of results. This is a museum you won’t forget! (1-1.5 hours)

Explore and Learn

• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis – the world's largest and best, The Children's Museum is home to Dinosphere where T-rexs rule, and to a vast array of interactive exhibits, including Treasures of the Earth (think pirates, mummies, and Terra Cotta warriors.) (2-4 hours)
• Indianapolis Museum of Art – is one of the top 10 general art museums in the nation, residing on 152 acres of glorious grounds that include a historic country estate, spectacular gardens, and a most unique Art & Nature Park, home to Funky Bones and other intriguing sculptures. (1-3 hours)
• Traders Point Creamery - take a guided tour of this organic dairy, meet the animals up close and personal, and learn how award-winning dairy items are produced. Tastings are available, including creamy chocolate milk, yogurts, ice creams, and cheeses. Weekly organic farmers markets take place year round. (1-1.5 hours)

Sporting Life

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway & Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum – track tours take guests around the iconic oval and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum showcases the cars and winners of the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500. (1-1.5 hours)
• Dallara IndyCar Factory & Rides in IndyCars – near the Motor Speedway is the facility where the IndyCars are assembled. Learn about racing and even strap on a helmet and take a spin in a real Indy race car (professional driver provided). (1-1.5 hours)
• Speedway Indoor Karting – this world-class indoor karting facility offers racing on both European multi level tracks and on banked ovals. Instructors easily guide all ages and experience levels to success behind the wheel. (1-1.5 hours)
• Lucas Oil Stadium – rated as the best football stadium in the USA, it is home to the Indianapolis Colts and recently hosted the Super Bowl. Behind-the-scenes tours take fans to the field, locker rooms, and media center. (1 hour)
• Gainbridge Fieldhouse – home to the NBA Pacers and WNBA Fever, this hoops mecca has been recognized as the best facility in the nation. Tours can include games on the hardwood. (1 hour)

Just Do It Recreational Fun

** Each venue will range 1 hour or more based on tour planner's preference

• Action & Atomic Duckpin Bowling – little bowling balls, little pins, and big fun.
• Climb Time Indy – indoor climbing walls for all skill levels.
• Go Ape Treetop Adventure – rope ladders, Tarzan swings, and five ziplines take you through the scenery of Eagle Creek Park.
• Hoosier Heights – one of the nation’s premier indoor rock climbing facilities.
• Ice Skating at Indiana State Fairgrounds – the new Youth Arena is the perfect place for groups with a passion for ice skating. Open seasonally.
• The Monon Community Center – located in Carmel, Indiana, includes fitness center, trails, and aqua park.

Youth-Friendly Shopping and Restaurants

• Circle Centre – downtown's shopping, dining, and entertainment center offering a large food court and other student friendly dining (Harry & Izzy's, Nada, PF Chang's). (1-2 hours)
• Dick's Last Resort – great food served up by intentionally obnoxious staff makes for loads of laughs and satisfied stomachs (1-1.5 hours)
• The Fashion Mall – the fashion center of Indianapolis, with new food court area and a variety of group friendly restaurants in the vicinity (Maggiano's, Buca di Beppo, MCL Cafeteria). (1-2 hours)
• Indianapolis City Market – the historic City Market includes numerous eateries and on Wednesdays during warm months, hosts an old-fashioned Farmers Market. Students will get the creeps going on the market's Catacombs Tour. (1-1.5 hours)
• Weber Grill – the grill is fired up every day at Weber Grill, home to awesome barbeque and more. (1-1.5 hours)

Performance Venues

• Indianapolis Artsgarden – a spectacular glass-domed facility suspended over a busy downtown intersection, it is perfectly suited for student choirs, concert bands, jazz bands, and performing groups. Attached to Circle Centre mall, with shopping and dining, including food court.
• Indiana State Museum – in White River State Park this museum has both an auditorium and grand atrium area perfectly suited for student performances.
• Indianapolis City Market – also located downtown in an historic structure that is home to food stands, dining, farmers markets, and shopping, student bands and choirs can perform for the lunch crowds (indoor and outdoor opportunities) and then enjoy the market atmosphere.

Please contact John Mellinger, Visitor Experience Manager/Information Specialist - Incoming Tours, for more detailed information about the venues and activities on this itinerary.