Indianapolis is about a 2 hour drive from Oxford, but if you are looking for a place you can kill an entire day...The Children's Museum is your place. There is so much to do at the Children's Museum in Indy that you could easily spend the entire day there and still not get to everything. The Children's Museum is also not far from the Indianapolis Art Museum, which is free. In college the Art Museum was one of my favorite places to bag a lunch because of the really great outdoor sculpture gardens. You might be pushing it to do them both in one day, but if you don't mind getting home later you could do the Children's Museum 10am-2 or 3pm, then the Art Museum 2-4 or 5pm. If you do that, check into the kid's "scavengar hunt" hand outs at the IMA that has things for kids to look for in the exhibits. That might keep them a little more engaged. Even if they only last 1 hour at the Art Museum, it's free so there's not much to lose in stopping by since it's only 4 minutes from the Children's Museum.
Another great place is the Super Hero museum downtown...maybe I'll do another Downtown Indy post. I grew up around Indy, and have a lot of family there, so we love going back:)
The Children's Museum has a walk-through food area if you don't want to bag it. But we always pack our lunch. There is a family "picnic" area on level 2 (by the water clock) where you can leave your labeled lunch until lunch time if you want.
Children's Museum website: http://www.childrensmuseum.org/
Cost: Youth (2-17) $7.50
Adults $12.50
Hours: 10-
Free days (these are sometimes more crowded): Jan. 21 MLK Day; Feb. 18 Presidents Day; April 27 El Dia de Los Ninos; Dec. 24 Christmas Eve (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
**Although we feel the cost is a bit steep, it does include free planetarium shows or children's theater...among other stuff. With family in Indy area, we end up going there 2-3 times a year.
The Children's Museum is 5 floors of exibits, with an area just for traveling exhibits. It can be overwhelming to figure out where to go first. Here is our best suggestions for making the most of your visit:
1. After getting our tickets, we go immediately down to the Lower Level to see what Planetarium
shows or Plays we want to get tickets to. These are FREE, but you still have to get a ticket and they very often run out of tickets for shows. We recommend "The Sky Above Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" in the Planetarium (even our 2 year old has sat through this). Also "Far Far Away" is a great planetarium show, comparing real planets and moons to the planets on Star Wars. This show is for 5 year old and up. Last week we also enjoyed the 40 minute musical "Babes in Toyland" in the Lily Theater--there was music and dancing, and the boys loved it. Afterwards the actors come out so the kids can get pictures and meet them:) To see what they are currently offering before you go, you can check out their website.
2. If you have older kids who would like to rock climb, there is a kid climbing wall on level 4 in "Science Works." You have to sign up in advance for this also, and every time we go we forget until too late and then they are already done for the day. I think it's also free (or very cheap). So I would head here next if your child wants to climb.
3. I suggest prioritizing what everyone wants to see most. Here are our favorite areas:
Level 3 "Playscape" (Our 2 year olds fav): This area is for 1-5 year olds. There is one way in and out, and it is monitored by a puppeted attendant who makes sure that the room doesn't have too many people (and kids don't leave without parents). There is a water area, sand area, house/play food area, climbing/slide area, building block area, and pretend area. There's is also a room for nursing mom's (bonus!). What I like best is that they have story time, song time, or craft time 4-5 times a day. Our 2 year old loves it.
Level 4 "Science Works" (Our 5 year olds fav): This room has great hands-on activities to help kids experience science. There's a great water area, construction building area, and several labs that do programs throughout the day. One time we went and we got to separate and study DNA of some type of wheat or corn meal.
The Carosel (level 4): It's a fun, historic carosel, and just costs $1.00 to ride. You can buy carosel tickets at the admissions gate, or from a machine at the carosel.
Lower Level "Trains": There is a real engine that "comes alive" via lights and sounds at the top of each hour. It's connected to a train car where, when you walk through, has screens in the windows to make it feel like you are moving. Also a play train table, and an model train set with trains that go around on rails along the top of the wall. Neighboring it in "What if.." there is a real mummy and other cool things to explore...
DinoSphere: This is through a walkway on the LL (past the trains) and on Level 1 (to the right of the main entrance). There is a large spherical room with large dinosaurs (many actual bones, some replica's). The sphere emulates an environment, and periodically it even looks like it's raining. The Museum has it's own lab for processing Dinosaur fossils, and last year they held a contest to name a new dinosaur that they discovered. It's pretty cool, but honestly my boys favorite part is playing with the little toy dinosaurs there.
Star Wars Toy Exibit (level 2 and basement display): Someone donated loads of star wars collectors toys. They have a very small amount of them on display now.
Special
Exibits (level 2): Every Christmas season they bring Santa and have a Winter Wonderland exibit. They turn the main stairs into a slide, which is cool but the line for it was really long when we were there. Usually we like their Santa, though (real beard, same one past 3 years, so we have consistent pictures). Every 3-4 months brings a new additional exibit. Some favorites from the past have been "Bob the Builder" and "Spy." Right now is "Robots" which my 5 year old loved.
Of course there is lots more! Those are just what we normally try to hit.
Another great place is the Super Hero museum downtown...maybe I'll do another Downtown Indy post. I grew up around Indy, and have a lot of family there, so we love going back:)
The Children's Museum has a walk-through food area if you don't want to bag it. But we always pack our lunch. There is a family "picnic" area on level 2 (by the water clock) where you can leave your labeled lunch until lunch time if you want.
Children's Museum website: http://www.childrensmuseum.org/
Cost: Youth (2-17) $7.50
Adults $12.50
Hours: 10-
Free days (these are sometimes more crowded): Jan. 21 MLK Day; Feb. 18 Presidents Day; April 27 El Dia de Los Ninos; Dec. 24 Christmas Eve (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
**Although we feel the cost is a bit steep, it does include free planetarium shows or children's theater...among other stuff. With family in Indy area, we end up going there 2-3 times a year.
The Children's Museum is 5 floors of exibits, with an area just for traveling exhibits. It can be overwhelming to figure out where to go first. Here is our best suggestions for making the most of your visit:
1. After getting our tickets, we go immediately down to the Lower Level to see what Planetarium
shows or Plays we want to get tickets to. These are FREE, but you still have to get a ticket and they very often run out of tickets for shows. We recommend "The Sky Above Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" in the Planetarium (even our 2 year old has sat through this). Also "Far Far Away" is a great planetarium show, comparing real planets and moons to the planets on Star Wars. This show is for 5 year old and up. Last week we also enjoyed the 40 minute musical "Babes in Toyland" in the Lily Theater--there was music and dancing, and the boys loved it. Afterwards the actors come out so the kids can get pictures and meet them:) To see what they are currently offering before you go, you can check out their website.2. If you have older kids who would like to rock climb, there is a kid climbing wall on level 4 in "Science Works." You have to sign up in advance for this also, and every time we go we forget until too late and then they are already done for the day. I think it's also free (or very cheap). So I would head here next if your child wants to climb.
3. I suggest prioritizing what everyone wants to see most. Here are our favorite areas:
Level 3 "Playscape" (Our 2 year olds fav): This area is for 1-5 year olds. There is one way in and out, and it is monitored by a puppeted attendant who makes sure that the room doesn't have too many people (and kids don't leave without parents). There is a water area, sand area, house/play food area, climbing/slide area, building block area, and pretend area. There's is also a room for nursing mom's (bonus!). What I like best is that they have story time, song time, or craft time 4-5 times a day. Our 2 year old loves it.Level 4 "Science Works" (Our 5 year olds fav): This room has great hands-on activities to help kids experience science. There's a great water area, construction building area, and several labs that do programs throughout the day. One time we went and we got to separate and study DNA of some type of wheat or corn meal.
The Carosel (level 4): It's a fun, historic carosel, and just costs $1.00 to ride. You can buy carosel tickets at the admissions gate, or from a machine at the carosel.
Lower Level "Trains": There is a real engine that "comes alive" via lights and sounds at the top of each hour. It's connected to a train car where, when you walk through, has screens in the windows to make it feel like you are moving. Also a play train table, and an model train set with trains that go around on rails along the top of the wall. Neighboring it in "What if.." there is a real mummy and other cool things to explore...
DinoSphere: This is through a walkway on the LL (past the trains) and on Level 1 (to the right of the main entrance). There is a large spherical room with large dinosaurs (many actual bones, some replica's). The sphere emulates an environment, and periodically it even looks like it's raining. The Museum has it's own lab for processing Dinosaur fossils, and last year they held a contest to name a new dinosaur that they discovered. It's pretty cool, but honestly my boys favorite part is playing with the little toy dinosaurs there.
Star Wars Toy Exibit (level 2 and basement display): Someone donated loads of star wars collectors toys. They have a very small amount of them on display now.
Special
Exibits (level 2): Every Christmas season they bring Santa and have a Winter Wonderland exibit. They turn the main stairs into a slide, which is cool but the line for it was really long when we were there. Usually we like their Santa, though (real beard, same one past 3 years, so we have consistent pictures). Every 3-4 months brings a new additional exibit. Some favorites from the past have been "Bob the Builder" and "Spy." Right now is "Robots" which my 5 year old loved.Of course there is lots more! Those are just what we normally try to hit.
ART MUSEUM OPTION (IMA)!
website: http://www.indianapolisartmuseum.com/
We recently took S.C., our 5 year old, to the Indianapolis Art Museum and he loved it. For a small, FREE, Museum they have some great works of art. Right now their Van Gogh's are on loan, but among their good ones they have a Georges Seurat and a collection of Georgia O'Keef paintings. Actually their International collection is pretty neat too. But S.C. and T.C loved the kid's "Hands On" art area. In good weather, there is an outdoor sculpture garden that you can drive, or walk, around the Art Grounds to see. It's 152 Acres!
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm
Thursday and Friday 11 am to 9 pm
Sunday noon to 5 pm
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year‘s days
DIRECTIONS:
From Oxford to the IMA or Children's Museum
Take 27 north, through Liberty (make sure to cure around the square to your right and follow signs). Turn left on "Pottershop" Rd at the sign that says "Abington." This is after Liberty but some ways before you get to Richmond. At the next stop sign, turn right (after this the road curves almost imediately to the left, follow that). You'll eventually get to Centerville. Keep Going until you get to I-70. Go left, or west, on I-70. Stay on I-70 until you get into Indianapolis. Merge onto I-65 north toward Chicago at exit 83B. Take 29th Street/30th Street (exit 116).
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: Turn Right (east) onto 30th Street. Turn left after about 5 blocks at Illinois Street. Stay in the left lane, and turn almost immediately into the parking garage (you'll see the Museum on your right). Parking is FREE. There is a walkway on the 2.5 parking level.
IMA: Turn left (west) onto 30th Street and go about one-third mile to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street. Turn right (north) and go about 1.1 miles. Note: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street becomes Michigan Road north of the 38th Street intersection. Turn left at the traffic light at 4000 Michigan Road onto the IMA grounds.
From IMA to Children's Museum
Go South on Michigan Road. Turn left on 38th Street. Turn Right on Meridian. Turn Right on 30th Street, and then right again at next light (at the Dinosaur) to park. The Garage is immediately on your left and is FREE. There is a walkway from the garage to the museum on level 2.5.
From Children's Museum to Oxford
Follow signs to exit parking garage. Turn right out of the Garage onto 30th. Follow signs to I65 South. Reverse the rest of the directions listed above to get home.
From IMA to Oxford
Go South on Michigan Rd. Continue as it turns into Dr. Martin Luther King St. Turn left on 30th street, then follow signs to get on I65 South. Reverse the rest of the directions listed above to get home.
website: http://www.indianapolisartmuseum.com/
We recently took S.C., our 5 year old, to the Indianapolis Art Museum and he loved it. For a small, FREE, Museum they have some great works of art. Right now their Van Gogh's are on loan, but among their good ones they have a Georges Seurat and a collection of Georgia O'Keef paintings. Actually their International collection is pretty neat too. But S.C. and T.C loved the kid's "Hands On" art area. In good weather, there is an outdoor sculpture garden that you can drive, or walk, around the Art Grounds to see. It's 152 Acres!
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm
Thursday and Friday 11 am to 9 pm
Sunday noon to 5 pm
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year‘s days
DIRECTIONS:
From Oxford to the IMA or Children's Museum
Take 27 north, through Liberty (make sure to cure around the square to your right and follow signs). Turn left on "Pottershop" Rd at the sign that says "Abington." This is after Liberty but some ways before you get to Richmond. At the next stop sign, turn right (after this the road curves almost imediately to the left, follow that). You'll eventually get to Centerville. Keep Going until you get to I-70. Go left, or west, on I-70. Stay on I-70 until you get into Indianapolis. Merge onto I-65 north toward Chicago at exit 83B. Take 29th Street/30th Street (exit 116).
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: Turn Right (east) onto 30th Street. Turn left after about 5 blocks at Illinois Street. Stay in the left lane, and turn almost immediately into the parking garage (you'll see the Museum on your right). Parking is FREE. There is a walkway on the 2.5 parking level.
IMA: Turn left (west) onto 30th Street and go about one-third mile to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street. Turn right (north) and go about 1.1 miles. Note: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street becomes Michigan Road north of the 38th Street intersection. Turn left at the traffic light at 4000 Michigan Road onto the IMA grounds.
From IMA to Children's Museum
Go South on Michigan Road. Turn left on 38th Street. Turn Right on Meridian. Turn Right on 30th Street, and then right again at next light (at the Dinosaur) to park. The Garage is immediately on your left and is FREE. There is a walkway from the garage to the museum on level 2.5.
From Children's Museum to Oxford
Follow signs to exit parking garage. Turn right out of the Garage onto 30th. Follow signs to I65 South. Reverse the rest of the directions listed above to get home.
From IMA to Oxford
Go South on Michigan Rd. Continue as it turns into Dr. Martin Luther King St. Turn left on 30th street, then follow signs to get on I65 South. Reverse the rest of the directions listed above to get home.
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