Indianapolis, IN

Indiana War Memorial Museum & Plaza
DESCRIPTION: One of the nation’s grand plazas and highlighted by a neoclassical Indiana War Memorial that is square with Ionic columns and topped with a pyramidal dome; the upper level is the 110' tall Shrine Room, symbolizing peace and unity is made of materials from all over the world, symbolic of the world wide nature of the "Great War"; the Military Heritage of Black Americans in National Defense collection includes photos and historical documents from the Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, Vietnam, World War II, Korea, Spanish American, American Revolution and Civil Wars; collection located on bottom floor; main floor houses exhibit space, the administrative offices, two meeting rooms, and the Pershing Auditorium; listed on this level are the names of all Indiana residents who participated in WW I and all Hoosiers killed or MIA from WW II, Korea, and Vietnam; military firearms, a Korean War era helicopter, a Navy Terrier missile and hundreds of other artifacts are present

DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sun 9a-6p

ADMISSION: Free

ADDRESS: Vermont, Meridian, Michigan at Pennsylvania Streets  MAP

PHONE: 317-232-7615

WEBSITE: http://www.in.gov/iwm/historical

Indiana State Museum
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1869 as a diverse collection of artifacts, specimens, and Civil War memorabilia; in 1919, the museum became part of the Department of Conservation, now the Department of Natural Resources and broadened its collection and patronage; in 2002 the current 270,000 square foot facility opened with larger permanent exhibition space and temporary exhibition galleries, an IMAX Theater, cafe, gift shop, state-of the art conservation labs, and collection management facilities; museum highlights include Freetown Village on 3rd floor and Museum of Sports on 2nd floor; Freetown Village is an interactive living history exhibit featuring characters representing Indianapolis life during 1870; Museum of Sports features great exhibit on Major Taylor and other Indiana native sports champions

DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 9a-5p, Sun 11a-5p

ADMISSION: general $7, Ages 3-12 $4, seperate fee for IMAX

ADDRESS: 650 West Washington Street  MAP

PHONE: 317-232-1637

WEBSITE: http://www.indianamuseum.org

Indianapolis Museum of Art
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1883, it is one of the nation’s largest civic art museums; the museum recently debuted a striking $220 million 194,000-square-foot expansion; features a distinguished African art collection of 1,400 objects – most notably its masks and headdresses; possessing some 50,000 permanent works of art, several pavilions now offer more collections, exhibitions of African, American, Native American, Asian, European and South Pacific art in every media imaginable; the Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens is an elegant 26-acre estate and 22-room historic mansion that is now a part of the museum and listed as a National Historic Landmark, the property was once the 1930’s home of J.K. Lilly Jr., the late Indianapolis businessman, collector and philanthropist; the Madeline F. Elder Greenhouse and the new Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park Art Museum was awarded the National Medal, America's highest honor for museums for adding a 100-acre scuplture park; listen to jazz during the summer, dine at two fine restaurants; menus are designed by Wolfgang Puck

DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Wed 11a-5p, Thu-Fri 11a-9p, Sat 11a-5p, Sun Noon-5p

ADMISSION: Free

ADDRESS: 1200 West 38th Street  MAP

PHONE: 317-923-1331

WEBSITE: http://www.imamuseum.org

Indiana History Center
DESCRIPTION: A 165,000-square-foot venue that is headquarters for the Indiana Historical Society; founded in 1830, the Indiana Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in the country and maintains one of the largest collections of material on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest; explore numerous galleries and the William Henry Smith Memorial Library research library, where you will find a priceless collection of rare books, letters, diaries, business records, maps, architectural drawings, paintings, photographs and other research material calculated to shed light on the history and experiences of African Americans in Indiana and the Old Northwest; the society also publishes for its members a quarterly newsletter entitled Black History News & Notes, which provides information about the library’s holdings pertaining to Black Hoosiers; a gift shop and cafe are on the premises; the cafe closes 1 hour before the museum

DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p

ADMISSION:General $7, age 5-17 $5

ADDRESS: 450 West Ohio Street  MAP

PHONE: 317-232-1882

WEBSITE: http://www.indianahistory.org

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
DESCRIPTION: One of only two museums east of the Mississippi that showcase both Native American and Western art, culture and history; named after the museum’s founder, Harrison Eiteljorg, the collection of traditional and contemporary works of art here including sculpture, paintings, drawings and numerous other objects are considered by some to be one of the best Native American and Western art collections in the world; the combination of Native American art and artifacts encompassing apparel, beadwork, wood carvings, pottery and basketry; hands-on activities for visitors of all ages, cultural demonstrations; workshops; painstakingly preserved rare objects, historical photos, interactive displays and audiovisual technology, plus a wide variety of special exhibitions make a visit here a truly unique cultural experience; for a true “taste” of the west, you can dine at the museum’s Sky City Café restaurant serving Western and Native American inspired cuisine in a casual atmosphere; wheelchair accessible

DAYS & HOURS: Mon–Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p

ADMISSION: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Age 5-17 $7

ADDRESS: 500 West Washington Street  MAP

PHONE: 317-636-9378

WEBSITE: http://www.eiteljorg.org