The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Since Indianapolis boasts the world’s largest children’s museum, it’s certainly fitting that dinosaurs are the beloved attraction’s hallmark. The gigantic animals are showcased indoors at the museum’s Dinosphere, where visitors discover the world that the Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops roamed. Outside, symbols that represent Indianapolis — think basketballs to reflect the Hoosier State’s rich hoops history — accent life-size sculptures of a Brachiosaurus and Alamosaurus.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis was the brainchild of civic leader Mary Stewart Carey, who was also instrumental in the adoption of Indiana’s state flag. After touring the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in New York, she decided to start a similar play-and-learn resource in her city, and on Dec. 6, 1925, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis debuted inside a small carriage house. Its first exhibits were objects donated by local families.

Today, the museum’s collection consists of more than 130,000 items, and because of innovative attractions like a Playscape for kids and the inclusive games at the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience, the 500,000-square-foot facility has an international reputation for fostering curiosity and learning.

The museum’s centennial celebration in 2025 features “Memories, Wonders and Dreams: Stories from 100 Years,” a new exhibit highlighting 100 significant artifacts that are part of its collection and range from a classic D.A. Dentzel Co. carousel (kids under age 2 ride for free) and a historic door latch from the house where Levi and Catharine Coffin operated what has since been called the Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad.

There is also an interactive Mickey Mouse Clubhouse exhibit and a Centennial Ferris Wheel where families can round out their visit with sky-high views of the museum campus and Indianapolis skyline. 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46206, 317/334-4000, childrensmuseum.org