Has anyone been to the Indianapolis Children's Musuem?

[clh2]

We are going to Indy this weekend to see the Lion King. (Whohoo!)

While there, my DD, 10 wants to see President Harrison's home (She had to do a report on him last year).

I have heard that the children's musuem there is fabulous. However, I have not heard what age groups it targets. It seems like some of the children's museums twe've been to target children that are in the primary grades (1-3) vs older kids.

If you know anything about this, I would appreciate your input! Just don't want to waste our money on something that DD would find totally "babyish."

 

[Serena]

What do you need to know?

First of all there is stuff there for all ages. You might even find it interesting.

 

[Serena]

I took my girls there at least once a week when they were little. So I know a little bit about it. We still go several times a year.

There are 5 floors.

There is a room for babies and very young children that frankly, I loved to play with my dd's in. lol

If your daughter is interested in science at all, she'll love it. I'm not sure what they special focus is right now, but there is always something interesting going on.

If you go on a weekend, make sure you get there early, it gets crowded and it's not as much fun. There is a restaurant inside with reasonable prices. There is also a few other things that cost money, plus a store that my girls loved.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We love the Children's Museum! We go down all the time. I think it's good for children of all ages... definitely give it a try.

Also check out Circle Center Mall, it's right downtown, for some shopping and dining. Lots of good restaurants in that area, and not far from the Murat and Children's Museum. Do you already have a hotel booked?

The Imax theatre is near the downtown too. Lots of neat shows to see there. It's right inside the Indiana State Museum, which is also great for kids. And right next to that is the NCAA museum, if you have sports fans. And the zoo is right down the road. (but probably too cold)

There really is so much to do and see in Indy. It's a fantastic city!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Oh, also check out the little museum that's inside the monument at Monument Circle.

 

[Serena]

Here's a link Children's Museum of Indy

 

[Sugarbaby]

It's a fabulous museum,with things of interest for everyone. I like the miniature houses and the mockup of an 1800's town,complete with stores, log cabin and a steam engine. Also limestone "caves" that you can go through. There is also a planetarium attached. Rotating exhibits keep things fresh. You might check out the web site to see what will be there when you are visiting. Bring a camera! Have fun! Let us know what you think.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Here's a link to the IMAX: http://www.imax.com/indy/

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Just saw that Disney's Young Black Stallion is playing there now! That would be awesome to see.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Here's a link for the mall: http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=163

 

[Soccer Princess]

I haven't been there since I was 10, but we went for our 5th grade trip and everyone loved it!!! There is usually a special exhibit as well. When I went it was on Alexander Calder and mobiles. Have a great time!

 

[DisneyBug1995]

We just got back from there. We went last summer and DD8 has been wanting to go back every since. We took her and DS2 for a surprise trip for Valentine's Day. She had so much fun she had to try real hard to hold back the tears when it was time to leave. We had planned on staying the night in Indy (we live about 2 1/2 hours away) so we went back to the Museum on Sunday. Both kids had a blast. DD8 enjoyed the Egpyt exhibit because they had just talked about it at school. They also enjoyed the puppet exhibit where kids can operate different kinds of puppets. They have a train exhibit that is a lot of fun but it was closed while we were there this time. There is a lot of hands on exhibits. Definetly things for all ages to enjoy. Husband and I even found things that we really enjoyed.

 

[momof2inPA]

If your daughter wants to ride the unicycle or climb the rock wall, she should sign up when you get there. The time slots fill up. It's the best children's museum we have ever been to.

 

[Lewski709]

It's excellent and I highly recommend it. The museum CAN NOT be accomplised in one day, though.

 

[clh2]

I truly appreciate the first-hand advice! I just couldn't tell from the website what ages they wear geared to.

I think we will try to visit this museum.

We are staying out near the airport on Saturday, since there is some cheerleading competition that weekend, which has filled up many hotel rooms that would have been closer.

Now, the big problem is trying to convince DH that we should leave on Friday night, and drive part of the way down. I think the whole family would be in better moods for the day if we aren't in a car for 5.5 hours or so, plus try to do the musuem, plus not be too tired for the show!

Once again, my DIS friends came through! Thanks!

 

[powellrj]

If it comes down to the Harrison House and the musuem, skip the Harrison House. Its about the same price and there is so much more to see and do at the Musuem. Mu ds had done a report on him and wanted to see the house and was pretty bored by the whole thing. He was 10. Its neat to see at Christmas, but other than that its just his house with some exhibits about the times in it.

 

[Indyman]

The museum is geared to a wide range of ages. Your 10 year old will find plenty to see and do. In addition to the planetarium, there is a theater, a wonderful science room with loads of hands on things to do. With five floors of exhibits you'll be worn out when you leave the museum.