Indianapolis - weekend - zoo/museum?

[adventure_woman]

We are going to Indianapolis for 1 night in May. We won't be able to get there until about 11am on Saturday. I don't know how much time we will have on Sunday (we are picking up our puppy that day). We have DH, myself, DD5 and DD2.

Zoo vs. Museum - if we only do 1 on Saturday - which one? I'm thinking the museum, since we have been to a zoo before.

Zoo - if we go on Sunday, we would only have about 4 hours - is it worth it to pay $50 for that amount of time?

Discounts - I see the zoo gives a AAA discount. I looked into a pkg deal w/ the hotels online, but I don't see that we'll really be saving that much if we decide not to do anything on Sunday.

Anything else fun to do in Indy with the little ones?

 

[Kae]

We are going to Indianapolis for 1 night in May. We won't be able to get there until about 11am on Saturday. I don't know how much time we will have on Sunday (we are picking up our puppy that day). We have DH, myself, DD5 and DD2.

Zoo vs. Museum - if we only do 1 on Saturday - which one? I'm thinking the museum, since we have been to a zoo before.

Zoo - if we go on Sunday, we would only have about 4 hours - is it worth it to pay $50 for that amount of time?

Discounts - I see the zoo gives a AAA discount. I looked into a pkg deal w/ the hotels online, but I don't see that we'll really be saving that much if we decide not to do anything on Sunday.

Anything else fun to do in Indy with the little ones?

We love the Zoo. But for you guys I think I would do the Museum. If you are staying DT I would go with a Marriott hotel they have al price ranges of their hotels from the JW to the fairfield. JW, Fairfield & Courtyard that are just over a year old. Just remember hotels in May will be priced high.

Kae

 

[dreams4disney]

My kids always loved the Childrens museum at that age. The zoo really only takes a few hours to visit. You can walk to the canal from the zoo and stroll down it for a while. There are some monuments and paddle boats for rent as well as ducks and some fish in the canal.
I am sure that isn't much help. I hope you enjoy your time in the city!

 

[KAPTink]

Based on your child's ages, I would go to the Children's Museum. It is expensive, but my kids could always spend hours there. Not always the case with the zoo, plus the weather in May can be iffy.

The hotel deals including tickets are not always the most cost effective way to go. When in May will you be in the area? There are other events in May that will draw a crowd and run hotel prices up considerably.

 

[adventure_woman]

We will be there May 12-13th. We are driving from MI, so it will take about 4 hrs to get there.

 

[KAPTink]

If you enjoy being outdoors, and if the weather is nice, this is a great place for little ones to stretch their legs outside, and it's FREE, assuming you will have a vehicle.

http://www.imamuseum.org/gardens-grounds

 

[KAPTink]

May 12-13 is commencement weekend for IUPUI, a metro campus of Indiana and Purdue Universities. That will pull in some traffic/visitors, not too far from the zoo area. There is also some activity with the 500 Festival going on that weekend. Kidsfest and the Rookie Run (also for kids) will be going on downtown.

Here's a local calendar link to double check. You might find hotel deals through there, too. Not sure. wwww.indydt.com and www.500festival.com

 

[packofjedis]

Do the museum on Saturday when you'll have time. It's a really great museum especially for the ages of your kids.

The Indianapolis Zoo is ok. Not my favorite zoo. The canal like people said is cool. The IMA has outdoor things to explore if the weather is good, but inside is a typical art museum which would be hard with your youngest.

There really isn't a ton to do here compared with other places we've lived, but the children's museum is really well done.

 

[Mirax]

I grew up and moved away from Indianapolis. Now we are back. The zoo is ok but nothing like the Children's Museum. Just try to eat before you go. That is really one of the sad things about the museum, the food is not great and three times too expensive.

Enjoy your weekend.

 

[dhardawa]

If you can only do one, definitely do the museum. It is the number 1 children's museum in the country and is amazing. The zoo is mediocre.

 

[ICF]

IMO -- The Childrens Museum is much better than the zoo, and a much better value for your money.

http://www.ereach.com/profile/Childrens-Museum-The-Indianapolis/indianapolis/north-suburbs

If you go to the site above, you should be able to print the coupon (showing under MAGAZINE ADs) which will get you $5 off a kids admission when an adult is purchased.

edit -- I just noticed the coupon above looks to expire 4/27. As this is from a monthly coupon magazine, I'd guess it will update before long with their May coupon (if there is one in the magazine that month).

 

[mrsklamc]

The zoo is just OK. Definitely the Children's Museum. Also, you are totally welcome to bring your lunch into the Children's Museum, they have no problem with you doing that.

Perspectives are funny; someone said there's not a lot to do here compared to other places...There is a TON here compared to where I grew up.

 

[cole6179]

I was going to suggest kids day if you are looking for something free. http://www.500festival.com/node/90

Keep in mind if you do the zoo or the museum, they close early. (like 5ish, i think)

 

[jacksmomma]

Definately do the Children's Museum. It is the World's Largest and Best Museum dedicated totally to children. They are open 10-5 on Saturdays.

I would not recommend the zoo. It is rather plain and not a good value for the money.

The IMA grounds are beautiful, but I would not take your kids inside. They are very stuffy and families with young children get followed and treated like criminals...even if your kids are very well behaved and enjoy art.

 

[adventure_woman]

Thank you all for your advice! We'll do the museum on Saturday and go right there so hopefully we'll have as much time as possible. (Here's to hoping the little one sleeps on the way for her nap!! )

As for Sunday - the grounds of the IMA do look beautiful so I'll have to look more into doing that! Plus - it's FREE! (We'll make sure to stay out of the museum itself! )

 

[mrsklamc]

Try to get to the museum like a half hour early so you can get parked in the (free) garage and across the skywalk.

The art museum is free, but it's $5 to park in the closest lot. My nieces and nephews were here at the beginning of the month and really enjoyed getting their picture taken not only by the Robert Indiana "Love" sculpture but also by the Robert Indiana numbers of their age. (Second floor, once you check in, go to the end of the hall to find the entry to the courtyard where the numbers are.)

Actually the very CLOSEST parking to the museum itself is free...if you can snag one. Zoom way in on google maps. Just south of the building entrance, there are 8 spots. 4 of them are handicap accessible, and on google maps 2 are covered by a dumpster. If you get there just before opening you can probably snag one, head east to the LOVE sculpture, run in and hit the numbers, and then head to either the Oldfields parking lot or the 100 acres.

 

[emksmama]

You can pack your own lunch for the Museum, which is how we always do it! Even if you grab Subway or something and put in your cooler, do that. The food court at the Museum is insanely expensive, but the exhibits are fabulous. Right now they have a huge Lego exhibit and I'm sure your little ones will happily spend hours there. We used to live in Indy and had annual memberships, but even now my girls (8 & 9) can spend open to close exploring it.

Enjoy your visit! We live an hour north of Indy now, but go down often for dinner and shopping, or just to enjoy the city.