In a few weeks we will pack up the family car and head to Indianapolis for a friend’s wedding. I’ve been to the area several times, but never with a toddler, so this trip should be interesting. I’ve been doing research on the city’s family-friendly attractions, and if all goes according to plan we will roll into Indianapolis with enough time to visit a few of them before the wedding festivities get underway.
Our plan is to spend four days in Indianapolis—though two of them will be spent participating in wedding-related events. The other two days we plan to visit the following attractions:
Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens
The Indianapolis Zoo is located on 70 acres of parkland and is the only destination in the United States accredited as a zoological park, aquarium and botanical garden. The zoo is home to almost 4,000 animals, including 16 species that are endangered and six that are threatened. We plan to check out the white rhino exhibit and catch a whale and dolphin show. There’s even a roller coaster specifically designed for younger children and an area called the Enchanted Mill where kids can cool off under sprinklers during warm weather. White River Gardens is located next to the zoo and features a glass-enclosed conservatory, a variety of gardens, and a library and resource center where you can learn more about horticultural.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
I wouldn’t dream of traveling 350 miles with a three-year-old and not spend at least a few hours at one of the largest children’s museums in the world. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has something for kids of every age. I expect we will spend quite a bit of time in the preschool-only spot called Playscape where young ones can play at water and sand tables. The museum is also home to a 130-seat planetarium, an antique carousel and a 25-foot-high water clock in the lobby.
Regular readers of this blog know that my daughter is obsessed with dinosaurs so you can image how delighted she is that she will soon be standing in the museum’s $25 million Dinosphere exhibit, called “Now You’re in Their World.” It features genuine dinosaur fossils and a life-sized dinosaur nest.
NCAA Hall of Champions
If you are traveling to Indianapolis with older children or sports-nut spouse you may consider heading to the NCAA Hall of Champions. It is located in the National Collegiate Athletic Association building and pays tribute to past champs (and I would assume it inspires future inductees). The hall houses a replica of a 1920s-era gymnasium on the second floor where you can shoot some hoops. In addition, there is a Madness Theater that runs film of past men’s and women’s Final Four games.
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