Dear All,
Monday, January 16th, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and with the students being out of school and many businesses closed, most of our museums and attractions in Indianapolis are free or free with a donation of a canned good or some with other items to help those in need. I have checked with quite a few various sites and here are the ones that I contacted that have special offers on Monday. Also, many of these are normally closed on Monday, so it is special hours as well.
Starting on Sunday, January 15th, the Indianapolis Museum of Art – 4000 Michigan Road (their entrance is off of 38th Street) will be open from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with a donation. Donations may be food, school supplies, toiletry items that will be given to the MLK Community Center.
Monday, January 16th:
White River Park Attractions are all open and there is also free parking – in the lots as well as the underground with a canned good item for each admission that will be given to Gleaners Food Bank. They are:
Eiteljorg Museum – This is also the last day for “Jingle Rails”.
Indiana State Museum
IMAX Theater – Showing “Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience” at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. You are encouraged to get tickets early as they are usually gone by noon.
NCAA Hall of Champions
Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens – Dolphin show at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Again, tickets go fast.
Indiana Historical Society will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. While they are not requiring donations, Heartnet is collecting hats, gloves, and socks for homeless folks.
Children’s Museum is also open and is free.
Also, outside of Marion County, Connor Prairie is free, but their outdoor exhibits are not open.
This is a wonderful way to visit one or more of our many museums for basically free and makes a great way to spend the day. It is also a terrific way to help Gleaners stock their shelves and benefit some of our other local charities. So if you can, get out and enjoy!
Do you have something else already planned for Monday, are not off work, but would like to go to one of these places (and some others) in the future? I have contacted the various attractions and put together the latest in regular hours and admission prices for you to save for the future. Make a special day for out-of-town guests or children by visiting any of these attractions. Or, if you have not checked them out lately yourself, plan a visit in the future. We are so fortunate to have such world class museums and attractions right here in Marion County. I hope that you will be able to take advantage of what we have to offer “in our own backyard” and share them with others as well.
Again, I hope this information is useful for you and that you are able to visit at least one of our attractions soon. There are many other sights around the area that I did not list, so take some time and look into those as well.
Sincerely,
Janice McHenry
City-County Councillor District 6
P.S. Monday, January 16, is a Holiday for our Public Works employees and the other trash haulers. Trash will be delayed by one day all week, so there will be no Monday pick-up. Pickup this coming week will start on Tuesday and end on Saturday.
Below is information for 2017 hours and pricing for some attractions that you may be interested in visiting during the year. Remember that pricing can change during the year, but this is what was given to me this week. A lot of terrific places to enjoy!
Indiana State Museum – 650 W. Washington Street –
Normal hours are Mon. – Sat. 10-5 and Sun. 11-5. It cost $13 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8.50 for children 3 – 12 (under 2 is free). If you have an AAA membership there is $1 off. The first Tuesday of every month (keep in mind for summer for children) is called “Community Tuesday” and admission is 50% off. The IMAX has different pricing by the length of the film. The prices are for short films $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $7 for children. The long films are $16 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $13 for children. Matinees are $13 for adults and seniors and $11 for children. There are also discounts available both which can save you a couple of dollars if you attend both the museum and IMAX the same day. (232-1637)
Eiteljorg Museum – 500 W. Washington Street –
Normal hours are Mon. – Sat. 10-5 and Sun. noon to 5. The admission fees are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and $7 for children 5 – 17 and those with a Student I.D. There is $2 off regular adult tickets with an AAA card. The first Tues. of the month is $6.50 for adults and seniors, children and students are free. No additional discounts apply on that day. (636-9378)
NCAA Hall of Champions – 700 W. Washington Street
Normal hours are Tues. – Sat. 10 – 5 and Sun. 12 – 5, however they are closed in Tuesdays as well as Mondays during January and February. Their admission is $5 for adults and $3 for Seniors and Youth 5 and above. Under 5 is free. Also, they have Community Tuesday on the first Tuesday of the month where you can “Buy One Get One Free” admission. (916-HALL)
Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens – 1200 W. Washington Street
Normal hours through February are Wed. – Sun. from 9-4. The admission during this time averages $8.20 for adults, $7.45 for seniors and $6.20 for children. Starting the first full week in March they are open every day. The best way to know how much admission is to go on their web site (Indianapolis Zoo.com) as it varies day to day. Also, if you purchase advance tickets you may end up paying less if it is crowded that day. The average price is about $14 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $11 for children. Usually it is higher on week-ends. There is a $6 parking fee. After Memorial Day the hours are 9 – 5 during the week and 9 – 7 on weekends. Your admission includes both the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens. There are not separate tickets. (630-2001)
Children’s Museum – 3000 N. Meridian Street –
Normal hours are Tues. – Sun. from 10 – 5 until through February and then they are open on Monday as well. The regular prices are $23.50 for adults, $22.50 for seniors, and $19.00 for children 2 – 17. However, the first Thursday in February and March they do have evening hours from 4 – 8 and this is free! (800-208-KIDS) In February there will be an announcement on pricing structure. Watch for it.
Gene and Marilyn Glick History Center – 450 W. Ohio Street –
Normal hours are 10 – 5 Tues. – Sat. The regular prices are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children 5 – 17 year old, 4 and under are free. Students with a student I.D. are $3.50. Parking is free if you bring in your parking ticket. (232-1882)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum – 4790 W. 16th Street –
Currently they are open 10 – 4 seven days a week. Starting March 1st they will be open
9 – 5. Their admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 6 – 15. Children 5 and under are free. With an AAA Card you can buy one and get one admission free. The “Kiss the Bricks Tour” is a 30 minute tour where you get out of the bus and onto the track. This is $20 for adults and $10 for youth and includes your museum admission. On days where there is inclement weather or the something is being done on the track they offer a “Behind the Scenes Tour”, which is also $20 for adults and $10 for youth, and this tour visits the Pagoda. Grounds Tours are also offered for $30 for adults and $15 for children. They do recommend that you call ahead about the availability of the Grounds Tours due to weather or other activities. (492-6784)
Indianapolis Museum of Art – 4000 Michigan (as well as entrance off of 38th Street)
General Admission is $18 for adults and $10 for children. There is no charge for parking. They have a family area called Star Studio where there are activities for all ages. The hours are Tues., Wed., Fri., and Sat. from 11 – 5, Thurs. 11 – 9, and Sun. 12 – 5. (923-1331)
On the grounds is also the outdoor “100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park”. This is open dawn to dusk and is free, along with free parking.
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park – 13400 Allisonville Road (Fishers) –
Through March 28th hours are Thurs. – Sun. 10 – 5. This is for the Indoor Area only (which has Discovery Station, Create, Connect, & Craft Corner.) It is $8 per person. Starting March 28th through April 9th the Outdoor Area is open for Spring Break and will be open Tues. – Sun. from 10 – 5. Hours starting April 11th through May 2nd are Thurs. – Sun. 10 – 5. Starting May 2th the hours will be from 10 – 5 Tuesday – Sunday. The admission once the outdoor area opens is $16 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $11 for children 2 – 12. (776-6000)
Don’t forget they also have the Balloon Ride, weather dependant (not currently open), where you can go up in a Hot Air Balloon. This is $15 per person.
While this is definitely not everything available to see and do in Indianapolis or the Metro Area, it is a start. I hope this is very useful and is something you will keep and refer back to when looking for a great way to spend time with family and friends. Also, don’t forget about these places when you have out of town guests. Indianapolis has so much to offer at these wonderful attractions as well as many more.
