Another summer, another opportunity to turn one of my husband’s conferences into a family vacation spot. This June, we found ourselves in Indianapolis, IN. We hope you find our list of places to go and things to eat helpful if you head to Indy.
Breakfast
Lincoln Square Pancake House
This breakfast stop was within walking distance from our hotel and across the street from the Capitol building. The kids’ pancakes were big enough for two breakfasts. Try the Indiana Eggs Benedict.
Good Morning Mama’s Cafe
Located north of downtown Indy, this breakfast destination was a perfect stop on our way to ARTSPARK. The kids’ menu is smaller, but you can always order a la carte.
MOM TIP: The bathroom doors are heavy, so kiddos may need help getting out.
The Sites
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Before we even pulled into the free parking garage for The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Josh said, “My mind is blown.”
If there was ever a museum meant for Josh, this was it. We spent an hour and a half in the Dinosphere alone! There were paleontologists from the museum that you could talk to while they worked to uncover fossils.
If dinos aren’t your speed, you can board a plane to Greece or head outside to the sports exhibit with basketball courts and a massive treehouse to explore. The special exhibits included Minecraft: The Exhibition (thru Aug. 6) and Dinosaur Train (thru July 30).
MOM TIPS: Bring your walking shoes— you will need them as you and your crew cover the five floors of exhibit halls. We spent 4 hours exploring and 30 minutes eating. Also, plan on using credit cards as the T-Rex’s arms are too short to count out change.
Benjamin Harrison House
Last summer, we visited the home of Abraham Lincoln, so when I discovered we’d be staying just miles from another President’s home, I added it to our list.
The hour-long tour takes you through the three-story home built by the Harrisons in 1874. Many of the paintings in the home were created by Harrison’s wife, Caroline Scott Harrison. I was impressed with her talent for painting china as well.
The Parks
The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park
We needed a place to explore between breakfast and the opening of the Children’s Museum, so we ventured to The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. There were a few sculptures to see, but the highlight was the trail around the lake.
ARTSPARK
Another post-breakfast destination for us was ARTSPARK. A 9.5-acre park north of downtown Indianapolis that is part of the Indianapolis Art Center. If you need a St. Louis comparison, think Laumeir but with more nature.
Indianapolis Colts Canal Playspace
This park was a happy accident. We were looking for the USS Indianapolis Memorial when we found Canal Playspace. Josh was more interested in climbing all the ropes of this playspace, while I checked out the memorial.
MOM TIP: This is hidden in a little neighborhood, so look for street parking and follow the signs down to the canal.
For the Bookworm
Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
Maybe I should have known that Indy was the home of Kurt Vonnegut, author of Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions, but I had no clue. When I discovered it was, we added it as a stop to visit the gift shop and pick up a postcard for our favorite Vonnegut fan. There are also tours available.
Tomorrow Bookstore
Inspired by The Novel Neighbor, I made it my mission to visit at least one independent bookstore. Tomorrow Bookstore was our choice. It was cozy but had the perfect variety of books, and Josh walked away with a Goosebumps book he had finished before we even got back home from vacation. Also, Gordon’s Milkshake Bar is just down the street, it’s delicious.
Food and Brews
Bazbeaux Pizza
We can’t go wrong with pizza on vacation so, based on recommendations, we went with Bazbeaux Pizza. We highly suggest the garlic cheese bread – it will keep the vampires away – but it’s so good.
The Eagle
The most recommended restaurant when I surveyed friends was The Eagle. The side options were so extensive that we ordered way more than we could eat. The fried chicken was as delicious as promised.
Taxman Brewing Co.
This restaurant has a great outdoor patio and food options for kids. They also have a wide variety of beers to choose from.
Guggman Haus Brewing Co.
As soon as we walked in, I knew this would be a good place for us. On top of the great atmosphere, there are piles of games, flights of beers, and food for all ages.
For the Sports Fan
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The home of the Indy 500 was our first non-food stop on this trip. Part of the museum was closed in preparation for a new exhibit of cars, but we did see winning cars from 1911 to the present day.
With the View from the Top tour, we watched from a suite as cars reached speeds up to 180 miles per hour on the racetrack below. Our tour guide taught us more about the history of the place, like the fact that it took 63 days in 1909 to lay the 3.2 million paving bricks for the track!
Indianapolis Indians
With $12 tickets and affordable concession stand prices, you can’t go wrong with a night at the ballgame. If you’re not staying close to Liberty Field, the home of the Indianapolis Indians, prepare for traffic to be heavy, especially if there is a concert at the amphitheater across the street.
I hope you find this recap of Indy helpful for your own adventure to the Hoosier state!
