You won't see animals in cages at the Indianapolis Zoo. Instead, they are in habitats designed like the ecosystems the animals would live in out in the wild: Deserts, oceans, plains that are like African Savannahs and forests that simulate a tropical forest. There's another area called Encounters, which features bird species. The zoo's 65 acres contains 250 different species of animals. It's geared toward families and people of all ages and ability levels because it is completely wheelchair accessible.
When to Go and When to Stay Away from the Indianapolis Zoo
The best time to go to the zoo is morning, especially if you need to rent one of the electric carts, wheelchairs or zoo strollers that are available on site on a first-come, first-serve basis. Avoid weekdays in May and the first two weeks of June when the zoo is filled with students on school field trips. Go anytime in April, September, October and early November when the animals are more active in the cooler temperatures.
Must See at the Indianapolis Zoo
- The International Orangutan Center with eight orangutans that you can watch and interact with.
- The free daily Dolphin Presentation and the underwater dolphin viewing dome in the Oceans exhibit.
- The Animal Keeper Chats where you can learn first-hand about the animals from those who care for them.
Admission to the Indianapolis Zoo
Admission prices vary widely based on when and where you buy your tickets, and whether you buy individual tickets or specially-priced packages. Prices also vary by season. The lowest prices are online from the zoo's website. Discounts apply for children 2 to 12 and seniors. Children under 2 get in free. Military discounts are also available, and all current and former members of the military are admitted free on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Parking at the Indianapolis Zoo
Parking is free to zoo members, and $10 or less for non-members, depending on the size of your car, RV or camper. If the parking lot is full, you may be able to park at the adjacent White River Gardens.
Public Transportation to the Indianapolis Zoo
The Indy Go Route 8 bus takes visitors to and from the Indianapolis Zoo every 15 minutes, with other stops, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays, and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. every 30 minutes Saturdays and Sundays. Check the indigo.net website for more updated information.
Food Options at the Indianapolis Zoo
The zoo has several cafes and food carts on the grounds so you don't even have to leave when you need to grab a meal or a snack. Ice creams, drinks or pretzels can be bought at the food carts, or eat at one of the cafes for burgers, barbecue, pizza, hot dogs, salads, veggies with hummus, yogurt parfaits and fresh fruit. You can't bring your own food into the zoo, but can picnic at tables provided at the entry plaza.
Insider Tip for Visitors to the Indianapolis Zoo
Buy your tickets online from the zoo's website before you go for the best price and to avoid standing in line at the window. To avoid heavy traffic in downtown Indianapolis during rush hours and special event dates, route your trip to the zoo from the west side of town.
Author's bio: Susan Hoskins Miller is a writer who lives in metropolitan Indianapolis and works in a university library. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and exploring places in the Midwest.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis offers visitors the chance to learn, play and explore by interacting with exhibits. It is the biggest children's museum in the world with 120,000 exhibit items spread over five floors, and its mission is to promote family learning. The museum gives children the chance to touch real dinosaur bones in the Dinosphere exhibit, learn about NASA in the planetarium and investigate a frog pond in the ScienceWorks exhibit. You can also explore a real locomotive, ride an antique carousel and watch a live show at the Lilly Theater.
Best and worst time to go to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
One of the busiest times to visit the museum is on the first Thursday of every month because it is a free admission day. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, then visit early in the morning and get to the museum by 10 a.m.
Must see/do at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Dinosphere exhibit gives you the chance to dig for dinosaur bones and see real fossils at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. In the Treasures of the Earth exhibit, you can make your own terra cotta warriors while learning about archaeology and ancient treasures. You can also play with trains and learn more about railroads in the locomotive exhibit.
Admission to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Children under the age of two get free admission. Tickets for older children and adults are generally in the $20 range. The museum has a free admission day once a month on the first Thursday and occasionally offers free admission during holidays. Parking at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is free.
How to get to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The museum is located on the corner of 30th Street and North Meridian Street in Indianapolis. It is best to have your own transportation and use the free parking garage located at 3000 North Illinois Street.
Food at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis has a food court with dining options that include the Dino Deli, Playscape Pizza, Kid Zone, Burger Works and Carousel Confections. Prices range from $2 to $10, and the food is made from local and natural ingredients. You can enjoy a variety of burgers, sausages, pizzas, salads and cookies.
Insider tip for visitors to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
If you need a safe place to store a jacket, then consider renting an affordable self-serve locker with a key. The lockers generally cost in the $1 range.
Lana Bandoim is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Indianapolis. Her work has been published on websites ranging from Yahoo News to Technorati.
