Honestly, if you ask yourself why the Indiana State Museum Indianapolis in Center Township, Marion County has a name at all, then you have to travel back to the founding period of 1869 – then a modest exhibition space in the Supreme Court, which is today a glass monument in the heart of White River State Park. I don't quite understand the hype about the old masonry, but the way the museum links its Indiana history from the Indians to the railways to the modern tech scene is really great. I have always reached the whole with the Red Line of the Indy subway – a short stop at the “Cultural Trail” station, then a short walk over the river, and you are already standing in front of the imposing glass and steel building that looks more like a futuristic atrium than a dusty relic.
Once inside, the permanent exhibition about the “Hoosier Heritage” almost lets you forget that you only have a few hours before you have to go back to the café on the Canal at the 8-hour shift of your job. The interactive stations where you can touch old tools are a bit cheesy, but that makes the charm – no joke, that is what the museum keeps alive. And while you sneak through the halls, in the background you hear the quiet sum of the city that reminds you that you are not only in an exhibition, but in a living piece Indiana State Museum Indianapolis sights.
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The first stop after an extensive tour of the Indiana State Museum Indianapolis is the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers – a bit outside, but the ride is worth it because you don't only read history there, but start to smell it. I entered the 19-year-old farmhouse and immediately heard the thief of the halls that reminded me of the stories of my grandparents. Parking is almost always a Klacks on the main parking lot, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then this becomes a little adventure. The interactive workshops let you almost forget that you actually only make a short trip from the city.
A few hours further south lies the Brown County State ParkThe Indiana fans are called the “heart of forests”. I must admit, I was skeptical, whether the famous leaves are really so spectacular – and then I stood in the middle of October between red, orange and golden trees that seemed like a painting. The hiking trail to the “Beech Grove” is well marked, and the visitor center has a small souvenir shop that reveals more about local craftsmanship than you can find in the city museums. A small tip: Parking is free, but the places fill up quickly when the autumn holidays start.
If you have enough trees, the path continues Mounds State Park at Anderson, where prehistoric hills awaken over the landscape. I tried the Indian Mound Trail there and was surprised how good the signs are – a real plus point for spontaneous visitors. The lake in the park is ideal for a short bath, if the weather plays, and the small café at the entrance serves the best homemade apple cake I have ever tasted. Parking is available at the main entrance, but on sunny weekends you have to park a bit around the corner and walk a bit.
A little further west, almost on the border to Indiana, lies this Turkey Run State Park – a place I always underestimate because it doesn’t sound as “big” as the other parks. The canyons and sandstone bridges are, however, a real natural wonder that impresses even carved urban people. I remember how I almost lost the balance when climbing over the suspension bridge, just to be saved by a friendly Ranger who told me that this is the true Indiana adventure. Parking is paid at the main parking lot, but the fees are worth the money if you enjoy the view from the “Canyon Overlook”.
For those who prefer to find something green between the trees, this is Hoosier National Forest an underestimated jewel. I spent a weekend in a rustic hut to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The trails are well maintained, and the network of shelters is a real blessing when the weather suddenly changes. Parking at the trailheads is usually free, but at the popular weekends, bottlenecks can occur – a little hint to get there early.
A short trip back to the city leads to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I don't quite understand the hype about the race track, but the museum there that tells the story of motorsport is actually fascinating. The sound of the motors that echoes through the hall makes you feel the adrenaline that can only be found with a good espresso. Parking is usually sufficient at the Speedway, except at race weekends, as this becomes a real patience game.
Whether you're experiencing the history of Conner Prairie, enjoying the color splendour in Brown County State Park, exploring the prehistoric hills of Mounds, admiring the wild canyons of Turkey Run, turning off in the Hoosier National Forest, or catching up the moaning of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – all this makes the surroundings of the Indiana State Museum Indianapolis a true treasure for explorers. These Indiana State Museum Indianapolis Attractions show that a short trip from the city provides more than enough reasons to return again and again.
I have to confess that my favorite place in the whole Indianapolis center Hoosier Heritage Hall is – this is almost the heart of the Indiana State Museum, where you can experience the entire history of the state in a huge, slightly overloaded space. I don't understand the hype about the “big historical narrative” completely, but here there is the original flag of 1816, a few really old tools and a diorama that lets you believe you were suddenly landed in 1840. When you come with me, I'll hold you on the corner with the old maps so that you don't jump back into the present for mistake.
Located next to the Hall of History Natural History Hall, and here it is really exciting: a huge diplodocus skeleton that almost touches the ceiling, and a mammoth that looks like it just left the Ice-Age Club. I was involved in a conversation with a visitor who said that the dinosaur skeleton was “too large for a museum”, and I only replied dryly that the museum is not exactly a mini-art gallery pop-up. Practical: Parking is usually a Klack, except on Saturdays, when the museum suddenly mutates to the hotspot for family excursions and you have to slip through between strollers and roller skates.
A short detour leads you to Science Hallwhere Indiana inventions – from the first automatic grain mill to the modern agricultural drone system – are presented in interactive displays. I fought there for hours with a touchscreen that is supposed to simulate the “future of agriculture” and at the end only a virtual corn field was harvested. No joke, this is the place where you notice science isn't always glamorous, but damn useful. And yes, the museum has a small 3‐D theatre room where you can see short films about Indiana natural wonders – perfect if you need a little distraction after a long walk through the halls.
If you like art, the Art and Design Gallery your thing. There are works by local artists, from impressionistic landscapes to modern installations that sometimes raise more questions than give answers. I remember standing in front of a huge painting that consisted only of a single, very pale strip of blue, and a visitor whispered next to me: “Isn’t that a bit too minimalistic?” – I just nodded and thought this is exactly what Indiana art is: a bit dry, a bit thoughtful, and always a bit too much space for interpretation.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Indiana Hall of Fame. The most famous Hoosiers are honoured here – from Michael Jordan to the less well-known but equally impressive inventors. I discovered a poster from Larry Bird and wondered why I never saw a basketball game in Indianapolis while thinking about the impressive history of the state. This is the perfect example of how the museum celebrates the local identity without becoming too pathetic.
A small but fine secret tip is that Sculpture garden behind the museum. There are some modern works of art, including a huge bison of rusty steel, which in the sunlight looks almost like a living symbol of the prairie. I once made a picnic there, while an older gentleman told me that the piece was from a local artist who wanted to “give the wilderness into concrete”. This is exactly the kind of casual anecdotes that make the museum a living place, not only a collection of exhibits.
And yes, if you’re looking for a comprehensive overview, simply tap “Indiana State Museum Indianapolis Sights” into your search engine – you’ll quickly realize that this is not just a museum, but a collection of history, nature, science and art that is hidden in the heart of Center Township. I have the feeling that everyone who comes here has the need to stutter a bit, to sneak a bit and then, quite honestly, to ask a bit why he wasn't here earlier.
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