Best Family Weekend Destinations in Indiana

Indiana has some of the finest family attractions in the Midwest — the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world's most famous racing venue.

Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The world's largest children's museum — the Dinosphere (immersive dinosaur gallery with T. rex, Brachiosaurus, and other full-size specimens), the ScienceWorks gallery, the Beyond Spaceship Earth planetarium, and 12 additional galleries covering natural history, world cultures, and art. The building itself is remarkable: the 43-foot Brachylophosaurus skeleton emerging from the glass wall of the building is visible from the street. Allow a full day minimum.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Museum
The IMS Museum (inside the famous oval) has the world's finest collection of Indy 500 race cars — including every winning car from 1911 forward. Visitors can drive or ride in a van around the actual 2.5-mile oval (a public driving experience available on non-race days). The Hall of Fame exhibit and the grandstand tours complete the experience. The Indy 500 in late May is transformative — no sporting event in the world has the same combination of speed, scale, and history.

Indiana Dunes National Park
Families love the dunes — climbing the 192-foot Mount Tom face in loose sand, then running down to Lake Michigan beach. The West Beach swimming area has lifeguards in summer; the bathhouse facilities are excellent. The nature center programs and the Junior Ranger program give educational structure.

Holiday World and Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus)
The most beloved regional theme park in the Midwest — Holiday World consistently ranks among the top theme parks in the US for value, cleanliness, and ride quality. The Voyage wooden roller coaster (6,422 feet, consistently #1–5 in wooden coaster rankings worldwide) is the crown jewel. Free unlimited soft drinks throughout the park and free parking set it apart.

Conner Prairie (Fishers)
An interactive history park north of Indianapolis — the 1836 Prairietown living history village (costumed interpreters in character), the 1863 Civil War Journey, and the Flight experience (where visitors launch "hot air balloons" on tethers) are the main attractions.