Children's Museum of Indianapolis-
Star Wars, King Tut and T Rex Battle for Top Billing
Aug 16, 2009
Ranked the best US children’s museum by Child Magazine in 2002, visitors to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis are immediately awed by dinosaurs breaking out of the substantial façade and a cheery miniature outdoors Seven Wonders Garden offering a glimpse into the scientific and cultural wonders found inside.
King Tut's Ancient Egyptian Tomb Spill its Golden Secrets
The current high-traffic Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit of over 100 funereal items found with the famous boy king in the primary rotating gallery is accompanied by the Take Me There: Egypt section reenacting segments of modern Egypt down to the plane ride with moving window scenery and stores, homes and Nile River water stations.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars fans immediately notice the fighter proudly displayed in the Starburst Atrium and can pretend to be part of Star Wars: The Clone Wars with life-size animated scenes and complementary displays from the live-action movies with lightsabers carried by popular characters Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker in addition to clothes worn by Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson).
Dinosaurs Walk the Earth Again
The museum's large permanent exhibits include the appropriately enormous dinosaur exhibit containing the fossil-filled Dinosphere and another section on the lower level asks "What If?" by recreating the oceanic world and a mummy's tomb. The life-size dinosaurs formed from authentic and replicated fossils surround visitors in the Dinosphere while roaring sounds and rainstorms create a mesmerizing mood. Kids have the chance to go on a dino dig or can watch real scientists preserve dinosaur bones.
As in other places throughout the building, there are plenty of areas for kids to climb, crawl, and explore and the oceanic section features a small submarine and large diving bell welcoming kids to climb into their unusual spaces and pretend to be hundreds of feet underwater. Keeping with the subterranean feel of the lower level, an Egyptian exhibit mimics the feel of an ancient tomb with pathways, creaking tiles, scents used in mummification and the anthropological process in identifying a mummy and her role in life.
All Aboard! Meet the Train at the Station!
Smaller children delight in the 55-ton Reuben Wells, a 1868 locomotive moved into the museum in 1975 and now surrounded with a life-size train depot, interactive model trains, and railroad memorabilia. On the third floor, a special playscape allows little ones to roam around and play without being crowded by the older kids, as can happen on busy days in the top floor’s construction zones.
DNA, Physics and Biology: Free Experiments for Future Scientists
Budding scientists will trek up to the BioLab for experiments for science lessons if they can move past the mesmerizing Water Clock in the Sunburst Atrium. The water clock, which uses liquid in enormous glass structures to visually tell the time, is the largest water clock in North America.
The museum includes a food court offering pizza, salads, coffee, and numerous other selections and the vast museum store remains stocked with toys, shirts and books highlighting the museum's key exhibits.
The museum is located at 3000 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis. Admission ranges from $9.50 for kids to $14.50 for adults with special discounts for senior citizens and small children. Parking is free and visitors access the museum via a glass-enclosed walkway over the busy street between the garage and the museum.
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