The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is at the corner of 30th and Meridian sts. More than 120,000 artifacts reflect history, foreign cultures, natural and physical science, trains and the arts at the five-story museum. Featured are a replica of the International Space Station, the Schaefer Planetarium and Space Object Theater and a reinvented ScienceWorks gallery. Guests can view a nearly 27-foot-tall water clock, which uses discs and globes as well as physics principles to display the time; the 43-foot-tall Fireworks of Glass tower, which ascends above a glass ceiling and features, at its base, a hands-on exhibit explaining glassblowing processes; and a fully operational, late 19th-century carousel.

The Dinosphere exhibit area includes dinosaur fossils and skeletons, interactive computer programs, a collection of dinosaur artwork and two paleo prep labs wherein families can touch real fossils and watch paleontologists clean and prepare those fossils for display. Take Me There: Greece is a multiyear exhibit showcasing contemporary Greek topics, including arts and culture, food, environment, housing and transportation. The Lilly Theater offers live entertainment. A 7.5-acre outdoor interactive sports area encourages families to learn about health and fitness through football, basketball, hockey, soccer, golf, baseball, tennis and more.

Time: Allow 6 hours minimum.