(
The museum’s status as a leader, not just among children’s museums but among museums in general, has been confirmed by a number of “Best of” lists, and we want to share the good news with you! The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has received the following accolades.
2021
- Indy one of Top 20 Cities to Visit in 2021—Conde Nast
- 8 Underrated US destinations that should be on your radar in 2021—Oyster.com
2020
- 7 Amazing Kids' Museums Perfect for A Cold-Weather Weekend—Forbes.com
- Frommer's Best Places to Go in 2020—Frommer's
- Best Children's Museum—USA Today
- These 10 Award-Winning Children's Museums Offer Online Programs—USA Today
- The Best Attractions in Every U.S. State—ShermansTravels.com
- Best Vacations for Kids: Parent's Travel Awards 2020—Parents magazine
2019
- World's 50 Coolest Places—Time for Kids Magazine
- Best New Attractions in the U.S.—USA Today/10Best
- 75 best indoor places in America for fun (when it's too cold outside)—MSN.com
- 12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Indiana—Planetwire.com
- 10 Best Museums to Visit in Indy—Tripsavvy.com
- 9 U.S. Museums Every Kid Shoudl Visit Before They Grow Up—FamilyVacationCritic.com
- Best Local Attraction and Best Local Museum—Indy Star: Best of Indy Awards
- Best Vacation Spots for Families with Toddlers—MetroParent.com (Southeast Michigan)
- 16 Incredible Midwest Vacations—Travel.USNews.com
- Best Attraction in Indiana—USAToday.com
- 10 family-friendly spots with sensory-sensitive experiences—MarthaStewart.com
- The Best Winter Destination in Indiana—Reader's Digest
- Best New Attractions for Kids—Lonely Planet
- Best Attraction in Indiana—MSN.com
2018
- One of the Top 10 Coolest Museums in the World—New York Times
- One of the Top Family Things to Do—Trekaroo.com
- Top Children's Museum in the U.S.—Insurances.net
- One of the Top Designs in American—Architectural Digest
- One of the Best Children's Museums in the World—Oyster.com
- One of America's 20 Most Kid-Friendly Places for a Family Vacation (Indianapolis)—TripAdvisor
2017
- 10Best America’s Favorite Museum for Families—USA Today
- Top spots for dinosaur fans—Fodors
- Best Museum, Best Family Entertainment—Indy’s A List
- Best of the Midwest—Midwest Living
- Top Ten Children’s Museums in the US—Select City magazine
- Best local museum—NUVO
- Best Nonprofit Event over $25K—Pace Award
2016
- Top U.S. Family Vacation Destinations (Top Children’s Museum)—Family Fun Magazine
- The 15 Best Children’s Museums in the U.S.—Parents Magazine
- 10 Trips to Take Before Your Kid Turns 10—Parents Magazine
- Best Children’s Museum in America—Tripping.com
- 5 Places to Experience African American History and Culture—USNews.com
- 5 Destinations Where Black Lives Matter—MyFamilyTravels.com
- Best of the Midwest—Midwest Living Magazine
- Best of Indianapolis—Associated Press
Previous Accolades
- Top 3 Science Museums in the United States—FamilyFun Magazine (2015)
- Top 5 Regional Vacation Destination in the Midwest—FamilyFun Magazine (2015)
- Top 5 Overall Vacation Destination—FamilyFun Magazine (2015)
- Top Things to See in 2015—Midwest Living Magazine (2015)
- Best Museum for Families—USA Today and 10Best (2014)
- National Medal Award—Museum and Library Service (2014)
- Top Workplace in Central Indiana—The Indianapolis Star (2014)
- Top Museums Worth Traveling For—TripAdvisor (2014)
- Top 20 Most-visited Museums in North America— Global Attractions Attendance Report Museum Index, Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM Group (2013)
- 8 Uncommonly Cool Children's Museums—Huffington Post (2013)
- Top 10 Cultural Finds—The Cultural Traveler Magazine (2013)
- 10 Best Children’s Museums to Visit This Summer—WomansDay.com
- Top 10 Things for Families to do in Indiana—Trekaroo (2012)
- Top 25 Most-Visited Museum—Forbes Traveler (2012)
- Top 10 Haunted House—Rand McNally (2012)
- Top 10 Best Children's Museums Across the US—Trekaroo
- Top 10 U.S. Museum for Families—AOL Travel News (2011)
- Top 10 Children’s Museum—Parents magazine (2011)
- Best Children’s Museum—Child magazine
Thank you for visiting and supporting the museum and helping us create something truly extraordinary for families in Indianapolis.
From the captivating Tyrannosaurus rex and duckbill dinosaurs of Dinosphere®, to Dale Chihuly’s towering artwork Fireworks of Glass, to the compelling message of The Power of Children®, to a joyous ride on a real old-time Carousel, the exhibits and collections of The Children’s Museum fascinate people of all ages. Explore five floors of fun and adventure, immerse yourselves in exciting exhibits, and discover why The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis should be on every family’s must-see (and do) list!
