Eclipse FAQs | The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

I’m a member. Do I need an advance ticket?

Members do not need advance tickets. Proceed directly to the entry gates to have your member card scanned. Please keep in mind, the museum is primarily an indoor institution and we cannot guarantee a prime outdoor viewing spot for the eclipse.

We would also like to remind you that members can pick up eclipse viewing glasses and a STEM activity sheet when you visit the museum during Member Morning hours—9–10 a.m. on April 6 & 7.

Are group tickets available?

While groups are welcome, do not offer group rates or group arrangements for Eclipse Weekend or Eclipse Extravaganza. General admission tickets may be purchased on our Buy Tickets page.

Will viewing glasses be available?

Yes, we have enough glasses for all visitors who attend on Monday, April 8.

Additional glasses will be available exclusively for museum members during Member Morning hours on April 6 & 7, 9–10 a.m. while supplies last.

Where can I park?

Free parking available in our Parking Garage is located at 3000 N. Illinois Street. There is additional surface parking available if you continue north on Illinois Street.

Can I exit and come back in?

Yes! Your tickets are always valid for reentry throughout your visit date.

Does my admission ticket or membership guarantee an outdoor viewing spot?

As a primarily indoor institution, we cannot guarantee a prime outdoor viewing spot for the eclipse. With that being said, at 1 p.m. on April 8, our outdoor sports area in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends ExperienceⓇ will be converted to an eclipse viewing location with limited capacity. Spots will be available on a first come, first served basis and cannot be held throughout the day.

We have a robust lineup of educational programming planned Saturday–Monday, giving you the opportunity to learn more about space science and talk with experts from NASA.

Where is the best place to watch the solar eclipse at The Children’s Museum?

We encourage visitors who would like to view the eclipse to join us in the outdoor portion of the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends ExperienceⓇ. Limited spots are available on a first come, first served basis.

There may be other outdoor public spaces outside the museum, but we cannot guarantee spots will be available in these locations.

Can I save a spot outside while I explore the rest of the museum?

Outdoor spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be held throughout the day. We reserve the right to remove unaccompanied items from the outdoor sports experience.

Can I bring blankets, chairs, or a cooler?

You are always welcome to bring coolers and blankets into the museum, but chairs are not permitted. Items may not be set up on sports fields, walkways, or to save an eclipse viewing spot.. You cannot set them up on sports fields, walkways, or to save an eclipse viewing spot. You are welcome to store them in your car until you need them. You can also rent a locker in our Welcome Center.