Jul 26, 2025
Indianapolis gave us multiple unforgettable family adventures in one trip. The Indianapolis Zoo and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis were two main reasons we visited the city. Between wild animals, hands-on exhibits, and a massive dinosaur dig, there was something for everyone to love. If you’re planning a family getaway with kids of all ages, this combo makes Indy a must-visit.
Indianapolis Zoo
Located in White River State Park, the Indianapolis Zoo blends zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden all in one walkable space. It was clean, well-laid out, and full of fun animal encounters.
Our Favorite Highlights
The dolphin show was a highlight that wowed the whole family.
Watching an orangutan use a computer to communicate.
A touch tank where kids could gently interact with sharks and rays.
A kid-friendly roller coaster - riders must be at least 47" tall to ride.
Lots of options to feed animals! You could feed a giraffe, flamingo, kangaroo, budgie/lorikeet or a stingray - all for an additional cost.
A carousel for a classic
zoo moment.
Tips for Visiting
Visit early in the day. The animals were more active, and it was cooler for walking.
The zoo train was NOT worth it in our opinion. You got a behind the scenes look at all the outsides of the zoo buildings and it did not take you past any animals.
One of the cafes we ate at for lunch was very small and got very busy during lunchtime. Plan to eat an early or late lunch to beat the crowds and have a place to sit.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
This is not just a children’s museum, it’s the largest children's museum in the world, and it absolutely lives up to the title. We could’ve spent the entire day here and still not seen it all. The museum is packed with interactive exhibits that are both educational and wildly fun for all ages.
If you want to read all the specifics about the Indianapolis Children's Museum, check out my post called The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: Does It Really Live Up to the Hype? for all the inside tips and tricks before visiting!
Smiley Indoor Playground & Arcade
Smiley is a 25,000 sq ft indoor family entertainment center near Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis. It is designed for kids up to age 10, but also has VR and arcade zones for older children and adults.
If you can get over the germ fest of playing in a massive ball pit with your kids, then Smiley's is a blast! Their ball pit is the first thing you see when you walk in. It has slides, teeter-totters, ball cannons, and more. They also have an obstacle course, rock climbing walls, foam pits, trampoline basketball and a toddler zone. If you are still looking for more to do, they have a Lego room, rice pit, interactive wall and floor games and an arcade. This place is kid heaven!
Tips for Visiting
They are closed on Tuesdays for cleaning. Wednesday would be the best day to go when everything is freshly cleaned.
They do have a cafe & snack stand available.
You are required to buy their Smiley grip socks ($3.99/pair), so make sure you budget for that.
Check out their website for info on all current pricing and hours
Holliday Park & Habitat Hall
One word: FREE! Isn't that the best word to hear when you are looking into visiting a new place with kids?! We love to find fun & free things for our kiddos to do while we are on a trip. Holliday Park was a 2 for 1 freebie.
Habitat Hall is a 13,000 square foot nature center with many hands on exhibits and real animals to see. They have a touchable river exhibit with rocks, boats and pretend water animals to explore. The Music of the Wetlands exhibit allows children to hear frog calls and other animal sounds from the wetlands. They have a dress up center, touch and feel animal fur, puzzles, books, instruments and more. They also have real turtles, salamanders, bluegill and honeybees you can view. There is plenty to do here to keep your children busy for a while!
Once you are done with the inside, you can head outside to Holliday Park to explore the multiple playgrounds built for all ages. This area is amazing! There is so many different things to do and play on, our kids had a blast. There is more than just playgrounds at Holliday Park. They have walking trails, ruins, a garden, and the White River all surrounding the area.
Make sure to add Holliday Park to your list of places to visit while in Indianapolis! It is free, fun, and educational all while being surrounded by nature. It is a place your kids are sure to love!
Final Thoughts
Would we go again? Without a doubt! Indianapolis gave us the perfect mix of learning, exploring, and fun. The zoo offered up-close animal moments, and the children’s museum was bursting with energy and discovery, Smileys was a great indoor activity to get energy out (especially if the weather outside doesn't cooperate), and Holliday Park was a wonderful free option to add to our trip. It’s a great weekend trip that we’d happily repeat.