A huge thanks to my friend and co-op cohort, Heidi Rider, for contributing her gigantic list of Indiana field trips; she spent hours and hours compiling the trips around our great state. Another thanks to the Interest Led Homeschooling Facebook group as well as the IAHE Facebook group for sharing more great field trip ideas. Feel free to thank these people in the comments below!
Children’s Museums
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Indianapolis)
The mission of this museum is to create extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. It is truly the most amazing children's museum we have ever been to; you will not be sorry if you choose to visit the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
Hannah Lindahal Children’s Museum (Mishawaka)
Since 1946 Hannah Lindahl Children’s Museum has provided a collection of unique artifacts that encourages families to explore, learn and enjoy the history of the
Mishawaka area.
Kidscommons Children’s Museum (Columbus)
A fun, safe, and inviting place, kidscommons nurtures exploration, collaboration, and creativity within all children and their caregivers. It is a place to learn about our community and our world.
Kidsfirst Children’s Museum (South Bend)
Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville (Evansville)
A place to spark the curious minds and imaginations of children.
Muncie Children’s Museum (Muncie)
Big Rig, Tot Spot, Book Nook, Water Works, Make Believe Theater, and a Little Town to explore–it's all at the Muncie Children's Museum.
Terre Haute Children’s Museum (Terre Haute)
The Terre Haute Children's Museum is full of fun, interactive activities for children of all ages! In addition to our permanent exhibits, we have several traveling exhibits that make a stop in our museum.
Science Museums and Planetariums
Ball State University Planetarium (Muncie)
This planetarium offers free programs for the public. You can also find out more about school and group programs here.
Challenger Learning Center (Indianapolis)
Merging the power of a child's imagination with the excitement of discovery, students become engineers and scientists as they "Rendezvous with a Comet" (suggested for grades 5 and older), "Return to the Moon" (suggested for grades 6 and older), "Voyage to Mars" (suggested for grades 7 and older).
Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana (Hammond)
Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science (Evansville)
This general museum maintains a permanent collection of more than 30,000 objects, including fine and decorative arts and historic, anthropological, and natural history artifacts. Over twenty temporary exhibitions are displayed every year in four changing galleries.
Healthworks! Kids’ Museum (South Bend)
HealthWorks! is a one-of-a-kind place that merges the best of both worlds from children’s museums and health education centers.
Imagination Station by ASSET (Lafayette)
Imagination Station provides hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, and engineering.
Joseph Moore Museum (Richmond)
The Joseph Moore Museum inspires learners of all ages to connect with and appreciate nature, including the ancient world and its peoples, using a scientific lens.
Joshua Tree Earth and Space Museum (Lakeville)
The Joshua Tree Earth & Space Museum is an educational facility to learn about our past cultures. It provides collections to teach our future generations of our past, present and future.
Koch Planetarium (Evansville)
Found at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science.
Science Central (Ft. Wayne)
Science Central is a regional resource that provides inspiring and fun hands-on science education for people of all ages. This fantastic museum also offers Afternoon Science for homeschooling families.
Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology (Bloomington)
WonderLab welcomes people of all ages and abilities to play, experiment, innovate, discover, create and learn about science.
Art & Music Museums
Anderson Center for the Arts (Anderson)
Carnegie Center for Arts and History (New Albany)
The Carnegie Center for Art and History is a local history museum and contemporary art gallery. The Center offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy art works in a variety of media and to learn more about the process of creative expression through a range of exhibitions and programs for all ages.
Dr. Ted’s Musical Marvels (Dale)
Dr. Ted's Musical Marvels is a colossal collection of the most amazing mechanical musical instruments you will ever hear. This spectacular collection embodies pieces from the 1800's to the mid-1900's.
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art (Indianapolis)
The Eiteljorg collects and preserves high-quality Western art and Native American art and cultural objects. Its collection includes artists such as T.C. Cannon, N. C. Wyeth, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Allan Houser, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and Kay WalkingStick.
Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science (Evansville)
This general museum maintains a permanent collection of more than 30,000 objects, including fine and decorative arts and historic, anthropological, and natural history artifacts. Over twenty temporary exhibitions are displayed every year in four changing galleries.
Fort Wayne Museum of Art (Ft. Wayne)
Glass Museum, The (Dunkirk)
This museum houses glass-making tools, a leaded glass mural, carnival glass, lead cyrstal, milk glass, Dagenhart, King's Crown, Albany glass, Norse, and many other household and farm items.
Indiana University Art Museum (Bloomington)
Indianapolis Museum of Art (Indianapolis)
Last Supper Museum (Greensburg)
At the Last Supper Museum you will see prints, sculptures, carvings, needlework, puzzles, ties and numerous other mediums and objects with a Last Supper picture.
Midwest Museum of American Art (Elkhart)
The Midwest Museum of American Art is a showcase of the 19th and 20th century American Art, with original paintings by Grandma Moses and Norman Rockwell.
Minnetrista (Muncie)
Minnetrista, is the home of the Ball Jar and a Gathering Place located in Muncie, Indiana with exhibits and programs that focus on nature, local history, art, and gardens. See plenty of wildlife near the riverbank or take a quiet walk through the nature area a six-acre backyard wildlife habitat.
Museum of Overbeck Art Pottery (Cambridge City)
The museum houses and preserves Overbeck Pottery. The pottery was produced between 1911 and 1955 by the Overbeck sisters and is recognized as an important part of our national art history.
Quilter’s Hall of Fame (Marion)
The mission of The Quilters Hall of Fame is to celebrate quilting as an art form by honoring the lives and accomplishments of those people who have made outstanding contributions to the world of quilting.
Rhythm! Discovery Center (Indianapolis)
This museum explores the history of percussing with exhibits, archives, and drums to play.
History Museums
Academy of Hoosier Heritage (Mooresville)
The museum includes a one-room school, information and artifacts about Mooresville and Morgan County, and temporary exhibits. Our displays include primarily artifacts from the 1800s depicting Mooresville and area history.
Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum (Columbus)
The museum will educate and inspire you about the history, photos and personal stories of those who served. You can learn about World War II Glider pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen, 2466th, 434th, 71st Special Operation Squadron in Vietnam, the base, the leaders, the airmen, the equipment, the aircraft and The Indiana Aviation Wall of Fame.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum (Auburn)
Features more than 100 classic and antique vehicles from the 19th century to present era, with emphasis on cars built in Indiana.
Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum (Columbus)
Check here for educational programs.
Bell Aircraft Museum (Mentone)
Read about exhibits here.
Brown County Historical Society: Pioneer Village (Nashville)
CANDLES Holocaust Museum (Terra Haute)
CANDLES is an acronym for Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments Survivors. The CANDLES organization was founded in 1984 by Eva Mozes Kor with help from her twin sister, Miriam Mozes Zieger, to launch an effort to locate other surviving Mengele twins. As a result of their efforts, Eva and Miriam were able to locate 122 individual Mengele twins living in ten countries and four continents.
Carnegie Center for Arts and History (New Albany)
The Carnegie Center for Art and History is a local history museum and contemporary art gallery. The Center offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy art works in a variety of media and to learn more about the process of creative expression through a range of exhibitions and programs for all ages.
The Carnegie Center is also home to two permanent history exhibits. The award-winning exhibit Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage: Men and Women of the Underground Railroad and Remembered: the Life of Lucy Higgs Nichols detailing her amazing life.
Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County (Crawfordsville)
Carroll County Historical Museum (Delphi)
Cass County Historical Society Museum (Logansport)
Visitors learn about the golden age of steamboating on the Missouri River, the pioneer experience, the arrival of the train, and the importance of farm production. A second part of the permanent display covers the age of the automobile, the telephone and radio, churches and religious life, schools, and entertainment. There is a Pioneer room, a Victorian Parlor, and a General Store. The Society also maintains the Joseph and Mary Cook Log Cabin (built in 1868) and a Burlington Northern Caboose.
Clinton County Historical Society and Museum (Frankfort)
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park (Fishers)
Conner Prairie is a living history museum that preserves the William Conner home. Many Hoosier homeschool families will tell you that this is one of the best! Don't miss it.
Decatur County Historical Society (Greensburg)
Learn Greensburg's history.
Dubois County Museum (Jasper)
Discover the rich history and heritage of Dubois County, Indiana by winding your way through exhibits as they tell the stories that have been passed down generation to generation. Get a feel for what the settlers of this area would have endured in the early 1800’s. Learn of their trying times during the wars and how it shaped local families and the economy, and appreciate the hard work that turned Dubois County’s natural resources into thriving industries and farmland.
Elkhart County Historical Museum (Bristol)
Elwood Haynes Museum (Kokomo)
Elwood Haynes invented the first commercially successful gasoline powered automobile in the United States in 1894.
Ernie Pyle World War II Museum (Dana)
This museum features Ernie Pyle’s birthplace and a museum highlighting the famous journalist’s life and writings as a correspondent during World War II.
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center (Indianapolis)
Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science (Evansville)
This general museum maintains a permanent collection of more than 30,000 objects, including fine and decorative arts and historic, anthropological, and natural history artifacts. Over twenty temporary exhibitions are displayed every year in four changing galleries.
Fairmount Historical Museum (Fairmount)
In addition to artifacts related to the town, its families, and schools, the museum also holds many pieces related to and once owned by James Dean and his family. These include awards, clothing, motorcycles, and much more. In addition, the museum houses a tribute to another Fairmount native, Jim Davis and his creation, "Garfield."
Fire Museum and Sturgeon House (Columbia City)
Firefighters Survive Alive (Indianapolis)
Five Points Fire Station Museum (Lafayette)
Fort Wayne Cathedral Museum (Ft. Wayne)
Religious artifacts dating back to the mid-13th century.
Fort Wayne Courthouse & History Center (Ft. Wayne)
Miama Indians, Anthony Wayne, the Wabash & Erie Canal, a black smith shop, and more; read about the exhbits here.
Fort Wayne Firefighters’ Museum, Inc (Ft. Wayne)
Along with the many artifacts on display, the Museum also teaches fire safety to young and old alike.
Fulton County Historical Society & Museum (Rochester)
Step back in time (1900-1925) and visit a living history village where you will learn about the Golden Age of Agriculture.
General Lew Wallace Study & Museum (Crawfordsville)
The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum has faithfully preserved General Wallace’s personal memorabilia in the Study that he designed and built in 1895–on the same site where Ben-Hur was penned.
Grissom Air Museum (Peru)
Here you can learn about our historic aircraft, climb the Observation Tower, view exciting exhibits, and enjoy a modern, hands-on facility.
Grover Museum (Shelbyville)
The museum’s permanent exhibits include “The Streets of Old Shelby,” which is a life-size generic village of the 1900-1910 era anywhere in Shelby County, and “History of the Railroad in Shelby County,” which features a diorama with running model trains.
The Grover Museum also has three rotating galleries that change displays several times a year.
Hamilton County Museum of History (Noblesville)
Includes an old sherriff residence and jail.
Hendricks County Historical Museum (Danville)
This 1886 landmark just off the historic Hendricks County Courthouse Square has become a time capsule of sorts preserving the former Sheriff’s residence and county jail. The jail in the back of the home has a cold, medieval feel that wows every visitor that enters, while knowledgeable tour guides make this private experience a memorable one.
Henry County Historical Museum (New Castle)
Hesston Steam Museum (Michigan City)
History comes alive at the Hesston Steam Museum as real steam locomotives take you on a spectacular two and a half mile journey through deep woods, past lakes and farm fields.
The Hesston Steam Museum is filled with other steam powered machinery including a steam-powered saw mill, a railroad steam crane, steam powered electric power plant, steam traction engines and more.
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum (North Judson)
Are you ready to take a journey back to a bygone era? Then visit the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in northwest Indiana. Situated near the former junction of the Erie, PRR, C&O, and NYC in historic North Judson, HVRM offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and smells of railroading during its heydays.
Howard Steamboat Museum (Jeffersonville)
Step into the Steamboat Era with a tour of the Howard Steamboat Museum. This beautiful 1894 home was built by, premier steamboat builders, the Howards of Jeffersonville. The Howard Steamboat Museum features original furnishings, brass chandeliers, stained glass windows, intricate carvings throughout and even a grand staircase.
Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame (Jasper)
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (New Castle)
Indiana Medical History Museum (Indianapolis)
Explore the beginnings of scientific psychiatry and modern medicine in a historic setting.
Indiana Military Museum (Vincennes)
Take a journey through time and space, from the American Revolution to the beaches of Normandy; the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts of Afghanistan. Explore the life and times of brave military men and women: the uniforms they wore, weapons they used, and vehicles they drove.
Indiana Railway Museum (French Lick)
Indiana State Museum (Indianapolis)
The Indiana State Museum's collection contains hundreds of thousands of items ranging from prehistoric fossils to current popular culture items and everything in between.
Indianapolis 500 Hall of Fame Museum (Indianapolis)
The Hall of Fame Museum is recognized as one of the most highly visible museums in the world devoted to automobiles and auto racing.
International Circus Hall of Fame (Peru)
James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum (Greenfield)
The Boyhood Home, birthplace and boyhood home of the famed "Hoosier Poet", will take you back to life in the 1850's and '60's. Tours are led by Riley Home hostesses.
Jay County Historical Museum (Portland)
Our collections date from the earliest days of the county.They include many collections, such as memorabilia from the Hawkins Family.
Jefferson County Historical Society (Madison)
Exhibits include: Pioneer Exhibit, Transportation Exhibit, Victorian Parlor Exhibit, Civil War Exhibit, and Special Exhibits.
Jennings County Historical Society (Vernon)
John Dillinger Museum (Nashville)
The John Dillinger Museum takes visitors on an interactive, historical adventure through the life and times of John Dillinger and other gangsters of the 1930s depression era.
Johnson County Museum of History (Franklin)
Explore our exhibits tracing the history of Johnson Country from its geological beginnings to the pioneer days to the foot tappin’ fifties!
Kosciusko County Jail Museum (Warsaw)
Lake of the Red Cedars Museum (Cedar Lake)
The Lake of the Red Cedars Museum consists of 14 rooms featuring settings from the past and 11 special exhibits highlighting the history of Cedar Lake.
Life on the Ohio River History Museum (Vevay)
Lyle’s Station (Princeton)
Celebrating freedom & success in Indiana, Lyles Station stands as one of the last remaining African American settlements in the state.
Marshall County Historical Society & Museum (Plymouth)
Lots to do at this historical museum: Meet the man we called "Doc," catch the Saturday morning train, spot Roy Rogers in downtown Plymouth, hear WWII vets share their memories, walk the Trail of Death with Chief Menominee, meet the Purdue coach who honed his craft defending the Notre Dame Four Horsemen, and more!
Mathers Museum of World Cultures (Bloomington)
McClain’s Historical Military Armor Museum (Anderson)
Menno_Hof (Shipshewana)
See and hear the Ammish-Mennonite story.
Miami County Museum (Peru)
The Miami County Museum offers two floors of permanent exhibits. As you step through our doors, Cole Porter’s 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood will dazzle you. Explore pioneer history, circus displays, Native American (Miami and Woodland) culture, and the Walker Armament gallery on the first floor. Continue to the second floor and step back in time to 1910 era downtown Peru!
Mid-America Windmill Museum (Kendallville)
Minnetrista (Muncie)
Minnetrista, is the home of the Ball Jar and a Gathering Place located in Muncie, Indiana with exhibits and programs that focus on nature, local history, art, and gardens. See plenty of wildlife near the riverbank or take a quiet walk through the nature area a six-acre backyard wildlife habitat.
Monroe County History Center (Bloomington)
Come walk through our 1880s School House and authentic 1830s Pioneer Cabin, meet the ever-popular Schmalz Bear, and view an exhibit about the Gentry Bother's Circus.
Museum of Miniature Houses (Carmel)
Visit our museum and allow yourself to be transported into delightful magical miniature worlds. The museum’s collection contains over 600 miniatures.
Museum of the Soldier (Portland)
This museum's goal is to preserve and present histories of the men and women, the families and workers back home, during times of war, of peace, and peace keeping.
National Automotive & Truck Museum of the United States (Auburn)
National Military History Center (Auburn)
National Model Aviation Museum (Muncie)
The museum collects three-dimensional objects relating to aeromodeling that help convey the story, evolution, and importance of the modeling experience. We have about 9,000 artifacts in our collection, including model airplanes, radio systems, engines, building tools and equipment, and memorabilia such as patches, stickers and clothing.
New York Central Railroad Museum (Elkhart)
The museum's goal is to tell the story of the vast New York Central System, and its predecessors and successors into the modern era.
Northern Indiana Center for History (South Bend)
This amazing museum has a variety of exhibits for your to see including Oliver Mansion and Navarre Cabin.
Ohio County Historical Museum (Rising Sun)
Old Rotary Jail Museum (Crawfordsville)
Our Rotary Jail opened in 1882 as the first rotary jail in the country! Its round cell block sits on a turntable that revolves when a hand crank is turned. Just 18 rotary jails were built, and we are the only one that still spins. Come see this remarkable feat of 1880's engineering that still rotates!
Old Lighthouse Museum (Michigan City)
Tour the oldest lighthouse in Indiana.
Perry County Museum (Cannelton)
Porter County Museum of History (Valparaiso)
Ropkey Armor Museum (Crawfordsville)
One of the finest collections of U.S. Tactical Military Vehicles in the country.
Santa Claus Museum and Village (Santa Claus)
The Santa Claus Museum features historical documents, photos and artifacts illustrating the progression from the tiny settlement of Santa Fee to the present day town of Santa Claus. Exhibits feature the story behind the town's famous name, the history of tourism, and artifacts highlighting the town's unique history.Explore the joy behind Christmases of yesteryear with antique toy displays and a large collection of Santas of every shape, size and interpretation.
Studebaker National Museum (South Bend)
Sullivan County Historical Society (Sullivan)
Swiss Heritage Village and Museum (Berne)
The Village is now the largest outdoor museum in northern Indiana. As you visit our site and read about the buildings, grounds, and events that are sponsored by the Swiss Heritage Society, you will learn about how the Swiss settlers lived in this area more than a century ago.
Switzerland County Historical Museum (Vevay)
Lots of scheduled events plus three museums to check out: County History Museum, Agricultural Museum, and River History Museum
Tipton County Historical Society (Tipton)
Vigo County Historical Society Museum (Terre Haute)
Vintage Fire Museum (Jeffersonville)
This museum is nationally known; it features beautiful restored fire engines (hand pumpers, chemical engines, horse-drawn steamers, early motorized engines) and other equipment dating back to 1756!
Warrick County Museum (Boonville)
The museum currently offers schools and organizations interactive programs on pioneer living and the history of Warrick County and its citizens.
Wabash Historical Museum (Wabash)
Exhibits are hands-on and interactive. We strive to be a living, breathing exploration center for local history, not a “graveyard for old stuff."
Wayne County Historical Museum (Richmond)
Comprised of eight buildings on a compact site, the museum is a unique repository of Wayne County and Richmond history from early pioneer life through the industrial revolution into modern times.
Whitley County Agricultural Museum (Columbia City)
Whitley County Historical Museum (Columbia City)
Wilbur Wright Birthplace and Museum (Hagerstown)
Follow tour guides to discover life on the Wright farm in the 1860's through the Museum time-line with interpretive sketches of the Wright Brothers before and during Kitty Hawk. Enjoy excerpts from a Wright video concentrating on Kitty Hawk. Learn how the Brothers lived at Kitty Hawk as you tour the Kitty Hawk camp. Take a look at the full size replica of the First Flyer. Stroll along a 1903 street.
Winona History Center at Grace College
Various exhibits including the Billy Sunday Home Museum
Looking for more Indiana Field Trip ideas?
Check out The Ultimate List of Indiana Field Trips