As we stood on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I crouched to my 5-year-old daughter’s height and whispered, “Imagine race cars coming at us at 230 miles per hour, fast and loud.”
She stared down the grooved pavement stretching out before us, the very same one where the Indianapolis 500 roars to life every year. I caught the spark in her blue eyes as she quietly said, “Whoa.”
In that small, awestruck moment, it hit me: Despite decades of living in the Midwest, Indianapolis had somehow remained off my radar. Somehow, it had taken parenthood—and the city’s reputation as a family-friendly destination—to finally pique my curiosity.
That curiosity turned into a simple plan: Pack some snacks, queue up a playlist, and set off on a road trip with my daughter to see if the hype held up.
The short answer: Yes, it did. What we found was a city that feels built for families, where a renowned children’s museum, a thoughtfully designed zoo, and, of course, the iconic speedway are just a few of the standout attractions—making it easy to fill 48 hours (and then some) without feeling rushed.
Where to stay in Indianapolis
All aboard! For a truly memorable stay with kids—especially train lovers—book one of the 26 vintage Pullman train car guest rooms at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station. Set on elevated tracks within the historic station-turned-modern hotel, they deliver a one-of-a-kind sleep experience.
While the décor and furnishings match the rest of the hotel, the novelty of sleeping in a real train car can’t be beat. My daughter loved it. She also loved spotting the hotel’s “ghost people”: white-painted statues scattered throughout the halls, from newspaper boys and flappers to mischievous boys climbing atop our very train car.
For a splurge stay, consider the AAA Four Diamond Conrad Indianapolis. The moment we stepped into its grand lobby, my daughter declared, “Fancy Nancy would loveto stay here!” It’sarguably the city’s most luxurious option, with attentive staff, spacious rooms, and all the perks you expect from a top-tier hotel. We found it very family-friendly; the staff went out of their way to make my daughter feel welcome, and we made some fun memories at its indoor skylit pool.
Both properties are in downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and WNBA’s Indiana Fever.
What to experience in Indianapolis
Day 1
Fuel your day at Cafe Patachou, where inventive breakfast dishes such as the Omelet You Can’t Refuse (loaded with bacon, white cheddar, sour cream, and potatoes) sit alongside classics like waffles and avocado toast. Everything is made-to-order with farm-fresh ingredients, and the welcoming, relaxed vibe draws everyone from business-casual professionals to stroller-toting locals.
With eight locations across the city, the Meridian-Kessler spot is especially convenient, near North Meridian Street—atree-canopied historic avenue lined with stunning 20th-century mansions. The HGTV fangirl in me drove slowly just to savor the short trip to our next stop.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a must for families. As the world’s largest, it spans four floors and a 7.5-acre outdoor park filled with immersive exhibits and room to explore—enough to easily fill an entire day. My advice: Browse the museum website in advance to map out which attractions will appeal to your crew, and bring the stroller if you’ve got little legs in tow.
My daughter loved Dinosphere, where life-size dinosaurs feel almost alive, with fossil digs and even the chance to touch real T. rex bones. She also spent time creating sculptures in the Dale Chihuly–inspired Fireworks of Glass, racing Indy 500 pedal cars, climbing the massive outdoor treehouse, and riding the 100-year-old carousel on the top floor.
Alongside its permanent exhibits, the museum also rotates in limited-run experiences. During our visit, that included PAW Patrol and Princess Tiana themes. It’s the kind of place where every corner invites exploration, and kids could happily keep going long after you’ve hit your step count for the day.
If you wanted to split the day, consider the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. While it’s home to galleries where Rembrandt, Picasso, and O’Keeffe masterpieces hang, this may not bewhat draws kids in. Its Star Studio offers fidgety hands an art-making station and digital garden, and its 100-acre park boasts a living sculpture park that encourages climbing and playful interaction.
After a full day, treat yourself to a meal at St. Elmo Steak House, a classic since 1902 with old-school charm that’s also welcoming to families, especially early in the evening. Order the famous fiery shrimp cocktail for its signature kick, and then add a steak and a few sides; the mac and cheese and creamed corn were easy hits with my daughter.
Day 2
Start your second day with pastries at Borage. Grab it to go or settle into the open kitchen café for fried-to-order doughnuts made with apricot hibiscus and lemon-vanilla yogurt.
Just down the street, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is worth a stop even if you’re not a racing fan. It recently underwent a $60.5 million renovation that brought the space to life with more immersive, interactive exhibits, earning it a spot on TIME’s “World’s Greatest Places for 2026.” My daughter and I enjoyed browsing the shiny cars and trophies, but the highlight was definitely the 30-minute Kiss the Bricks tour, where you’ll circle the iconic track at 20 mph in a small van—while a real Indy car could lap it 46 times in that span.
For the remainder of your daylight hours, choose your next adventure: Hang with animals or take a hot-air balloon ride?
The Indianapolis Zoo is a thoughtfully designed zoo just adjacent to downtown. I was wowed by the orangutans and chimpanzees, playfully strolling and climbing through enclosures and towers that rose above the human pathways. I’ve never seen anything like it. My daughter loved her first dolphin show, spotting elephants and giraffes, riding the zoo train, and petting a red kangaroo in an immersive, barrier-free exhibit where kangaroos and humans safely intermingled. The zoo also offers other up-close animal encounters, such as an elephant bathing experience and dolphin meet-and-greet, for an extra cost with advance booking.
Conner Prairie is Indiana’s first Smithsonian affiliate and spans more than 1,000 acres of immersive, hands-on experiences centered on nature, history, and science. Highlights include its recently transformed Museum Experience Center (with dazzling multimedia displays and a foam pit perfect for kid cannonballs), a 19th-century village, a four-story treehouse, and its signature balloon voyage—which sends guests nearly 400 feet into the air in a tethered helium balloon.
If you’ve still got energy beyond room service and relaxing at your hotel—and happen to be in town for an NBA or WNBA game—grab dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory before tip-off and ask for a table in the train car. It’s a playful nod to the train theme if you’re staying at the Crowne Plaza, and the restaurant is an easy walk to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, long associated with legendary athletes like Reggie Miller and, more recently, Caitlin Clark.
Got an extra day to spare? Bookmark White River State Park, where families can hop between stops such as the Indiana State Museum and the Eiteljorg Museum and catch a larger-than-life film at the IMAX. Its wide green spaces, canal walks, and pedal boats add fresh air and room to roam between indoor adventures.
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Indianapolis delivered a family trip that was both easy-going and delightfully memorable. As we headed home, my daughter asked, “Mommy, when can we go back?”—the purest positive endorsement any city could hope for.