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Visit Indiana State Museum for Free

How to Check out a Pass Using Your Library Card

By Krista Hershey April 10, 2019

Did you know that you can get up to four complimentary general admission tickets to the Indiana State Museum (normally $12-$17/person) with your Plainfield or Avon library card? 


  1. Check out tickets at the Avon, Plainfield libraries using your library card.Tickets are offered on a first come, first serve basis, and can be used any time during the 7 days that you borrow the pass. You will receive a container containing the pass, which is good for up to 4 people. Check out the pass just like you would check out a book! Call your library ahead of time for availability.

  2. Take the pass to the Indiana State Museum, located at 650 West Washington Street, Indianapolis.

  3. Park under the museum in the White River Parking Garage. Validate your parking in the museum to receive a discount.


This museum is located between the zoo and the State Capital building, right across the street from the big blue J.W. Marriott hotel. It’s interesting, fun, and educational. Hand-on exhibits let participants learn about recent and not-so recent history of our state, including an exhibit on Hoosier pioneer days, the Naturalist’s Lab, and many others. And you will find LOTS of mastodons!

Also right now is the Color in Fashion exhibit, located on the top floor through July 28, 2019, which houses all kinds of clothing on display in color sections. The entrance of the exhibit contains two whole walls of the same mermaid sequin fabric. It’s all hands-on and lit by color-changing overhead lights. Other parts of the room include a color personality quiz that not only assigns you your own color, but gives you a sense of personality identity you didn’t know you were missing. 

Across the hall is a building room called Cardboard Engineering, through May 27, 2019, where everyone is encouraged to cut, bend, color, and create to their heart’s desire. Oh, and one corner houses a giant mastodon made entirely of cardboard!

You can also purchase tickets to a movie at the IMAX theater through the main floor of the building. 

If it’s nice enough weather outside, be sure to walk around the building at peruse the sculptures representing every county in the state. I had fun finding the counties where I’ve lived! The canal walk is located behind the building, where you will find a steam clock tower that chimes every fifteen minutes. 

Enjoy exploring this super fun museum about our Hoosier heritage that is so close to home!

For more information, visit Indianamuseum.org.


Note: The information presented in this article is subject to change at any time. Check the State Museum and your local library for updated information. The opinions in this article are mine!