Best museums in Indiana

No matter your interest, Indiana has a museum to explore and expand your curiosity. Here are some of the best The Hoosier State has to offer.

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

Explore the beauty of nature at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. Wander through indoor and outdoor exhibits of hundreds of different species of foliage and fauna. Enjoy the seasonal garden, tropical oasis display with waterfall, desert display, outdoor terrace and exploration garden. You’ll also enjoy temporary seasonal exhibits, making each visit to this conservatory different and new. See how many plants and flowers you can identify, and be on the lookout for exotic and rare plant species.

Location: 1100 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802

Phone: 260-427-6440

Website: www.botanicalconservatory.org

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

Car enthusiasts and casual sightseers alike will marvel at the world’s most comprehensive collection of Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg automobiles. Housed in the site of the former Auburn Automobile Company’s national headquarters, you’ll find over 120 classic automobiles from 1894 through 1999. The museum has seven main galleries showcasing the history of automobile design and technology. Some of the exhibits include the original art deco showroom, Auburn Automobile Company Design Studios where you can try your hand at designing your own Duesenberg or innovative design, Auburn Automobile Advertising Offices and original conference studio.

Location: 1600 S. Wayne St., Auburn, Indiana 46706

Phone: 260-925-1444

Website: www.automobilemuseum.org

Ruthmere Museum

Spend a day at the Ruthmere Museum, a cultural and historic mansion museum with breathtaking architecture, artwork and furnishings. This immaculately preserved Beaux Arts mansion gives visitors a rare peek into the lifestyle of a wealthy family from the 1900s. The beautiful, sprawling gardens are a relaxing escape. Take a guided tour for a more detailed history of the home and family who first resided there.

Location: 302 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, Indiana 46514

Phone: 574-264-0330

Website: www.ruthmere.org

Indiana State Museum

Located in the heart of the White River State Park is the Indiana State Museum. Here, you’ll find temporary exhibits on science, art and popular culture — as well as permanent exhibits on the history and future of Indiana. Learn new and interesting facts about the Hoosier State. Catch a movie in the IMAX theater, or for a more in-depth visit, take a guided tour of the museum.

Location: 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Phone: 317-232-1637

Website: www.indianamuseum.org

HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum

Children of all ages will have fun learning at this interactive children’s museum with a focus on health and wellness and the human body. Find out how the body operates and what each system does through games, activities and exhibits. You’ll have so much fun you won’t realize how much you’ve learned. Although it’s a children’s museum, adults will find themselves engaged in the hands-on “edu-tainment.”

Location: 111 W. Jefferson St., South Bend, Indiana 46601

Phone: 574-647-5437

Website: www.healthworkskids.org/

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

Take a hands-on approach to learning about history at the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. This live history museum is comprised of five themed historic areas. At the William Conner House, learn how Indiana’s early inhabitants lived. The 1836 Prairietown recreates a pioneer community. Take a ride on the gas passenger balloon and learn about the technology and history of ballooning on the 1859 Balloon Voyage. The 1863 Civil War Journey tells the story of Indiana’s involvement in the Civil War. At the Lenape Camp, learn how the Delaware Indians lived, hunted and traded.

Location: 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Indiana 46038

Phone: 317-776-6006

Website: www.connorprairie.org

Science Central

Learning about the wonders of science has never been so fun! With over 130 exhibits, you won’t know where to start. Take a hands-on approach to sea creatures in the Tidal Pool, act as a meteorologist at the Prediction Gallery and explore the function of weights and counterweights in the Investigation Gallery. Other permanent exhibits include brain games, body systems and the popular Swap Shop where visitors can trade rocks, minerals, fossils or other finds.

Location: 1950 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805

Phone: 260-424-2400

Website: www.scienecentral.org