Top Rated Attractions in Indianapolis

The Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens are located within the 136 acre (55 hectares) of Garfield Park. The conservatory is spread over an area, of 10,000 square feet (929 meters), and was originally designed and constructed in the year 1916, over the decades, it has been renovated and redesigned, and is home to hundreds of different plants from the world's tropics. The conservatory houses a wide variety of plant species, including palms, fruiting trees, orchids, ferns, bananas, cacao, vanilla, coffee and Koi ponds. The Sunken garden spread over an area of three acres (1.2 hectares) is home to European style classical gardens, and is graced with fountains, manicured flower beds, concrete urns and bowls. Tourists must not miss the blossoming of tulips during spring and annual displays of flowers in summer. The facility also provides environmental education programs for children, adults and families.

The Indiana Medical History Museum is an interesting place for fans of medical science to trace its development through the ages. It is a non-profit museum that has a huge collection of historical artifacts, including human skeletons, anatomical dissections, laboratory instruments and recreated laboratory environments. There is a doctor's room too, which recreates a doctor's office during World War II. Walk through the gardens amid the medicinal plants.

Established in 1864, Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery is set in an expansive space and is the final resting place of many notable personalities, from Caroline Harrison to Etheridge Knight. Famous poets, senators, governors, artists have all found a place at this funeral home. To commemorate the legacies of these famous personalities, Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery organizes tours to enlighten both locals and tourists about their achievements and stories. Both private and public tours are conducted with varied themes. The Heritage Tour being the most popular among locals and tourists. Other tours include African Americans, Women of Crown Hill and Actors, Artists, Architects & Musicians. They also have a specialized tours for photographers. If you are interested to know the histories of iconic celebrities, visit their graves and pay respect, head to Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery and get ready to be amazed by their stories.

The Hook's Drugstore museum is a recreation of a circa 1870s -1900s drug store & soda fountain, and boasts of having one of the most extensive collections of pharmaceutical and apothecary memorabilia anywhere in America. Antiques and ice cream sodas are among the highlights at this Victorian-era replica drugstore, and is ideal for people of all ages, and educational for adults and children alike. The museum and soda fountain is open annually during the Indiana State Fair, and selected weekends during the year, and visitors can take a tour by appointment. The venue is also open for hosting special events, celebrations and business meeting.

Located in the Bona Thompson Memorial Building, the Eastside Fire Museum was founded in the year 1999. The purpose of establishing this museum was to educate children, youngsters and adults about fire prevention and safety, and also learn about the glorious history of the fire department. The museum is home to memorabilia collected over a period of more than 70 years, and on display are fire equipments, fire-fighter personal protective equipments and many more items. The major highlight of this museum is the fully restored 1947 International Harvester Fire Engine, which carries 500 gallons of water and has been part of various corporate and educational events. The museum success lies in the donations received over the years for its upkeep; visitors are requested to make humble contributions.

If you are a fan of auto racing, be sure to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. For a couple bucks, they will give you a bus ride around the most hallowed racetrack in the world; home of the Indy 500. The museum itself is stocked with generation after generation of retired Indy cars. Lots of other memorabilia is on display, and the gift shop is full of exciting checkered-flag-emblazoned gear for the whole family.