Things to Do at the Indianapolis Museum of Art

The first time I visited the Indianapolis Art Museum was during the spring of 1970. Our sixth grade class took an educational field trip to help spark our appreciation for art. At the time, the art museum was quite small in comparison to what it is today. But, back then I thought it was the most expansive building I had ever seen.

Nearly 30 years later, I began working for a country club which was located directly across the street from the Indianapolis Art Museum. I would frequently walk over and eat my lunch in the museum courtyard. Sitting there enjoying the sculptures, gardens and peacefulness of the area always refreshed me and helped me get through the rest of my day.

About the same time, my daughter was invited to tour the museum through her art class. Volunteer chaperones were needed and I gladly volunteered. I'm not sure who was more enthralled with the experience -- my daughter or me. That's the beauty of the Indianapolis Art Museum. It appeals to all ages and has something for everyone.

Located at 4000 Michigan Road, near the corner of 38th and Michigan Road, the Indianapolis Art Museum is only a 15-minute drive from the center of downtown. In addition to the art museum, visitors can also tour the Oldsfield-Lilly House and Gardens, participate in educational workshops and classes, attend lectures and dine in Wolfgang Puck's restaurant, aptly named Pucks, or the Indianapolis Art Museum Cafe.

Pucks is a fine dining restaurant and offers both exceptional food and service. Menu selections include roasted pork chops, Wiener schnitzel, gourmet pizzas, salads, desserts, and specialty coffees and teas. The IMA Café offers a more casual dining experience and features sandwiches, salads, desserts, and a variety of beverages including Peet's specialty coffee.

Restaurant hours vary from day to day and are posted on the Indianapolis Art Museum website. All restaurants are closed on Sunday, with the exception of Puck's Sunday Brunch which is served between 11 am - 2 pm. Reservations are recommended for Puck's and can be made online at www.wolfgangpuck.com/rsvp, or by calling IMA at 317-955-2315. Please note, reservation calls are only accepted Tuesday through Sunday between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

One of my favorite places to visit at the Indianapolis Art Museum is Oldsfield-Lilly House. This massive 26-acre estate is home to the 22-room mansion where J.K. Lilly once lived. Lilly was a prominent businessman who made his own fortune through the giant pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly and Company.

The grounds and gardens of the Oldsfield-Lilly House were designed by Percival Gallagher, a landscape architect who worked for the famous Olmstead Brothers. The Lilly House is furnished and decorated with nearly 90 percent of items that belonged to the Lilly's and were actually used in the home. Here you'll find Mr. Lilly's world-renowned collections of books, gold coins, military miniatures and nautical items.

The Indianapolis Art Museum currently houses more than 50,000 works of art including American, European, African, Asian, South Pacific, Contemporary, Decorative, Prints, Drawing, Photographs, Textile, Fashion and Native Arts of the Americas.

Numerous world-class exhibitions are displayed throughout the year to showcase both national and international works of art. If you are planning to visit the Indianapolis Art Museum, be certain to check the website for upcoming events so you don't miss out on special exhibits and events.

The gift shop features books, note cards, totes, umbrellas, sculptures, art, posters and gifts. Prices range from $8 to $800 and most items can be shipped directly from the store upon request. The Indianapolis Art Museum gift shop is open Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm.

The Indianapolis Art Museum hours of operation vary from day to day. The gardens and grounds are open daily from dusk to dawn. The museum is closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. At the time of writing, museum hours of operation are:

Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm.
Thursday and Friday from 11am to 9 pm
Sunday from noon to 5 pm

General admission to the museum, along with parking is free. Wheelchair parking is located next to the Museum entrance and on lots adjacent to other venues on the campus. Special admission charges might be applied to certain special exhibitions. Additional information can be located at the IMA website.

It's important to note that Indianapolis Art Museum has certain photography rules which must be adhered to during your visit. While photographs are allowed, IMA regulations require that photographers do not use a flash or special photographic lighting inside the museum. Tripods are not allowed unless written permission from IMA Communications Department has been received. Details can be found at the IMA website.

Numerous restaurants are located near the art museum, but most visitors prefer eating at Pucks or the IMA Cafe. If you prefer to go off the grounds, you'll find a Dairy Queen, Burger King, McDonald's, Boulevard Place Café, Starbucks and Hook's Fish and Chicken within a 5-mile radius.

Visitors who wish to stay in accommodations near the Indianapolis Art Museum have plenty to choose from. With more than a dozen hotels within a 5-mile radius, you're certain to find something that suits your needs and budgets. A few of the more popular hotels include Candlewood Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn and Sheraton City Centre.

To fully experience all the Indianapolis Art Museum offers, plan on spending an entire day. Walk through the gardens, explore the Oldsfield-Lilly House, study the vast amount of art within the museum walls and enjoy lunch or dinner at Pucks.