Our trip to Indianapolis was scheduled around a photography session but we wanted to make the most of our trip. Needless to say, heading to the Children’s Museum was a no brainer! I actually booked a hotel package that included tickets to the museum and the zoo.
Even though we couldn’t spend the full day at the museum, we decided to go to the museum on the first day. That way, if the boys were having a really awesome time and we wanted to see more, we could go back the second day to finish the museum off. Thankfully, we saw all we wanted on the first day.
The outside of the museum was so flippin’ cool.
On the planetarium side of the building, it looked as if dinosaurs were breaking out of the museum. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a wide enough picture to capture it all in one frame.
On the lobby side of the building, it looked as if dinosaurs were climbing inside.
Inside view:
The super cool exterior really set the tone for our visit. Everyone was so excited to go inside and check out all they had to offer.
Needless to say, we were all blown away when we walked inside and saw “Bumblebee” from Transformers on display!
Our first exhibit of the day was related to dinosaurs. I didn’t get any good pictures because it was pretty dark and Matthew was a bit freaked out by the big dinosaurs (fossils) and the simulated thunderstorm. LOL
After that, we went and checked out a train exhibit.
“Riding” the train:
We had to tear Matthew away from the train exhibit kicking and screaming (sadly, NOT an exaggeration) but our next stop was the ridiculously cool Dale Chihuly Fireworks of Glass exhibit:
This is the reflection of the ceiling onto the tile floor:
After that we headed off to the National Geographic “Treasures of Earth” exhibit. Neither boy was too interested in learning anything but were all about posing with the Terra Cotta Warriors and excavating in the pit!
The museum had famous replica works of art that were mosaics made out of Jelly Belly jellybeans. They were really neat.
Here is their replica of the “We Can Do It!”/Rosie the Riveter poster:
Hanging out with Diego, Baby Jaguar, Dora and Boots:
(I had to trick both boys into those pictures. They were being little stinkers.)
Exploring Egypt and taking a ride on NILE CROCODILE!!! (Little Einsteins reference!)
Chillin’ on the Sphinx:
Looking at a giant map on the floor:
Testing out an Indy car:
Playing in the water:
A friendly game of tic-tac-toe:
Ending our visit on a high note: on the carousel!
After our carousel ride, we decided to leave the museum. We got to see all the exhibits and it was about 1:30PM.
On the way back to the hotel, we picked up some Fazoli’s (fast food Italian/spaghetti) and ate in our room. The boys must have been starving because they ate a TON. I think Ian ate 5 bowls of spaghetti. I seriously think he ate more that afternoon that I’ve seen him eat in an average week. LOL
After lunch, everyone took naps to rest up for our photography session later that night.
Day 2, to be continued…….