The best arts & culture spots in Indianapolis

17 arts & culture spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Arts & Culture · 17 places · showing the latest additions first

The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Indianapolis, IN

Arts & Culture

Turn your next night out into a case file with The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Indianapolis, IN, a live,…

8787 Keystone Crossing

“Turn your next night out into a case file with The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Indianapolis, IN, a live, interactive true crime comedy where suspects hide in the crowd and you’re part of the investigation, all while enjoying a full plated dinner and plenty of surprises.”

From the Indianapolis newsletter, August 3, 2026

Mind Tripping Show

Arts & Culture

Up-close magic and mentalism show, plus plenty of comedy and audience participation.

120 W Market St

“Up-close magic and mentalism show, plus plenty of comedy and audience participation.”

Indiana Medical History Museum

Arts & Culture

Guided tours & artifacts recount 19th-century medical history inside an 1890s pathology facility.

3270 Kirkbride Way

“Guided tours & artifacts recount 19th-century medical history inside an 1890s pathology facility.”

Newfields

Arts & Culture

Comprehensive art museum with nature park & historic mansion, plus films, concerts, lectures & more.

4000 N Michigan Rd

“Comprehensive art museum with nature park & historic mansion, plus films, concerts, lectures & more.”

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Hilbert Circle Theatre

Arts & Culture

Neoclassical revival theater, home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, plus other live music.

45 Monument Cir

“Neoclassical revival theater, home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, plus other live music.”

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Arts & Culture

Museum exploring the art & culture of the American West, plus cafe, workshops & kids' activities.

500 W Washington St

“Museum exploring the art & culture of the American West, plus cafe, workshops & kids' activities.”

Indiana War Memorial & Museum

Arts & Culture

This columned building houses a shrine to fallen WWI soldiers, an ornate auditorium & a war museum.

55 E Michigan St

“This columned building houses a shrine to fallen WWI soldiers, an ornate auditorium & a war museum.”

Indiana State Museum

Arts & Culture

Museum with a broad array of exhibits, ranging from fossils to pop culture, plus an IMAX theater.

650 W Washington St

“Museum with a broad array of exhibits, ranging from fossils to pop culture, plus an IMAX theater.”

Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts

Arts & Culture

Grand 3-theater complex stages a variety of performances & hosts workshops, plus a cafe & gallery.

1 Carter Green (Carmel)

“Grand 3-theater complex stages a variety of performances & hosts workshops, plus a cafe & gallery.”

Indiana Historical Society

Arts & Culture

Stately home to exhibits & archives covering Indiana history, plus concerts & lectures.

450 W Ohio St

“Stately home to exhibits & archives covering Indiana history, plus concerts & lectures.”

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

Arts & Culture

Set within the famed racetrack, this museum showcases classic race cars & motorsports memorabilia.

4750 W 16th St

“Set within the famed racetrack, this museum showcases classic race cars & motorsports memorabilia.”

The Cabaret

Arts & Culture

Sophisticated nightspot with opulent decor featuring cabaret shows & crafted cocktails.

924 N Pennsylvania St Ste B

“Sophisticated nightspot with opulent decor featuring cabaret shows & crafted cocktails.”

Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre

Arts & Culture

Founded in 1915, this medium-sized theater showcases locally produced plays & musicals year-round.

3 Carter Green (Carmel)

“Founded in 1915, this medium-sized theater showcases locally produced plays & musicals year-round.”

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

Arts & Culture

Exhibits & tours on the grounds of the 23rd U.S. president's home, plus lectures, theater & more.

1230 N Delaware St

“S. president's home, plus lectures, theater & more.”

AFCA Antique Fan Museum

Arts & Culture

Museum featuring a large collection of fans dating back over a century and covering various styles over time.

10983 Bennett Pkwy Ext (Zionsville)

“Museum featuring a large collection of fans dating back over a century and covering various styles over time.”

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Arts & Culture

Huge, interactive kids' museum including a planetarium, carousel, science labs & library.

3000 N Meridian St

“Huge, interactive kids' museum including a planetarium, carousel, science labs & library.”

The Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts

Arts & Culture

Chic venue with a 1,600-seat concert hall (the Palladium), plus the 500-seat Tarkington and the 200-seat Studio Theater.

1 Carter Green (Carmel)

“Chic venue with a 1,600-seat concert hall (the Palladium), plus the 500-seat Tarkington and the 200-seat Studio Theater.”

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