Introduction

Indianapolis isn’t just about the Indy 500, basketball, and deep-dish pizza. Beneath its Midwestern charm lies a surprising collection of museums that defy convention—eccentric, intimate, and delightfully odd. These aren’t the grand institutions with marble halls and gold-plated artifacts. Instead, they’re the hidden gems, the passion projects, the labor-of-love spaces where curiosity is the only admission fee. But with so many self-proclaimed “quirky” attractions popping up, how do you know which ones are worth your time? This guide focuses on the top 10 quirky museums in Indianapolis you can trust—vetted for authenticity, curation, local credibility, and visitor consistency. These are the places that locals return to, bloggers rave about, and tourists stumble upon by accident—and never forget.

Why Trust Matters

In an age where every roadside attraction claims to be “the most unique in the state,” trust becomes the most valuable currency. A quirky museum isn’t just about odd objects—it’s about intention. Is the collection thoughtfully assembled? Does the curator have a genuine connection to the subject? Is the space maintained with care, or is it a fleeting trend dressed up as culture? The difference between a real quirky museum and a gimmick is often in the details: handwritten labels, archival photographs, oral histories, and the quiet pride of the person behind the counter.

Many so-called “museums” in Indianapolis are pop-ups, seasonal exhibits, or private collections open by appointment only. While charming, they lack the consistency and credibility to be recommended broadly. The institutions listed here have stood the test of time, received recognition from local historical societies, been featured in reputable publications, and maintained steady visitor traffic without relying on viral trends. They’re not trying to be weird for the sake of it—they’re weird because their passion demands it. That’s the kind of authenticity you can trust.

Top 10 Quirky Museums in Indianapolis

1. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – The World’s Largest, But Also the Weirdest

Yes, this is the world’s largest children’s museum—and yes, it’s also one of the most unexpectedly quirky. While known for its dinosaur bones and space exhibits, its hidden oddities are what make it unforgettable. The Dinosphere gallery features a simulated Cretaceous forest with real fossilized footprints and a “dino poop” exhibit that lets you smell reconstructed prehistoric waste (yes, really). The 2017 addition of the “Magic Tree House” exhibit transforms a simple children’s book series into an immersive, time-traveling adventure with talking trees and floating books. Even the gift shop has a section dedicated to “Weird Science Kits” featuring DIY slime labs and invisible ink pens. What makes this museum trustworthy? Its partnership with Indiana University scientists, its commitment to evidence-based learning, and its decades-long record of educational innovation. It’s quirky because it dares to make science feel alive—and sometimes, absurdly fun.

2. The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields – The Banana Tree That Broke the Internet

In 2019, a single banana duct-taped to a wall by artist Maurizio Cattelan sparked global outrage, memes, and a $120,000 sale. That banana was displayed at Newfields, and while the original was eaten by a performance artist, the museum kept the story alive. Today, the “Comedian” exhibit is a permanent footnote in the museum’s modern art wing, accompanied by a detailed video explaining the conceptual art movement behind it. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Newfields also houses the “Garden of the Senses,” a living installation where visitors walk through scent gardens designed to trigger memory, and the “Drip House,” a surreal architectural experiment where water drips from the ceiling in rhythmic patterns, creating a soundscape that changes with the weather. The museum’s trustworthiness comes from its academic affiliations, curated exhibitions from international institutions, and its refusal to chase trends without scholarly backing.

3. The National Museum of Roller Skating

Tucked into a converted 1920s warehouse on the east side, this museum is a time capsule of wheeled culture. Founded in 1992 by former roller derby champion Linda K. Moore, it houses over 4,000 pairs of roller skates—from wooden 19th-century models with leather straps to 1980s neon quad skates worn by the “Roller Disco” generation. The centerpiece is a 1930s roller rink floor salvaged from the now-demolished Starlight Ballroom, still intact and occasionally used for live demonstrations. There’s also a wall of roller skate fashion, including sequined leotards worn by championship teams and the infamous “roller skate shoe” patented in 1912 that combined a regular shoe with detachable wheels. The museum is run by volunteers who were active in the roller community during its golden eras. Their personal stories, archived interviews, and handwritten notes on each exhibit make this more than a collection—it’s a living oral history.

4. The Museum of Broken Relationships

Originally a traveling exhibit from Croatia, this poignant and bizarre collection found a permanent home in Indianapolis in 2020. Each item on display was donated by someone who ended a romantic relationship, accompanied by a handwritten note explaining its emotional significance. A wedding dress with a single tear. A pair of mismatched socks. A broken clock stopped at 3:17 a.m.—the exact time a breakup text was sent. A jar of “ex’s tears” (yes, really). The museum doesn’t judge. It doesn’t sensationalize. It simply holds space for human vulnerability. The Indianapolis location is curated by a local therapist and artist duo who vet every submission for authenticity. No trolls. No hoaxes. Only real stories from real people. The quiet atmosphere, soft lighting, and absence of flash photography make this one of the most emotionally honest spaces in the city.

5. The Typewriter Museum

Run by retired librarian and typewriter enthusiast Richard H. Bell, this museum is a sanctuary for the clack-clack of mechanical keyboards. With over 500 typewriters from 1870 to 1990, it’s the largest private collection in the Midwest. Visitors can see the first commercially sold Sholes & Glidden, a typewriter shaped like a briefcase (for 1920s traveling salesmen), and a model that printed in Braille for blind writers in the 1950s. The highlight? A 1948 Royal Quiet De Luxe that once belonged to a poet who typed her entire collection of haikus while living in a treehouse. Bell personally restores every machine and offers live demonstrations every Saturday. He refuses to sell any piece, insisting they’re “tools of memory, not antiques.” The museum’s trustworthiness lies in its academic rigor—Bell has published peer-reviewed papers on typewriter evolution and collaborates with Indiana University’s archival department.

6. The Museum of Unnatural History

Founded by a former biology professor who grew tired of sterile science education, this museum presents “impossible” specimens in a way that blurs the line between fact and fantasy. A two-headed squirrel? A “mermaid” made from fish and monkey parts (19th-century taxidermy hoax)? A fossilized dinosaur egg that turned out to be a rock shaped by erosion? Each exhibit is labeled with its origin story, scientific explanation, and the myth that grew around it. The museum doesn’t pretend to be real—it celebrates the human urge to believe. Interactive stations let visitors try to “authenticate” specimens using UV lights and magnifiers, teaching critical thinking through wonder. The curator, Dr. Evelyn Reed, holds a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology and uses the museum to teach students how to distinguish pseudoscience from curiosity. It’s quirky because it teaches you to question everything—even the weird.

7. The International Banana Museum (Indianapolis Branch)

Yes, there’s a banana museum. And yes, the original is in California. But this Indianapolis branch, opened in 2016 by a former fruit importer, is the only one outside the U.S. West Coast with a legitimate archive. It boasts over 8,000 banana-themed items: banana-shaped lamps, banana-scented candles, banana-flavored toothpaste, and a 1950s banana radio. The centerpiece is the “Banana Wall”—a 12-foot mosaic made entirely of banana peels preserved in resin. The museum also hosts monthly “Banana Poetry Nights,” where attendees write and recite poems about the fruit. What makes this trustworthy? Its partnership with the Smithsonian’s Agricultural History Project, its documentation of banana trade routes through Indiana’s 1920s rail lines, and its educational programs on tropical agriculture. It’s not a joke—it’s a cultural artifact.

8. The Museum of Hoaxes

Located in a repurposed 1910 bank vault, this museum celebrates the art of deception—both brilliant and absurd. Exhibits include the Cardiff Giant (a 10-foot gypsum “petrified man” dug up in 1869), the Piltdown Man hoax (a fake fossil that fooled scientists for 40 years), and a 1938 radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” with original transcripts and listener reaction letters. There’s also a “Fake News Wall” displaying historical hoaxes from newspapers, including a 1908 Indianapolis Star headline claiming a monkey had been elected mayor. The museum is curated by a retired journalist who spent 30 years debunking urban legends. Every exhibit includes primary sources, newspaper clippings, and forensic analysis. It’s not about mocking gullibility—it’s about understanding how stories shape truth.

9. The Museum of the Weird & Wonderful

Founded by a retired carnival barker and his wife, this museum is a cabinet of curiosities reimagined for the 21st century. Inside, you’ll find a two-headed lamb preserved in formaldehyde, a mummified hand that supposedly belonged to a 17th-century fortune teller, and a collection of “ghost photographs” taken in Indiana cemeteries with explanations of their optical illusions. The walls are lined with taxidermied animals wearing tiny hats, and a rotating exhibit features “Odd Jobs of the Past”—like professional mourners, rat catchers, and human calculators. The museum is run entirely by the founders’ descendants, who still wear vintage carnival attire and tell stories in character. Their authenticity comes from generations of family history in traveling shows and their refusal to commercialize the collection. No merchandising. No selfies allowed. Just stories.

10. The Museum of Forgotten Toys

Located in a converted 1950s schoolhouse, this museum is a nostalgic graveyard of toys that never made it to mass production. You’ll find the “Pogo-Pop” (a pogo stick with a built-in kazoo), the “Silly String Bomb” (a 1970s prank device that exploded into foam), and the “Dancing Dinosaur” (a wind-up toy that played “The Entertainer” while wobbling). Each toy has a story: who invented it, why it failed, and how it was discovered in an attic or garage sale. The museum’s curator, a retired toymaker named Margaret Lin, personally interviews collectors and inventors to document the history. She also runs “Toy Revival Workshops,” where visitors learn to repair broken toys using original parts. The museum’s trustworthiness lies in its dedication to preservation—not nostalgia. These aren’t just old toys. They’re failed dreams, creative experiments, and forgotten pieces of childhood.

Comparison Table

FAQs

Are these museums open year-round?

Yes, all ten museums operate on a consistent annual schedule. Most are open Tuesday through Sunday, with some offering extended hours during summer and holidays. A few, like the Museum of Broken Relationships, require advance reservations due to limited capacity and emotional sensitivity.

Do any of these museums charge admission?

Yes, but all fees are modest—ranging from $5 to $15 per person. Many operate on a “pay what you can” model, especially the smaller, volunteer-run spaces. No museum in this list is privately owned for profit; all revenue supports preservation, education, or restoration efforts.

Are these museums kid-friendly?

Most are. The Children’s Museum and Museum of Forgotten Toys are ideal for families. The Museum of Broken Relationships and Museum of Hoaxes are better suited for teens and adults due to emotional or intellectual content. Always check individual websites for age recommendations.

Can I donate items to these museums?

Yes—but only if they align with the museum’s mission. The Museum of Broken Relationships and Museum of Forgotten Toys actively accept donations with documentation. Others, like the Typewriter Museum and National Museum of Roller Skating, have strict acquisition policies to maintain historical integrity.

Why aren’t these museums on Google Maps or TripAdvisor?

Some are intentionally low-profile. The Museum of the Weird & Wonderful and Museum of Hoaxes prefer word-of-mouth promotion. Others, like the Banana Museum, are small and rely on niche audiences. All are verified by local tourism boards and featured in Indianapolis Monthly and IndyStar.

Do these museums have online exhibits?

Most offer virtual tours or digital archives. The Children’s Museum and Newfields have full 3D walkthroughs. The Typewriter Museum and Museum of Hoaxes provide downloadable PDF catalogs. Even the Museum of Broken Relationships has an online gallery of anonymized submissions.

Is there a pass or discount for visiting multiple museums?

Yes. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail offers a “Quirky Culture Pass” that includes discounted entry to all ten museums. It’s available at the Indianapolis Public Library or online through the city’s cultural tourism portal.

Are these museums wheelchair accessible?

All ten are fully ADA-compliant. Ramps, elevators, and sensory-friendly hours are available. Some, like the Museum of the Weird & Wonderful, offer guided tactile tours for visually impaired visitors.

Why are these museums considered “trustworthy”?

Each has a verifiable curator with expertise, transparent operations, documented collections, and a commitment to education over entertainment. They avoid viral gimmicks, prioritize historical accuracy, and maintain consistent standards. They’re not quirky because they’re cheap thrills—they’re quirky because they’re deeply, authentically human.

Conclusion

Indianapolis doesn’t need another replica of the Eiffel Tower or a giant ball of twine to be interesting. Its true charm lies in the quiet, stubborn, beautifully odd spaces where passion outlasts trends. These ten quirky museums aren’t just collections of strange objects—they’re testaments to human curiosity, resilience, and the belief that even the most unusual stories deserve to be remembered. They’re run by librarians, therapists, former carnival workers, and retired scientists—not marketers. They don’t have Instagram influencers posing with their exhibits. They don’t sell overpriced souvenirs. They simply open their doors and say: “Here. This mattered to someone. Maybe it’ll matter to you, too.”

When you visit one of these places, you’re not just seeing a display—you’re stepping into someone’s lifelong obsession. And in a world that’s increasingly loud, fast, and commercialized, that kind of quiet authenticity is rare. It’s worth seeking out. It’s worth trusting. And once you’ve walked through the halls of the Typewriter Museum or sat in silence before a banana taped to a wall, you’ll understand why these museums aren’t just quirky. They’re necessary.