If you are in the Indianapolis area this is a must see museum. The building is absolutely stunning!! The architecture is so amazing. My friend and I were lucky enough to get an impromptu tour from Jason! Jason is so knowledgeable about the museum and history of the artifacts. He took the time to show us the theater and shrine upstairs. These areas of the museum are breathtaking. The detail in these rooms is so incredible. Hand carved woodwork and impressive marble are seen throughout these rooms. Paintings and engravings are on every wall. This will be one of the most impressive World War museums you will ever visit. Downstairs you will see countless items from all American War eras. Weapons, uniforms, personal letters, gear and even an Apache helicopter. There is a fully functional radio room depicting the radio room aboard the USS Indianapolis. The tour is self guided and goes in chronological order of the American wars. I would dedicate a couple of hours to enjoy the museum. I’ve uploaded several pictures of the displays. There is parking all around the building. Indiana chose to memorialize our war heroes before the end of World War 1 and I believe that you will be truly impressed with this beautiful museum. Enjoy the pictures!!

I truly deeply respect & humbly admire what army people do for us. The staff at this place was notably humble & helpful. Thanks to them. For those who know detailed history of both world wars & other wars, this place us one of those hundreds of war memorials where history has been narrated from American point of view rather than what actually happened, which I feel is fair to know how great they did while dropping nuclear bomb on japan, or how great they did by managing millions of people to save this planet from mighty Germany. They have hundreds of the war propaganda pictures that were used to motivate youth of that time. They interestingly cover the sad painful part of wars where people die due to lack of resources & bad circumstances. I noticed there's a small gallery of how great usa army did in Afghanistan to build their nation, culture & democracy there. Well, now that things have changed in 2022, I feel museum mgmt should make changes in this gallery. Overall a great place to be to feel the honor, pride, passion for the nation. Must visit for teens and young people.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

I took the family to breakfast in downtown Indianapolis. We were walking on the canal and decided to warm up in the sunlight when we found ourselves at the steps of the Indiana war memorial and museum. We enjoyed everything about the experience. From the moment we entered we were greeted by a friendly employee who answered our questions. We dove in and had no idea what to expect. We were all surprised with the quality and quantity of amazing memorabilia, artifacts, an actual pieces of history. I was able to show my son every uniform camouflage I wore in the US Army. I was also able to show him every unit patch I wore. For crying out loud, there is a AH-1 Huey Cobra on the Vietnam war era! Everything about our visit was a success. You are the gold standard of museums, and in Indiana fashion, rivals the Seoul South Korea War Museum in I-tae Wan.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

We went here on a Sunday morning after hearing that this would be a good place to visit and learn more about Indianapolis. We parked at a street nearby (free parking) and walked over to the museum. It was a little chilly outside, and when we entered were quickly greeted by staff and directed to walk a specific way to get to the museum. There was no charge to enter the memorial. The museum has a collection of US military history spanning from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq War. It pays tribute to the men and women of the armed forces and recognizes their contributions. There's so much history to be found walking through these halls, and I was surprised to see the evolution of weapons and uniforms/wear in each conflict. There was also a staircase leading up to the top of the memorial that honored everyone that sacrificed their lives in WWII.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

What a beautiful place to visit. I was sad to only be able to get to some parts of the museum that were handicapped accessible, but the parts we saw were incredible. I love all of the marble and historical architecture. There are, sadly, many areas that need strong upkeep. The elevator isn't functional and I noted several areas that had significant water damage. Fortunately, there were areas I could visit on the main level and in half of the lower level (including a super cool helicopter...a cobra, I believe my husband said...because of stair lifts. Overall, a really lovely and free place to visit and remember our past and those who have fought for our freedom.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

I actually visited the memorial in 2017. I really enjoyed the experience. I took the stairs up to the observation deck, and that is a workout! If you have any issues with tight spaces, the observation deck isn't for you. The stairwell is very narrow, so think twice before ascending via the stairs. Speaking of which, there are approximately 350 steps, so be mindful of the toddlers ability to climb that many stairs. As you can see from the photos that I have submitted, the view is spectacular. You are able to see the city skyline from various directions. By the way, there is an elevator. There is a fee associated with the lift. There is also a gift shop. Go and enjoy the building which is very ornate.

I lived in Indiana for the first 23 years of my life. I have driven by the memorial hundreds of times, but until today had never visited. The basement is a pretty good museum of Indiana Service Men and Women from all conflicts starting at the Revolutionary War until today. The main floor houses a really good exhibit about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis at the very end of WW2. I knew of the sinking, but really learned a lot about the history of the ship, and what led to the sinking. The top of the Memorial is called the Shrine Room. The only word I can think of is FANTASTIC!! If you visit, save the Shrine for last, so it will be the lasting impression!

This really is an excellent stop. There are a lot of nice stops in Indy. We've passed over this several times. It is well worth the time. Well worth. Set aside at least 90 minutes. Maybe more, but 90 minutes at least. There is a lot of good stuff. The propaganda posters from the 2 world wars is the best. The post 9-11 stuff, especially post Afghanistan, the worst. Not that it was bad, but the display doesn't match the outcome. Not the soldiers' fault. They did their job.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

You had me at free museum. I've been to several World War museums (KCMO, NOLA, etc.) and this museum is easily top tier. Very informative and thorough... So many memorabilia (from uniforms and weapons to personal affects and even veteran volunteers). When we toured, several volunteers were in a replica radio room. A volunteer spoke to the different equipment, life on board the USS Indianapolis, and also tied in certain areas of the museum that would bring his stories to life. I will definitely come back to visit!

This place is amazing! I can't believe they packed so much history into this building. Beautiful, very clean and organized. A MUST SEE if you are in Indianapolis! Great for all ages. Full of displays that will attract even the youngest childrens attention. Plan on staying a few hours, there is so much to see, read and hear, you do not want to miss any of it. Very informative and very respectfully displayed. I highly recommend! If this place doesn't leave you feeling grateful for your freedom, you are a lost soul.

This museum takes you through all the wars in chronological order. It's amazing the amount of memorabilia that's here and many items we haven't seen before (and we've been to a few war museums!). The shrine upstairs is absolutely stunning!! Even though there is a lot of Indiana information, it was still worth seeing being from a different state! Set up very nicely and we enjoyed it immensely!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
Free

I visited while on a recent trip to Indianapolis. I didn't realize prior to my visit that a large portion of the museum was closed for renovations (Revolutionary War to WWII). However, this was still a stunning place to visit and I'm glad that I took the time. Particularly touching was all the lists of service personnel in various wars and conflicts.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

The elevator was broken, which they didn't tell us when we called for the hours. Once we got there we trekked up the stairs to the observation deck anyway for what was unfortunately a very disappointing view. On the entry level the gift shop was empty and the interior was basically bare. The exterior is pretty to walk around, but going in wasn't worth it.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

MUST see! A truly unique and enormous hidden gem in downtown Indianapolis; you will be in awe of this spectacular building! Great place to visit, learn about the history, to see the dedication to the United States military along with its accomplishments and sacrifices. Makes you feel proud to be a Hoosier and an American!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

I was here for hours in awe. I even left to go get a friend and returned. I saw items that I didn't see the first time. The bells from the USS Indianapolis and USS Indiana were a surprise to see. Several hours later after taking in as much information we could and history we had to leave as they were closing. This monument is astonishing. From conception to finish was well done. I can't wait to go back to seeing it again.

Visiting from Maryland for a hockey tournament, we regularly see several incredible & breathtaking monuments in DC, but nothing specifically like this hidden gem in downtown Indianapolis because they have artifacts from every military engagement from the American Revolution to Afghanistan interestingly displayed. Truly a must-see.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
Free

This was an amazing experience. It was way better then we expected. It had amazing architecture in the top room. They had a lot of information and very cool exhibits. They were also improving some of the exhibits. You could probably spend close to two hours in here. Best part is it is free.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

I was totally blown away at this place. Such a remarkable building, huge and stunning. I could rave and rave. If you are considering stopping here, it's a absolute must. And it's a lot of stairs to walk, but wait til you see the upstairs, your mind will be blown. If you love history, and our nations past, you'll love this place. And, another kicker, is it's free to the public with a donation box.

I wish I could rate this a 10! It was amazing. So much war history in such a beautiful building. We've traveled and seen a lot of historical sites, but this is my favorite, by far. A great opportunity for kids to "see" the past and for adults to remember. Don't miss out.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
Free

Our group of veterans came in from the Ortho Indy V.A. YMCA Pain Clinic. We had a wonderful time wandering through the different displays and sharing stories of our past. We were very proud to see representation for all branches of service and each campaign! God bless!
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
Free

Parking was simple and user friendly, museum staff very helpful. Bad part, portions of the exhibit were being updated. Monument circle wasn't easily accessible. The websites didn't have current updates. Good part, outside areas were clean
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
Free

This area of downtown Indianapolis is filled with war memorials. Highly recommend a visit to the different memorials and see how much patriotism AMERICA has for our military and the sacrifices they make to keep us free. Beautiful architecture.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

Nice! Open on Sundays and free. Walk around to get to know Indiana’s participation in the most important historical moments of the USA. Very well taken care. Staff is very nice and they explain you how to visit the Memorial.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
Free

Very thought provoking and meaningful museum. Take the time to visit the upper floor. For the best experience at the top and top feel the reverence of the room, quiet children or visit individually (for the top room only).
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

The most awe-inspiring place ever! THE most comprehensive collection of American military history, under one roof, I've ever seen. The honor and respect paid to all branches and those who've served is embedded throughout.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

Visited the memorial in the morning. It’s very beautiful. We climbed up stairs to take a look at the city - great view! Didn’t get a chance to go in tho... For first time visitor like me, I suggest to walk around this area with other beautiful spots (e.g. monument, public library, fountain) and then visit the restaurant street nearby.

I have visited war museums in other cities before. There are too many pictures of wars in the museum, which is not suitable for children to visit. But Indiana's war museum is all about peace, which is what I like.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

I can't believe that I've lived in Indiana most of my life and have never checked out this fascinating place! This museum is truly a Hoosier gem. I loved the beautiful, stunning auditorium and the chapel above it. The museum was HUGE and chock full of war-related memorabilia. I highly recommend checking out this gem.

I’m really glad we made the time to visit. A wonderful place with good exhibits and a chance to see a classic American building. We found the names of family relatives from the world war on the memorial wall and visit the solemn centerpiece. Well worth the visit.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

I was fascinated with how well put together the Indiana War Memorial and Museum displays so much history in a small location in such an informative way, there is so much to see here, my only complaint is their limited open time, can make it difficult to see this amazing jewel in the heart of Indianapolis.

What's NOT to love? We should be proud of our American history and the heroes of the United States from Indiana who served as a force for good in this world. I especially liked the the USS Indianapolis radio room, the exhibit and the gentleman who were working there when I visited May 17th.

Exceptional memorial. Unfortunately, didn't get to spend nearly enough time there. Tribute to America's finest. Highly recommend taking half a day to see everything.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

Great experience. My kids who are 7 and 10 really enjoyed it. It's a beautiful museum. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was bc I felt there was no organized flow. It seemed difficult follow a historical timeline due to the room changes and sudden change in war.

One of the BEST museums that I've visited thus far. Tons of history and a timeline that depicts crucial moments of this country. A true testament in honoring the veterans that served and the ones that paid the ultimate sacrifice. A MUST see if you are ever in Indianapolis.

Great platform to view the Circle City Classic Parade. Free to enter museum. Beautiful an ornate entrance. Always a joyful and educational experience.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

Super neat place! So much history, didn't even get through everything in 2 hours! It's free and I would highly recommend! Beautiful place too.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
Free

Over thirty years, & I was promised an ice cream parlor & disco hall: everything my recruiters said I recollect was a big fat lie.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
Free

Museum has different area for each war, major conflict or event. Good amount of information to education and displays of clothes, weapons, news/propaganda from period.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

This is an absolute must-see. We were taken aback by everything about this beautiful and well-kept memorial. The outside is incredibly grand and will inspire dozens of pictures. The inside is stunning. There is a beautiful theater that has

Cool place to drop by if you're in the area. If you don't have much time, check out the chamber with the flag but otherwise there's also a museum
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
Free

The Shrine inside is a must see. Was truly awe inspiring for its size. The exhibitions were well done and I wish I knew about the breadth of them as I would have planned to spend more time there. It being free is an amazing value!

War Memorial is FREE and is open everyday. The red marble columns in the upper room are absolutely beautiful
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

Place is a must see. Please take the time to go inside and see the shrine. It's 88 steps and the elevator has been out of order for some time, but it was well worth it. Seeing the many name of our heros was humbling.

In town for a water polo tourney. Didn’t know Indianapolis had this place. I’ve already talked to other families to make a special trip back here. The 2 old timers in “radio controls” for the Battleship were great!

This place has everything you want to know about Indiana history and every war we have been a part of. It is a beautiful display of Men and woman sacrifice for our country we really enjoyed the free tour we took.

Most people don't know, but there is a museum in the bottom of the building. The museum starts from the 13 colonies until present times. It also details a lot of weapons used during different wars. More

Wow, what a memorial to our veterans, country, and Indiana. Pleasantly surprised and unexpected. We actually decided to visit last minute as we had some time and I'm glad we did. Highly recommend.

The outside architecture is fantastic. Inside it is quiet and reverent. The top level is absolutely quiet and beautiful. It is a good memorial to those who passed in service of the country. More

Indiana World War memorial is a walk down the history that allows you to feels the history's most gloomy era. It has compiled the information and acknowledged the contribution of th men and

The museum was impressively designed from architecture to all the exhibits they have on display. They were very informative and I appreciate it more because it’s free for anyone to see.

Free museum, with so many great displays. Gorgeous architecture inside and out!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
Free

We didn’t go inside but used the Memorial steps for two photo shoots (HS senior and marriage proposal). The photos turned out great.
Visited on
Weekend

Beautiful plaza from the design and architecture, to the perfectly manicured lawns and flower beds. We had an amazing afternoon exploring the area.

Didn’t expect it to be so good. It was nice seeing some monuments representing history, especially since US seemed all about nature to me.

Great place to see all the U.S History!!!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

What a great museum. So many incredible artifacts. Make sure you take the time to go up the stairs on the inside. Really cool More

I loved the monument and the museum inside. It’s full of history and color. Entrance is free so there are no excuses.

Fantastic museum!!! A must to go in Indianapolis! Totally worth seeing and enjoying all the areas and videos.

The museum is amazing. It is an excellent activity as it is free. You can make a donation if you like. More

A wonderful tribute and memorial to honor our men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms.