Indiana living-history museum

Conner Prairie

About 10.1 kilometers or 6.3 road miles from Hobbs Station

Explore an immersive Indiana living-history museum through 1836 Prairietown, Lenape Camp, indoor exhibits, nature play, historic buildings, and an optional balloon ride.

The place

About Conner Prairie

Conner Prairie is a large indoor-outdoor living-history museum on the White River in Fishers. Its core experiences connect the new Museum Experience Center with 1836 Prairietown, Lenape Camp, historic buildings, animal encounters, nature play, and programs that ask visitors to participate rather than simply view artifacts.

Prairietown uses researched characters, buildings, trades, households, and daily routines to interpret central Indiana in 1836. Lenape Camp focuses on culture, trade, relationships, and the changes surrounding Indiana statehood. The Museum Experience Center adds six indoor experiences and a useful weather fallback.

The 1859 Balloon Voyage requires both general admission and a separate on-site ticket, and live flight status can change with weather. Conner Prairie provides free parking, no-charge first-come wheelchairs, accessible parking, quiet spots, sensory tools, and free admission for accessibility assistants, but not every historic building is wheelchair accessible.

What stands out

Join 1836 Prairietown

Talk with interpreters, enter homes and shops, watch trades, help with chores, and examine community life in central Indiana.

Learn at Lenape Camp

Explore Lenape culture, trade, relationships, adaptation, and the consequences of territorial change.

Use the Experience Center

Move through indoor exhibits, collections, art, and play when weather or energy calls for a different pace.

Check Balloon Voyage

Add the tethered balloon only after confirming live flight status and buying its separate on-site ticket.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Nickel Plate Express trip

Conner Prairie is about 6.3 road miles and roughly thirteen minutes from Hobbs Station. It works as a separate daytime history anchor before an evening train or as a shorter add-on after a morning ride, but admission, walking, weather, and optional balloon tickets require their own plan.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Now-September 29All experiences open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • September 30-November 1All experiences open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Online admissionAdult 13+ $24; senior 65+ $22; youth 2-13 $18; under 2 free
  • In-person admissionAdult $26; senior $24; youth $20; cashless venue
  • BalloonGeneral admission plus separate on-site balloon ticket; live flight status and weather control
  • Core experiencesMuseum Experience Center, Prairietown, Lenape Camp, historic buildings, animals, nature, and play
  • ParkingFree parking directly in front of and beside the Museum Experience Center
  • AccessAccessible parking, free first-come wheelchairs, sensory tools, quiet spots; some historic buildings remain inaccessible
  • FoodHarvest Café, Café on the Common, seasonal Apple Store, and outdoor picnic areas
  • From Hobbs StationAbout 10.1 kilometers or 6.3 road miles; roughly thirteen minutes

Return to the railway guide

Add Nickel Plate Express

Use the Nickel Plate guide for exact 2026 dates, product differences, Hobbs Station boarding, seating, access, and railbike rules.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

When is Conner Prairie open in late 2026?

Through September 29, all experiences are open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. From September 30-November 1, hours are Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; festival hours can differ.

How much is daytime admission?

For April 3-November 1, online admission is $24 adult, $22 senior, and $18 youth; children under 2 are free. In-person prices are $2 higher.

Is Balloon Voyage included?

No. General admission is required, then the balloon needs a separate on-site ticket. Live flight status and weather determine whether it flies.

What should first-time visitors prioritize?

Choose two or three anchors: the Museum Experience Center, 1836 Prairietown, Lenape Camp, nature play, animal encounters, or the balloon rather than trying to rush everything.

Is parking free?

Yes. Free parking is available in front of and beside the Museum Experience Center, including accessible spaces near the entry gates.

Is Conner Prairie wheelchair accessible?

Many core routes and buildings are accessible, and wheelchairs are free first come, but not every historic building is accessible. Review the guest map or contact Guest Relations.

Can visitors bring food?

Outside food and drinks are allowed on outdoor grounds and picnic areas, but food and unsealed beverages are not allowed in exhibit galleries or historic buildings.

How far is it from Nickel Plate Express?

The checked route from Hobbs Station is about 6.3 miles and roughly thirteen minutes.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-23. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.