Things to Know Before Your Visit

Do we need to purchase or reserve tickets in advance?

To ensure an optimal guest experience, we highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance for all guests, including members. Tickets are offered on a first come, first served basis due to our limited parking capacity. 

Will you accept cash onsite? 

Newfields is a cashless campus (with the exception of The Café). Credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets are the only form of payment accepted for ticket purchases and at culinary pop ups, Garden Terrace, and The Museum & Garden Shop. We ask that guests and members please purchase all admission tickets online ahead of time or use their phone to purchase tickets on-site.   

If you have trouble reserving tickets, one of our team members would be happy to assist you at the Welcome Desk, Information Pergola, or Garden Entrance or by phone at (317) 923-1331.

Can I bring my backpack or large bag? 

Help us protect the art by leaving any backpacks or bags larger than 11x15x6 inches in your car or at home. Backpacks and large bags are not permitted to be worn on your back while visiting the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) Galleries to avoid accidentally bumping into artwork. Lockers are available on Floor 1 to hold large bags and other belongings during your visit. Have an oversized diaper bag or medical bag? Please see a Newfields staff member upon arrival to request an accommodation.

Can we bring in food and beverage?

Yes! You are welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages to Newfields for picnics outside with the exception of those attending Harvest Nights or Winterlights. Bottled water is welcome in the IMA Galleries, as are bottles for infants and sippy cups for children, but please refrain from bringing food or other beverages into the IMA Galleries. If you prefer not to pack a lunch, options for dining are available at The Café and seasonally at Garden Terrace and in THE LUME (check webpages for current opening hours and information).   

Newfields welcomes all visitors and strives to make its buildings, campus, collections, exhibitions, programs, and services accessible to each and every guest. The staff and volunteers of Newfields are committed to providing the highest quality visit for everyone. Whether guests want to tour the world-renowned collection of art, wander through the historic Garden, or experience nature in The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, Newfields is committed to providing high-quality service and ensuring everyone has a wonderful experience during their visit.  
 
While the information here provides a general overview of accessibility features, we encourage you to contact 317-923-1331 or our Guest Experience team  (via info@discovernewfields.org) in advance of your visit with any questions or specific needs. 

Restrooms

All public restrooms are handicap accessible, however, our most accessible facilities are located on Floor 1, The Tobias Theater, the Lilly House, Randolph H. Deer Special Events Pavilion, Garden Terrace, and seasonally in the Ruth Lilly Visitors Pavilion in The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome to visit all buildings and The Garden on the Newfields campus, as well as the Miller House and Garden located in Columbus, Indiana. The service animal must be under physical or voice control of the guest at all times.  

Service animals, which are defined by the ADA as dogs, including service dogs-in-training, that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Dogs whose sole function is to provide emotional support, therapy, comfort, and companionship do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. The ADA also has provisions for miniature horses to do work or perform tasks as service animals. The same rules for dogs apply to miniature horses, as long as the weight or size of the horse does not pose any issue of safely operating the institution.  

Guests are asked to clean up after their service animal and dispose of any waste in a marked trash receptacle.  

Mobility

Complimentary wheelchairs and rollators are available on a first come, first served basis at the Welcome Desk on Floor 1. 

Parking

Free and accessible parking is located both on the main surface lot and in the underground parking garage. 

• Guests can find accessible parking spots in a smaller parking lot just outside of the Welcome Center. Accessible spots are also available in the main lot and in the underground garage, which features an indoor tunnel and elevator to access the main floor of the Welcome Center. 
• Bus parking is available upon request on a first come, first served basis by checking in with Guest Experience staff upon arrival to the Newfields Campus. Due to limited parking capacities, buses may need to park off site for the duration of the visit. Bus pick up and drop off is available in the designated loading zone directly in front of the Welcome Center. 

Access Pass

Newfields is proud to join forces with other Indiana cultural institutions to make fun family learning more accessible. Participating families that meet the requirements can visit Newfields for just $2 per family member per visit, for up to two adults and dependent youth living in the household. Additionally, Access Pass Program participants are invited to enjoy THE LUME Indianapolis as well as our seasonal experience like Art in Bloom, Harvest Nights, and Winterlights for just $5 per family member per visit. 

For more information, to enroll, or to renew an existing Access Pass please visit the Access Pass landing page on The Children's Museum of Indianapolis website. Once enrolled, participating families are invited to come to Newfields to register their program participation with Newfields. After registration, Access Pass Program participants can purchase tickets online at their convenience. 

Learn more about the Access Pass

Free First Thursday

Newfields offers free general admission on the first Thursday of the month through Free First Thursday Presented by Bank of America. To ensure an optimal guest experience, we highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance for all guests, including members. Tickets are offered on a first come, first served basis due to our limited parking capacity. 

• Thursday, September 5, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.   
• Thursday, October 3, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  
• Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
• Thursday, December 5, 2024 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Thursday, January 2, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Thursday, February 6, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Thursday, March 6, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, April 3, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, May 1, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, June 5, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, July 3, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, August 7, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, September 4, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Thursday, October 2, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Thursday, November 6, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Thursday, December 4, 2025 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Student Memberships and Discounts

All Indiana college students get a free membership to Newfields. In addition, individual Marion County students, in grades K-12, receive free admission when visiting outside of school hours for a school assignment.  

View our Community Access page for more details.  

Bank of America Museums on Us

Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit cardholders can reserve complimentary admission by using promo code “MOU2025” during online checkout. The cardholder is required to present their ticket confirmation, active credit or debit card, and photo ID upon arrival. Additional guests are required to purchase tickets separately. 
 
Check museum seasonal operating hours. Excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows, and fundraising events. Not to be combined with other offers. 

Ticket Distribution

Throughout the seasons, we provide complimentary admission tickets to qualifying non-profit community partners. Qualifying partners can then distribute those tickets to their constituents as they see fit. Special emphasis is given to those non-profits serving under-resourced communities.  

Neighborhood Membership

Newfields invites our closest neighbors to visit our campus as often as they wish with our free Neighborhood Membership. Unlimited visits and discounted admission to festivals are just a few benefits you receive with your Neighborhood Membership.  

We love to see guests having a great time at Newfields. To help make sure your visit is outstanding, we’ve compiled a list of tips and other helpful information. If we can assist in any additional way, please feel free to contact us at 317-923-1331. 

Upon Arrival

• Free parking is available in the main surface lot. Bus parking spots are also available in designated spots on a first come, first served basis. Please reach out to our Guest Experience team for availability and locations.  

• We look forward to greeting you inside Efroymson Family Entrance Pavilion Welcome Center or at The Garden Entrance. Our Guest Experience team will scan your ticket, answer questions about your membership, talk about daily tours, or share their favorite program of the day.  

• For safety purposes, guests are subject to visual inspection (including the use of metal detectors) of person, parcels, bags, containers and/or clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Guests may refuse inspections, however Newfields management reserves the right to refuse entry. 

• Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Museum building and Lilly House. If you are interested in the schedule of the day visit our calendar.  

Help Us Protect the Art and Cultural Heritage 

• We understand the desire to touch works of art that intrigue you. However, even the smallest touch can irreparably harm artwork.  You can be an art protector and help us preserve cultural heritage by not touching artwork. We do have interactive spaces on every floor where you can enjoy hands-on activities without touching any artwork, so be sure to ask a team member for locations.  This can help ensure the art you love will be here for generations to come. 

• In order to provide a safe and worry-free environment for our staff, guests, and art, we ask that guests adhere to our bag policy above.  

• Water bottles with screw-top lids, bottles for infants, and sippy cups for children are permitted inside the galleries and you’ll find drinking fountains on every floor. However, to prevent any damage to artwork, food, other beverages, and chewing gum are not allowed inside the galleries. Feel free to enjoy refreshments in The Café on Floor 1 or The Garden Terrace in The Garden.  

• We love to see the personal photographs guests share of their visits. Join the conversation and use #DiscoverNewfields and we might just share your picture on our social media platforms.  

• To arrange a formal or commercial shoot please see our Photography Policy and email photopass@discovernewfields.org.  

Behavior Policy

To ensure that all guests have a comfortable and safe experience, please observe the following guidelines: 

• Firearms, other weapons, and alcoholic beverages purchased off-site are not allowed on Newfields property. 

• Newfields is a smoke-free environment. 

• To protect the objects, please do not lean on cases, sculptures, or walls. 

• Feeling inspired by the art? Feel free to sketch with pencil in notebooks 11 x 14 inches or smaller. Colored pencils and ink pens are not allowed in the galleries, except in designated areas. If you'd like to create something larger, or with colors, please email info@discovernewfields.org for more information. 

• Guests 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 

Planning a Visit with Children

• Newfields is a great place to bring the kids for a fun-filled family day.  Stretch your legs in The Garden, fly a kite in The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, or explore Star Studio, our family activity space. 

• Family Restrooms and a nursing room are located on Floor 1. Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are allowed in all spaces at Newfields, including the IMA Galleries.  

• Need a stroller? Strollers are available to borrow on Floor 1. You can exchange your wagon for a stroller if needed as wagons are not allowed in the IMA Galleries.  

• Children are welcome in Lilly House, but please note that strollers and wagons are not! Stroller and wagon parking is available outside the front door of Lilly House and inside on the lower-level. 

• Have you lost something? Check with our Guest Experience team at the Information Desk to see if your item may have been turned in or call 317-923-1331. 

Amenities

• The Café and The Museum & Garden Shop are located on Floor 1 of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Be sure to check out our Shop & Eat tab for hours, menus, prices, and other goodies.  

• Drinking fountains are on all gallery levels, on Floor 1, at both entrances to Randolph H. Deer Special Events Pavilion, and outside near the Garden for Everyone.  

• Bike racks are located in the underground and surface parking lots, near the Garden for Everyone, and on both sides of the Waller Bridge next to the Canal Towpath.  

• Complimentary indoor strollers are available at the Welcome Desk on Floor 1. 

• Waiting for a friend or just want to browse? Visit one of our free public areas located on Floor 1: The Bret Waller Gallery, our staff art exhibition Artists Among Us, Gift Shop, and The Café.  

Pet Policy

• Pets are not allowed in the Museum or The Garden. Guests who rely on service animals or who train service animals may bring them into the Museum and must comply with our Service Animals guidelines above.                             

• Leashed dogs are allowed at The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.  

• Please do not leave your dog in your car when visiting the Newfields campus.  

Photography

Photography must be conducted without disruption to Newfields operations or limitation to the accessibility of exhibitions, entrances/exits, doorways, pathways and high traffic areas.   

• To help preserve the outdoor sculptures and living collections, entering, climbing, or standing on any water features or fountains, as well as plant beds, is prohibited. Do not climb, lean, or sit on any artworks or place props or equipment on them.  

• Flash photography, tripods, monopods (including selfie sticks), and other photographic equipment are not permitted inside the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Lilly House, Elder Greenhouse, or Miller House.  

• The use of drones by guests is not permitted on any part of Newfields' campus for the safety and security of other guests.  

• Photography is permitted for private, non-commercial use only. Photographs taken may not be published, sold, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner.  

• Unless otherwise noted, photography of temporary exhibitions or borrowed works of art is not permitted.  

• The Garden at Newfields requires a permit for all photography and videography shoots (e.g., engagement and family photos).  To ensure a scheduled three (3) hour time block for a photography or videography shoot and obtain your digital photo pass (will appear as a “ticket”), please complete the online order form at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of intended date(s) and time(s) of the shoot.  

• More detailed information can be found on our Photography and Videography Policy page.