What is Conner Prairie?
At Conner Prairie, you’ll find five themed historic areas to explore: Lenape Camp, Conner Homestead, 1836 Prairietown, 1859 Balloon Voyage and 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana. In each area "look, don’t touch" becomes "look, touch, smell, taste and hear” as you live history first-hand. Explore 200 beautiful, wooded acres and discover fun daily activities, themed days and exciting ways to experience the past with your family. Don’t miss the Animal Encounters Barn where you can get up close with your favorite farm friends!
Adventure awaits you inside the Welcome Center with Discovery Station, the year round play and learning area built just for kids. Visit the Science Lab where changing experiments satisfy all ages... you might build a machine that moves, tame the power of the wind, or spark up some fun with electricity. Create a masterpiece or two in Craft Corner, with new activities offered every week.
Now Open! Immerse yourself in Indiana's most significant brush with the Civil War and enlist to defend your state from Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his raiders. Feel the patriotism, excitement and concerns of the citizens and volunteer militia firsthand through this multi-media experience, unlike any other in the nation! Bring the young children and explore the new indoor-outdoor Civil War-themed play area complete with water cannons, steamboat play structure and more.
Lenape Indian Camp
Dance to the sound of the water drum and gourd rattle in Conner Prairie's earliest historic area. Experience the lives of the Lenape, or Delaware, Indians and strike a deal with the fur traders.
New! Pack the Horse's Saddle
Learn how to pack a (pretend) horse. A horse load of goods has come into Lenape Camp and we need your help stocking the trading post and packing the horse for the return trip.
William Conner Homestead and Animal Encounters Barn
Peek into William Conner’s world when you visit his homestead, a treasured piece of Indiana history. Explore the first floor of central Indiana’s first brick home, where the fur trader and Indiana statesman lived with his family. Meet animals up close in the large timber-frame barn, see what's simmering in the Loom House, dip a candle and stroll through the heirloom gardens.
1836 Prairietown
Experience what life was like in 1836 Indiana when you visit Prairietown, a pioneer village bustling with activity. Jump in and help with chores, lend a hand to the town carpenter and feel the heat from the blacksmith’s forge! Try your hand at pioneer games or visit with the town folk and trade stories.
Cast your vote in Prairietown - Will you stay or go?
This season, take on the role of a traveler passing through and make yourself at home in Prairietown - get to know the townsfolk, the politics, the economy and other facets of town life. Then decide if you and your family will put down roots or continue moving west. Cast your vote in Prairietown at the ballot box. Your vote will help determine if Prairietown thrives or starts to wither away. Read more about Stay or Go in our staff blog.
New! Building a New Potter's Shop
Help the Prairietown carpenters construct the new pottery shop using tools and techniques from 1836. Work with hand tools, hew the logs, or mortice and tenon the timbers together using augers, saws and chisels. All pottery demonstrations will take place in the current pottery shop until the new one is complete.
1859 Balloon Voyage
Discover one of the earliest chapters of aviation history at Conner Prairie’s 1859 Balloon Voyage. Experiment with the science and technology of ballooning, then soar 350 feet above the landscape in a tethered, helium-filled balloon and see the world like John Wise did.
New! 1859 Balloon Voyage Junior Aeronaut Adventure
Would you like to learn how to fly the balloon and gauge the weather for flight? Become a Junior Aeronaut by learning to fly with one of Conner Prairie's certified balloon pilots. $5 (does not include Balloon Voyage ticket).