James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home & Visitor Center image

James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home & Visitor Center

Tourist attraction Museum Historical landmark Historical place museum

This historic Italianate-style house, once home to a famous children's poet, offers guided tours. People often mention tour, house,


Address

528 Lockerbie St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Website

rileymuseumhome.org

Contact

(317) 631-5885

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (91 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 10 AM to 3:30 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 3:30 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 3:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: tour (10) house (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Daniel S. 4 years ago on Google • 272 reviews
    Beautiful quaint museum which has all of its original furnishings still present. This is an unique experience. Most of the bedrooms have their own sinks. One of the first bathrooms in Indianapolis was installed here with cherrywood copper tub wall to wall carpeting.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Florence M. 2 years ago on Google • 27 reviews
    Beautiful house and detailed tour.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tyson P. 1 year ago on Google • 37 reviews
    We called and they were kind enough to get us in (appointments had closed). Our tour guide was a graduate student and an intern at the museum. What a great experience. Super knowledgeable. Very personable. A+++
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tamara R. 1 year ago on Google
    Enjoyed it and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and fun to talk to!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Donald K. 2 years ago on Google
    Very interesting and informative tour. Our guide was excellent and definitely knew the history of this house and life of JWR! I am so glad I was able to do this.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 cynthia w. 1 year ago on Google
    Fabulously preserved house and history. Informative docent. Thank you.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Susan R. 2 months ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    Fantastic and interesting home tour! Our guide, Megan, was extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and fun. We learned a great deal about James Whitcomb Riley and the era he lived it. The home furnishings and craftsmanship is nothing short of amazing!

  • 5/5 mary a. 6 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    We used the Riley Museum carriage house for a lovely retirement party. We were able to use both the indoor and outdoor space. Miranda are her team were helpful and had everything set up for us to decorate when we arrived. I would highly recommend this facility to anyone as the setting is intimate and located in lovely downtown Indpls.

  • 5/5 KyMcc 1 year ago on Google
    Very knowledgeable tour guides. Friendly, quiet, visit with Santa. Highly recommend

  • 5/5 Emma W. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to visit! Take some time to wander around nearby Lockerbie Square if you can.

  • 5/5 Nate W. 7 years ago on Google
    If you've got done time, stop by and learn! This house is setup nearly as it was (with original furniture) as when James Whitcomb Reilly lived here. Great tour guides as well!

  • 5/5 Will E. 1 year ago on Google
    Very charming museum which puts on nice events and programming. It's original architecture and decor are well kept.

  • 5/5 Martin L. 9 months ago on Google
    The greatest gem in all of Indianapolis.

  • 4/5 J N (. 8 months ago on Google
    This was a quick tour of a beautiful house that is still filled with 90 percent of its original contents and decor.

  • 5/5 Gary E. 8 months ago on Google
    Great house and tour. Very knowledgeable guides who can handle children.

  • 5/5 Trisha L. 4 years ago on Google
    This was the perfect venue for our small wedding (60 guests). We appreciated the incredible customer service, beautiful and historic location, adaptable venue in the carriage house-style Visitor Center, and we even got to make use of the patio and lawn for our guests. The location, in walking distance of the Mass Ave. shopping and entertainment district, is also a plus.

  • 5/5 Damien C. 2 years ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Great place to visit if you want to have a glimpse of a time when poets were rock stars. Almost everything is original and our guide was fantastic at explaining all the details of this home at the same time she unveiled the life of its inhabitants. We had a wonderful experience and do definitely recommend the visit!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brian M. 6 months ago on Google • 1 review
    Great space for formal or informal meetings. The staff went above and beyond in accommodating our meeting needs. Will absolutely look to utilize this space again for future corporate events.

  • 5/5 Ryan N. 4 months ago on Google • 1 review
    The staff at the Riley Museum were so accommodating and helpful when it came to setting up a beautiful fall proposal for my girlfriend. They gave me an option for both an indoor and outdoor proposal, had me tour the site multiple times, and listened to all of my ideas and wishes for the proposal. I could not speak more highly of them for special events.


Call (317) 631-5885 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Assistive hearing loop
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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