Speciality MuseumsLibraries

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Monday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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About

Renowned author Kurt Vonnegut took an unflinching look at the world, tempered with a satirical eye and sardonic sense of humor. In honor of his wit and wisdom, the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library champions the literary, artistic and cultural contributions of the late writer, artist, teacher and Indianapolis native Kurt Vonnegut. The library and museum serves as a cultural and educational resource unique to the nation.

Duration: 1-2 hours

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Neighborhood: Downtown Indianapolis

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See what travelers are saying

Kerry M
1 contribution
A Pleasant Surprise: So it goes...
In town for a basketball event, I visited with a limited amount of time, but boy, oh, boy what a gem. Within these walls are not just the life and times of Mr. Vonnegut, but a huge slice of Americana as well... Artifacts from across the decades of his life are scattered throughout the building and the telling of the life that goes around them is quite compelling. If you happen to be in Indianapolis and you want a great taste of Americana the Kilgore Trout way the Kurt Vonnegut Museum serves it up in oodles...
Visited March 2024
Traveled solo
Written March 21, 2024
deborah s
Grand Rapids, Michigan23 contributions
Must-see for the Vonnegut fan
An interesting 60-90 minutes. A smaller museum with MANY personal touches for the Vonnegut fan. About halfway through I heard a tour guide speaking to a small group of about a half dozen people, offering facts and anecdotes (that I kind of eaves-dropped in on). Glad we were able to go see it.
Visited April 2024
Traveled with friends
Written April 7, 2024
M C
8 contributions
The is a must visit
A small museum celebrating a world renowned writer. Take your time to read everything - very well presented in a very logical manner (start on the third floor and work your way down). Read and studied his books in high school - definitely need to go back and re-read some of them.
Visited August 2024
Traveled as a couple
Written August 19, 2024
wrjseisen
Houston, Texas194 contributions
Fun trip to this museum
Great museum and chronicle of Kurt Vonnegut’s life. Start on the 3rd floor and work your way down. Fun cafe for a snack, ice cream or glass of wine. After the museum we went downtown and saw the mural.
Visited August 2024
Traveled as a couple
Written August 30, 2024

These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

4.5

74 reviews

Excellent

48

Very good

18

Average

6

Poor

1

Terrible

1

M C

8 contributions

The is a must visit

Aug 2024 • Couples

A small museum celebrating a world renowned writer. Take your time to read everything - very well presented in a very logical manner (start on the third floor and work your way down). Read and studied his books in high school - definitely need to go back and re-read some of them.

Written August 19, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

deborah s

Grand Rapids, MI23 contributions

Must-see for the Vonnegut fan

Apr 2024 • Friends

An interesting 60-90 minutes. A smaller museum with MANY personal touches for the Vonnegut fan. About halfway through I heard a tour guide speaking to a small group of about a half dozen people, offering facts and anecdotes (that I kind of eaves-dropped in on). Glad we were able to go see it.

Written April 7, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wrjseisen

Houston, TX194 contributions

Fun trip to this museum

Aug 2024 • Couples

Great museum and chronicle of Kurt Vonnegut’s life. Start on the 3rd floor and work your way down. Fun cafe for a snack, ice cream or glass of wine. After the museum we went downtown and saw the mural.

Written August 30, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diane G

Tehachapi, CA38 contributions

Don’t bother

Dec 2018 • Couples

I love good old Kurt, I even got to see him speak once in college. I have read a lot of what he wrote and I am an English teacher so I am a fan. With that said realize this place is two small rooms that you see when you walk in. As you pAy your 8 dollars a person at the cashier realize at that moment you are seeing it all. Look at the other reviews here and on Yelp and you see pictures of anything significant or interesting. If you are a fan come in buy a t shirt or patch , pay for it and you have seen everything! If the price were 3 bucks I would say pay it. I looked at my admission as hopefully a donation to a good cause and therefor perhaps not a waste of money.

Written January 3, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

darthgrim

Austin, TX225 contributions

Vonnegut fan Mecca

Oct 2015 • Solo

The space is a small, two room bookstore with a few displays of Vonnegut's personal effects, such has his typewriter, and a recreation of his office. The curator was very kind and gave me a tour and explanation of the collection even though I came so close to closing time. He was extremely knowledgeable and even gave me the addresses to Vonnegut's childhood home and the building his grandfather used to own, which is now a Biergarden.

You don't need much time at all to visit, unless you want to take more time viewing several of Vonnegut's letters they have scanned into a computer on-site. Best of all, the library is free!

Written October 31, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ChrissyHny

Tennessee155 contributions

Small Museum for Vonnegut Fans

Sep 2013 • Solo

I've read a few of Vonnegut's novels and short story collections, and this museum was less than a mile from my hotel (Hyatt Regency). There's not a lot here--they have Vonnegut's typewriter, a few pieces of art featuring him, a collection of his books, a recreation of his office, and a few personal items including his Purple Heart. There's also a small gift shop with copies of his books and the usual souvenirs (T-shirts, magnets, etc.)
It's free, and can easily be seen in less than half an hour. They also have two interactive exhibits--videos (though I couldn't hear what was being said, the volume was too low) and a computer with information on Vonnegut. They offer free tours, but there isn't much information provided for self-guided tours. You'd need to be a Vonnegut fan to appreciate this museum, it didn't seem to me to be intended for the average tourist. But still a nice stop if you're in the area.

Written September 17, 2013

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dave46033

Fishers, IN290 contributions

"A very interesting perspective about an author."

Feb 2020

We visited this museum today, Feb. 11th, 2020 and were greeted at the front door by Max. He lead us through this museum with lots of factual tidbits about Kurt Vonnegut's life and how he overcame early rejections. We also learned about Kurt's military service in Europe and why he earned a Purple Heart . . . for frostbite. There was also an exhibit about the bombing of the city of Dresden on Valentine's Day, 1944. And, this is the reason "Slaughter House Five" was written. Quirky, mysterious, talented and eccentric are all words that I can use to describe Kurt, but his writings played on his legacy.

Written February 11, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Darwin P

San Francisco, CA43 contributions

Small but interesting

Jul 2018 • Solo

Small but interesting place, essentially a storefront, with his typewriter and some other items of interest.
To "hear" some displays, you need to have a smartphone. Ridiculous--there should at least be a script available.

Written July 8, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EZGoing50

Buellton, CA20 contributions

And so it goes.....

Nov 2014 • Solo

Wonderful place for anyone that wants to experience being transported into a tiny corner of a great writers life. The founder Julia Whitehead is a delight if you are as fortunate as I to meet her during a visit. If you are a Vonnegut fan and within driving distance (I was in town on business) take the time....make the time...go.

Written December 2, 2014

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

blue-skies-59

Wareham, MA27 contributions

Museum closed

Apr 2019

Stopped by on 4/29 to check it out. Museum is relocating and closed until further notice . Too bad, Kurt was a favorite author of mine in my 20’s....slapstick was my fav

Written April 29, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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