Welcome to the San Jose Discovery Museum, where fun and learning go hand in hand! With so many exhibits and activities to explore, there is something for everyone at this exciting destination. Whether you’re a child or an adult, you’re sure to be amazed by the interactive exhibits that promote hands-on learning and scientific exploration. From the outdoor play area to the Waterways exhibit to the innovations lab, there’s no shortage of fun and educational activities to keep you engaged for hours on end. So come on in and discover all that the San Jose Discovery Museum has to offer!
Discovering the San Jose Discovery Museum
A Fascinating Hands-On Experience
If you’re looking for a museum that engages your senses and ignites your curiosity, look no further than the San Jose Discovery Museum! Here, you can touch, feel and interact with exhibits that bring the worlds of science, technology, and the arts to life. From electricity and physics to culture and environmental science, this museum has something for everyone.
Avoiding the traditional “do not touch” restrictions found in traditional museums, the Discovery Museum encourages visitors to engage with the exhibits to comprehend the displays fully. Expect to feel the electricity of various devices with your fingertips, manipulate the watercourses, and create works of art with your own hands.
Something for Everyone
Each interactive display in the museum is designed with different ages, learning styles, and abilities in mind. If you come with a toddler, there are safeguarded areas designed for their size and motor skills so that they can crawl and play around to explore the exhibits. If you have teenage kids, they can try the robotics lab, see modern inventions and work on experiments that will enrich their engineering knowledge.
This museum believes that everyone can absorb knowledge and have fun while doing it. The Discovery Museum offers numerous activities suitable for all ages. For outdoor enthusiasts who are interested in biology, visit the half-acre nature trail to immerse yourself in the surrounding native ecosystems. If you are interested in art, you can join their ArtWorks program and learn how to create your pieces of art.
Programs and Events
In addition to their rich exhibits, the Discovery Museum offers a range of exciting programs and events throughout the year, providing further opportunities for you to engage with science and the arts in fun and exciting ways. For example, during the summer months, they offer “Summer of Service” programs where volunteer middle- and high-school students work on a community project that solves a problem in the nearby community. They also hold special exhibits showcasing cutting-edge scientific discoveries with hands-on interactive displays that bring science to life.
Furthermore, the museum has workshops revolving around art, technology, and biology. Enjoy working with your hands as you tinker in the Tech Studio or learn how to produce your piezoelectric-powered device. There’s also a “parent survival night” program held, where parents can leave their kids at the museum and enjoy a date night out while their kids engage in science learning.
Overall, the San Jose Discovery Museum is a place where learning and fun come together. So if you’re looking for a day out where your family can have fun and learn about science and technology— while engaging with their exhibits and programs— make sure to add this museum to your itinerary!
Planning Your Visit to the San Jose Discovery Museum
Location and Hours
If you’re looking for a fun, educational experience for the whole family, the San Jose Discovery Museum is a great choice. This museum is located at 180 Woz Way in downtown San Jose, just a stone’s throw from the Tech Museum of Innovation. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.
Admission and Membership
Admission to the San Jose Discovery Museum is affordable, with tickets costing $16 for adults and children over the age of 1. However, if you’re planning to visit the museum more than once a year, it may be more cost-effective to purchase an annual membership. Family memberships start at just $185 and offer unlimited access to the museum’s exhibits and events, as well as discounted tickets for IMAX movies.
What to Expect
When you visit the San Jose Discovery Museum, you can expect to spend at least 2-3 hours exploring the many interactive exhibits and play areas. The museum is designed for children ages 0-10, but adults will also find plenty to enjoy.
The museum has multiple levels, each filled with different exhibits that encourage hands-on exploration and learning. For example, on the first floor, you can explore the “Art and Technology” exhibit, which features a giant light-bright wall, a stop-motion animation station, and a room full of building blocks and other materials for free-form creation. The lower level of the museum is dedicated to science and discovery, with exhibits on topics like electricity, magnetism, and sound. There’s even a “waterways” exhibit, where kids can experiment with different water flows and learn about how water shapes our world.
In addition to the indoor exhibits, the San Jose Discovery Museum also has plenty of outdoor play areas. The “biotech” exhibit, for example, features a climbing structure that looks like a DNA molecule, while the “kids’ garden” area lets kids play in the dirt, explore nature, and learn about plants.
Finally, if you need a break during your visit, the museum has a café where you can purchase snacks, drinks, and light meals. There’s also a gift shop where you can pick up fun souvenirs and educational toys to take home.
Overall, the San Jose Discovery Museum is a great destination for families looking for a fun, educational, and interactive day out. With affordable admission prices and annual memberships, you can visit again and again and never run out of new things to discover.