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    Computer History Museum

    4.4 (391 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Computer History Museum Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Computer History Museum

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    IBM Artifacts
    Sparky D.

    You can get a Groupon deal. Since we live in Silicon Valley, it's a good to know kind of museum to visit. I do wish it had more hands on exhibits, most you can touch and no flash photography. I recommend going at least once. Lots of interesting displays, videos to see and information to read.

    Becky V.

    This place is underrated. Many locals in the Bay Area don't know this exists! For being in Silicon Valley! What a nice space, starting with the cafe and outdoor grassy seating for you to enjoy a beverage or hangout. The building is big and the flow is set up like IKEA where you start in one side of the maze and you follow along till you get to the end Favorites- -World of Warcraft section! Whoaaa! Including a retired server and signed by employees -video game section including games we grew up with -robot head you can talk to and ask questions and will respond

    Chris H.

    I was in the area for a meeting, and they opted to hold it at the Computer History Museum. Our hosts made sure that we got a tour of the museum with a docent! First and foremost, the docents are amazing, very knowledgeable and engaging. If you get an opportunity, I highly recommend doing a guided tour with them. After you finish the tour, you can still explore other areas that they didn't include in the tour. Stepping into this museum really makes you appreciate how fast technology has changed and adapted. Just looking at items from the 60's and 70's made me feel ancient already. You can easily spend half a day here without worry and still be engaged. Additionally, you could just study here if you wanted, the outside area is really nice and the coffee shop is excellent.

    Pricing.
    James Y.

    This museum is amazing. Growing up in the Bay Area, I've heard about this museum but had never visited until recently. Wow, all of the information and technology related to computers, this museum did a fantastic job going through the history to education the progression of how computers really got their start to where we are now--that AI chat bot is creepy AF, by the way. I didn't like the fact that a part of this museum Was closed and dedicated to a church. That wasn't cool, but other than that, this museum is pretty awesome for people interested in computers and technology or grew up in the bay.

    Ameca AI Chat bot!
    Luis S.

    Wow I'm so happy this place exists and preserves technological history! If you're a fan of tech or computers, this is the place for you. They have a historical breakdown of technology as you move room to room. You'll see things like the first computer ever made, this thing is massive it takes up like half the room. The first typewriter and calculator are there too along with other inventions. You'll also see the history of video games, the first Atari and Nintendo, they actually have all the consoles up to PS4. But the star of the show is Ameca, the AI robot you can actually speak to. I stood in line and got a chance to ask her a question. I asked if she can feel music. She said she can't hear music like regular humans, but she can analyze data and vibe to the beat. Overall, such a cool place, definitely check it out with the fam if you're into technology. Oh, and it's inexpensive, and the staff is nice.

    Yan W.

    CHM (Computer History Museum) is a computer museum in Mountain View, California. It could take you half a day to walk through. It was very impressive and we liked this museum so much! The museum is divided into the Revolution, the Learning Lab, the Software Lab, etc. (Don't miss the IBM lab). It was also a captivating journey through the evolution of computing technology. We liked the Computer Games section, and it shows my favorite childhood games of Pac-Man and Gameboy, etc. We had so much fun, and we explained to our daughters that we used some of the old technology before. It was interesting to see the cassette, floppy disc, laser disc, and those flip phones that we used before. It was worth the visit. Highly recommended! FYI: General Admission: adult 18+ ($19.50 each), student (age 11+) $16.50, Youth 8-10 $6, senior (age 65+) $16.50, child age 0-7 (free) CHM is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MUSEUM HOURS Monday and Tuesday: Closed Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

    Jessica W.

    It's incredible how well preserved and thoughtfully displayed everything is because it really makes the experience much more enjoyable. This museum is great for all ages and gives you a real appreciation for how far technology has come and how fast it's evolved over the years. I loved that some of the items aren't behind glass, so you can get a closer look at the details (but no, you still can't touch them, so be respectful!). Depending on how much time you spend reading the descriptions, expect to be here for about 2-3 hours. The layout can be a little tricky to navigate since the sections aren't clearly divided by walls, but each area walks you through how different items have changed from the past to the present. You'll see everything from rulers and calculators to early computers, keyboards, memory storage, robots, games, and even a section on AI which feels especially relevant today. After visiting, I left feeling so thankful for the technology we have now. It's a good reminder that we sometimes don't realize how lucky we are until we see what people had to work with back then. Adult tickets were only $19.50 each, which is super affordable especially compared to most museums these days charging $40-60. Definitely worth the price! I highly recommend visiting. It's nostalgic, informative, and such a hidden gem in the Bay Area.

    Revolution
    Annabelle R.

    Free admission with Bank of America card on first weekends of the month, so take advantage. At first glance, you may be amazed by the wall of graphics and data showing the origin of emojis, or the display of the world's smallest computer which can fit on the tip of a pencil. But there's tons more to see and experience, so park in that crowded lot and give yourself at least a couple hours. Interactive exhibits in the software lab and changing gallery included the nvidia canvas (turning doodles into landscapes), playing the Wikipedia quiz (which I won of course), and distinguishing between the sounds of a vinyl record, cassette tape, CD, and mp3 playing a song of choice. In the main part of the museum (the Revolution), you'll find computers in the form of video game consoles throughout the years, shoes (ie. nike ipod), robots in different forms, and useful machines including phones, calculators, kitchen appliances, and cars. What's more, amusing exhibits showcasing the use of technology in art and music, and even the "Silicon Valley Napkin" on display. A maze of endless rooms with so much to explore, and very interesting exhibits that will bring a feeling of curiosity and nostalgia even if you're not particularly interested or well-versed in the world of technology. Also, we got some snacks and drinks from the Cloud Bistro in the lobby, and everything was delish! The last time I was here was almost two decades ago, and lots has changed. Our recent experience was certainly better than expected.

    Ann T.

    I will be honest, this might have been the most boring museum that I have ever been to BUT that does NOT detract away from the quality of the museum itself and the value that it has. I'm just too pea brained and removed from this world (despite being the most tech adjacent individual at work) to get my mind to comprehend and wrap around what this museum has to offer. HOWEVER, with that being said, if you are a CS student, studying computers, or just love tech and all the nitty gritty that goes into creating and building computers from hardware to software, THIS IS THE STOP FOR YOU! They have free docent lead tours, a Space Wars activity, other interactive things that museum goers can partake in, hands on exhibits, and games, so there is a little bit of everything for everyone of all ages. Lots of real world historical items and recreations with lots of in depth details and descriptions describing the advent of computers all the way from the humble start of calculators all the way to AI, viral videos, texting, and real world applications such as creating artwork, video games, and music. It is a bit jarring to see that some of the tech that I used when I was younger is in a museum though to be honest, but alas these are the times. I'm talking about a Sega Dreamcast, an Xbox, iPod shuffle mini, and Furbies...haha. Maybe I need to expand my brain size to fully appreciate the wonders of the Computer History Museum, but it is worth a visit if you find the subject interesting!

    Technology
    Kevin C.

    Lots to explore and take your time to browse through. This museum could take half a day to walk through. There is so much crammed into this space that sometimes it can be hard to keep track of where the next chronological exhibit is. There is a lot of awesome material, interesting information, and interactive exhibits that allow you to engage with how certain devices work. That being said, a huge portion of the exhibit is not for touching so be mindful of the signage. It's a great experience to see how far we've come from the number counting of the past to the computing electronics of the recent past and how quickly obsolete our tech becomes from just a decade before. Free parking in their lot is ample and the atmosphere is generally very quiet and calm. Gift shop has some fun souvenirs too.

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    Great for an afternoon date. A lot of history with a ton of cool information. Nostalgic for sure.

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    Computer History Museum Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Computer History Museum

    Anyone know if this place is open? They state they're closed but yet you can still buy a Groupon to visit. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    They're open as of last week. I visited this past Saturday, April 2nd.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Computer History Museum

    I say "most" because we only went in to see the IBM guys, and walk around the main portion of the museum.

    Mentioned in 23 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Moffett Field Museum

    Moffett Field Museum

    (21 reviews)

    There are TWO listings here on Yelp for this great place. Same place, different address. I write on…read morethis listing as it shares the same address as the official website. (Can someone please consolidate the two somehow?) Great historical living museum of aircraft that served in various conflicts and battles. Not huge so happily, it's packed with wonderful archives and exhibits but does not require hours and hours to soak in. Any aeronautical enthusiast (or history buff) will surely enjoy a visit here. In addition to planes and parts, there are authentic uniforms, photographs, and documents to help with a better understanding of the times. Lastly, be sure to check out the train room, which is a lot of fun, too. It's easy to get mesmerized by the train cars of another era -- with double tiered tracks to follow along. Though it may not be a place you would hear a lot about, Moffett Field Museum is a well-cared for and important museum with much to enjoy. Note: Be prepared with your I.D. and check it out! (There are a few food options nearby -- so before you leave, ask the volunteers for recommendations and/or check Yelp!)

    Very nice volunteer-led museum in the old Moffett Field. Amazing collection of model aircraft, many…read moreto scale, including blimps. Various military vehicles and mementos are more on-subject than the astonishing model train setup also found here. Moffett Field--with its huge dirigible hanger--was a primary location for aircraft patrolling the Pacific Ocean. Not many will recall the blimps, much less the original dirigible, but many can recall the daily turboprop, later jet powered, flights scouting out potential threats over or under the waves.

    Fujitsu Planetarium - Bringing stars to life at this planetarium show!

    Fujitsu Planetarium

    (65 reviews)

    I came here for the Taylor Swift laser show and it was a fun way to spend an hour. It was just fun…read moremusic, lots of screaming kids singing the lyrics, and some cool lasers to look at. I did have to close my eyes a few times to give them a break from all the colorful lights. You can choose where to sit when you come into the planetarium room. The presenter did a good job. The visuals were a bit older, but it was still fun and the ticket prices were pretty reasonable/affordable. There were lots of parking available in I think Lot E.

    My husband and I attended the Daft Punk laser show and it was sooo good. Apparently, they only do…read moreDaft Punk once a year and we were lucky to catch it. Parking is easiest in lot E and there were plenty of spots available. The workers were friendly and gave good advice on where to sit, which is toward the back and in the center. We got there 20 minutes early which was perfect because there were only a few people waiting outside the door. Around 15 minutes before the show, they opened the doors, and we were able to snag the best seats. The seats are decently comfortable and you can rest your head against the back for the show; I've been in more comfortable recliners but it was adequate. The laser show was very good - had some of the best Daft Punk music and a variety of lasers from just syncing to the beat of the music to drawing out storylines. The show ended up being about 45 minutes total from start to end and I would definitely go again.

    Los Altos History Museum - The interactive town map in the Permanent Exhibition

    Los Altos History Museum

    (93 reviews)

    I would highly recommend booking this museum in Los Altos for your wedding or any event, really…read more The venue is absolutely stunning for an outdoor wedding and has an indoor section too. We really wanted a cozy intimate backyard wedding vibe and that's exactly what we got here! Huge plus is my husband loves history, and you get free access to the museum for a year with a ton of other benefits once you have an event here + your donation is tax deductible. You also don't need much decor at all due to the natural beauty but we hired a decorator for the arches, stages, and table settings. Lisa will also give you a list of vendors partners you can work with just in case. Overall, she was really amazing to work with and super responsive because anytime we needed to do a tour walk through with vendors or a tour of the venue, she was there. Thanks Lisa for answering all my questions!! You can't go wrong having your wedding here. We had a spring wedding of close to ~200 folks and thank God it didn't rain but summer or even fall would be beautiful here. For photoshoot opportunities there's a ton onsite and a beautiful orchard just steps away from the museum for sunset shots. A magical day indeed.

    If you're considering getting married at the Los Altos History Museum--do it, and make sure you…read morework with Lisa. She made us feel taken care of in every way. When it looked like rain, she calmly walked us through backup options and made everything feel manageable. When we needed help, she had answers before we even finished the question. The most memorable part? She hand-crafted the golf-themed signage for our wedding. It was a masterpiece and became one of the most talked-about details of the entire night. Lisa made our day magical, personal, and seamless. We are forever grateful.

    Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo - Feeding the tortoise

    Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

    (388 reviews)

    I had to run some errands in Palo Alto, and my little one tagged along with me for this trip. I…read morethought it'd be fun to bring her along to this museum. There isn't much fun stuff to do in Palo Alto if you're a tiny tot, but this place seemed like it was created for the little ones! Would highly rec if you are in Palo Alto for a day and want to bring your young child somewhere. There are different parts to this - a museum, and also a mini zoo. The museum has all sorts of fun activities, similar to the Bay Area Discovery with building blocks, magnets, trains, cars, tops, etc. The mini zoo is also quite fun with a variety of animals, although not many. The quality of the animals was great, though. They had a feeding hour for the Flamingos when I was there, and although my toddler was not interested, it seemed like the staff stayed for the whole hour, and made sure that anyone who wanted to do it had a chance to do so. Other animals there included a free-roaming peacock! The only draw here is that it's a little small, compared to a real zoo, or a real museum such as the Bay Area Discovery Museum, or the California Academy of Sciences. That being said, the price for this museum was quite reasonable, at $14 per person over 1 year old. Even for the 1.5 hours I was there, I thought it was well worth it! Free parking too. If in the area, I'd definitely stop by again.

    Pretty nice little spot for the kids to spend some time. It's not very large, so be prepared for…read morethat. Still, we were able to spend a quality couple of hours here and enjoy the time with the kids. A nice little museum with a tree house and some animals that the kids will enjoy. Again, slightly small, but overall a good time.

    The Tech Interactive - Meet Buster, our robot, who occasionally likes to stroll around the galleries.

    The Tech Interactive

    (761 reviews)

    Downtown

    I had a lovely time at the Tech at Nite: Love Lab this past Thursday, a special adult-only…read moreValentine's event. I mainly just come here for the IMAX dome theater, so this was a nice opportunity to do something different at the venue. Parked at the Convention Center garage for $5 with parking validation at the Tech. Colorful lighting and music set the mood inside, a DJ playing upbeat tunes, and both the lower and upper level were filled with activities for attendees, with minimal wait times for most experiences. We enjoyed wine-tasting with Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, a complimentary glass (or two) offered at one of the tables. We created our own light and art project through a mixture of food coloring, dye, and cooking oils, courtesy of Local Color. We also personalized fragrance sprays with Ashy Aromas (an organization known for customized scented candles). In terms of the museum offerings, a couple of the interactive displays were not in working order, such as in the Space Exploration section. But there was still a lot for us to see and do during our visit. Plenty of hands-on stations, the museum exhibits geared toward kids, with some so simple and straightforward that it would probably only be educational or amusing to very young children. But for this adult-only night, we had fun interacting with the exhibits without any kids around. This included building a more sustainable city, sorting compost, recycling, and trash, and seeing nature-themed graphics emulate our movements in the AI-enabled immersive Dream Garden. The Innovator was cool too, a simulation ride where guests could design and enjoy their own roller coaster adventure. We also engaged in a "doctor and patient communication" activity in the Innovation in Healthcare section. And we checked out the Body Worlds Decoded exhibit, even though I've already seen this in Vegas. The event offered limited food options, but the items we got were delicious, apparently catered by Smashing Dishes. We had the Lover's Grazing Plate, a charcuterie snack (which came with meat, cheese, crackers, nuts, and fruit), Cupid's Caprese (made with yummy pesto and adorable heart-shaped mozzarella), and fresh baked cookies (we wanted both chocolate chip and peanut butter, but they accidentally gave us both chocolate chip). Unfortunately, the candy cocktails were not good, particularly the "love potion #14" on the menu which lacked flavor or any kind of sweetness. Luckily, they also offered canned beverages and wine. All in all, it was a great Vday pre-celebration for me and my bf.

    We spent a rainy day at **The Tech Interactive**, and it turned out to be the perfect indoor…read moreactivity. There are so many hands-on, interactive exhibits that keep both kids and adults engaged. From design challenges to tech-focused simulations, everything encourages you to touch, build, experiment, and explore rather than just observe. What really stood out was the staff. They were incredibly helpful, patient, and genuinely enthusiastic about explaining how the exhibits worked. Whenever we had questions or needed guidance, someone was nearby and happy to help, which made the experience even better. It's easily a place where you can spend hours without realizing it--especially on a rainy day when you need something fun, educational, and indoors. Definitely a go-to spot in San Jose for interactive learning and family fun.

    Hiller Aviation Museum

    Hiller Aviation Museum

    (301 reviews)

    I came here after my kiddo had already visited because he talked so much about it…read more I've driven by so many times but this was the first time I stopped in to check it out. We walked in and we paid our entrance fee at the front and were told if we were interested in a membership we could use our entrance fee to pay towards that cost. My kiddo led our visit around the entire museum. I loved how interactive the areas were specially the cockpit area. The volunteers and staff were friendly and my kiddos enjoyment of the space solidified my interest in a membership which I ultimately got. Since then we have been back multiple times. We've enjoyed all our visits and check in goes smoothly since we already have a barcode. At our last visit I ended up setting the 5 minute timer for the cockpit area since we waited so long to get in. Probably the most popular space in this entire museum. While my kiddo and I played and several other families waited their turn patiently a parent walked up and asked how much longer we'd be there since her kid had been waiting a long time. Wild to me because we had been waiting in line that's not really a line but some seats in the back and not once did I see this parent waiting. She must of waited a whole minute before speaking to me. I told her we just got in and that I had set my 5 minute timer. She said she didn't see the sign and others pointed her right to it. Right in front of her face. She asked if I worked here. I said no but that the 3 volunteers out there did to redirect her and enjoy my 5 minutes. As one of the most popular attractions here it would be beneficial for volunteers to monitor the line and timers per group. It's insane to me that grown people can act like this or just oversee other waiting groups and act more impatient than a toddler. The space is way too small to be insufferable in a place to enjoy, explore and take turns. Front staff is great. Most volunteers are great. The volunteers in the cockpit benefit from helping maneuver cockpit time and potential lines. This is a well cared for museum and an enjoyable way to spend the day. Our family enjoys it and will continue to be members till my kids want to be.

    Hiller Aviation Museum is one of the more unusual aviation museums I've ever visited. It is just…read moreabout 11 miles south of SFO off Hwy 101 adjacent to the San Carlos airport. The aircraft & artifacts are mainly from the collection of Stanley Hiller of the Hiller Aircraft Corp that has been developing helicopters and other experimental flying machines since the late 40's. So many of these unusual copters, gyros & flying platforms are on display, plus anything else Stanley had collected over the decades. There aren't a lot of more recognizable aircraft, but you learn a lot by reading about these rare, one-of-a-kind flying machines. On slow days, you buy your entry ticket in the gift shop and go through the entry hall that is dominated by a full scale replica of the X-Prize winning SpaceShipOne hanging from the ceiling. As you enter the main gallery, you have turn of the century wood & fabric biplane replicas of the Wright brothers & Glenn Curtiss along with early not-so-successful flying machines. Moving onto the middle 20th century, the Hiller Aviation Corp. designed some offbeat personal aircraft with personal vertical takeoff craft 70 years before their time. There are also more conventional winged aircraft like the Grumman Albatross (propeller seaplane) and Aero L-39 Albatros (Czech jet trainer), 2 totally different planes with similar names sitting right next to each other. Above them all is the mother of all remotely piloted drones, the Boeing Condor from 1988 with a huge wingspan of 200 ft! If you go out the back, you get to climb through the nose section of a Boeing 747-100 jumbo airliner from the 70's & 80's. The gift shop is one of the more extensive that I've seen with lots of souvenirs for all ages and aviation memorabilia for enthusiasts.

    Computer History Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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