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    Moffett Field Museum

    4.9 (21 reviews)
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    Graphotype machine used in WW2 and Korean war.

    Nice little museum. It might be hard to enjoy this museum if you don't know what you are looking at. So if you are lucky enough to get here when there is a guilded tour you will learn a lot. I was lucky I got there when there was a school tour and the docent was very informative. I also got to make a couple personalities dog tags. You write down what you want it to say and the docent will use the 100 year old dog tag machine and make it for you right there. That's the coolest machine. My favorite part of the museum.

    Minelie A.

    Very interesting aviation museum...It had a check point infront of door (NASA) so dont forget to have your ID. They take all passengers ID! It's an aviation museum and there is a fee in the entrance so be ready to pay. Also, they were giving free aviation books out and we took some...It was great experience overall. It has a small gift shop inside.

    Hanger and blimp display
    Josh L.

    We drove up from Monterey to see the museum and it was well worth the trip. If you like reading about military aviation history, then this is the place for you! There is even a small h.o. gage model train setup in the back that replicates local train stations. During our stay, there was an Iwo Jima exhibit to commemorate the GI experience. Take the time to talk with the docents, they are filled with knowledge and humorous stories!

    Amazing stuff inside and out
    Cristal B.

    Do you have a little who loves trains ? Then this is a super cute place to visit. It's a small place , with an amazing village of working model trains. They have steps tools for littles to help them view all these awesome things. Outside is also very nice, if you wait a few minutes you might see a real train in action. We will be back , my little guy loved it.

    Airship hangars
    Jeff C.

    This was a interesting museum to visit with all sorts of memorabilia from Moffett Field's history. It was great to be able to drive up to the big airship hangars which I've seen for years from the 101.

    Raleigh L.

    Visit date: 9/2/2021 This place is a must-see for someone who has a penchant for military history. The hangar area was closed (presumably for COVID?), so only the indoors section of the museum was available -- despite not being very large -- there is a lot of cool photographs and artifacts on display. Besides the main museum area, there is: 1. A train room - modelled after the San Jose railroad area 2. A small library room - featuring books about Navy/aviation history 3. A gift shop - fairly small selection depending on when you go, but still some cool memorabilia. (Wouldn't recommend buying the DVDs though, they're on YouTube) The employees (I only met Lori and Al) were very helpful and eager to answer questions, and the place felt very welcoming. Not the kind of museum you'd expect to get shushed at. The tickets are only $8 for adults which means visiting the place is absolutely a no-brainer, though if you're not in a rush, I recommend waiting until the hangar area is open to visit.

    NASA Short winged U2
    Fred T.

    This is quite the hidden gem. Located right next to the now stripped Hanger One (Get in gear Google and cover that sucker) it not going to be the biggest aviation museum in the world but it does have alot going for it. People tend to associate SoCal for all things aviation but many forget that the Bay Area has a rich heritage for aviation as well. First off there is a small static display outside. The last time I was there it was undergoing construction and off limits. It has a short winged U-2 in NASA livery as well as an F-104 Starfighter. But hopefully it should be open soon. Inside, it has alot of historical presentations. If you like airships, this may the place for you. Also there are tons of small scale models of various craft (both old and new) that were no doubt used in wind tunnel experiments etc. What can make or break the any museum is the staff and in the case here they are fantastic. Many were stationed here at Moffett during various times in its history as a Naval Air Station and can give quite an insight into the base and the military in general. Spend some time just talking to them! Hours can be limited so check the website and call ahead to be sure. For any aviation nerd its a must see.

    Hours of operation
    Tri N.

    The museum is packed with history from Moffet Field, NASA, military and then some. My kids and I loved the full sized airplanes, jets and rocketry on display outdoors. Also, there are tons of plane models, gear, and photos inside the museum. An awesome hidden area is left of the restrooms where you'll find a room filled to the brim with a working model train city. The museum is located inside Moffet Field, and to get in, you'll need to pass through the Moffet Field Security gates. Have your ID's ready for the adults (no worries for the kids). Look for the huge water tower, and ample parking will be next to it.

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    What a gem! Packed with aviation history and so informative. The docents are so knowledgeable and friendly.

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    Fantastic exhibit! The volunteers were awesome and so knowledgeable! A MUST visit for any P3 fanatic. Had a great visit!

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    Review Highlights - Moffett Field Museum

    (Can someone please consolidate the two somehow?) Great historical living museum of aircraft that served in various conflicts and battles.

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    Computer History Museum - Software Arch in Revolution exhibition.

    Computer History Museum

    4.4(391 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Spent a few hours at the Computer History Museum and didn't expect it to feel as reflective as it…read moredid. The museum walks you through the evolution of computing, from early mechanical calculators to modern microprocessors, software systems, and AI. You can see machines like ENIAC (one of the first general-purpose electronic computers) along with punch-card systems, the Apple I, and other machines that once felt futuristic and now look dusty and almost fragile. Everything here is built in layers, not in isolation: ideas evolving over time, people contributing in ways that are not always visible at first, yet shaping the outcome. Still, it is striking to see how these machines have become extensions of how we think nowadays (our brains). We offload memory, rely on algorithms to anticipate what we want, and increasingly hide behind screens. We run away from the real world and avoid real human connection. In some ways, it can feel easier to trust systems than real people because systems are predictable, responsive, dopamine-inducing, and do not require human effort or vulnerability. People do. People are messy. Here where the museum unexpectedly becomes even more reflective. It makes you wonder how easily we stay self-contained, avoid the messiness of real connection, and fill the space with endless technological distraction. Roughly 1 in 2 U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness, with in-person social interaction declining over time. Technology makes it easier to stay in your own world, away from uncertainty, risk, and the effort real closeness requires. So where does this lead us? What is our future? Is it for our good? If it feels easier this way, is it actually better? Are we becoming more connected, or just more efficiently alone? P.S. I think the admission for youth should be cheaper.

    A fantastic journey through the history of computing! So…read moremuch to explore here and they even offer demonstrations. Always a great time.

    Photos
    Computer History Museum - Punched Card Gallery in Revolution exhibition.

    Punched Card Gallery in Revolution exhibition.

    Computer History Museum - Calculators Gallery in Revolution exhibition.

    Calculators Gallery in Revolution exhibition.

    Computer History Museum - Calculators Gallery in Revolution exhibition.

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    Calculators Gallery in Revolution exhibition.

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

    Fujitsu Planetarium

    4.1(65 reviews)
    6.4 mi

    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.

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    Fujitsu Planetarium
    Fujitsu Planetarium
    Fujitsu Planetarium - Walking up to De Anza's planetarium hee

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    Walking up to De Anza's planetarium hee

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

    Los Altos History Museum

    4.8(93 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    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.

    A small, but meaningful museum about the history of Los Altos. It's got an exhibit on Sarah…read moreWinchester and her sister Isabel Merriman who both settled in this area although they're from the East Coast. Quite interesting lives they led. Upstairs, there's a permanent exhibit on the history of this city, which has about 40,000 people, but still feels like a town. Overall, it's a great little museum (with free (!) admission) and about 20-30 minutes is plenty of time to explore and get an idea of the exhibits and the staff are friendly and helpful to give an overview. There's also a little gift shop by the front desk with cute trinkets and toys, as well as books and other souvenirs. You can even rent this museum for a private event such as a party or a wedding!

    Photos
    Los Altos History Museum - Inside museum

    Inside museum

    Los Altos History Museum - Courtyard

    Courtyard

    Los Altos History Museum - Permanent Exhibition and the globe chair for hearing oral histories

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    Permanent Exhibition and the globe chair for hearing oral histories

    Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo - Feeding the tortoise

    Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

    4.4(388 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo - Flamingo!

    Flamingo!

    Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo - Feeding the flamingos

    Feeding the flamingos

    Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo - Climbing in the Tree House!

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    Climbing in the Tree House!

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

    The Tech Interactive

    3.4(763 reviews)
    10.6 miDowntown
    Not-for-profit
    Established in 1998

    Located in downtown San Jose so parking on a weekend can be tough to find on the street or pricy in…read morenearby garages. Inside the museum is pretty great. It's a compact place with exhibits across 3 floors. And an IMAX theater showing short movies. The schedule was posted by the theater entrance. They even have popcorn like a real movie theater. IMO The exhibits would be for kids 8 and up. It's great that the tech exhibits have tech and biotech. The interactive stations are great for kids to focus and learn. It would probably take a solid 3 hours during low crowd time to try everything. It is a place where kids roam and touch everything so some surfaces will be sticky or gross feeling. Staff at the museum were all very friendly and helpful. Overall, the place was inviting with lots of great learning and info for everyone interested.

    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.

    Photos
    The Tech Interactive - A family at the Living Colors Lab, where you can engineer bacteria to glow different colors.

    A family at the Living Colors Lab, where you can engineer bacteria to glow different colors.

    The Tech Interactive
    The Tech Interactive - Building  a robot

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    Building a robot

    Hiller Aviation Museum

    Hiller Aviation Museum

    4.3(301 reviews)
    12.9 mi
    Not-for-profit
    Free parking

    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.

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    Hiller Aviation Museum
    Hiller Aviation Museum
    Hiller Aviation Museum

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    Moffett Field Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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