Best museums in California: find options near you

Loved touring the USS Midway! Such a cool and super interesting experience. There is so much history packed into this ship, and you could easily spend hours exploring it. The tour was great, and even the cafeteria was worth checking out. Definitely worked up an appetite walking around this massive ship! #yumthebestever If you’re in San Diego, the USS Midway is absolutely worth a visit. ⚓️🇺🇸

The USS Midway Museum was one of the highlights of our trip! The ship is absolutely massive, and there is so much to explore that you could easily spend hours there. Whether you're interested in aircraft carriers, military aircraft, naval history, or just history in general, there's something for everyone. The volunteer docents were fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, funny, and always happy to answer questions or share stories from their own experiences. The videos and exhibits throughout the ship were also very well done, making it easy to appreciate the history and understand what life aboard the Midway was really like. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. It's an incredible museum that's educational, entertaining, and well worth the visit. I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to anyone visiting San Diego!

Easily worth an entire day just to visit thus historic aircraft carrier. There is so much to see and they also offer free Audio clips to listen to while walking around. If you love military history this is a must see for sure. We were there for 4.5 hours however we had to cut it short and missed a bunch. Plan for at least this long if you want to see it!

We visited the museum on a Thursday afternoon. There were a fair amount of people there but even so, the museum is enormous since it's a good chunk of the ship. To get the most out of the museum, you will climb steep stairs, go through narrow and low-ceiling passages and step through typical ship doorways by lifting your feet. Some areas are a bit warm, but they've done a great job adding fans and air conditioning strategically so you don't spend too much time in stale air. There is a self-guided audio tour where you can scan a small area on the signage and get history about a particular room, plane, or area. They have an on-site bookstore filled with old editions of historical books as well. There are a lot of clean restrooms, a cafe and a gift shop. Like with anything in San Diego, everything is overpriced. I paid almost $10 for a water. The instructions on their website say you can't bring any outside food or drink, so I didn't even bring a water. But when I arrived, I saw that others had refillable bottles, and the place had plenty of water stations for you to refill. They should change the guidance. Otherwise, we enjoyed it a lot and spent several hours there, and would recommend!

Very cool! Definitely worth it. The museum was rich with history and had many fun things to see. The surrounding area in North Harbor is also great for picnicking and hanging out. A must see for anyone in San Diego. Plenty of parking and near the airport.

My husband and I went last Sunday. It had been years since we have visited and the museum had new exhibits. We initially intended to only stay for 2 hours and we stayed for a little over 3 hours since we had a limit of 3 hours for parking. This place is massive and had lots of history. Walking this ship gave a lot of insights to what our brave military men/women live every single day. It is great place to visit for the entire family.

Amazing experience for families! The volunteers are wonderful with kids; knowledgeable, kind and helpful. Our boys earned there wings answering the junior questions along the tour and they even have a kids audio tour. They can even go inside planes on the flight deck. The boat is extensive and you could easily spend all day there. There is a cafe on board with kid food options. We went on a Monday and found easy parking on the pier. You can exit and re-enter the ship if needed to grab lunch or snacks. We purchased tickets in advance (city pass) and did not have to wait in the ticket line.

A stunningly beautiful modern museum with great views of Los Angeles. It's designed by architect Richard Meier and built with Italian travertine stone. The galleries need time to peruse. They house European art – paintings and sculptures. It's free to enter, but you need to reserve parking online. Nearly all of the outside areas are accessible. Students from nearby UCLA are known to come study here for a change of scene.

This is the first place I went as a first time, Los Angeles visitor, and it was absolutely stunning. The grounds were huge and there was so much you could explore. While the architecture is impressive I think that the landscaping is some of the most beautiful I’ve seen. The backside also offered incredible views of Los Angeles. Of course the art collections were great as well. I think this is a must do activity if you’re visiting Los Angeles for the first time.

Stunning original artwork! Perched on top of a landscaped mountain, the Getty Center truly delivers on its promise to provide relevant artwork. The Center is full of inspiring artwork by incredible artists. It was easy to get inspired and swept away by the workmanship, vision and style of great craftspeople. I was fortunate enough to get to see original artwork by Rene Magritte, Van Gogh and Claude Monet – some of my favorite artists. The ride up on the tram is special (worth the wait) and the landscapes areas are really well maintained. The views of the valleys are spectacular. The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. All in all – a very special experience.

Hands down one of the most incredible museum experiences in Southern California! From the ride up the hill on the tram to the spectacular views of Los Angeles, the setting alone is worth the trip. The architecture and the Central Garden are absolutely gorgeous, and the art collection is world-class—seeing Van Gogh's Irises up close is unforgettable. Best of all, general admission is completely free! Just make sure to reserve your timed entry ticket online in advance and be prepared to pay for parking. Plan to spend at least a few hours here exploring the galleries and walking through the outdoor gardens!

Another major LA tourist destination. Free admission but requires timed entry reservations online. Parking in the garage is $25 for the day and then you’ll take a free tram up to the Getty. Beautiful central garden with stunning views of the city skyline from above. A few of the exhibits were closed when we went but the collection of artwork we did see were nice. This place is huge and if everything was open would’ve taken many hours to walk through. I loved the garden and the variety of plants and flowers they had. Definitely a once and done type of thing. Relatively busy on a Wednesday morning.

The Getty Center is such a unique and unforgettable art experience perched high on a mountain top overlooking Los Angeles. Getting there via the tram ride up the hill already feels special and sets the tone for the visit. This is actually my third time visiting, and every single time it feels even more memorable and unique than before. The combination of world-class art, striking modern architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens makes it a place you can keep coming back to. The drone view is absolutely breathtaking as well, seeing the entire complex set against the city and hills is truly spectacular. A great picture really is worth a thousand words. On top of everything, admission is free (you just need to reserve tickets in advance), which makes it even more incredible as a cultural experience.

Amazing museum with beautiful art and gorgeous gardens. Highly recommend for a visit. Famous artists/art, antique furniture, diverse colorful gardens. Great for a date or tourist visit. Ideal place to have a picnic on the grassy hills and overlook the garden and city. They have a cafe and restaurant/bar onsite as well if you’re choosing to have a meal or drinks. The tram that takes you up from the parking area is pretty cool. Free entry only pay for parking.

I recently visited the California Science Center and had a really great experience. It's amazing that admission is free (except for the IMAX and Space Shuttle Endeavour exhibit) for how much there is to see. The highlights were definitely the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the ecosystems with the kelp forest, and all the hands-on exhibits for kids. Everything is very interactive, well maintained, and educational without being boring. Staff were friendly and helpful. Overall, highly recommend, especially if you have kids. You can easily spend 3-4 hours here. We will definitely be back.

This place is absolutely amazing and perfect for a day out with the family! Getting to see the actual Space Shuttle Endeavour up close is a mind-blowing experience and worth the visit all on its own. The permanent exhibits are completely free to enter, which is a fantastic bonus. They have tons of interactive, hands-on science displays for kids, plus a really cool aquarium section with a walk-through tunnel. Everything is super clean, well organized, and the staff are incredibly friendly. Definitely budget a few hours to see everything. Highly recommend!

California Science Center is honestly one of the most interesting museums in Los Angeles, especially if you enjoy science, space, and interactive exhibits. There’s a huge variety of things to explore, from aerospace displays to hands-on exhibits that make the experience feel engaging instead of just walking past information boards. The highlight for me was definitely seeing the Space Shuttle Space Shuttle Endeavour. Seeing it in person is genuinely impressive because you don’t realize how massive it is until you’re standing next to it. I also liked that the museum feels enjoyable for both adults and kids. The space is large, well organized, and easy to spend several hours exploring without getting bored. Definitely one of the best educational attractions in LA

Took the girls today and it was great! We got to the mummy 3d movie which was amazing. It wasn’t packed at all. Everything was good. The girls liked everything. It’s also pretty clean. The staff was amazing in answering all the questions we had. Will be going back soon.

Awesome learning environment for all ages, great for family outings. I am local, and I never tire of visiting. The Science Center never runs out of interesting expos, and this time it was the Mummy Exhibit. Again, awesome learning experience for all. My only three observations: some of the exhibits need revamping, they seem to have run out of real estate so they can't expand their operations, and finally they close way too early. Otherwise, it is a great place to visit, the staff is very nice and accommodating.

Wow, this place is amazing! They offer free admission, and the parking is only $20. There are plenty of spacious areas, tons of information, and various things for the little ones to see. They even have an IMAX laser theater, restaurants, and more. I’m so excited about this place! It’s highly recommended if you’re in LA.

There’s a lot of different science activities to do and lots of info about many topics. You would need many hours to explore everything. The ecosystem exhibits are very cool and some places even have live animals to view. There is also a gigantic imax theatre with great scientific movies to watch. The experience is amazing with cheap movie tickets. The main science center exhibits are free.

If you find yourself in Los Angeles, you absolutely must go—without a doubt! First of all, as soon as you plan your trip, I highly recommend getting free general admission tickets from their website. Why? Because without a ticket in advance, you’re likely to face long lines, especially on weekends. Where do I even begin? Every section is legendary! Honestly, stop reading this, grab your ticket, head over there, and enjoy the art. Highly recommended! Oh, and of course, you know you aren't supposed to touch the artworks, right? If you do try to touch them, the staff in the room will politely warn you. You’ll also find plenty of great spots for taking photos.

Parking cost $19. I can’t believe I have never been here living in LA. This is a really cool art museum. I loved the table and chair set up because as a tall person I have never felt short! The art is interesting. They have multiple different types throughout the museum. Michael Jackson sculpture, the blue, balloon, dog sculpture, the notes to your mom room, the writing in blue room, All very cool. Some of the stuff in here though I just did not want to see….

Great experience at the museum. I had not looked up the museum, but of course was familiar with the name so I did not have any expectations of the art. As I was walking in the museum, I noticed work that looked to be Basquiat and was pleasantly surprised that I was correct. I also love the work from Warhol and was appreciative to see it in person. Overall, it was a great experience and provided great photo ops. I also appreciate the fact that it was free and easy to get into. We had to get tickets, although it was free entry however this process was seamless. I would recommend getting them ahead of time, however, because sometimes sell out.

Visiting The Broad was an absolutely incredible experience from start to finish! This contemporary art museum features a stunning collection of breathtaking, world-class modern masterpieces that will completely captivate any art lover. The architectural design of the building itself is a spectacular work of art, setting the perfect tone before you even step through the doors. The absolute best part about visiting this museum is that general admission is completely free! It is such a wonderful gift to the community and makes accessing amazing cultural experiences available to everyone. However, because it is incredibly popular, you absolutely must book your tickets online well ahead of time. General admission tickets open up monthly, and they tend to disappear very quickly, so planning your visit in advance is essential to secure your preferred date and time slot. Once inside, everything is beautifully curated, spacious, and easy to navigate. The staff members are welcoming, highly knowledgeable, and always ready to help guide you through the galleries. Whether you are a local resident or a tourist exploring the city, this museum is a must-visit destination. It is an absolute 5-star

The Broad Museum in Downtown Los Angeles is a must-visit attraction. This architectural marvel of a museum offers free admission, but you must book your tickets online in advance to choose your preferred time slot. They also have a special exhibition that incurs a small fee. The museum features an impressive collection of contemporary art, featuring renowned artists like Warhol, Murakami, and Basquiat. Their bookstore is a treasure trove of vibrant and delightful gifts for yourself and your loved ones. It’s an excellent place to spend hours exploring and admiring the art. Another exciting aspect is the nearby Walt Disney Museum, which resembles the Getty Museum. It’s a fascinating sight to behold as you leave the Broad Museum.

Honestly, this was a really good! It was fun looking at so much great art. free admission, parking is $19 for 3 hours, it’s really a great museum to have very underrated in today’s economy. my favorite was the Takashi Murakami exhibit truly just breathtaking art. They have truly something for everybody. I would honestly recommend this if you wanna go for a date night, a field trip, a day out anything! Would recommend!

A wonderful museum with different special exhibitions. I just saw the Yoko Ono exhibition (til Nov 2026). The main museum is free but special exhibitions require a paid timed ticket. Validated parking ($19) with museum ticket. No cafe on site but you can leave and return if you let security you are returning. Mostly modern, pop and art installations by well known artists. However, there are some wonderful art pieces by lesser known (to me) artists that are wonderful. Well worth a visit. And the architecture of the museum itself is also stunning, both inside and out.

LACMA was one of the highlights of my trip to LA. The museum is large, with a wide variety of art to explore. I especially loved the live performance. It was so creative and engaging that I ended up staying for almost an hour just for the show. The artists were incredibly talented. The nearby La Brea Tar Pits added a unique touch to the experience. I'm so glad I visited!

David Geffen Galleries at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) were impressive. The building is massive and extends above Wilshire Boulevard. The art museum is located on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, near the La Brea Tar Pits. There are active digs next to the museum. It was nice to walk around and explore them. Impressionism at LACMA was outstanding as well. Particularly Nymphéas by Claude Monet was inspiring to see. Los Angeles County Museum of Art is a great place to visit in Los Angeles.

LACMA is definitely worth visiting! After the renovation, three buildings are now open, and there’s already so much to see. The museum features an impressive collection of famous artworks, and the galleries are spacious, clean, and well organized. Plan to spend at least a full day here if you want to enjoy everything at a relaxed pace. Even with plenty of visitors, it never felt too crowded or noisy, making it a wonderful place to appreciate the art. Highly recommended if you’re visiting Los Angeles!

This museum is absolutely incredible and a total must-visit if you are in LA! The art collection here is massive and covers a bit of everything, so there's always something cool to see regardless of your taste. Of course, checking out the iconic "Urban Light" installation outside is a highlight and looks so beautiful, especially when the lamps are lit up in the evening. The whole campus has a really cool, open vibe and the staff were super helpful. Definitely budget a few hours to really take it all in. Highly recommend stopping by!

Went after work for about an hour on a Friday. LA county residents enter free after 3pm so make sure you have your ID on hand. The exhibit I was in wasn't too crowded so I could easily walk around and look at the art work. They also had live music outside where the lights are at. Got to see a lot of people with their picnic tables enjoying food and music which made the vibes even better.

This seems to be the first time I've reviewed LACMA. Surprising. I've been here before. Today's the opening day for the new wing. It's all on one level, about thirty feet above ground level. It's an open plan with exterior views nearly everywhere. You're going to find pictures of the exhibis with explanations on the web. I thought I'd be original by being the first to publish pictures of the exterior views. Turns out I met lots of people doing the same thing. Google Maps will let me publish only 50 pictures. This is a great addition to LACMA. You should visit. It's wheelchair accessible. There's street parking and a lot under the museum. We parked on the street so I don't know if the below ground parking lot is free or paid. LACMA is also reached by bus, and there's a new subway station across Wilshire Boulevard.

The new David Geffan Galleries are breathtaking and fascinating and wonderful all wrapped up into one very cool experience. The design is unlike any gallery/ museum we've ever encountered. One room after another leads to more and more art work. One thing then another catches your attention to move you through the single level experience. We were in a continuous state of awe as we meandered through for a full 3 hours and still feel like we could go back for more tomorrow. Kudos to the LACMA team. Well worth the wait!

I had an amazing experience at the Natural History Museum. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the stunning architecture and the welcoming atmosphere. The exhibits were beautifully curated, informative, and engaging for all ages. The dinosaur section was definitely a highlight—seeing the life-sized skeletons up close was unforgettable. I also loved how interactive many of the displays were, making it easy to learn while having fun. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer questions. Everything was well-organized, clean, and easy to navigate, which made the visit even more enjoyable. Whether you're going with family, friends, or even solo, this museum is a must-see. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, educational, and memorable experience!

We had a great first experience at NHM of Los Angeles. Upon entering the dinosaur hall, we were greeted by a wonderful docent named Jane. It was a real treat to be led around the dinosaur exhibits by someone so knowledgeable and informative. I realize this type of experience may not be the norm but my 7 year old son and I truly enjoyed it. Thank you Jane! We also bought tickets to see the 3D movie T. Rex. Nice theater with comfortable seating and a good show. I would definitely come back to explore other areas that we missed today.

​Founded in 1913 and located within Exposition Park, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) is the largest natural history museum in the western United States. ​It houses over 35 million specimens and artifacts spanning 4.5 billion years of history. The original 1913 Spanish Renaissance Revival building itself is an architectural masterpiece imbued with a sense of classical epic grandeur. Spent most of my time here at the Dinosaur Hall. This is the world's only museum display featuring fossil skeletons of a T. rex across three distinct growth stages—baby, juvenile, and adult. Watching the three differently sized T. rexes gathered around a prey skeleton creates an intensely captivating visual experience. And was lucky to bump into a wedding (people were getting ready to commence it after the 5pm closing time), while not so surprised, as architecturally, the entire building is an amazing masterpiece itself, so not just the display contents but the structure.

Oh man this place is amazing. They have dinosaurs fossils, reconstructed dinosaurs from fossils, animals from different countries, a new Orca exhibit, and more. Level I there is like a little science center type deal for kids to interact with (although I as an adult interacted to). Level II is the primary museum, thats where you'll find all the main attractions I listed above. Level III is birds of the world. I think they have almost every type of bird discovered. The place is really cool, its not too pricey, and its a really interesting place to visit. Whether you are visiting from out of State or Town, or whether you live here in Los Angeles. This place is an amazing place to visit with or without kids.

The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles is an absolute must-visit. We took our three-year-old, and he was completely amazed by the massive dinosaur skeletons—it's a total dream for toddlers. ​While he loved the dinos, I was personally blown away by the Gem and Mineral hall. The collection is so stunning that there simply was not enough time for me to press my face up against all the displays I wanted to see. ​Whether you're going for the kids or your own curiosity, you could easily spend all day here and still want more!

A must visit spot in you’re in Los Angeles! The museum features what feels like infinite displays of dinosaurs, exhibits of mammals from different continents, underwater area, insects, and a historical exhibit on the history of Los Angeles. The gemstone area is amazing too, with a bunch of different crystals that are so cool. I came here with my family and granddaughter on 06/13 and we all loved it so much! We were constantly entertained for the 2-3 hours that we explored this huge museum. Enjoyable for both adults and children! The museum has many life sized fossils that are really impressive and cool. Was not busy to the point we had to wait to see displays, and we had no wait to purchase tickets. An amazing highlight of our California trip and one of my (and the littles) personal favorites! ☺️

Took the E line from Santa Monica and it dropped us off right in front of the museum. Awesome not having to deal with traffic and parking. Bought tickets and wandered around for 1.5 hours. Dinosaurs and rare gems were cool but my fav were the little living bugs crawling inside that small room for toddlers :). Stuffed animals were 6/7. Glad to have visited once but much preferred the cal science center next door.

This was my first time ever at this particular art museum, and goodness, didn't make a great first impression!! My husband wanted to come check out the KAWS Exhibit, and I thought he knew more about him, but apparently he knew his artwork from Asia and didn't know he was from New York. Lol it was very inspirational and we had no idea we could explore the other floors of the our gallery once we got the tickets! Even though we've had a 2:30 PM showing for the KAWS exhibit, we ended up staying until 430 to check out the other floors! Perfectly to spend a Sunday afternoon!! There docents or art gallery carriers at each section in case you had questions, although I think they were there to make sure no one took anything. They also had their own separate specialty gift shop for the seasonal exhibit as well as a giant gift shop for the whole museum itself! We walked through both sections and the downstairs gift shop was amazing! It reminds me of that old store, learning express. Along with a lot of San Francisco Schottky apparel it was very interesting to see all the different artists and projects you could buy as well as different paraphernalia. The gift shop seemed normal prices for San Francisco. And there was somebody there to answer questions, if need be.

We absolutely loved Jacob Hashimoto: Giant Arc at SFMOMA. The installation is truly mesmerizing, with thousands of handmade kites creating an incredible immersive experience. The scale and detail are amazing, and walking underneath the artwork gives you a completely different perspective. A beautiful and unique exhibition that is definitely worth seeing while in San Francisco! @visit_sf

RM X SFMoMA on October 3, 2026!! 😳 ARMYs!! LESGOOOOOOOOO! 💜 I visited SF MoMA during a very short work trip to SF. Absolutely lovely museum and I could get a student ticket at 23 USD instead of the regular 30 USD (thank you very much!) The restaurant on the bottom floor is great too. I ordered a vegan quiche and it arrived pretty quickly and was yummy! The museum shop itself is a museum but I felt the prices are way too outrageous. 😭

first thing you gotta do is drop your bag off. i noticed comfortable looking chairs at the ground level. there's also two gift shops one main one and then one in the KAWS exhibit. we took the stairs up to the ticketing area. the price is very reasonable. this exhibit is very beautiful. i caught this exhibit just in time. it's so cool reading the little inspiration and history behind the art being made. KAWS has always been cool art and cool collectibles. very beautiful exhibit and you can really take the time to look at it all. bought a pink KAWS shirt here, i don't really care about the size. i did end up staining the shirt when i came back home to wash it. must've been transfer dye from my blue jeans or other clothes. managed to end up getting it out. anyway. this exhibit was very beautiful and hope people can enjoy it before it's over. appreciate the kind lady who said i don't look like an adult. would so go to SFMOMA again.

Incredible modern and contemporary art collection in a sleek beautiful building. Went with a baby and stroller and it was easy to navigate. The Matisse show was great but gets very crowded. FYI If you bring a backpack you’ll have to wear it on your front

An outstanding destination for modern and contemporary art lovers. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is truly world-class. The architecture alone is impressive, but what’s inside is even better—an incredible collection of modern and contemporary works that are both inspiring and thought-provoking. The galleries are spacious, beautifully curated, and easy to navigate, allowing you to fully enjoy each exhibit at your own pace. From iconic masterpieces to innovative installations, there’s something that captures your attention in every room. The museum also offers a calm and sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for spending a few hours immersed in art. Highly recommended for anyone visiting San Francisco—an enriching and unforgettable cultural experience.

My husband and I really enjoyed our visit to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art! We happened to visit on our wedding anniversary, and it turned out to be Community Day, so admission was completely free—a very nice surprise and a memorable way to celebrate our anniversary! The museum itself is gorgeous, and we loved exploring the different floors and discovering how varied the exhibits were. There was a great mix of art and experiences, ranging from more classical works and photography to contemporary pieces and large-scale sculptures. The variety made the visit feel engaging and kept us excited to see what was around the next corner. One of the highlights for us was getting to experience Yayoi Kusama’s exhibit. With her recent passing, we feel especially fortunate that we had the opportunity to see her work in person beforehand. Her installation was such a memorable experience and definitely something that stood out during our visit. There was also an immersive sound exhibit that was a lot of fun and gave us a completely different way to experience art. I really appreciated that the museum wasn’t limited to simply looking at artwork on the walls—it incorporated installations and interactive experiences that made the visit more dynamic. SFMOMA also has a small café with a spacious outdoor patio, which is a great place to take a break and relax. There seemed to be plenty of seating to accommodate even busier days. Overall, we had a wonderful time at SFMOMA. Between the beautiful building, diverse exhibits, memorable installations, and the chance to experience Kusama’s work, it made for a fantastic anniversary outing. Definitely worth visiting if you enjoy modern and contemporary art!

Fun place to visit. We planned to stay about 2 hours and stayed for four. The kids really enjoyed it! They really enjoyed climbing into the cockpits and exploring the ship. We ended up getting a membership so we could go another day for just a few dollars more! If you buy tickets online make sure you’re at the real website, there shouldn’t be any extra fees to buy ahead of time!

My father served aboard the Iowa during WW2, so I have been interested in the ship and it's history. This was my second visit, and took a couple of my cousins with me. They was interested in the ship and it's history as I am. We spent about 2 1/2 hours on the basic tour and it was worth the price of admission. Although it has been remodeled a few times, I could imagine my dad eating in the galley, walking the decks, standing topside having a smoke. I wish I had asked my dad more about his time on the ship.

Expensive ticket. No discounts. No crowds. Nice to experience history and be on top and inside a battle ship. I like the self guide. I just wish they will be a discount with AAA or children discount, anything. Too expensive to bring the whole family.

This massive warship is a floating museum. I have a greater appreciation for the sailors and marines who have served on such a tremendous vessel. There are guided and self tours you can take. Plan on spending about 2 hours for examining the ship and its displays. The parking is a couple dollars per hour. The gift shop sells drinks and cute souvenirs.

Ask for David if you don’t see him when you walk up. He’s got tons of information if you’re actually interested like I was. They have a super family friendly and kid friendly find Vicky hunt throughout the regular (not special or behind scenes ) tour. If you want to get access into the special closed off areas – you need to buy and schedule in advance I personally recommend the Roosevelt tour where you can see his room aboard and tub or the propulsion tour (super cool) if you’re a nerd like me. Either way – make sure you see it

The old girl still has it. Her age shows in places but the history here is undeniably important and her team of vouneteers is doing great work. The self guided tour covers a good part of the ship, albeit a little linear, is still fascinating and a great showcase of Iowa and her exploits. I'll definitely be returning in the near future.

Coolly experience to take your kids and see how Navy soldiers live. They have a great hotdogs stand at the end or you can go straight there if you make a left when you walk up. Watch your head for us tall guys and the stairs can get real steep so bring your walking shoes. If you have lil ones that cannot navigate well you may have to carry them through the stairs and watch out when you walking you can trip and get caught on protruding objects. The staff is nice and helpful. If you are a fan of boats and military very cool to see. Takes about 2 hours to walk through If you stop and look at everything. Went on a weekend and not too crowded parking was close and easy about 2 bucks.

Hands down the best museum we’ve ever been to! We had an absolute blast here with our 2 kids. It’s huge, completely interactive, and honestly just as fun for the adults as it is for the kids. We went early right when it opened so it was way less crowded, which let us easily spend 6 to 7 hours exploring without the kids getting overwhelmed. The water and bubble exhibits were a massive hit with the little ones, and it is totally stroller-friendly to walk around. Everything is designed to be touched and experimented with, so you don't have to constantly tell the kids "don't touch." Our only main tip for parents is about lunch. The restaurant inside gets incredibly busy, and with kids, you might have to wait a while to get an appropriate table. Aside from the restaurant rush, it is a bit pricey but 100% worth it for a full day of awesome family fun.

I remember this place when I was a kid and wanted to share the experience with our kids turning 10. We got there around 11:00am, stayed until 5:15pm, and still did not see everything. It just gives us another reason to come back. It is good for children and adults with inquisitive minds.

Visitors say this museum offers a vast array of interactive, hands-on exhibits that make science engaging and fun for all ages, including adults. They also highlight the clean and well-maintained facilities, including spotless restrooms, and the helpful, friendly staff. Guests mention the value of the admission price, especially with available discounts, and recommend allowing several hours to explore everything.

My 2 kids loved it. You can spend a few hrs there easily, and still not do all the experiments. So much to learn in so many different new ways. 100% recommend for 6 and up

I HAD SO MUCH FUN HERE! As a science nerd, I enjoyed my time here and so did my family! I liked the biology exhibits and watching staff members dissect and explain the process of it! There were multiple innovative exhibits and their explanations for the science behind it was easy to understand! I learned so much new things!

POV: You’re a mom to a 6-year-old who’s at the "I need to know how EVERYTHING works" stage. A visit to the Exploratorium is a must! It’s the kind of place where curiosity turns into learning—where little minds can explore chemistry, physics, human behavior, light, motion, and so much more.

This is such a fun place to spend the day. There are so many fun and interesting experiments. My kids love exploring and all the hands on activities. They are learning so much but having fun too. We love to come here for our science homeschool field trips.

The de Young is a standout among Bay Area museums, offering a thoughtfully curated collection even during renovations. Despite the collection not being exhaustive on our visit, it remains a highlight for anyone seeking a memorable museum experience. Its wonderful design, including a striking observation deck, and strong emphasis on non-European collections, make the de Young unique. The Indigenous and Papua New Guinean displays in particular exemplify the museum’s commitment to diversity and artistic depth. Special exhibits add extra value, though the museum’s core collection is the main draw. During our visits to the Monet and Anime exhibits, it was a pleasant bonus that special exhibit tickets also included general admission. Admission is also free for Bay Area residents, making the experience even more accessible. While the outdoor dining area is beautiful, I recommend eating elsewhere due to the high cost of refreshments, such as nearly $10 for a bottle of water. That said, it is well worth a day trip if you can swing it and are in the area!

Went for the Monet and Venice exhibit. Wow. I'm glad we visited on a timed one because it got full rather quickly. The paintings were lovely. There were even paintings from other painter's of Venice. The colors were different from photos, some are brighter with awesome texture. The reflections do not show also on photos, you almost miss it at first glance and then you notice the reflection with awe. The rest of the museum is fun to see as well including the gift shop. Service is nice and efficient.

The de Young Museum is one of our favorite places to bring the kids because it strikes the perfect balance between exhibitions, and family‑friendly spaces. We spent a few hours exploring and still felt like there was more to see. The museum’s American Art collection includes works tied to well‑known artists like O’Keeffe, Kahlo, Rivera, and Asawa, and the galleries are arranged in a way that makes it easy to move at your own pace. The kids loved the big sculptures and anything with bright colors, and we appreciated the mix of contemporary and traditional pieces. The African and Oceanic art galleries were a big hit — the masks, textiles, and carved figures are visually striking and easy for kids to connect with. We also enjoyed the photography rooms, especially the Ansel Adams landscapes, which offered a quiet moment in the middle of our visit. The Hamón Observation Tower is a must‑see. It’s free, and the views of Golden Gate Park and the city are incredible. The kids treated it like a lookout tower and tried to spot every landmark they could. Overall, the de Young is a great choice for families. It’s spacious, peaceful, and full of art that sparks conversation. We left feeling inspired and already planning our next visit.

Located in Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum is a gem. Collections include First Nation, Pacific Islander, Middle East, European and American. Paintings, furniture, ceramic, glass, textiles, and an extensive tapestry collection. Visit the observation deck on the top floor which is free with admission. Week I attended was the annual festival pairing floral displays with art. Easy to get to from downtown and there is a cafe. I would first go to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, a 5 minute walk from Museum in the morning and then de Young in afternoon.

de Young Museum is one of those places that just feels special. The building itself is beautiful, but what really stood out was how calm and spacious everything felt,even with people around, it never felt overwhelming. The collections are thoughtfully curated, and it’s easy to take your time and actually enjoy what you’re seeing instead of rushing through rooms. The observation tower is a must, amazing views of the city and Golden Gate Park, and it’s included with admission. I also liked how the museum balances classic works with contemporary pieces; there’s a lot of variety, so it never feels repetitive. It’s a great place to spend a few hours, whether you’re really into art or just want a peaceful, inspiring break from the city. Definitely worth the visit.

Beautiful museum with lots to look at. The price for the main museum is super affordable i wish the special exhibit (this time it was Monet) werent so expensive to add on but the museum was a great visit even without seeing that. Definitely dont forget to go up to the observation deck. Its absolutely a beautiful view.

Nice museum with a good permanent collection. The special exhibit space suffers from a poor layout leading to unnecessary congestion. This trip I saw the Egyptian exhibit. It is a super collection of Egyptian artifacts with an emphasis on funerary items and gold. Really works seeing.