You can't miss the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. It's the big purple building downtown, at the end of a street called Woz Way. That street is named for Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who was the largest private donor to the capital campaign that built the museum. Here's what to know before a rainy-day visit.

The building

The museum opened in 1990 and has welcomed more than 9 million visitors. Its 52,000-square-foot building was designed by Mexico City architect Ricardo Legorreta, who also designed The Tech Interactive, also downtown. Inside are 28,000 square feet of galleries, and outside is a half-acre nature play space that opened in 2017.

What kids do there

The museum designs its exhibits and programs for children 10 and under, with an emphasis on hands-on, experience-based learning. Highlights include:

  • Mammoth Discovery!: two life-size replicas of Columbian mammoths and an exhibit about paleontology, geology and the scientific method.
  • Bill's Backyard: Bridge to Nature: the half-acre outdoor space for exploring nature.
  • Waterways: water play where kids experiment with a vortex, laminar flow and water pressure. Pack a change of clothes.
  • Real vehicles: kids can climb into a fire engine and a Wells Fargo stagecoach.
  • Art spaces: five visual and performing arts areas.

The museum is also known for its Cultural Celebrations series, which highlights the traditions of the many communities in the region. Outside its own walls, it lists a Zoom Zone at San Jose International Airport.

Tickets

The museum's pricing page lists general admission prices of $20 to $22, with free admission for some visitors. Check the page for which category applies to you. Buy only from the museum's official ticketing site: the museum says it doesn't use third-party resellers and won't honor tickets from other sources, which may be stolen or counterfeit. It accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, and you need a photo ID if you pay by card.

Save with Museums for All

Families with a valid CalFresh EBT or SNAP EBT card can get $5 tickets for up to four people by showing a photo ID along with the card. These tickets must be bought in person at the museum, no reservation is needed, and a set number is available for each session. The card can't be used to pay, but the museum takes cash and major credit cards.

House rules

The museum asks parents to remember that they're setting an example. Don't touch or scold another family's child; ask a staff member for help instead. It also reminds families that children's play is often exuberant and that bumping and reaching for the same toy is usually innocent.