Visit the Exploratorium in San Francisco. If you live near the city by the Bay, a trip to the Exploratorium is a must. This interactive museum is packed with exhibits that make learning about science and nature fun for kids-from an awesome tactile dome to interesting microscope examinations and so much more.
Check out the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia. One of America's oldest and most beloved science museums, the Franklin Institute is sure to be a hit for people of all ages and has enough to keep your family occupied for an entire day. Its most famous exhibit, the walk-through Giant Heart, will delight kids as they learn about what makes us tick. Other popular exhibits include Kid Science-where kids play hero and save the planet-and The Train Factory-where they help get a train rolling-are sure to hit home runs on the family fun-o-meter as well.
Rock on over to the Experience Music Project in Seattle. This Frank Gehry-designed museum with a space-age look dazzles from the get-go. Budding young musicians and music aficionados of all ages will love the Sound Lab where you can DJ or play an instrument-and even record it and take it home. Kids can also experience the thrill of starring in a live show. Oh, and the rock & roll memorabilia exhibits aren't too shabby either!
Spend some time at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. From its iconic, gigantic blue whale to its incredible dinosaur skeletons and fantastic, life-size exhibits, the world's largest natural science museum is definitely worth a visit. There are tons of family-friendly exhibitions, and the Discovery Room offers opportunities aplenty for hands-on exploration. And for a really out-of-this world experience, be sure to stop in for one of the Hayden Planetarium's incredible celestial shows.
Fly over to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Part of the capital city's National Mall, this awesome ode to aviation and space flight is chock full of historic planes of all types, not to mention satellites and spacecrafts to boot. Kids will love checking out the simulated flight cockpit and touching actual moon rocks. And the best part of all...it's free!
Be sure to visit The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago. While this Middle-American museum boasts an impressive collection of masters like Monet and O'Keeffe that's sure to appeal to adults, it also satisfies children's artistic palates as well. The museum's Kraft Education Center features Touch Gallery where kids can learn about art by feeling sculptures with their hands. Kids can also take art classes or enjoy an interactive treasure hunt that gives the museum visit new perspective.
