The Tech Interactive Museum, San Jose

The Tech Interactive Museum in downtown San Jose is everything a museum should be. It is interactive, colorful, and in each huge room there is something for all ages. It's a great place to take your family because everyone will be happy at the same time! My 2 1/2 year old thought the rollercoaster simulator was wonderful and didn't want to leave. Meanwhile, my 12 year old son got to design his own rollercoaster ride. Then we all sat and took the ride, watching the screen in front. Next we saw how robots work, and watched as a wild robot wrote our names with blocks. Another robot took our photo and then with pen in hand made a sketch of us. We got to keep the printout. In another area we danced in front of a huge screen, watching what we looked like in thermal radar. We made music touching huge lit-up buttons on the wall. We sat in a bobsled and watched a screen in front as we "rode" down the track.

Downstairs, we stood in front of a huge screen as colored things fell down and gathered on our arms, changing shape as we moved. We experimented with how to catch space junk. My toddler played with see-through colored lego blocks on a backlit table. Nearby, magnets on a similar table made for some fun building.
The Tech Interactive Museum is in a gorgeous modern building. Outside there are gears that turn in a large glass case. Your kids can watch balls being lifted to the top and falling down.
We all loved this museum. We were busy for two hours and could have stayed longer if it weren't lunchtime. I highly recommend this museum for a morning with family and friends. To add even more fun, watch an IMAX film here!
Afterward, walk around downtown San Jose. It's kind of stark with lots of cement and few trees but there are some interesting sights- architectural treasures such as Joseph's Basilica and the San Jose Museum of Art, and the fountain at Cesar Chavez Park- all just steps from the museum.
While you're in San Jose, don't miss out on the nicest area, Santana Row, a European-style development with sunny outdoor cafes, flower baskets galore, and pretty architecture.

Directions

The Tech Interactive Museum is located at 201 S. Market St, San Jose CA 95113, call (408) 294-8324. It is on the corner of Park Avenue and Market Street in downtown San Jose. There is a public parking lot at 280 S. Second St.
Open Tues-Fri 10-3, and 10-5 on weekends. Closed on Mondays. Closed on Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thurs in Nov) and Dec 25. 
Admission is $34 for adults, $28 for students, seniors, and children aged 3-17. IMAX films cost extra- you buy a combo ticket.

Click on map for interactive view