Sometimes it takes me a while to get somewhere. In this case, it was 18 years of “I gotta go there” before I arrived at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. Definitely worth the trip. I usually try to find some indoor places in the middle of winter and this is definitely one I would rank pretty high.
I always do better with someone else in tow, so son Scott and nine-year-old grandson Zack accompanied me. Unless you are a technogeek, take along some kids, preferable about third grade or higher. It’s not for toddlers as far as I could see.
I’ll preface this article by saying we definitely didn’t see the entire museum. It was the last weekend of the “Leonardo Da Vinci” exhibit and there were a lot of eople. Plus a good portion of exhibit space was taken up by the Leonardo exhibit (which was FABULOUS, by the way). Even without the Leonardo exhibit, I would highly recommend the trip.
Highlights
Let me give you a few highlights. One entire area focuses on the human body and medical advances with huge strand of DNA made of books, sonograms, heat images of the human body and so much more. The exhibits are focused on being interactive and kids of all ages crowded around the hands-on portions of the exhibits.
One of the newer exhibits is the Virtual Test Area Zone, a prototype exhibit area that features virtual-to-real- world exhibits on a specific theme. The first theme features is “Art, Music & Film” featuring some of the people in Silicon Valley who have contributed to the field. Zack had a ball at the wall of musical buttons, creating chords structure.
You get the idea. The exhibits are themed and very educational and fun at the same time. In the environmental area, which focuses on alternative energy. One of the test-your-design exhibits had you put different types of propellers on a miniature wind machine and then the wind would blow and you could see how many rpm’s yours would go. After numerous combinations, Zack and Scott informed me that the two square-blade design netted 1700 rpm’s, the best they could do. I think there was a little competition going on with the “team” on the other side.
Fun and educational
In addition to a myriad of unusual and changing exhibits, visitors can visit on line (www.thetech.org) and have quite an experience. Some of the hands-on exhibit results can be transferred to an online experience. I won’t explain that; just know that it can be done
The Tech Museum of Innovation began as a dream in 1978 when members of the Junior League of Palo Alto, late joined by the San Jose League, envisioned an exciting learning center devoted to science and technology in the heart of the Silicon Valley. That vision was realized in 1990 when a 20,000 square-foot temporary facility was opened. Today the Tech is housed in a 132,000 square-foot building that is meant to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds by showing how technology affects our everyday lives.
There are galleries focused on innovation, the internet, the human body and exploration. In addition, the Tech also features an IMAX dome theater with changing features, café and gift store with unique and innovative items. Admission is $8 and includes one IMAX presentation. Remember, there is a fabulous interactive website. Start at www.thetech.org and go from there. One would expect no less from a museum that focuses on technology.
Easy to find
The Tech Museum is located in downtown San Jose, 201. S. Market St. Take Highway 101 to 85 toward downtown San Jose. Continue to Guadalupe Parkway (Highway 87) and exit going north. Go to the Santa Clara Street exit. Turn right on Santa Clara. Go 5 lights, turn right on Market Street. Go down 2 blocks; the museum is on the right, at the corner of Park Avenue and Market Street.
As far as parking goes, Discounted, validated parking is available at the Second and San Carlos Streets Garage (enter from Second or Third Streets) and Convention Center Garage (enter from Market Street or Almaden Blvd.). With validation, parking will be $5 or less (except when special event pricing is in effect). Bring your parking ticket to The Tech for validation. Parking at the Second and San Carlos Streets Garage is free on weekends and city holidays before 6 p.m. Parking at the Convention Center Garage is not free and is only discounted with museum validation . Additional non - validated parking is available downtown.
