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Ac Gilbert's Discovery Village
Categories: Active Life Amusement Parks Arts & Entertainment Museums Amusement Parks, Museums [Edit]
116 Marion St NESalem, OR 97301
(503) 371-3631
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 5 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
16 reviews for Ac Gilbert's Discovery Village
16 reviews in English
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Review from Mandi M.
Tacoma, WA
7/6/2009
We loved this place! Fun for the whole family ...adults and kids (8 and 10 yrs).
Fun and educational, what more could a mom want?? -
Review from Jen K.
So did the village get small, or did my kids get big?
That was the question of the day. When my boys were little, we came here several times a year. It was the perfect use of our OMSI membership, since they waive the admission fee ($7 for ages 3 - 59) as part of a reciprocal arrangement with other science centers: http://www.astc.org/pa...
I have very fond memories of this place and our visit today reminded me of why it is great for kids under the age of about 8 (your mileage may vary). The name 'discovery village' describes it well, since it is a collection of historic homes with indoor play areas connected by an outstanding outdoor section for a variety of experiences.
Highlights were always the Bubble Room, where you can pull a lever and encase yourself in a giant bubble, or just use the giant wands to frolic around. The shadow room, where you pose for a photo and your shadow image remains on the wall behind you in a blacklight room. Lots of imaginary areas with costumes and props for your little actor. Outside there is an enormous wooden xylophone, as well as climbing structures in the form of a giant erector set, train and steamboat, and an over-sized chess set.
This place is probably best suited for kids between ages 4 and 8. Old enough to be able to wander and discover while they are still in that blissful state of constant imagination without any self consciousness. Because the houses and outdoor areas have so many twists, turns and hidey holes, it can be a little stressful for parents keeping track of toddlers and more than one child.
Taking my older child today, he declared the place "babyish." Which is family speak for "I'd be embarrassed to be seen here and take any pictures of me and you will die." For us, the visit today was a fond farewell to a place we cherished for a number of years. "Goodnight room, Goodnight moon, Goodnight red balloon." [1]
So visit here when the kids are young and make sure you also stroll through Riverfront Park and ride the carousel. Unfortunately, I think my next visit here will probably be with the grand kids. No rush!
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A.C. Gilbert was a fascinating guy and known as "The Man Who Saved Christmas." He is one of those unique individuals that can truly be called a Renaissance man since he had so many interests and accomplishments, including winning a gold medal in pole vaulting at the 1908 Olympics and inventing the erector set.
During WWI, manufacturing plants of all types were being directed to focus solely on providing military equipment and supplies for the war effort. A.C. Gilbert believed that "playing is essential to learning" and convinced Congress to permit him to continue manufacturing toys as well.
After all, our next generation of engineers and scientists started by playing with erector sets, Lionel trains and chemistry sets. A movie starring Jason Alexander ("George" to you Seinfeld fans) http://www.imdb.com/ti... tells the tale.
[1] Much love to Margaret Wise Brown and 'Goodnight Moon', another childhood love we had to say goodbye to at a certain age. -
Review from Laura E.
6/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was a fun stop on our way to the coast. It was a bit full of older kids on field trips, which made getting around a little difficult, but they were mostly well-behaved. My son especially enjoyed the bubble room and the shadow room. There were many exhibits that would have been more applicable to a slightly older kid (with a better attention span or who can read), but it was an enjoyable time.
His favorite part was the outdoor play area. As a mother, I did find this to be slightly difficult, as I really couldn't keep an eye on him in the 3-story play structure. There were back entrances/exits, and it took me 5 minutes to realize he had gotten off the structure and had started swinging instead. Minor heart attack!
If we happen to be in the area again, I wouldn't mind returning... but I wouldn't plan a special trip either.Listed in: Fun for the Kid
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Review from Steve B.
Salem, OR
For Salem, this is such a great place to bring fun kids. For a good price, the annual membership is a great value. We come in unlimited times for a whole year plus reciprocal "free" admission at OMSI and other places.
Our 8 and 4 year olds love the place and the 12 year old is almost too old. Sure it isn't fancy like places in other cities but it has history behind it and is not manufactured as it is built out of old houses and the history regarding AC Gilbert is cool for both adults and kids. There are things to do indoors and outdoors.
The three story tall erector set playground has to be the coolest playset in the area and the whole outdoor area is nice and clean and safe but still challenging for kids. I will often sit out in the sun in the main courtyard as the kids run around in the playset. The craft room is fun as the kids can glue, color, paint, cut, etc. and have a grand old time. Best part is the mess is not at home. The bubble room of course is always a favorite of ours.
The people who work there do a nice job keeping the place well maintained, clean, and safe.
I would recommend anyone with kids in the Salem area get an annual membership and go often, it is a great value and the kids have fun. -
Review from Erin H.
Medford, OR
3/22/2011
For Salem, OR this place rocks! Did you know this Gilbert guy invented the Erector Set? Neither did I!
Seriously, though--the Gilbert house is a great place to take a bunch of wound up kids and let them go nuts. Since it's 100% family oriented, you don't have to worry too much about creeps and weirdos hanging out. It's even fun for adults, although you'll most likely be squeezed against the wall with other adults when it's super packed.
Many of the exhibits within the house change, but the great ones never go anywhere. The bubble room, specifically, is a must visit each and every time you venture here.
Outside you'll find jungle gyms and wacky slides and plenty of picnic tables to sit and eat at while the kids continue their nutty rampage. At the end of the day you'll be happy to remind yourself that you only spent $6 a person. -
Review from Bria D.
Salem, OR
11/6/2010
An awesome place for kids. Fantastic outdoor play area, and tons of interesting indoor exhibits will keep families occupied for hours. The ever changing special events are wonderful for elementary-age children. And the Gilbert Village is a great choice for a birthday party venue. Looking for educational toys? The gift shop always carries some great options.
Sadly, previous reviews are correct about the lacking level cleanliness for some of the indoor exhibits... Age may be wearing on this incredible facility, as some of the exhibits are a bit tired. Perhaps they just need stable funding for regular cleaning crews and volunteers to help spruce-up this extraordinary educational opportunity for the Salem-area community! -
Review from Aimee M.
6/30/2009
What a great asset to Salem! It was a lot of fun for our kids and us adults. We spent about 2 hours there climbing, sliding, and playing with interactive exhibits. The bubble room was fun for all of us! As well as the shadow room! Hey, the whole thing was cool.
This is a must go if you are in Salem and are looking for something fun to do with the kids. Admission is very reasonable too. -
Review from Ruth B.
San Carlos, CA
8/18/2008
We had a great time at this children's museum, named for the inventor of the erector set, when we visited in April 2007. It is a grouping of lovely victorian homes with exhibits inside, plus a large outside play area.
My son loved the Body Basic exhibit, where you can climb through a giant mouth and into a giant stomach. My son went inside and said "I'm being digested!"
Next to the Body Basics exhibit is the Bubble Room. They have great big bubble tables with huge bubble wands, an exhibit where you can try to pull a bubble around your whole body, and tubes with water pouring out that you can connect together in different ways. My kids loved it all.
There is so much to do and see at this museum, it is definitely a must do if you are visiting Salem with kids.Listed in: Our Trip to Oregon
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Review from Krissy D.
Portland, OR
4/28/2011
Its ok but the one in Portland is far better quality. There is a cool bubble room, dinosaur room, and playground. But the playground was dirty! My daughter had fun in the toddler room which was awesome. There were three houses and the pictures online look better than in person. It was fun but only took an hr to see the whole thing.
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Review from Tabitha C.
Corvallis, OR
3/24/2011
What a great place for the whole family. We had a 2nd birthday party with kids of all ages and adults it was so fun. The bubble room was the best.
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Review from Jonathan W.
Corvallis, OR
8/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
The outdoor play area is one of the craziest, most elaborate structures I've ever seen, much less played on. My kid could probably spend a whole day running around finding all the nooks and crannies in that thing. Add to that 3 houses full of activities and interesting information, including a whole room dedicated to making bubbles, and you've got a day full of fun!
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Review from Jeff M.
Monmouth, OR
3/14/2010
Great idea, and GREAT playground. However, having come here for years, I can say this with certainty: The inside play areas are and always have been FILTHY. I find myself telling our daughter constantly to wash her hands. And I'm pretty easygoing about germs. It's kind of a local joke: go to Discovery Village, get sick. We stay outside as much as possible because the play structure is great. I helped build kids world in Santa Barbara in the early 1990s, designed by a famous guy from the east coast. To me it looks like Gilbert House used a similar design. It's FANTASTIC.
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Review from Owanda G.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/19/2006
Great educational and fun place for kids to learn and play. Located next to the Waterfront Park near downtown Salem, this children's playhouse and museum has great learning tools to keep kids entertained for hours. Excellent place to go for a field trip or just to get your little ones out of the house!
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Review from Gail B.
Salem, OR
12/16/2009
Glad to find such and awesome place in Salem. I was afraid that my son and I wouldn't be able to have as many adventures here as opposed to what we did in Oakland. I have never been so glad to be wrong.
Listed in: Pac Northwest
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Review from Cassie V.
Sublimity, OR
7/20/2009
Some of my greatest memories as a kid are here. They have great staff. They have amazing classes for kids, I took an Irish tap dance class here when I was 8 or 9. It was fun and I met some very nice people there. Go here with your kids! You'll have fun too :).
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Review from J S.
Salem, OR
8/2/2009
Awesome! My kids love it. Highly recommend.
