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The Tech Museum of Innovation
Rating Details »
Categories: Cinema, Museums, Venues & Event Spaces
201 S. Market StreetSan Jose, CA 95113
(408) 294-8324
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
Sponsored Result
Upcoming Event Nearby
San Jose Civic
- Category:
- Music Venues
- Location:
- San Jose, CA
A two hour food-a-palooza complete with interactive cooking stations, demos, behind the scenes stories from the road and more!
121 reviews for The Tech Museum of Innovation
"It's a good day to die." Echoed another a fan-man ('cause fanboys only grow up to be fan-men), from around the corridor. I wanted to find him and give him a high-five, or at least yell back at him "Qapla' batlh je" which means "Success and honor" in Klingon. But one must not display bursts of emotion in public, because that would be "illogical".
I have already long accepted that I'm a nerd, so end your ridicule here. This exhibit was a flashback to my teenage years where I literally did watch 8+ hours of tv per day. So it does make sense that the only reason reason I came to the Tech Museum was to see the Star Trek exhibit. And I am in love with it.
What I loved so much about Star Trek, other than being madly in love with Wesley Crusher, was that the stories were so thoughtful. Stories were always were lined with topics like what constitutes intelligence, immorality, racism, friendship, camaraderie, etc. It was like everything I ended up learning about in Cog Sci classes in college, were applied in these shows.
And of course there is the moment when I am talking about that episode where Data is playing the alien in that game where they have these special plugs attached to his fingers. The guy is trying to win, and couldn't figure out why he couldn't win, when Data simply tells him that his goal was never to win, but to tie. Bloody brilliant. I mention that to my group and I get blank stares abundant, until this other fan-man calls out to me, "YES, that is this episode!" and I feel better again.
The exhibit was fantastic, but I wish it had been bigger, and had allowed photography inside. Actually I wish there was a Star Trek theme park. Gosh what a wonderful idea that would have been. The hollodeck and bridge were very fun to take pictures with except that the pictures came out so overexposed that it wasn't worth getting.
There were models abundant as well as a bunch of uniforms and set props. We also slide around the simulator for a bit, which was kind of lame, but seriously 4 stars for nostalgia, getting to be surrounded by "my people" and getting to see Klingons later at Gordon Biersch where we went for dinner. I definitely nerded out today, and for that I am absolutely not ashamed.
Lastly, I cannot forget to add that my love for tea had originally stemmed TNG.
"Tea. Earl grey. Hot."
I'll admit it- This was my first time at The Tech Museum... and I only came because of the Star Trek exhibit- I am a nerd.
The 4 stars I'm giving to The Tech Museum is partly for the Star Trek Exhibit and mostly for the rest of the museum. 2-3 stars for Star Trek, 5 stars for the rest of the museum.
I give the Star Trek exhibit 2-3 stars because- well- it kinda stunk. Yes the costumes are cool. Yes the captains bridge and living quarters are cool. Yes, i learned a lot of new things about Star Trek I never knew... but the exhibit is a pretty quick walk through, it's an additional $15 on top of the regular ticket price, and worst of all you can't take any pictures! Whomp Whomp! Yes the exhibit is neat- but where's the fun if i can't take a picture of myself standing next to a Klingon? Geez!
The rest of the Tech Museum is quite amazing. If you are a kid, have a kid, or know a kid you should definitely check out this museum! There are so many interactive displays to try out! What is so unique about The Tech are their 'TechTags'. You use a bar code on your ticket stub to save all of your activity throughout the museum so later when you go home you can relive everything you experienced. From getting a 3D headscan to taking panoramic pictures of the museum- From doing your own CSPAN broadcast in front of senators, to riding an earthquake- Almost everything can be saved on your TechTag! Check out my photos here and you'll see several things I did at The Tech! This museum is very innovative- If I had a kid I would try to bring them here often.
The Tech Museum is 5 star awesomeness- The Star Trek exhibit is so-so. If you haven't been here before, go check it out!
REVIEW FOR STAR TREK EXHIBIT ONLY
"Today seems like a good day to die."
- Lt. Worf
"I am Locutus of Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile."
- Locutus of Borg
"I am sensing an alien presence in our midst."
- Counselor Deanna Troi
"Engage."
- Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
OK. So you now know my horrible secret. I am a hopeless Star Trek TNG fanatic. I am such a fan I once had dreams about Data as a fully-functional android.
We high-tailed it first thing in the morning hoping to catch some Klingons or Star Fleet Cadet walking around with communicators and phasers set to stun.
However, what I found was some really interesting trivia, and how Star Trek inspired a generation of people, from real-life astrophysicists to inventors (most significantly, the inventor of the modern day commercial cell phone, who crafted it after the ones he had seen from the original Star Trek series).
There was real science interwoven with the fictional stories, and it was especially inspiring to learn about how the show's creators utilized modern day science to create this incredible world.
It was a great way to spend a Sunday, walking through various set designs and having our pictures taken by enthusiastic staff members in a teleporter and a re-creation of the bridge where Capt. Kirk sat.
I admit, I flashed a few Vulcan hand greetings every now and then, but didn't feel so self-conscious about it as everyone there was geeking out as well.
I saw the star trek experience,
I thought it would be more interactive
no camera recording :(
no pictures
They had two of the same flight simulators a whopping 11 dollars just buy one ticket.
everyone looked lost, it seemed like it was a slap together in a hurry.
I'm a fan of Star trek the next generation, and this seemed like a waste of money.
Finally visited this place on Labor Day last month with a friend who wanted to go. I haven't seen anything inside this place since like grade school I think when computers still had floppy drives or something ridiculous like that. They have done quite the job at updating it, especially with the IMAX dome theater. But I'll mention that later on.
Walked in to find the lobby nicely updated, clean, with a friendly young staff working. We started off by walking to the nearest exhibit before watching our IMAX show of Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs. Saw some stuff like a 3D modeling machine that will scan your face, some high-tech bikes, clean room exhibit, etc. Some of the stuff seemed pretty old in there, but you still get the idea of what a real FAB is like.
After that, we walked over to the IMAX entrance where you can see the actual monster of a projector that the IMAX screen uses. Simply amazing, like nothing I've seen before. The seating arrangement is pretty steep and you have to be careful climbing the stairs and going through the rows of seats. The IMAX intro was incredible, the sound system literally envelopes you with like 20 speakers. I think you have to be an audiophile to to truly appreciate what it is capable of. I would highly recommend watching the Mummies movie if available when going here.
After getting out of that, we worked our way to the other exhibits... its actually kind of annoying at times when they have so many little kids around everywhere. I'm not sure if it happened to be that day, but there were a hell of a lot of kids... but it might have actually had to do with it being labor day morning. I think if I came back for fun, I might just go for the IMAX experience only.
This is a Star Trek Review which I'm sure about 90% of everybody viewing this page lately has been looking for. My opinion is that this display was very disappointing overall. For anybody that had seen the original Star Trek exhibit in Vegas, this is nothing like it. The simulation ride at the end of the exhibit is nothing like the Vegas experience which if it was still in business I'd give 5 stars. The exhibit is fairly brief so I felt that I didn't get my money's worth but unfortunately you're stuck not knowing unless you give it a try. They don't allow cameras yet they charge you $30 for sitting in the captain's chair if you want a snapshot. The cool parts of the exhibit is that you can walk through a starship deck and stand on a transporter and they have lots of information for you to read but they don't have anything interactive. Plus, a lot of the Star Trek Next Generation stuff is in LA while the original Star Trek is here in the SJ location. Bummer for me because I liked the TNG series the most. The simulator rides are not worth the $11. Both are the same - the only difference is that one flips around more. The IMAX star trek experience is the same film that came out earlier this year that was directed by JJ Abrams.
Went to the Star Trek Exhibit on Friday opening day at the Tech Museum. It wasn't too exciting for me, I guess I expected too much. They had some nice display of the uniforms from the original TV series to the latest J.J. Abrams movie. They had a cool replica of the original TV series Enterprise bridge, but they could have touch-up or repair some of the wear and tear from the previous exhibit. I really enjoyed the U.S.S. Enterprise-D hallway, they did a pretty good job. If you have been to the Vegas Star Trek Experience, then you have seen most of the items. At the end of the exhibit, you can purchase tickets for two Star Trek simulator rides. Overall, it was okay and enjoyable.
This was also my first time a the Tech Museum, it is quite enjoyable, however, we were forced out of the second floor because they had some sort of special event, but it wasn't posted anywhere informing guest that the floor will be closed, so I think they need to do a better job about posting and informing people.
It ain't bad. Yes, the reviewer who compared the Tech to other wonderful museums in Chicago is quite correct in saying this falls far short of them, in both breadth, intelligence, and design.
However, ya ain't got much choices in the Bay Area =) I could go on and on about how much better Chi-town is than 'The City' (I mean come on, a city that looks down on people who say 'SF' as if that was some faux pas? pleeease =D ), but that's for another review =)
Three levels, lots of stuff for the kiddies, and if it's your first time, lots of stuff for the grownups too. For some reason, one of the coolest things I like there, is the robot that can spell your name using real kids' letter blocks. It's just amazing how precisely it places each block; it's like a wood typewriter almost.
Another cool exhibit is the simulated roller-coaster, the course of which you can design. I didn't see it last time I was there, but I believe it comes and goes.
Also, on the roof there is a free SegWay demo. Pretty neat. And it's cool to be out on the roof.
Finally, as you exit, you get to see the mother of all Rube Goldberg machines. If my companion hadn't been a little bored, I could have sat and watched it for a good 20 minutes =)
A great places to take kids up to jr. high, for sure. A cool place to take a buddy or two if you are not in for a hike or a trip to the City. A great asset to the Bay Area overall.
So much fun! Took the kids to the museum, they spent hours looking at all the displays and now are incredibly hyped about all their science classes. The interactive displays are fun and teach guests how science works in a hands on environment. Extra bonus: the kids were so tired they slept like babies that night.
PS-- love the ball machine outside, and the domed theater... want one for my home.
My review is different than most due to we rented the entire place for a corporate event for 500ppl for an evening of cocktail, appetizers, dinner and some kick ass dancing with a DJ extraordinaire that kept the place rockin all night long!
We had all three floors to ourselves, it is geared for kids like the other reviews, all the exhibits were in working order.
This was a very special and memorable evening for me!
The Tech has so much positive energy :) A great place to have scientific conversations about black holes and other fascinating topics. The Star Trek exhibit is interesting, smaller than the Leo exhibit and much less overwhelming- has a bit of a Disneyland feel. The Museum is a great place for kids. The staff and volunteers are interested in interacting with you.
I went here once when I was in middle school (I believe) and twice in the last year, and I remember being very impressed the first time, and less so the second and third times (though I still had fun). Granted, none of these times did I make a special effort to go to any of the special exhibits going on, but I was able to explore the museum proper.
I second people saying that this place works better for kids, because all the children who were there the times I went recently seemed to be having good fun, and to be fair I enjoyed a bunch of the stuff at the place (including the earthquake simulator and the people appearing on all the TV sets). However, it seems like the museum hasn't updated one bit in the last 10 years, and for a place with "tech" in the title, it's embarrassing how out of date some of the computer-driven stuff is. Exhibits seem to be placed randomly, none of them have that "gee-whiz" factor that I love in other museums and entertainment destinations like Disneyland. However, it's hard to blame the Tech Museum since I'm sure they have a hard-time raising money, even in the heart of Silicon Valley. Really, it only needs a little bit of updating to be brought up to the times, but that hasn't happened yet.
But A+ for the Imax theater! It's the only "true" one I've even been to (not counting the faux Imax movie screens that seem to be proliferating), and watching the documentaries they show there has been a real treat. Granted, having to crane my neck to take in the entire picture (it's a dome, not a regular movie screen) was a bit painful, but it's really been a joy everytime.
This place is a whole lot of fun. Also has an IMAX if you're into seeing movies on a gigantic screen. Most of the time its exploration shows though. I went when they had the retro gaming exhibits. It was a blast from the past. Great for kids or kids at heart!!!
It's right across from the park. So visit during the holidays. its very festive.
Is this the best museum for ME that I've ever been to? No...I'm a scientist so I'm familiar with a lot of the info they're presenting and I like art and natural history museums better anyway. Am I just dying for my sister's kids to be old enough to really appreciate this museum? Absolutely! I'm an auntie who can think of no better use for her education than to teach her sister's kids everything she knows...and nothing could be better than the visuals at The Tech.
Honestly, I usually come here for the Imax movies. Save your money...don't come here for regular movies. The best reason to come here is for movies designed specifically for the dome theater. Well, that and the speaker show off at the beginning. I'd seriously come just for that...well, OK I want to see a good national geographic type movie too.
I love this place. Did I mention the fact that I'm bringing my sister's kids here...when they're, like, 12...or maybe 10. They're very smart.
Went here with my roommate and where he was slightly disappointed I was definitely okay with it. It's geared towards kids and as an adult you can breeze through the museum pretty quickly. Sometimes or at some ports, you definitely have to give in and just play to trully enjoy it. For that I think highly of the museum though I wish there was more.
Therefore: Take kids or take out your inner child and let them go to town. It's worth it.
This review is about the Star Trek exhibition on from October 23, 2009. You have to be a fan to appreciate this. It had a great collection of costumes and props from all the television shows and some movies. Descriptions of each character and some of the devices. Not a lot on the technology behind the show, or the future universe it inspired millions to believe in. There are three "sets" you can walk onto as part of the exhibit: the OS bridge, the NG transporter pad, and the Guardian of Forever. They take pictures on the bridge and transporter pad (photos for sale) but no pictures are allowed on the Guardian unless you sneak one when the guard's not around. They're pretty strict about photos. As you exit the exhibit, there are two motion simulator rides (made my sister sick, so I didn't even try), a gift shop, and a giant line of people wanting to see their photos. The entire exhibit had a lot of stuff but not much thought on the science, physics, or philosophy behind the success of the show. Not a lot of interactive exhibits. We had junior Trek-fan kids in tow, but unless they're really familiar with the show, I wouldn't recommend taking them.
The organization of this could have been done better. We would have been up for buying expensive photos of us on the bridge, but the line was HUGE and didn't move. I'm guessing it would have been over 30 minutes to wait (it was a Sunday afternoon). Ordering tickets online was a little hairy. I tried to order 8 tickets, got lured into buying a membership to get discount tickets, then had to reduce my ticket order to 5 because members were only allowed 5 discount tickets each. AFTER you buy tickets, it tells you it's emailing them to you to print at home in 5-10 minutes, but it never does. A call to the museum lets you know you can pick it up at the ticket counter with a receipt.
All in all, for a die-hard Trekkie like me it was fun, but I do wish they had done a bit more with it. If you're not a Trekkie, it's probably not a good buy for your money.
I come here about once a year or whenever they showcase a new exhibit. The place is super clean and the staff helpful and friendly. The pricing is reasonable and if you sign up for special passes or whatever it can be a real steal. But then again, who wants to come here all the freakin' time?
This is a great place for adults and kids. I can't wait to have some kids of my own to take here.
Kidding!
Great museum and lots of hands on stuff. It's a museum for all ages an it's not that much.I enjoy going there even as an adult. The things there are so much fun to play with plus i enjoy taking my nieces there to learn and play with the stuff there.
I was supremely disappointed. About 1 out of 3 interactive displays weren't working. In addition, the main attractions were various websites which didn't seem all that interesting considering the majority of people in the Bay are on the computer all day long. I just expected more...
This was a pretty cool place to take my nephews. Granted the day we went it was full of crazy screaming kids. All of the exhibits were well maintained although some of the kids were thrashing or jumping on it. I hope they keep it updated with fresh new stuff. Oh the the most important exhibit, the food bar needs to be larger.
The Tech Museum is now 10 years old. As a kid, downtown San Jose was a place that would have resonated with Gertrude Stein, there was no there there. The Tech played a critical role in the rejuvenation of downtown San Jose and remains an engaging place.
Coolest: Roller Coaster simulator
Best Pacific Rim adventure: Earthquake simulator
Best combo of brute fore and technology: arm wrestling with patrons from other science museum in the nation.
Dowdiest: fading graphics and malfunctioning interactives with the space exhibits.
Between The Tech and the Children's Museum, downtown is the place to be!
I'll try to be nice and objective, but coming from Chicago, where we have the Field Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Science and Industry, the Tech Museum is a fourth of the size it should be, given the "tech" industries in the area. Some of the exhibits are sort of good--the DIY roller coaster was fun, the IMAX (what is really an OmniMax) was pleasant, and most of the exhibits relating to genetics are hands-on friendly for little kids.
The charm ends there.
For a museum in the heart of one of the most high tech and wealthy areas of the world, the Tech Museum looks horribly out of date. The architectural spaces and circulation plans are ridiculously proportioned and suited more for corporate event planners. For a museum with myriad exhibits on solar power and conservation, not one iota of that knowledge is structured into the building. It's an ugly block without windows; spaces so completely wasted that the only unique feature is an escalator under a strange conical skylight feature that doesn't really do anything for the large open space. Some of the exhibits are laughably archaic--the Intel "clean room" is a paltry collection of plaques and replicas from what passed as a clean room from the mid 90s. For all the bikes dangling from the ceiling, not one exhibit really explained the physics behind cycling, nor why the bikes were up there (except perhaps to show off local bike shops).
I visited the museum in 1995 and this year. I expected much more my second time around.
Okay, this is a late review - I was at the tech for the Da Vinci exhibition earlier this year... but this is for the overall review and not the exhibition itself.
The good:
1. Got some interesting stuff - The solar energy displays, The entire chip production line and the earthquake machine in the underground floor is a nice touch.
2. kid friendly. This museum is very kid friendly.. at least halve of the stuff there are kids oriented.
3. Big gift shop with a lot of weird stuff that you usually find them only on-line or through speciality stores that you need to hunt down around towns.
The bad.
1. compaired to Exploratorium in SF, this place doesn't have as much of display as I expect it to have.
2. smallish - The tech itself isn't huge.. while it does have 3 stories, only 2 floors are actual displays while the main floor is the gift shop and dinning area... and occationally special display.
The Ugly:
Parking is on the street or at area parking garages - there is no in house parking at the tech.
Bottom line - Tech is a good little place to take the kiddies for an afternoon. But if you are either a real techie - wait until they have something extraordinary display - then go.
I really like this place, not only for children but for adults as well. It's a great learning experience. The staff is friendly and so are the customers. Its fun to explore the stores and the other parts of the museum.
Pricing is ok. Located downtown San Jose which is great to do other things before/after the showing.
Despite all the gummed up track balls, this place has a certain charm, particularly for the five year old nephew. he loved distorting the appearance of his second life character till it resembled a cross between wc fields and a punk rocker. he buried his head in my chest whenever a mummified corpse appeared on the imax screen. he was too timid to whack-a-spammer. he liked the robot arm that spelled out his name in blocks. he tried his hand at a simulated wheelchair race but it was hard for his 5 year old arms to roll the wheels. he liked looking at his thermal image. and the popcorn, cos he's not allowed to have junk food at home.
Maybe its coz I don't have any kids? or coz I've seen better?? but this museum is L-A-M-E..nothing innovative here..I would expect MUCH MORE from a tech museum in silicon valley
good thing the admission is FREE with IMAX - we just watched the Adrenaline Rush..amazing go see it
But since this review is about the museum itself, save yourself the trouble. It is only appealing for kids under 5..all the older kids looked bored to me..lol
Went to the Leonardo Da Vinci 500 years into the Future exhibit. http://www.yelp.com/bi... Got a deal on my tix from work, $20 instead of $25. Went on Friday at 3:30pm and didn't have to wait in line to enter the exhibit next door to the Tech Museum.
Easy parking at the SJ Convention Center Parking lot on the corner of San Carlos and Market, next to the Marriot. $5 with Tech museum validation at the Info desk. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/8/2007
The exhibits were weak and many were broken or closed down, like the previous reviews mentioned. I… Read more »
I went here when the "BRAIN" was in town. Met other parts of the body as well. OMG. The whole experience was amazing. Dried mummified whole human body....amazing! Body parts cut to reveal the inside, a baby inside a mother...WTH! All for science they say.
The museum itself is clean and organize. Cheerful people. They also have a cafeteria they make a decent tuna sandwiches. Downtown San Jose is getting better and better.
I have been twice, both coincidentally on the second Sunday of a month which means free admission. I didn't even know that going in. I have to say, even with free admission, I was pretty disappointed.
There are not as many interactive things as I would have liked and those that are interactive are pretty simple. Obviously, I am out of the target age range, but that leaves me with two problems. First, what are parents supposed to do while their children are playing with these simple exhibits? Second, I guarantee that as a child I would have been bored to tears with much of what is offered.
But my biggest complaint is that there are waaay too many broken exhibits. Exhibit is not the right word, but I am having trouble thinking of a more accurate word. The point is that much of the museum's attractions are in disrepair. Quite a few things had "Under Repair" signs on them, and many that didn't have signs were in need of repair as they didn't function properly.
Overall, it's decent. The free segway rides on the roof are awesome. The Imax is great. But I found most of what was offered boring or broken. Disappointing for the tech capital of the world.
Definitely catered for kids. The employees are super dumb though. I asked if there was a will-call line for the Imax and this one worker was like "NO, it's sold out". Well, obviously every single person can not make it on time to the showing. Just two seconds later, the manager told everyone that the will-call line was there and to get in line. What a dumb bit**. I stood there looking at her and she got moded. When I went into the Imax theater, there were about 20 extra seats. Lying is not cool.
I'm such a fan of museums so when I heard about The Tech Museum of Innovation I was ecstatic to hear it was local, inexpensive and had rotating exhibits that would tour in from time to time. I took a visit with my little one when Body Worlds was in town last year. Being an anatomy buff I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see something like that in person, especially after they featured it on the Oprah show.
The way it works at the tech is if you want to see one of the visiting exhibits you pay for that exhibits admission which also includes admission to the tech museum. Overall a great deal if you ask me! There's also discounts available for students or people with Military IDs just to give you all a heads up!
So the visiting exhibits from out of town are awesome. But the reason I gave The Tech museum such low ratings was because the museum itself isn't that great. A lot of the exhibits are old and outdated. There's no real specific order within the museum. It's almost like as if they put random exhibits together in different corners of the building, slapped some paint on the walls and opened themselves up for business.
Not great at all but really not the worst. I'm open to visiting again but only if something really cool has come into town.
This is a pretty interesting museum. I love coming here to watch IMAX movies. Very interesting. I came here with my mom cause it has been a long time since we have been here. She has a membership here, but never goes. Wierd. Anyways... get got there an hour before they close. So they let us in for free! Pretty kool. It was close to closing time and they were checking all of the rooms to make sure that everyone was out. I was in the back doing the wheel chair racing. I looked at my cell phone and saw that they were five minutes away from closing. Right as I approched the stairs, my cell phone rang and it was my mom asking me where i was. I told her that i was right at the stairs. I guess that they were about to lock the doors and they didnt believe that I was still up there. They kept telling my mom, "maam, no one is up there. we cleared all the rooms." but here i was, walking down the stairs. That was big shocker to the workers. Umm, they need to check and clear their rooms better. Cause if they did end up locking me in there all damn night, i would have been pretty pissed off.
My recommendation: Don't come here on a Free Day aka 2nd Sunday of the Month. Too many little kids hogging all the hands-on stations, and the little ones and their parents are cutting in line. So everything takes forever!
I'm not a techie kind of person. I wasn't super fascinated seeing micro chips nor was I interested in seeing a server. It was frustrating that some of the equipment there wasn't working properly. Some of the exhibits were more interesting than others, like creating your own web page and using the photos you took throughout the museum for it, a robot that can spell whatever you type out of wooden blocks, and the robot that could draw an image of you from a photo. It was neat how the your ticket kept a lot of the information of all the stations you stopped at. There was also a short performance/show about DaVinci. I didn't quite understand the plot line and it ended quite abruptly.
I wish the museum was bigger, and the Imax and DaVinci exhibit were cheaper. It's nice to come here on a rainy day, just wished the crowds and annoying kids would go away.
I love museums, although I may be a touch old (25) for this type of museum, I still get a kick out of them. Hoping for an Exploratorium like experience, I went to The Tech since it seemed interesting. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a let down.
Line for tickets was about a half an hour. Even the line at the new Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park moved quicker than this. Bright side, tickets are only $8 and that includes a film in their domed IMAX theater (which I thought was an OmniMAX theater, as it is called in the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, but I guess things are different out West).
Saw the film first, good times. IMAX is alright, what with the massive screen, but a domed screen provides a more encompassing experience that really pulls you in and makes you feel like you're actually there. You lose your sense of horizon as the entire room shifts (or looks like it does) on the screen. The usual panning vistas and epic views were present.
After the film I went to the museum proper (I skipped the DaVinci exhibit, which is gone by now anyhow) hoping to learn something or at least have fun. Your barcoded ticket was used on a lot of the 'exhibits' to allow you to upload something one place and then manipulate it somewhere else. Other places, it didn't seem any purpose other than to swipe it.
Either way, I found the exhibits to be decidedly mediocre and rather behind the times. The museum seemed to be cutting edge...circa 2000...but feels a good deal dated now. Exhibits were sometimes confusing or didn't actually provide any useful information. I honestly don't feel like I learned anything.
Highlight was building parachutes in the basement, that was kind of cool.
Either way, I found it to be a letdown. It was like a video game for your old Macintosh Performa 550, still probably enjoyable but not an eye opener. This museum could really use a complete make over to bring it up to date with the world of today. Two stars, one for the relatively low cost of admission and the other for the IMAX theater. None for the museum. Honestly, go the Exploratorium, it is a lot more fun and you'll probably learn a heckuva lot more.
Definitely not worth your time unless you're 10 and under or a parent with a child 10 and under because:
1. Front desk staff rude and unfriendly
2). Exhibits outdated and about 1/3 of them don't work properly in someway
3. 1000's of screeching kids running around getting in your way
I had been looking forward to going to this place for almost a year and it was a total letdown. This place is in the heart of Silicon Silicon Valley, the high-tech capital of the world, yet features outdated, boring computer related exhibits - most of which you could probably do on your home computer. The IMAX Theater was probably the best part of this place but the tacky concession stand outside selling overpriced crap was definitely out of place- especially since this place only shows 45 minute educational films, not Lord of the Rings...
My advice - unless you have kiddies, AVOID.
My Opinion/Story:
One day we were bored, my cousins and I went to downtown riding the VTA. We ended up close to The Tech so what else is there for us to do but to visit The Tech. It was my first time and I didn't know if we can even get in for free. Amazingly, the place is open for public and we decided to check out the different gadgets that they have. We ended up spending over 2 hours there just playing around the museum. It was fun for the first time. I wanted to see the Leonardo Da Vinci but we were short in cash. Otherwise, I'd recommend this place if you're trying to have fun for free. Fun and makes you find ways to entertain yourself.
My visit (with nieces ages 5 and 8) to The Tech Museum of Innovation was a delightful day filled with many hands-on and interactive exhibits ranging from exploring new advances in the field of genetics to testing out futuristic innovations to space exploration. Exploring science and technology at this level at the museum was both enriching and exciting! Here you will also find an IMAX Dome Theater.
Though some of the exhibits did not work, my nieces definitely had a wonderful time exploring all the exhibits and partaking in the supervised activities! The Tech Museum of Innovation is truly a great resource to have available to introduce science and technology to children (and in particular to get young girls interested in these fields).
Since we did not have enough time to see all of the exhibits in the museum, it is a given that my nieces and myself will return for another visit to The Tech Museum of Innovation!
Currently the admission price for the permanent exhibits only is $4.00 for all ages or $8.00 with an IMAX ticket.
Definitely worth a visit if you've never been.
I came here for the Leonardo: 500 Years Into the Future exhibit thanks to Connie C. for the free voucher passes!
I brought along 3 cousins of mine (aged 10-14) and after spending an hour or so in the Leonardo space, we decided to check out what else the Tech has to offer.
On the bottom floor, there are interactive supervised activities for younger children that involve innovation (inventions and gadgets) and alternative energy. Since my cousins were a little too old, we decided to skip this floor. We did see that it was quite popular and lots of kids seemed to be having fun.
On the very top floor, there are activities and exhibits that were quite entertaining for my cousins. We spent a lot of time here. They got to design safe rollercoasters (and simulate riding them), design bikes, got their heads 3-D scanned, learned about DNA and genetics, raced each other in wheelchairs, created music by pressing on lights, played a virtual marble maze tilt game, collected virtual activity cards, and interacted with robots!
My favorite activities involved the two robots in the open - the one that spells out words you type into the computer with letter blocks (how does it know where the correct letters are??), and the robot that draws your face using a pen based on the snapshot you took of yourself on the computer. My likeness turned out quite well (very impressive), and it turned out to be a nice free souvenir.
As previous reviewers have pointed out, the tech here isn't the most recent cool stuff, but I think the point of having this museum is to introduce technology to kids in a friendly and fun way. It's supposed to get them interested in science and technology and I think it succeeds. Although some things didn't work or weren't available, and some exhibits and activities could definitely use a makeover, my cousins had a great time.
I don't know if I'd come back for myself, but if any of my other cousins want to visit, I'll definitely bring them to get them excited about technology and learning.
Ok...so this place has a history with me...
My dad took my sister and I back in...1995 I guess? Before they really redid it. Well, I was coming down with an illness that day so the trip was pretty bad. For years after that I bantered with my dad about the hi-tech museum, because like an annoying little kid I was always going "the tech museum! Remember that? Bad!" But my dad is an easy going guy so he just laughed all the time, every time.
Anyway, several years later I went again and was amazed. This place is fantastic! Fascinating exhibits all over the place and it's a wondrous adventure for any kid or adult alike. I remember they had this virtual bobsled deal where it's kind of similar to one of those motion rides and it rocked.
I take back my earlier childhood years of dissing this place and congratulate my father on the discovery!
Back in the day when I was a California public school Bill Nye the Science Guy idolizing whelp on field trip to the Tech Museum of Innovation, that place was the shit with a wiffle ball bat! Of course how can one hope to recapture in one's adulthood the magic that only a green mind like a child's could perceive in the world--what are we talking about here, Disneyland?
So with my expectations resting snugly upon that rock-bottom, perfectly reasonable assumption, I headed out with a couple of acquaintances from out of town and shelled out 8-bucks for admission to this once hallowed ground of childhood discovery. If anything, perhaps it would be kind of novel to revisit a childhood landmark as an adult.
Any novelty quickly passed, like corn through the digestive system. Now, I am waging an epic struggle to maintain perspective here, to remember with a child's memory and not judge from my slightly jaded adult's point-of-view...
...Nah, fuck that noise, the place disappointed in every way possible. I could hear my inner child being taken out back by Khmer Rouge officers and shot at point blank. The exhibits had not changed since I was an elementary school field-tripper and the years were showing. Many exhibits weren't functional at all.
Then there was the Rube Goldberg art film. You knew the device was meant to achieve some mundane task in the most tediously circuitous way possible, but this Rube Goldberg machine was inside a dark, horror-flick caliber warehouse and was comprised of volatile chemical reactions and pyrotechnics. We were instantly entranced and planted ourselves before the television screen to find out just what the ultimate function of this machine would be.
45-minutes later, nothing happened and the movie ended. Just. Like. That. No orange was juiced, no eggs were fried, no toast was ejected from a toaster. Gyp me with false pretensions of space-age technological innovation, shame on me. Tease my anticipation-tensed mind with 45-minutes of soul-sucking pointlessness once I'm there, shame on you.
On the other hand, we did find a random educational children's book prefaced by Tom Waits at one of the exhibits. Can you imagine him reading to a group of kids? Trippy, non?
