
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, San Jose (must see)
Located in downtown San Jose on Woz Way—a street named after Apple co-founder and major museum benefactor Steve "Woz" Wozniak—the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose (CDM) is a vibrant hub of hands-on learning and exploration. Since opening its doors in 1990, CDM has welcomed over 6 million visitors and earned a reputation as one of the top children’s museums in the United States, with accolades from Child Magazine and The London Observer recognizing it as a leader in interactive science education.
Housed in a striking 52,000-square-foot purple building designed by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, the museum is an architectural landmark in itself. Legorreta’s signature use of vivid color, geometric forms, and light is evident throughout—shifting violet hues on the building’s surface interact with the sun, shadows, and seasons to create a dynamic visual experience.
CDM is known for its interactive, open-ended exhibits that encourage self-directed learning through play. The museum’s programs, such as BioSITE and Discovery Youth, are built around themes of community, creativity, and connection, offering sustained educational engagement for young minds. More than just a place to visit, the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose serves as an innovative learning environment designed to meet the diverse needs of children and families across the Bay Area and beyond.
Housed in a striking 52,000-square-foot purple building designed by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, the museum is an architectural landmark in itself. Legorreta’s signature use of vivid color, geometric forms, and light is evident throughout—shifting violet hues on the building’s surface interact with the sun, shadows, and seasons to create a dynamic visual experience.
CDM is known for its interactive, open-ended exhibits that encourage self-directed learning through play. The museum’s programs, such as BioSITE and Discovery Youth, are built around themes of community, creativity, and connection, offering sustained educational engagement for young minds. More than just a place to visit, the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose serves as an innovative learning environment designed to meet the diverse needs of children and families across the Bay Area and beyond.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Jose. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ϳԹ: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose on Map
Sight Name: Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Sight Location: San Jose, USA (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Jose, USA (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Jose, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Jose
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Jose is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
San Jose Museums Tour
The capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is full of discovery and innovation. Also, steeped in history – established since 1777 – the city has born witness to numerous chapters of American past. When it comes to culture, education and recreation, the local museums are a perfect destination for solo adventurers new to the area.
Here, among other things, you can:
- get hands-on with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Here, among other things, you can:
- get hands-on with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
San Jose Downtown Walking Tour
San Jose is California's third-largest city and the second-largest city in Northern California. From 1849 to 1851, San Jose served as the state's first capital, which is still a local source of pride. The city has formally incorporated in 1850 and has been a center of innovation from the late 19th century, starting with agriculture and food processing.
During World War II, several... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
During World War II, several... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
San Jose Public Art Walking Tour
This walking tour, “Public Art as Resistance in San José,” highlights the history of resistance and public art in downtown San José and begins on the urban university campus, San José State University. Starting from the first two works of art on campus, you’ll find that these 12 works of public art are among many in this area. However, this particular walking tour considers how San... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.0 Km or 3.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.0 Km or 3.7 Miles