Indoor places for a rainy day in San Jose
6 places in San Jose where the weather does not matter: a hands-on children’s museum, a science museum with an IMAX dome, mummies and a tomb replica, an art museum downtown, a Victorian mansion of stairs to nowhere, and a bowling and entertainment centre with an arcade.
Two floors of hands-on exhibits - water play, a mammoth dig, a cardboard maze - plus the outdoor Bill's Backyard with gardens and live animals. The anchor kid attraction of downtown San Jose; plan three to four hours.
Silicon Valley's hands-on science museum: robotics, VR experiences, and an IMAX dome, $38 adults / $28 kids 3-17 including one IMAX film. Best for roughly ages 5 and up; grab VR time slots right when you walk in.
The largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on display in western North America - mummies, a tomb replica, the works. $15 adults, $10 kids 7-17, under 7 free; open Friday through Sunday only.
A right-sized art museum downtown where kids 17 and under are free (adults $20) and family programs run regularly. Two hours here pairs well with the Tech across the street.
A Victorian mansion of stairs to nowhere and doors that open onto walls, with house tours ($25-40) and a garden tour that works with a stroller. The house tour is all narrow stairs - better for ages 6+ and kids who like spooky.
A 59-lane bowling and entertainment center with an arcade and kid-friendly food. Daytime and early evening are the family hours; ask for bumpers and a ramp when you book the lane.
Easy meals