Children's Discovery Museum
Two floors' worth of exhibits and activities include a history of bubbles, a maze, face painting, and all
sorts of things to keep children busy and thinking. The museum is a giant, jagged purple building
straddling Guadalupe River Park, so picnics are a common plan for visitors. CDM is right on the light
rail station, which makes public transportation a snap. (408) 298 5437.
Paramount's Great America
Northern California's only movie-themed park blends movie magic with theme park thrills. This is a huge
theme park filled with thrill rides, cabaret shows, and all sorts of things for the kids to do. Many special
events take place throughout the season, including encounters with Klingons, making merry with
Tweety and great musical acts in concert. Open April through mid-October. (408) 988-1776, (800)
209-2275.
Santana Row
Santana Row is the new urban district, a magnet for shopping, dining, entertainment and
accommodations in North San Jose. With 42 acres at the corner of Stevens Creek & Winchester Blvds.,
and 528K square feet of luxury, lifestyle and "new concept" boutique retail, Santana Row redefines the
entire destination experience. There is something for the entire family: 14 full service restaurants;
twice-weekly farmers market; WiFi Internet access zones; Hotel Valencia world-class boutique hotel;
outdoor cafes, public parks, gardens, plazas and courtyards; and 6-screen CineArts complex (opening
soon). Developed by Federal Realty Investment Trust, Santana Row is a $531 million project that
successfully combines the best elements of an urban plaza with the convenience and variety of a mall.
Santana Row, it's a place like no other. (408) 551 4600
Tech Museum of Innovation
Hands-on, imaginative, high-tech exhibits showcase the past, present, and future of Silicon Valley. The
museum is also home to a state-of-the-art IMAX Dome Theater. 201 South Market St., San Jose 95113.
(408) 294-TECH.
San Jose Museum of Art
There is something for everyone here: contemporary art, lectures, concerts, tours, book signings,
special events and even programs for children. The museum has been host to many outstanding traveling
shows and has been a champion of local artists. The museum bookstore offers a nice selection of usual
museum merchandise such as books, tote bags and greeting cards. The museum cafe, under the
direction of celebrity chef Kevin Baker, offers a wonderful rotating menu of seasonal delights. It is
worth a trip in and of itself. Admission is free. (408) 294 2787.
Rosicrucian Museum and Planetarium
Tombs, mummies and all sorts of ancient Egyptian artifacts await you at one of the tourist hotspots of
San Jose. The place is in beautiful Rosicrucian Park, with palm trees and Egyptian-style buildings
everywhere. The museum itself contains an extensive array of artifacts, jewelry and displays of Egyptian
antiquity. Especially fun is the tour in the cavernous tomb below the museum. You will get a great look
at what life was like in ancient Egypt. (408) 947 3636
Lick Observatory
About an hour's drive up Mount Hamilton Road you will find one of the world's largest telescopes, with
a diameter of ten feet. Situated atop the 4,209-foot Mount Hamilton, the observatory dates back to the
late 19th century, when it was one of the finest facilities of its kind anywhere in the world. It is still
impressive, though the modern influx of light pollution has become a problem for some types of
astronomical observations. The visitor's center offers many tours and viewing events during specific
nights. (408) 274-5061.
