In the Twin Cities there is a Children's Museum (in St. Paul) and a Children's Theater (in Minneapolis). Both have excellent reputations. In fact, the Children's Theater productions usually sell out well in advance.

Went to Indianapolis with the kids. We really enjoyed the Children's Museum there. It was a fantastic place. The kid in me enjoyed it as mush as my kids. Also, the Oklahoma City area has a very good interactive, scientific Childrens museum. The newer science museum in LA, near USC is ok. Have never been to the Children's Museum in Chicago at Navy Pier -- everytime I have been by there is just seemed too expensive for what you might get, especially after being at the Indianapolis Museum.

I second the nomination for St. Louis, MO. It's centrally located, so travel from almost any part of the US is "drive-able" and airfares and hotel prices are 'Midwest reasonable' The City Museum there (www.citymuseum.org) is the BEST Children's museum in the country! Hands down. Plus, the St. Louis Science Center has a wonderful children's wing, there's Grant's Farm (an outdoor zoo owned & operated by the Anheuser-Busch companies). Plus the St. Louis Zoo is only of the few remaining FREE admission zoos in the country. Hope you'll pick St. Louie!!

Though a mid-size city, Winston-Salem, NC has a fascinating children's museum, including a museum of toys, centered around that city's Old Salem neighborhood, the excellently and authentically restored 18th century Moravian village that gave birth to modern Winston-Salem.

My vote is for two museums that we've been to quite often: Omniplex in Oklahoma City, and Exploration Place in Wichita, KS. Both are great for kids and adults! As for St. Louis, it was all right, but so incredibly crowded that my kids couldn't enjoy it!<BR>

Las Vegas of all places! <BR><BR>The Lied Discovery Childrens Museum (www.ldcm.org) is terrific, and Vegas is also home to a very good Natural History Museum. There is also a dolphin habitat (Mirage Hotel), a lion-cub habitat (MGM hotel) and a wildlife habitat around the pool at the Flamingo. <BR><BR>Many people balk at the idea of taking kids to Las Vegas, but if you keep the focus on kid's activities and forget about the adults, you will be surprised at everything that you find to keep busy. Not to mention beautiful Lake Mead just 40 minutes away.

Off the beaten path, but very good....Leonardo's in Enid, OK. Took my kids there about a year and a half ago. They have a fabulous outdoor playground that the kids can climb all over. Inside there are tons of hand-on exhibits and play areas--a dress-up area, arts &amp; crafts, carpenter's workshop, music room and so much more. We spent an entire day there and still were not really finished when it was time for us to leave. This web site tells a little about it.<BR><BR>http://www.lasr.net/leisure/oklahoma/garfield/enid/att4.html<BR><BR>

As a mother of three children, I stronly recommend the Indianapolis Children's Museum. Our family has been there several times both when we lived there and thereafter. The St.Louis Science Center is very good too, but , Indianapolis is an all-around interesting place for the kids.

The Exploratorium in the Palace of Fine Arts complex in San Francisco. Totally hands-on, fun-with-science place, and just as much fun for adults.

Couldn't believe I had to read as far down as McBrandt before the fantastic City Museum in St. Louis was mentioned. I grew up in St. Louis and can't stand the place, but the City Museum alone is worth going for. SF Exploratorium is also wonderful. But City Museum is really unique. Fun for adults, too!

Going back to New York, in addition to the aforementioned CMOM (Children's Museum of Manhattan) on the upper west side and the Brooklyn Children's Museum (www.bchildmus.org) - the world's first children's museum founded in 1899 - there's also the Children's Museum of the Arts (CMA) on Lafayette in downtown Manhattan.<BR><BR>We've also been to the one in Denver - very nice.

I have taken my 5 children many times to the Liberty Science Center outside of NYC (in NJ) and it has never failed to keep thier interest. You will be a stones throw from lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty and will have amazing views. I also have a second for the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Total hands on experience.<BR><BR>Have fun where ever you end up.

I love the International Children's Museum in Santa Fe. So imaginative and fun. Santa Fe is not considered a major city, but you will think so after you have visited there.

We love the Boston and Portland, ME Children's Museums!!!!!!

Houston's is good

One of the top ten children's museums is in Rochester, NY - the Strong Museum. There is a Sesame Street section, Mr. Rogers, Kids Super Market etc.

St. Louis has a terrific children's museum, The Magic House. They've expanded it over the years to include all kinds of great exhibits and things. Very hands-on. The City Museum downtown is also a lot of fun for children.

Ottawa has a Children's Museum inside the Museum of Civilazation.

And Toronto has The Ontario Science Centre, which is sort of a museum, and while adults like it, it really is a place for children. Tehre's a new little kids section opened recently, too.

BAK

I wonder if cindyloo had any particular reason for reviving a 2-year-old thread.

Well Anon. - you and I read it - must have some sort of lasting value, don't 'ya think?