Cassandra

I have been to Boston's and Chicago's and think them both wonderful for children and, actually, kind of fun for adults with those children. But couldn't think of a comparable museum in other major cities -- e.g., NYC. Which cities have one and which Children's Museum is the best, in your experience?

SaraLou

New Orleans has a fun children's museum. It also has a great zoo and aquarium. My kids liked all 3.

xaimimgr

Indianapolis, IN has a great children's museum. In fact, voted No.1 by some org.

wantsomesun

Isure agree that Chicago and Boston have some great museums that are geared for kids, but take a look at NYC....for example......

The Museum of Natural History, great exhibts and many are kid oriented like the hall of Ocean, minerals, dinosaurs, space, IMAX theatre.

The Liberty Science Center, actually in NJ, but there is a ferry that goes over from the World Financial area, and it is a kid museum, with lots of hands on exhibts.

The Zoos and there are several, one in each Borough and of course the Bronx Zoo.

The Aquarium at Coney Island, very kid friendly and several good hands on exhibits.

Museum of Radio and Television. Good programs there and traveling exhibits too.

If you get a New York Magazine, there are listings for kids so if you are planning a trip you can see in advance what will be available.

Hope this helps a bit.

Anthony

NYC actually does have a children's museum - several blocks away from the Natural History @ 84th St between Broadway & Amsterdam. I think the name is Tish children's Museum. It's small, and kind of pricey. The museum has 'themed' exhibits, where the whole museum is dedicated to a single theme for months at a time; Peanuts, Winnie the Pooh, & Dr. Suess are some of the past themes they have done. It's ok - best for little kids under 6.

nyer

In addition to children's programs and things of interest to kids at the museums (and others )thatwantsomesun mentioned, NYC has at least 2 actual children's museums
Children's Museum of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Children's Museum.
The Manhattan one (http://www.cmom.org/)is best suited for kids about 4-9 or so, and has some very impressive exhibits and interactive spaces.
Look at http://www.childrensmuseums.org/ for choices in other cities

DavidDJ

The Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose is very nice.

www.cdm.org

mizscarlett

I haven't been there, but friends of mine highly recommend the Science museum in St. Louis. There is also an excellent zoo in St. Louis. The zoo is free and I believe the Science museum is also.

While not what you consider a major city, Wichita, KS has a terrific Science center as well. Also went to a Science Center in Cleveland that was excellent. Both have exhibits that appeal to kids and adults alike.

I agree that the Chicago children's museum is great. My kids had a blast there.

soccr

I think Cassandra was specifying museums actually called "Children's Museum." Lots of museums -- esp. science museums like Columbus Ohio's wonderful COSI -- are pitched to families and education of children, and many have sections devoted to kids, but not all municipalities have been able to get funding for a museum devoted 100% to children.

Paul

Houston has an excellent Children's Museum!

MINA_VAMP

New Orleans and New York City both have excellent museums for children.

EmilySD

Although it isn't a major city, Palm Springs, technically Rancho Mirage, has a wonderful children's museum. We spent several hours there in October. Mostly for kids under 6yrs.

We have really enjoyed the Indianapolis museum also, it even has a carousel inside and a toddler area.

robertw

Charlotte, NC has a great educational / children's museum called Discovery Place. Its right downtown, and I think Fodors has info on it.

Columbia, SC is building a children's museum / science complex called EdVenture. It is located in The Vista on the river greenway. Its close to the SC State museum. Should be completed by Fall 2003 / Winter 2004.

rbw

We planned vacations around children's museums when our kids were younger. Don't overlook mid-size cities. In the midwest, Indianapolis is the best, also Chicago has some good suburban museums one in DuPage & the other in Wilmette. Grand Rapids http://www.grcm.org was my kids favorite and not too far from Lake Michigan beaches.

VictoriaK

Washington, DC has the Capitol Children's Museum. A little "well-worn," but has great activities for children.

kp

Milwaukee has the Betty Brinn museum--it is wonderful!

al

REPLY TO OLD FORUM: I hear Michael Jackson has a great Children's Museum.

REPLY TO NEW FORUM: Indianapolis.

suse

Philadelphia has several children's museaum. The Franklin Institute is amazing and the Children's Museum is really nice. The art museum has medieval exhibits, Asia exhibits and other things that interest even young kids. Philadelphia hotels often run package deals that include tickets to museums.

Maureen04

I second the Franklin Institue in Philadelphia. Depending on the ages of your children, across the street is the Please Touch Museum for younger kids, which is great fun, too. Also in Washington, DC, we just went to an incredible museum called The International Spy Museum. Check it out, all of my kids ages 16 to 3, really enjoyed it.

Keith

Kansas City has "Science City." Though they bring in some good traveling exhibits, Science City isn't very well done and is likely to be appreciated by only the _very_ young.

In KC I would recomend the Toy & Minature Museum and Hallmark's Kaleidoscope.

Keith