Museums in the U.S. are no longer the quiet and boring, “look but don’t touch” spaces they used to be. Today, many museums are designed to engage visitors with interactive exhibits, making learning a fun and hands-on experience for families. Say goodbye to the old school library-like museums. Here’s a list of 10 of the most fun and interactive museums in America that are perfect for families.
1. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, Indiana)
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum in the world and offers a wide array of exhibits designed to inspire kids of all ages. It features interactive displays that cover topics like dinosaurs, space, culture, and sports. A highlight is the Dinosphere, where visitors can walk among life-sized dinosaur skeletons and fossils. The museum is a 482,950 square-foot facility, so wear comfortable shoes and expect to spend an entire day here.
Highlights
- National Geographic Treasures of the Earth: view such treasures as an ancient Egyptian tomb, and Captain Kidd’s shipwreck.
- ScienceWorks: Interactive science experiments.
- Take Me There: A global cultural exhibit where kids can experience different cultures.
The fun doesn’t end indoors. Around a dozen sports activities can be found outside at the Riley’s Children’s Health sports Legends Experience like mini-golf, basketball and and car racing. However some activities are seasonal and may not always be available.
2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington, D.C.)
The National Air and Space Museum is a favorite for families interested in space and aviation. It’s packed with historic aircraft, spacecraft, and interactive exhibits that cover everything from the Wright brothers to modern-day space exploration. Kids can engage in simulators that let them fly a plane or explore space in virtual reality.
Highlights
- Apollo 11 Command Module: See the spacecraft that landed astronauts on the moon.
- Star Trek Starship Enterprise Studio model.
- Planetarium shows that reveal the mysteries of space.
3. Exploratorium (San Francisco, California)
The Exploratorium is a museum of science, art, and human perception that encourages visitors to interact with the exhibits. Located on Pier 15 in San Francisco, this museum is a world of hands-on discovery where visitors can experiment with physics, biology, and psychology. The museum has 6 exhibits located both in and outside the museum.
Highlights
- Tactile Dome: A pitch-black maze that tests your sense of touch.
- Human Phenomena: Explore how the body works through interactive displays.
- Outdoor Exhibits: Hands-on experiments overlooking the San Francisco Bay.
4. American Museum of Natural History (New York, New York)
Known for its impressive dinosaur skeletons, the American Museum of Natural History offers a range of exhibits on animals, cultures, and the natural world. From the iconic blue whale hanging from the ceiling to interactive dioramas that bring ecosystems to life, this museum is both educational and thrilling for families.
Highlights
- The Hall of Dinosaurs, featuring a T. rex skeleton.
- Walk through a greenhouse filled with butterflies at the Butterfly Conservatory
- Hayden Planetarium, which showcases the wonders of the universe.
5. The Field Museum (Chicago, Illinois)
The Field Museum is known for its extensive collections of natural history, especially the famous T. rex skeleton named “Sue,” the largest and most complete of its kind ever discovered by Sue Hendrickson in 1990. The museum offers hands-on discovery areas where kids can dig for fossils or explore an ancient Egyptian tomb.
Highlights
- Unseen Oceans: sit in a submersible that simulates an underwater adventure with 180 degree screens to watch life-sized ocean creatures swim by
- Underground Adventure: A simulated journey through the soil.
- Inside Ancient Egypt: A recreation of an Egyptian tomb with mummies.
6. The Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago, Illinois)
One of the largest science museums in the world, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is packed with interactive exhibits that allow kids to explore everything from a real U-505 German submarine to a full-size replica of a coal mine.
Highlights
- 007 Science: explore the iconic cars, gadgets and props from the James bond movies.
- Science Storms: Explore the forces of nature through interactive displays.
- Wires to Wheels: Learn about the future of transportation.
7. The Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester, New York)
The Strong National Museum of Play is entirely dedicated to play and fun. It houses the world’s largest collection of toys, dolls, and video games, offering kids a chance to explore the history of play. The museum houses a 17,000 square-foot outdoor Hasbro Game Park and includes a 15-foot-high version of Chutes and Ladders.
Highlights
- The National Toy Hall of Fame: See classic toys that have stood the test of time.
- Superhero Hall of Fame: Learn about the history of superheroes.
- Interactive video game displays where kids can play classic arcade games.
8. California Science Center (Los Angeles, California)
The California Science Center offers interactive exhibits on topics ranging from the environment to space exploration. Its most famous exhibit is the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which is displayed in a large pavilion. The museum also features an IMAX theater and hands-on activities for kids to learn about science and technology.
Highlights
- Space Shuttle Endeavour: Walk under and around this massive shuttle.
- Ecosystems: Explore various ecosystems, from deserts to rainforests.
- World of Life: Learn about the human body and other life forms through hands-on activities.
9. The Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest science museums in the country. It features interactive exhibits on space, the human body, and electricity, among other topics. The museum is best known for its giant walk-through heart, where visitors can explore the human circulatory system.
Highlights
- Tons of different puzzles and brain games
- Electricity Exhibit: Hands-on demonstrations of how electricity works.
- The IMAX Theater and planetarium shows.
10. Discovery Place Science (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Discovery Place Science has rotating exhibits that cover a wide range of science topics. This helps keep the museum fresh and engaging. Kids can build structures, explore the human body, or even take part in a virtual reality experience.
Highlights
- Think It Up: A creative space where kids can design, build, and test ideas.
- Project Build: A hands-on engineering exhibit.
- Rainforest Adventure: Explore the animals and plants of a tropical rainforest.