Location: San Jose
Top Things to do in San Jose
Countries
9 Specialty Museums in San Jose That You Shouldn't Miss
Welcome to bustling San Jose, where Silicon Valley meets Spanish history and modern edifices sit alongside meticulously restored 19th-century buildings. Such is the contrast of this city rich in tradition and, thanks to the tech industry, just plain rich. Five star-hotels and fine restaurants line the streets of the restored downtown area, and the cultural scene is thriving with museums, theater and art to rival any world-class hub. Don't miss the Tech Museum of Innovation, an exploration of Silicon Valley and its impact on the area. History buffs will relish the old mansions and can delve into the city's past at the History Museum of San Jose. Save time for a round of golf or the locals' other favorite pastime, sipping coffee and people-watching at a crowded cafe.
Restaurants in San Jose
1. Japanese American Resource Center/Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
The Japanese American Museum of San Jose's (JAMsj)mission is to collect, preserve, and share Japanese American art, history, and culture with an emphasis on the Greater Bay Area.
2. Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By karimexicogdl - Guadalajara, Mexico
It’s such a beautiful collection inside the public library, there’s thousands of books, albums, documents, art, etc. The paradise of Beethoven’s world in America. Must visit when in California!
3. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 914 reviews
Architecturally inspired by the Temple of Amon at Karnak, it houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in western North America, including objects from pre dynastic times through Egypt's early Islamic era.
Reviewed By 12jerald
Came into the museum with the intention of killing time. The museum offered many detailed explanations about the history of Egypt, along with various cool and interesting artifacts and depictions.
4. New Almaden Mercury Mining Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Trace the history of local quicksilver mining at this interesting specialty museum.
Reviewed By interceptpubs - Columbus, United States
Today, most people think of the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill as the defining moment in early California history. The resulting gold rush of 1849 brought thousands of prospectors and settlers to the territory won from Mexico just the year before in the aftermath of the Mexican War and accelerated the process to statehood which followed just a year later in 1850. However, the sudden discovery of California gold was foreshadowed by an earlier discovery of mineral wealth in the region that in many ways was just as remarkable, yet today is almost completely forgotten. It happened in this small community just outside of present-day San Jose. Local Ohlone Indians first found samples of a red rock in the area that they found useful as a pigment, using it to paint their bodies a bright red. Other Indian tribes also coveted the red pigment. Indeed, Indians from as far away as modern-day Walla Walla, Washington came to trade and fight for this valuable material. Spanish settlers also found the deposits of the red rock in the early 1820s and, thinking that they might contain silver or even gold, tried their hand at mining but were unable to extract any precious metals. It wasn't until 1845 that the deposits were properly identified. Andreas Castillero, a Captain in the Mexican Army who also happened to be a mining engineer, was visiting the area and realized that the red rocks were cinnabar, a source of quicksilver or mercury. In many respects, the discovery was fortuitous as mercury was essential in refining gold and silver at that time. It was less fortuitous for Castillero whose services were soon required to fight in the Mexican War, forcing him to sell his mining rights to an English firm that named the site New Almaden after the world's largest mercury mining operation in Spain. In the end, the New Almaden mine developed into the world's second largest mercury mine and richest single mineral deposit in California, ironically even more valuable than any of the gold mines in California – eventually $70 million (in period dollars) of mercury was produced before mining ceased around 1910. This fine little museum of the history of cinnabar in the region and of the mining operation that capitalized on the find is fittingly housed in the impressive La Casa Grande. Originally built as a hotel in 1854, it latter served as the mine superintendent's office and home. The parlor, library and drawing room have been restored as they would have appeared during the period of the mine's operation, while other rooms provide museum displays with photos, artifacts, and even models of the mine and the refining operation used to liberate the quicksilver from the ore. On our visit, we got a private tour (mainly because we were the only visitors there at the time) of the museum by a docent and then left on our own to explore the exhibits in more detail. There's even a nice little gift shop where you can buy souvenirs and books on the history of the mine and the area. We actually learned a lot while talking with the volunteers while perusing the books in the gift shop – they were very friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly proud of the history of this almost forgotten chapter in California history. The only downside is that for most the year, the museum is only open three days a week (Fridays through Sundays) from 10 to 4 (there are expanded hours in the Summer). Sadly, we see online that the museum is currently closed due to the pandemic.
5. California Trolley and Railroad Corporation
6. The Tech Interactive
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 964 reviews
*The Tech Interactive is closed through Tuesday, March 31. For more information about our response to COVID-19 please visit thetech.org/covid-19. The Tech Interactive is a family-friendly hands-on science and technology center located in the heart of downtown San Jose, California. It has become a landmark for visitors seeking a glimpse of the most inventive place on Earth — Silicon Valley. The Tech is dedicated to inspiring the innovator in everyone. With 132,000 square feet of fun, hands-on experiences and one of-a-kind floor programs, The Tech unleashes your creative sparks. Enjoy the largest IMAX dome screen in the West —and the first in the world with a 4K laser projector. You'll see amazing documentaries come to life on an eight-story-high screen and digital surround-sound system.
Reviewed By udaykumarh2015 - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
San Jose Tech Interactive – A Place of Learning I visited the admired Tech Museum on 15 September (Sunday). The facility of advance booking is available. After reaching, we took the ticket for the show, “Volcano” in IMAX. The show was thrilling. The Tech is a science and technology center in San Jose, California, in Silicon Valley. It is located adjacent to a famous Plaza in Downtown San Jose. The Tech mentions that it is a world leader in the creation of immersive STEAM education resources to develop the next generation of problem-solvers locally, nationally and globally. The Tech further believes that everyone is born as an innovator who can change the world for the better. The Tech Museum, in 2015, was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honour a United States museum, science center or cultural institution can achieve. As on date, The Tech Interactive welcomes half a million visitors each year. Through programs such as The Tech Challenge, its annual team design competition for youth, and internationally renowned programs such as “The Tech for Global Good”, which honours people doing work to benefit humankind. Furthermore, The Tech celebrates the present and encourages the development of innovative technology for a more promising future. In my iPhone, I took some photos which I am posting with brief description.
7. History San Jose
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 33 reviews
This multi-dwelling museum occupies 26 acres and is comprised of old buildings, ancient artifacts and sacred grounds that tell the story of San Jose and its surrounding area.
Reviewed By zoepham63 - San Francisco, United States
We planned to visit Japanese Friendship garden only. We had no idea about the Historical museum and electric car. Yet, it was a sunny day so we decided to have a nice walk around the park as the Japanese Garden was in dry season without much to see. Highly recommend any visitor to try the cable car running through history museum through Japanese garden. Even a short ride still worth it. Also, try to spend time in history museum, including Trolley Barn to learn about the maintenance and operation of e-car. There are numerous things to see and learn about San Jose history as Pacific Hotel, Print Shop, etc. PARKING next to that museum is FREE rather than $6 at Kelley Park for Japanese garden.
8. San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 76 reviews
At the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, our mission is to share and celebrate the art and culture of textiles.
9. American Firearms Museum
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 6 reviews
Housed in the quirky Winchester mansion complex, this museum features several famous weapons and traces the history of the Winchester firearms empire.
