Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting
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Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

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By Emma Burne 01 Jul, 2025 at 03:29 pm
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Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

Forget the "don't touch" signs—these museums need your kids to climb, sprinkle, construct, and investigate! Children's museums all over the U.S. are reinventing the way of learning by turning it into an adventure. From towering science centers to pint-sized cities where kids run the show, these interactive spots are must-visits for curious small travelers—and lovely fun for adults as well. Here are a few of the best children's museums in the US that bring creative ability to life.

Children's Museum – Indianapolis, Indiana

Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

At The Children's Gallery of Indianapolis, kids step into a world where they can burrow for fossils, climb rocks, race vessels, and observe a shining glass tower made by Dale Chihuly. Shows like "Dinosphere" and "Science Works" make learning hands-on and fun. Admission includes access to all normal shows and free parking. Families can get snacks or lunch at the on-site café, offering everything from mac and cheese to new servings of mixed greens. Family membership offers year-round access and special advantages, whereas qualifying families can appreciate extra benefits through the Access Pass program, making exposure more interesting and energizing.

Please Touch Museum – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

Established in 1976, Philadelphia's Please Touch Museum was the first in the USA, made particularly for kids under age seven—and it's still a favorite nowadays. The historical center welcomes children to explore science and nature through practical play in inventive shows like City Capers, Flight Daydream, and Wonderland. In hotter months, families can explore the outdoor Please Touch Garden, where small ones can burrow for bugs, learn about composting, and enjoy nature-based creations. The on-site café even uses products from the garden's plants. There's also a charming Playhouse Theater with kid-friendly shows and a carousel ride that's a hit.

Top hotels in Philadelphia:

California Science Center – Los Angeles, California

Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

The California Science Center in Los Angeles may be an ideal spot for a fun-filled, educational family day. With free general affirmation, it offers hands-on shows that bring science to life, like Environments, Imaginative World, and World of Life, where kids can investigate everything from sea living spaces to human cells. It's a place where learning feels like play. Families can get a nibble at the on-site café, which serves an assortment of hot and cold meals for both kids and grown-ups. Parking is accessible adjacent, and the museum makes it simple to spend a full, motivating day investigating together.

Top hotels in Los Angeles:

Children's Museum of Houston – Houston, Texas

Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

The Children's Museum of Houston is where creative energy takes center stage and curiosity runs wild. This wonderland invites kids ages 1 to 12 with open doors and open minds—every day of the week. Thursday evenings are extraordinary, with free entry for families to explore without limits. From high-tech Cyber Chase missions to hands-on eco experiences and build-it-yourself zones, each show may be a chance to learn through play. Come in the fall, the exhibition hall changes with harvest-themed fun and moon-inspired magic. And just in time for school, they even offer free vaccinations—because growing minds require a better start as well.

Top hotels in Houston:

Children's Museum of Phoenix – Phoenix, Arizona

Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

Step into a world where the adventure leads the way and each corner welcomes discovery at the Children's Museum of Phoenix, which is more than a museum; it's a wonderland for youthful minds. Planned for kids ages 1 to 10, this award-winning nonprofit museum offers hands-on exhibits, playful learning zones, and creative classes in music, art, science, and yoga. Families can refuel at the SpoonZ Express café or enjoy stuffed snacks in designated areas. To keep small explorers secure, only cold drinks with screw-top covers are allowed—no hot beverages or alcohol. It's a blissful, smart space where learning feels like play.

Top hotels in Phoenix: 

Glazer Children's Museum – Tampa, Florida

Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

The Glazer Children's Museum is a dynamic space where learning comes alive through play. With over 170 shows, children ages 1 to 12 can be engaged in imaginative challenges, hands-on exploration, and daily programs that change with every visit. The museum also offers amazing birthday parties, ideal for celebrating with family and friends. Convenient parking is available adjacent to the Poe Parking Carport. When it's time to refuel, families can enjoy a bite at the nearby Metro or take lunch at the beautiful park only steps away.

Top hotels in Tampa:

Port Discovery Children's Museum – Baltimore, Maryland

Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

Positioned among the best twelve children's museums within the country by Forbes, Port Discovery Children's Museum offers three exciting floors of interactive fun for kids aged 12. Favorite shows like "Tot Trails," "Kick It Up!" and "Wonders of Water" inspire development, creativity, and investigation. Families can bring along lunch or snacks, with a cafeteria on-site and nearby eateries just steps away—including a local Mexican spot offering discounts to the museum’s visitors. Parking is easy at Harbor Park Carport and surrounding boulevards, with validation available. For comfort, lockers and coat checks are too accessible to keep your visit hassle-free.

Top hotels in Baltimore:

Museum of Science and Industry – Chicago, Illinois

Top Children's Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

Imagine a place where you'll be able to walk through a tornado, step inside a submarine, and dispatch your interest into orbit—all in one day. That's the magic of Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Housed in a building from the 1893 World's Fair, this museum turns science into a full-sensory adventure for kids and curious minds of all ages. From jaw-dropping shows to the mammoth Omnimax Theater, every visit is an exploration. Instructors can bring lessons to life with field trips and classroom resources, whereas families enjoy hands-on fun, delicious eats, and the thrill of learning made extraordinary.

Top hotels in Chicago:

If you are looking to spark wonder, fuel creative energy, and share moments that matter, these museums are more than just places to visit—they're doors to discovery. So, as you plan your next getaway, consider including these stops on your list of family-friendly vacation spots in the US—because the best kind of travel is the kind that lights up youthful minds and brings families closer together.

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About Author

Emma Burne

Emma Burne is a 25 years old, famous adventure travel blogger who has visited luxurious hotels and destinations worldwide, including U.S, Canada and Italy. She is full of inspirational stories, tips from all over the world, photography and aims to inspire fellow travel enthusiasts to pursue their travel's dream career!