The Tech Museum of Innovation

Description

A museum of science and technology, wrapped up in a building the official website describes as "mango-colored".  The museum has a strong emphasis on hands-on exhibits.  For example, visitors to the genetics exhibit can splice genes for luminescence from jellyfish into bacteria, making luminescent bacteria (not a simulation, it's real gene splicing), an exhibit on different ways of seeing/sensing has a system that lets you get your picture taken in thermal infrared, etc.

The museum also includes an IMAX theater.

In addtion to both physical and online exhibits, the Tech has a virtual museum within Second Life.

Main Web Site

http://www.thetech.org/

Location

201 South Market Street, San Jose, CA

Drive Time

from Ames (per Google maps):  18 minutes

Public Transit

Hours

Open 7 days a week

Imax show times vary from day to day.

Cost

$8 for museum admission plus one IMAX movie

$4 for additional IMAX movies

$10 for IMAX DMR feature films