The 9 Best Children's Museums in the U.S.

"Children's museums have evolved from rainy-day backups into stand-alone destinations, and the U.S. is home to some of the best in the world. Size can help-yes, some of these museums are enormous-but it's far from the deciding factor. What really sets the best children's museums apart, however, is how intuitive they feel: The focus is on learning through fun as opposed to text-heavy exhibits that tend to fall flat."

"The institutions mentioned below also follow a clear "show, not tell" approach, and the strongest ones also reflect the character of the city they're in, rather than sticking to a generic, one-size-fits-all playbook. From hands-on science and art to imaginative role play and outdoor discovery, the best children's museums offer something for every child-and often deliver far more enjoyment for the adults than they expected. Here are the 9 best children's museums in the U.S."

Children's museums have become stand-alone destinations across the United States, offering immersive, playful learning. While size can contribute to offerings, quality depends on how intuitive and interactive exhibits feel. Top museums emphasize learning through fun, minimizing text-heavy displays and using a show-not-tell approach. Strong institutions reflect the character of their cities rather than following a generic formula. Typical offerings include hands-on science, art, imaginative role play, and outdoor discovery, providing activities for a range of ages. These museums often engage adults as much as children and include nine standout examples that exemplify these principles.

Read at Travel + Leisure