Free Museums in Poway

"Talking about the most popular museum in San Diego, the USS Midway Museum is the only fine name that is topping the chart for years. USS Midway Museum is the longest-serving aircraft carrier that is now floating at the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego. The aircraft carrier has originally served between 1945 to 1992 but is now home to 29 restored aircraft, two flight simulators, over 60 war and military exhibits, a gift shop and a café proudly in name of a museum."

"Explore the longest-serving aircraft carrier in United States history at this legendary museum. You'll experience life at sea without ever leaving the Navy Pier port as you discover over 60 exhibits and 27 restored aircraft. The museum brings the past to life with a self-guided audio tour narrated by USS Midway sailors."

"The USS Midway is one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers. It is located in San Diego Bay. It’s a massive ship with more then 60 exhibits and 29 restored aircrafts."

"Balboa Park is home to several San Diegan museums, and the Museum of Art is another magnificence you can visit here. With hosting over half a million visitors every year, this oldest and largest art museum in the region is noted as one of the best museums in San Diego. It has been in operations from the year 1926, exhibiting the most comprehensive art collection anywhere in San Diego."

"The San Diego Museum of Art houses a broad art collection with particular strength in Spanish art. The Museum first opened as The Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego in 1926 and changed its name to its current form in 1978. The museum building was designed in a plateresque style to harmonize with existing structures, in Balboa Park, from the Panama–California Exposition of 1915."

"One of the best museums in San Diego to visit in 2019 is, without a doubt, the San Diego Museum of Art. Founded in 1926, this museum is located in Balboa Park. It has the reputation of being the oldest and largest art museum in the region."

"With immersive art studios, interactive art installations, and workshops and camps, The New Children’s Museum strives to stimulate creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through engaging experiences and contemporary art. The museum itself is housed in a dynamic space and is one of the first fully green museums in San Diego. It commissions artworks from local artists with which children can interact and engage and, as a result, always has something new to offer visitors."

"The New Children's Museum in San Diego is a great museum for families with children to visit. The museum's state of the art center is focused on creating a space where children can think, play and create through hands-on exhibitions, art creation, and educational opportunities. It has something for children of every age and parents will enjoy the learning nature of it as well."

"The New Children’s Museum is an interactive arts-based museum that commissions contemporary artists to create pieces with tactile, physical, and participatory elements to introduce kids to art and create an opportunity for them to observe, play, and create. Getting in: New Children's Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card All-Inclusive Pass."

"This world-class museum features extensive collections of still photographs, videos and films. The history of the medium is illustrated, from the earliest Daguerreotypes and albumen prints to modern laser holograms. A variety of artists are represented, including Alfred Stieglitz, Ben Shahn, Alberto Korda, Ansel Adams and Margaret Bourke-White."

"The Museum of Photographic Arts showcases over 9 thousand images. These visual masterpieces range from the 19th century up until the current day. The museum offers a diverse view into different cultural events, historical moments and addresses social issues throughout its galleries."

"MOPA, one of the few museums devoted solely to photography, features works by both the famous and not so famous."

"A planetarium and interactive science museum, the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park was a trailblazer when it opened in 1973. Younger children will get the most out of the self-guided permanent exhibitions where they can explore outer space, learn the ins and outs of San Diego’s water system and discover the unseen world of nanotechnology. For toddlers the Little Learners’ Lab is a play zone with varying shapes and textures, while the Ball Wall has a little world of shoots, tracks and moving objects."

"Featuring eight galleries that hold more than 100 interactive science exhibits, the Fleet Science Center is the best place to go for hands-on learning. It’s also home to the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater, which shows the biggest films on the planet. Since its opening in 1973, the Fleet has been one of San Diego’s most-visited museums, thanks to the theater and interactive exhibits like Kid City (an exhibition just for kids age five and under)."

"And maybe you and the husband would like to try out a couple of things yourself. There are weight galleries that have about 100 hands-on exhibits for children and grown ups to navigate. You can explore the concept of gravity and how it works."

"Since it was founded more than nine decades ago, the Gemological Institute of America has been one of the world’s most prominent authorities on all things relating to diamonds, gems, precious stones, and pearls. The GIA’s headquarters is located on Armada Drive in Carlsbad. It features a popular museum chock-full of interesting exhibits and incredible works of craftsmanship."

"The Wells Fargo Museum, located inside the Colorado House, features one of the company’s original 1867 Concord stagecoaches. The recreated and historically-furnished former hotel also houses actual historic telegraph machines and a variety of other memorabilia related to the banking and transportation company. Photo Courtesy of Historic Old Town Community Foundation"

"Where: 340 N Escondido Blvd.A vast array of performing and visual arts has drawn more than a million visitors to this 12-acre campus. With a 1,500-seat concert hall, a 406-seat theater, an art museum, and dance studios, the very full calendar has something for everyone."

"Performers and musicians from all over the world come to the center each year. From September through June, the Center of the Arts hosts a free concert every first Wednesday of the month. The concerts are a great way to expose kids to different genres of music."

"The California Center for the Arts, Escondido is an ideal spot to attend a concert or show, as well as free community events. A cultural evening of the arts is just around the corner from our resort!"

"San Diego children’s discovery Museum was opened with an objective of inspiring children to explore and experiment using science, art, and culture. The museum is a fun, interactive indoor and outdoor museum which organises different sort of educational and cultural exhibitions for children. The entire property of the museum is divided into four areas with the themes of exploring, imagining, experimenting, and discovering."

"Nestled in the coastal hills of North County San Diego, Escondido is a “hidden” gem. Escondido is a combination of rural and city, that has parks, lakes and a vibrant center. The diversity of the area creates openings for interesting and fun things for families to do."

"Where: 320 North BroadwayThere’s no reason a vacation can’t include some education at the same time. Inspire your children through exploration and experimentation at this hands-on museum. Science, arts, and world cultures are presented in imaginative exhibitions."

"The First San Diego Courthouse, rebuilt in 1992, was originally the town hall. Constructed by the Mormon Battalion, the first brick building in San Diego became the courthouse when the city was incorporated in 1850. It also served as a school, church and polling place."

"Centennial Park in Coronado has a sandy beach on both sides of it on San Diego Bay. Condo buildings look down on this grass park, but the focal point is […]"

"Moonlight State Beach in the seaside town of Encinitas is one of the most visited beaches in North County because of its spacious sandy area and fun amenities like fire pits, sand volleyball courts, and a snack bar. There's also a large section of the beach that is reserved exclusively for swimmers, so you can hang out in the water and not worry about colliding with a surfboard (if you want to surf, nearby Swami's Beach is known as the surfing mecca in Encinitas). There is a paid parking lot near the beach as well as free street parking around the entrance."

"Moonlight Beach is a treasure trove of one-stop-shop beachiness with fairly easy parking, picnic areas, fire pits, a play area, volleyball courts, a snack shop, and showers for after swimming. This is one seriously family-friendly beach. Get there early enough and you’ll almost certainly see dolphins frolicking in the surf."

"After breakfast, you can continue north through the cute coastal towns of Solana Beach and Cardiff , until you get up to Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. READ MORE: The Best San Diego Beachfront Hotels"

"I often point out that a perk of staying in the beachfront La Jolla hotels is access to the adjacent Kellogg Park. It’s steps from the sand of La Jolla Shores Beach but also has a large grassy area for picnics, yoga, pocket kites, and some outdoor park fun. It will soon be even more interesting when “The Map of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla Educational Plaza” (a.k.a “The Map”) is finished."

"This is a little park lining the back of La Jolla Shores Beach. It’s very family-friendly due to its vast green space, playground and restroom & shower facilities. The playground is quite new, with one area geared towards babies and toddlers and another part made for older children."

"If you’re searching for free kid-friendly things to do in La Jolla, you’d be surprised at what’s in store for you in Kellogg Park!"

"For a celebratory upscale meal in San Diego’s Gaslamp District, you won’t be disappointed at The Oceanaire Seafood Room. Great for a date night, the dining room feels like you’re stepping aboard a luxury ocean liner from years past. Start with the Grand Shellfish Tower — an array of fresh crab legs, jumbo shrimp, and other ocean goodies served atop crushed ice in an impressive display."

"The Oceanaire Seafood Room is one of the premier dining locations in San Diego, located in the Gas Lamp District. The establishment is a part of a high-end restaurant chain that offers a sophisticated yet lively environment that draws crowds of diners. The art-decor is reminiscent of an ocean liner with upscale accents and the service is great."

"Enter the sleek and sophisticated seafood room at The Oceanaire and behold a space reminiscent of a luxury cruise liner. Guests are immersed in the fresh menu offerings, topped of by oysters from the nearby Carlsbad Shellfish Farm.[Learn more]"

"Blending classic techniques with adventurous Pacific Rim flavors, culinary pioneer Roy Yamaguchi created an innovative approach to fine dining. Enjoy spectacular sunsets over the San Diego Bay and exceptional patio dining at Roy's restaurant. Open for lunch and dinnerDress code: Dress JeansPhone: +1 619-239-7697"

"I do have to say that my sister has been here several times and has enjoyed it every time. We did hit on an off day – they were understaffed and had one waitress for our whole group (which was over 30 of us) so that was a little rough. But the food is good – I had some Carne Asada Fries that were really good."