Summer weekends call for a good place to take the kids, and every school year needs to be broken up occasionally with an educational field trip. Marin has a variety of museums geared to all ages, so there’s no need to trek to the city for an exciting and enriching excursion. The 2023 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Bay Area Discovery Museum (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Children’s Museum picks see below.
Our 2023 Arts & Entertainment category sponsor is Gene Hiller.
We’ve broken it down by region: Southern and Central Marin.
Southern | Central
Southern Marin
Bay Area Discovery Museum
Sausalito
A staple for school field trips, family weekends and summer camp excursions, the Bay Area Discovery Museum has been teaching and entertaining children since 1988. Perfect for kids 6 months to 10 years old, it’s filled with plenty of places for kids to explore and run around while learning about the Bay Area. Bring jackets as it can get chilly so close to the bay. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito, 415.339.3900
Mt. Tamalpais Gravity Car Barn
Mill Valley
A century ago, gravity cars rolled down the side of Mt. Tamalpais before being overthrown by the world of automobiles. For those looking for a fun slice of history, the Gravity Car Barn provides interactive and interpretive programs to demonstrate what this innovative mode of transportation was once like. Hours are Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Mt. Tam Gravity Car Barn, Verna Dunshee Trail, Mill Valley
Tiburon Ferry and Railroad Depot
Tiburon
Although the extensive train lines are no longer running, with the last train having left the Tiburon station in 1967, the history that was left behind is far from gone. Nestled right up on the shore, this beautifully restored building contains detailed models of Tiburon’s old rail town and exhibits of what was once the stationmaster’s home. Hours are Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
1920 Paradise Dr, Tiburon, 415.435.1853
Central Marin
Marin Museum of Bicycling
Fairfax
Fairfax is the heart of a bustling area of bicycling culture, and nowhere better exemplifies that tradition than the Marin Museum of Bicycling. Founded by a team of dedicated bicycle enthusiasts, this educational nonprofit is volunteer-run by passionate cyclists who want to share their love of cycling with the county. Hours are Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, 415.450.8000
Sponsor
Gene Hiller: 2023 Best of the County Arts & Entertainment
