Computer History Museum

History museum · Mountain View

Computer History Museum

History museum · Mountain View

1

1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

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Computer History Museum by mate (Atlas Obscura User)
Computer History Museum by mate (Atlas Obscura User)
Computer History Museum by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Computer History Museum by mate (Atlas Obscura User)
Computer History Museum by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Computer...
Computer History Museum by mate (Atlas Obscura User)
Computer History Museum by mate (Atlas Obscura User)
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null
Computer History Museum by null

Highlights

Exhibits on computing history, from early machines to AI.  

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1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043 Get directions

computerhistory.org
@computerhistory

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1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043 Get directions

+1 650 810 1010
computerhistory.org
@computerhistory

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Last updated

Aug 25, 2025

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@atlasobscura

10 Places to See Silicon Valley History IRL

"The collection of computers and related history at the Computer History Museum is the largest of its kind in the world, covering the history, evolution, and pre-history of computing devices. It includes a remarkable number of early machines including a huge (and rare) Cray-1 Supercomputer. It also keeps records in the form of photographs, moving images, documents and software related to the history, as well as oral histories recorded by notable engineers in the field. Established in the heart of Silicon Valley in 1999, the museum opened in its current location in 2003. It incorporates much of an earlier collection of computer history items from Boston. The highlight of its current exhibitions is the 2008 Difference Engine #2. Built by the team that built the first Difference Engine #2 on display at the London Science Museum, it was built to Charles Babbage’s original drawing specifications. The remarkable machine was designed in the 1840s and is considered to be the first example of a mechanical computing device. Due to technical challenges and personality conflicts, it was never completed during Babbage’s lifetime, and the first complete machine was not built until 1999. This engine was installed at the museum in 2008 and will be on display through the end of 2010. It is demonstrated daily. In addition to museum installations, they host a series of speaker events, scholarly talks, and demonstrations on a regular basis. They fired up the Difference Engine for us on Obscura Day - March 20th, 2010. Photos, stories and more here" - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/high-tech-history-silicon-valley
View Postcard for Computer History Museum

Majool

Google
I could spend a lifetime exploring this fantastic venue. If you grew up in the 80s and 90s and into computers, you are in for a special treat as there are so many computers on display. I actually had a sensory overload and was in a state of computer trance that I had to go to the coffee shop to take a break. There are videos with historical oversight of different systems operating in various industries such as manufacturing, video production, music, etc. They feature traditional stages of artificial intelligence development and evolution as well. This place is a must for any person who is passionate about technology.

Michael V

Google
The Computer History Museum is a fascinating journey through the evolution of technology — from the earliest calculating devices to the breakthroughs shaping our digital future. It’s inspiring to stand inches away from legendary machines, rare prototypes, and artifacts that changed the world. A must-visit in Silicon Valley.

Vikas Mathur

Google
This is a must see place for people who are interested in technology. The place is conveniently located near google main office complex. You can see the complete history of how computers were invented and their progression to new generation computers. There is a section on robotics which I liked the most. The place also has a coffee shop and a store that sells souvenirs and apparel’s specifically made by them. On weekends sometimes you may see some free entries for specific company employees and families, so please check if you are from a company that is offering a free entry on a specific day or weekend.

Harry Tsang

Google
One of my favorite museums ever. They have a rich collection of both hardware and software. Not to mention the passionate people who restored and operates a functioning IBM mainframes from 1959 If you like computer history, this will easily take a full day to explore and appreciate all of the demos

Jagdish Thadani

Google
It's all about how the Silicon Valley started and how it progressed over the years till now. Journey of computers progress starting from year 1930 to present day AI based computers. It's divided into 18 sections + 2 additional sections outside the main entry. Every fee of 12$ is more than worth it. Knowledge and information you get there is exceptional. Children upto 7 age free entry. If you are really interested in computers history of progress then be ready to spend about 2-3 hours here. Inside you may not know how fast the time is tickling.

Zaigham Ahsan

Google
It was way more interesting than I thought. Even my kids enjoyed it. Definitely has a wealth of information as well as interactive displays. I was only able to see half the museum in two hours. I went two hours before closing. Wish I had gone earlier in the day.

Robert Richman

Google
The Computer History Museum was a fun and informative experience. It brought back a wave of nostalgia seeing the evolution of technology up close. I was especially blessed to have helped create and work on many of the pieces displayed has imade the visit even more meaningful. The staff and admins were welcoming and knowledgeable. Highly recommend for anyone interested in tech history!

Judy Margaret Chen

Google
I thought it would be boring because I’m not a computer geek like my husband who really loves this place, but it turned out more exciting and fascinating than I thought. Looking through the history of machine revolutions, it was really amazed how the people back then could think of and create all these stuffs from scratch. Of course, there were multiple experiments and failures before they reached success, but the process was really awesome! Just 1 visit cannot make you understand and remember all these history. I’d gladly come back again!
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Samson W.

Yelp
If you are into both computer history and the latest high tech gadgets, this is the place. The museum has a tons of exhibits. It also has a computer timeline from the past 2000 thousand years to the present. I would recommend that you check it out as it is so cool. There is also a cafe in the middle of the museum. The cafe has a great sized menu such as sandwiches and soups. Of course, the cafe has coffee and other drinks. That is also so cool. There is one advantage, which is you can eat and drink your coffee or whatever without paying for admission to the museum.
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Purvika P.

Yelp
Located in Mountain View, the Computer History Museum is a captivating journey through the evolution of computing technology, offering insights into its profound impact on society. As technology enthusiasts, we were eager to explore its extensive collection, spanning from early mechanical calculators to modern-day innovations. The museum itself is a treasure trove of historical artifacts and interactive exhibits that vividly illustrate key milestones in computing history. Walking through the exhibits, we marveled at early computers like the ENIAC and Colossus, marveling at their massive size and imagining the ingenuity required to create them. One highlight of our visit was the opportunity to interact with exhibits towards the end of the museum. Here, visitors can experience firsthand the evolution of user interfaces and gaming technology. However, we felt that these interactive elements could have been integrated earlier in the tour to enhance engagement throughout the visit. During our time at the museum, they were showcasing a retro game collection, which unfortunately left us somewhat underwhelmed. The collection was smaller than expected, lacking some of the iconic titles that defined early gaming history. While it provided a glimpse into gaming's past, we left wishing for a more comprehensive representation of this pivotal aspect of computing history. Despite this minor disappointment, the Computer History Museum remains a must-visit for anyone passionate about technology. Its comprehensive displays and educational presentations offer valuable insights into how computers have evolved from room-sized machines to handheld devices that shape our daily lives. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or simply curious about the origins of the digital age, the museum provides a fascinating journey through time that is both informative and inspiring.
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Kevin C.

Yelp
Lots to explore and take your time to browse through. This museum could take half a day to walk through. There is so much crammed into this space that sometimes it can be hard to keep track of where the next chronological exhibit is. There is a lot of awesome material, interesting information, and interactive exhibits that allow you to engage with how certain devices work. That being said, a huge portion of the exhibit is not for touching so be mindful of the signage. It's a great experience to see how far we've come from the number counting of the past to the computing electronics of the recent past and how quickly obsolete our tech becomes from just a decade before. Free parking in their lot is ample and the atmosphere is generally very quiet and calm. Gift shop has some fun souvenirs too.
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Annabelle R.

Yelp
Free admission with Bank of America card on first weekends of the month, so take advantage. At first glance, you may be amazed by the wall of graphics and data showing the origin of emojis, or the display of the world's smallest computer which can fit on the tip of a pencil. But there's tons more to see and experience, so park in that crowded lot and give yourself at least a couple hours. Interactive exhibits in the software lab and changing gallery included the nvidia canvas (turning doodles into landscapes), playing the Wikipedia quiz (which I won of course), and distinguishing between the sounds of a vinyl record, cassette tape, CD, and mp3 playing a song of choice. In the main part of the museum (the Revolution), you'll find computers in the form of video game consoles throughout the years, shoes (ie. nike ipod), robots in different forms, and useful machines including phones, calculators, kitchen appliances, and cars. What's more, amusing exhibits showcasing the use of technology in art and music, and even the "Silicon Valley Napkin" on display. A maze of endless rooms with so much to explore, and very interesting exhibits that will bring a feeling of curiosity and nostalgia even if you're not particularly interested or well-versed in the world of technology. Also, we got some snacks and drinks from the Cloud Bistro in the lobby, and everything was delish! The last time I was here was almost two decades ago, and lots has changed. Our recent experience was certainly better than expected.
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Ann T.

Yelp
I will be honest, this might have been the most boring museum that I have ever been to BUT that does NOT detract away from the quality of the museum itself and the value that it has. I'm just too pea brained and removed from this world (despite being the most tech adjacent individual at work) to get my mind to comprehend and wrap around what this museum has to offer. HOWEVER, with that being said, if you are a CS student, studying computers, or just love tech and all the nitty gritty that goes into creating and building computers from hardware to software, THIS IS THE STOP FOR YOU! They have free docent lead tours, a Space Wars activity, other interactive things that museum goers can partake in, hands on exhibits, and games, so there is a little bit of everything for everyone of all ages. Lots of real world historical items and recreations with lots of in depth details and descriptions describing the advent of computers all the way from the humble start of calculators all the way to AI, viral videos, texting, and real world applications such as creating artwork, video games, and music. It is a bit jarring to see that some of the tech that I used when I was younger is in a museum though to be honest, but alas these are the times. I'm talking about a Sega Dreamcast, an Xbox, iPod shuffle mini, and Furbies...haha. Maybe I need to expand my brain size to fully appreciate the wonders of the Computer History Museum, but it is worth a visit if you find the subject interesting!
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Sunil R.

Yelp
I have mixed feelings about this museum. I have been to the museum several times over the past few decades including for events. It is important for Silicon Valley to have a museum that documents and celebrates its origin story. However, I wish we had done a lot better. For a museum on tech, there's not a lot of tech/interactive exhibits. I have to admit, it is educational but...boring. It's a fairly quick run through and not worth the $$.
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Scott K.

Yelp
Cool museum to checkout maybe on a rainy day!? Also been here for events has nice event spaces. It's amazing to see how far humanity has come with computing in just a short amount of time!
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Chris P.

Yelp
Fun stop for my little brother who is interested in computers. I am not a huge tech person but always love to learn and go to museums. I think anyone will like this place, whether you're interested in it or not. Lots of cool interactive activities and models to look at. My whole family enjoyed it and loved looking at old devices that they owned in the past. If you need something to do in the area, try this place out! a learning experience for all! Tip: Go to Groupon for a cheaper price on four admission tickets!!!!
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Julie N.

Yelp
Cool musuem to check out to learn about the history computer from how it started to how it is now. General admission is $19.50 but if you're a student, you can get a discount. They do have couple public tours a day and they only explain each section. There's so much to see so it is better to explore on your own since there's a lot of section station where there's actually explanation of how the devices were created. There's about 20 areas so make sure to come at a reasonable time so you can enjoy the museum. They have their own parking lot which is nice.

Mir S.

Yelp
The collection is very impressive. It starts from ancient computing tecniques and gives a story of the evolution of computing. They had tour guides on Sunday. The tour was very good and it was by an older gentleman who has witnessed the evolution of computers for several decades. Could be improved: I think the written explanations could have been more detailed. Also the items are not alwas in the correct order.
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Tony J.

Yelp
A pretty nice museum. The main permanent exhibit is presented chronologically from the earliest mechanical calculators to old mainframes to the computers of today. Stop by at the right time and a volunteer will take you on an hour-long guided tour focusing on quality over quantity; instead of brushing over everything in the main exhibit, they will highlight specific moments in computing history to go into detail and even pass around real artifacts from the early days. They also have two demo rooms. The larger one is the IBM 1401, an old mainframe which operated on punch cards and would be used for batch processing and could print output on green bar paper. You could even type your name on a punch card and the machine would print out a little souvenir for you. The smaller one is the PDP-1, whose main advantage was interactivity. It could play music as well as project graphics on a circular display. I went during the special exhibition of Mac @ 40 (which they hyped up in advertising), but it was a bit underwhelming. The area was very small and didn't have much content.
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S R.

Yelp
I try to drop by every month or so. Membership helps a lot. Unfortunately, I've never had the pleasure of seeing a live demo of the IBM 1401. Nevertheless, I always stop by the 1401 room before leaving. This time, Mr. Scott Stauter was there wrapping up a live demo that I didn't have time to see because I needed to pick up my wife from the airport. I asked if it was okay to look around because I didn't want to be in the way of them finishing up. Mr. Stauter, who spent 30 years with IBM, went above and beyond to give me a private tour, beautiful insights, and an overall experience that no book or movie could come close to. I can only wish to have the level of passion that Mr. Stauter has for teaching. I am grateful to him for his time and effort and encourage everyone to go and visit him and the rest of the team at 3pm (check the website for the timetable). Speaking of passion, I was 20 minutes late to the airport and my wife was unhappy. It was totally worth it. P.S. If I was IBM there is no better PR then Mr. Stauter and other formal engineers keeping 1401 running. Maybe it's time to put face on "faceless" IBM, just a thought.
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Dave M.

Yelp
Two words: Enigma Machine. Plus every historical computer you've ever heard of (or never heard of) going back to mechanical computing machines. If you've ever read about this stuff, come see it here.
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Kerry R.

Yelp
Great for an afternoon date. A lot of history with a ton of cool information. Nostalgic for sure.
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Wincy Y.

Yelp
This place is a hidden gem. I came on a late Sunday afternoon and was expecting crowds, but it was relatively peaceful and quiet here. Maybe people like to come in the morning? There's plenty of parking and I thought I would probably spend maybe 1-2 hours max here, but ended up staying until they closed at 5 pm because I'm a geek. I learned a lot about the history of computers and seeing the evolution of computing, from the ancient days of using slide rules and abacuses, to the rise and fall of pioneering companies like Fairchild Semiconductor. I learned that IBM was a huge manufacturer of punch card machines back then, and got to look at a lot of actual machines that were donated by various companies and donors. Ended the day with a hot coffee at the cafe, since they ran out if ice. I wish that I could've stayed longer to spend more time downstairs in the demo rooms, or to enjoy my coffee in the nicely shaded outdoor area, but I think I will return again.
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Jeremy J.

Yelp
This museum is a great place to bring kids who like tech. You can geek out for hours with the many displays of computers and gaming tech as it's developed over the years. Staff was helpful and very friendly, and kept very clean. Be advised that the parking has some signage advising you of recent break-ins. That being said, the parking is free and bring valuables with you inside. Overall, we had a great time and no issues with our visit. The cafe inside has no gluten friendly options for food, but you can sip on some of their beverages.
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Linda T.

Yelp
Awesome exhibits and surprisingly really yummy food. My boyfriend and I got sandwiches (a ham and Swiss and tuna salad) and lattes for ~$20, and everything was delicious.

Michael V.

Yelp
.- Like many museums in the States it lacks translated content to other languages, considering the amount of foreign tourists lacking expertise on the topic, not a fully comprehension of English but still paying tickets. Exhibits should have more content, an app and a QR code should resolve that issue, visitor downloads app, scans exhibit QR, wears their own earbuds and full multimedia content will be on their phone screen, including translation to most languages(AI). No excuses in this day and age for not having that .- Exhibits lack more interaction, in the end these artifacts are gadgets and people want at least to touch them, understand many of them at this point in time are really expensive. How about making a virtual exhibit on the Internet? where visitors pay a fraction of those $20 but letting them interact with exact virtual artifacts, let's say someone wants to program the Altair 8800, this fully immersive experience should let them do that, along with all multimedia content mentioned on previous bullet point, exact 3D models people can interact with, see its internals, like a video game, VR etc. In the end this is a technological museum located at the heart of silicon valley. .- CHM should exhibit more computers related to the industrial revolution, PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems, etc. as done with the medical and automotive field.
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Jessica H.

Yelp
Cool museum about the history of computers and technology. There's some interactive parts which add to the experience. It was neat to see the IBM punch cards (you can make your own!). No pics unfortunately of the food but the cloud bistro cafe deserves a little shout! The employees were really friendly and the food was hot and fresh, with good coffee drinks! The coffee is made with a local coffee company. I was surprised to see them preparing the pizza right then and there (putting the toppings on, etc) as opposed to having premade ready to heat up (or serve cold prepared food you find at museums typically). But this was a great experience! Big portion too!! And so delicious. The website says museum admission is not required, which is pretty nice. Check it out!
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Jingyan Y.

Yelp
Just outstanding! Such fantastic descriptions and wonderful exhibitions. Really interesting especially for tech nerds like me. It takes you you from early mathematics to the development of computers and early computers to keyboards to digital animations and on. Very worth the time to go! Really amazing to see how programming developed and who helped develop what. Lots of cool videos as well. Parking is free and plentiful. Admission is $17 but I found a BOGO on Groupon that let me buy two tickets for $17. (and check promo codes as well for Groupon)!
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Cheryl B.

Yelp
The Computer History Museum exceeded my expectations! The left side of the museum is filled with kid friendly interactive/hands on exhibits. The lobby has a little sandwich and coffee shop, plus an educational gift shop. The left side is the filled with all the history on computers. I highly recommend taking the tour for that giant exhibit. Our tour guide was a retired programmer from IBM and did an excellent job explaining everything, especially to my child. We spent several hours in the museum and walked away feeling very happy with the experience. We will return to the Computer History Museum again.
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Perry W.

Yelp
Definitely a great to-do when you're in the area. More than just computers,also has history of video games, MP3 players and plenty of NASA stuff
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Alfred D.

Yelp
I've been to quite a few museums and I can say with confidence that this is the best curated museum I've been to. I really enjoyed going "back in time" and learn about the evolution of computers. The volunteers here are so passionate about computers and teaching the guests that come by. Time and my partner had the pleasure of watching the IBM 1403 printer (actually not sure which one, but it was an old printer) demo. We even got to keep a printed souvenir for free! Definitely a must stop by if you're a tourist in the area.
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Evelyn G.

Yelp
Well if you are into history of computers then this is the place for you. So many computers and information regarding them. I went with my husband and he really had a good time.
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Zan L.

Yelp
I was visiting the area for a wedding so I had some extra time to kill before my flight and I'm glad I chose to see this museum to fill that time because there is so much to see with so many well detailed exhibits and real world examples. I spent about two hours devouring as much of the content as I could. I myself was a finance major and work in investments so I don't have a technical or professional background in computers but I use them every day at work and in my personal life so I was surprised to see how much I recognized and could understand. They do a great job dividing it into many different sections and numbering each one with a defined walking path that takes you from start to finish. There are video, pictures, information boards, interactive video games you can play, movies to watch, and so many other things that really allow you to immersive yourself into the material. Overall I would recommend to anyone even if you don't have a background in computers like myself. Parking is extremely easy and pricing is fair so there really is no reason not to go. Enjoy!
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John D.

Yelp
History Mystery Trying to find out if this place is open or not as we have a relatives coming in from out-of-town and their son would love to visit. They state on Yelp that they're closed but yet they're posting at least once a day on their IG page (@computerhistory). We tried calling and no answer and no message stating their current status. Tried messaging them thru their obviously active IG and no reply. Their website also says closed but yet they're posting admission prices and trying to get people to become members. Which is mixed signals if you ask me... Why they'd still be closed when just about every other museum in the state is open is beyond my comprehension. If anyone knows a definitive answer please hit me up. Thanks.
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Tiffany D.

Yelp
Historical computer modern concept museum. Conveniently placed in Silicon Valley where the epitome of tech is in. Entertaining and interesting particles of machines. Great past time.

Kathryn L.

Yelp
The museum is nice. The permanent exhibit is nice and it displays lots of different types of computer hardware history. It has a lot of interesting information and is every educational. There's lots of videos diving in to the various topics on computer history from the 19th century to about 2004. The biggest drawback to the museum is that it's kind of long with no break areas. This, paired with how detailed the museum is and how much information is, makes it feel a bit like a slog because you get tired around halfway through. If there were an easy break spot or easy way to return the cafe, it wouldn't be so draining but there really isn't that option. It's also not particularly interactive after the first couple sections - it's mostly reading - which doesn't help it being more tiring. Overall, very educational but a bit tiring, even for a person who likes going to museums.
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Annette C.

Yelp
This was so much fun! If you wanna geek out and see some good nerdy stuff, this is the place to visit! They even include the earliest forms of 'computing', which was quite fascinating. They have created a stunning presentation that really captures your attention and you will need more than just 3 or 4 hours to see everything. We were mesmerized. The Bistro Cafe was great, and the prices were very reasonable. Bring your kids, it might spark something within them, like it did for us.
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Julia S.

Yelp
I came here for the first time around 10 years ago, and I recently came here since my boyfriend hasn't been here before. We got tickets on Groupon for cheap, and it was easy to redeem at the front desk. We tried to time it so that we would get there when the regular tour starts, but the tour guide never came, though the tour after did go as planned, so perhaps it was a one time thing. The main exhibits were mostly the same, though after 10 years, I've forgotten most of the information and it was nice to learn everything again. The exhibits on the outside were new, and I don't think they had the Learning Lab before. It was great interacting with some of the Learning Lab booths, even though they seem to be targeted to kids, and they even had a place to take apart and put back together computer parts. We managed to join the PDP-1 demo lab, and it was cool seeing one of these old computer actually running. We got to talk to one of original users of the computer (when he was an MIT student) that was actually mentioned in the exhibits! We also got to play SpaceWar. I'd highly recommend anyone who's interested in computers and tech to come here, and try to join the demos!
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Glenn S.

Yelp
Solid 5 stars for completeness, but that was also the downside. It seems SO complete and overwhelming that it's hard not to want to speed through. I'd have liked more context and a bit more hands-on opportunities in some of the exhibits. It felt very much like you come and look, you can learn passively, but you can only touch in the interactive area and that's all very recent stuff. A bit more of a mix would really help. And giving us the chance to engage with things like switchboards and punchcards. That said, some great displays and notable for including a jukebox at the end that was the same model we had in my basement growing up... got a little choked up there for a moment when I saw it.
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Alison V.

Yelp
A cool place for the computer geeks out there! I think the museum is pretty neat. From basic mathematics to AI. I'm not very into hardware myself but I was totally amazed. There are also many free events hosted by CHM during the weekdays which I highly recommend. Most of them are network events and some are tech focus.
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Sooz C.

Yelp
Massive and comprehensive collection of everything related to the history of computing. The old equipment rounded up from universities, private collections, and labs was impressive. I wish I would have paced myself better, by the time I reached the personal computer section for history I actually lived, I was so tired.

Andrew M.

Yelp
The "Macintosh at 40" exhibit is small and forgettable. You'd think with the wealth of sources around here they'd be able to put together something substantial, but instead there's just a few skimpy displays. A really poor effort. The rest of the museum is great.
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Sherwin C.

Yelp
As a lover of computers and computer history, this was the perfect museum to visit. I was impressed both with the number of displays as well as the quality of each one of them, full of many details of each important step in innovation. Instead of feeling like a boring textbook , I was immersed in beautiful displays covering topics such as the Internet, gaming, communication, and software. Definitely a must visit spot if you're visiting Silicon Valley, as you'll learn a lot in a short period of time -- and see some rare and unusual items.
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Joanna T.

Yelp
How cool to find a museum that has the history of the computer and what seems like the tech industry as a whole. When I arrived at the Computer History Museum via Lyft (you can also take the MVGo shuttle bus and it stops a half block from the entrance) I was struck by the clean lines of the building and the chill vibe of the place. There were tables outside the museum and Adirondack chairs scattered across the grass. Inside the building there are various rooms for the exhibits on the ground floor. On a break from the conference I was attending I strolled through the museum and was so impressed. Not only were the exhibits beautifully displayed they were also extremely informative. There were some interactive areas (such as a photo booth where you can superimpose your face into a cutout and have your body appear as an image of various "techie" looks. Very amusing. There was a small room where a laptop innards (circuit board) was on the table and you were free to take bits apart and examine the pieces. Gotta say there were two areas that I thought were outstanding. First part was the area explaining gaming. In a nook, a large flat screen (pretty much the whole wall) had several game scenarios which could be set and you would be immersed in the game scene. The visual display was outstanding for the colors and complexity of the game scenarios. I was mesmerized. The second area was a separate display about a female mathematician whose name was Lovelace. Those familiar with Downton Abbey will know who I am referring to. She was a woman born into an aristocratic family. Her father neglected her and she somehow found her way to mathematics. She and a colleague built a huge machine (bigger than a mini fridge) that performed mathematical calculations. It was interesting for the fact you see a picture of a machine which now has been surpassed by hand held calculators. But her machine is the forebear of the hand held calculator. The fact that this was in the 1800s is impressive. The other fact that she was a woman mathematician in a society that only had expectations that women were homemakers was Impressive! My greatest admiration for Ms. Lovelace because we would not have the hand-held devices we have today without her invention. And for those of you who are familiar with calculus: Lovelace was able to use ber machine to determine pi (not eating variety but mathematical variety) to multiple places beyond the decimal point. The gift shop is chock full of cool trinkets, tee shirts, books about history and other paraphernalia. I was sorely tempted by so many items that I will have to return before Christmas to stock up. Overall, I cannot recommend a museum more than the Computer History Museum. It's a hidden gem. Go and check it out and you'll come out more appreciative of what technology has contributed to the world.
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Kimberly N.

Yelp
Calling all proud computer nerds! And history nerds! And anyone with an inquisitive mind! I'm raising my hand ... This is the third time our family has been to this museum. We would recommend starting off with the Revolution: The First 2000 Years of Computing exhibit which walks you through the history of computing from the very beginning. There are actual artifacts and multimedia presentations featuring innovators relaying first-hand accounts of their experiences from "the abacus to the smartphone." Clear markers on the floor indicating the path to take make it easy to follow the progression of time and computing advances. It has been interesting to see my son's own progression when comparing our visits to the Computer History Museum from a little guy that loved playing video games to a young man creating video games with complicated code. And speaking of video games, there is a fun section where you can play a sampling of old games like Pong to more advanced games. It was fun to check out the Make Software: Change the World! exhibit for a look behind some impactful technology that we take advantage of today like Wikipedia and Photoshop. We also went to a IBM 1401 Demo Lab featuring enthusiastic gentlemen with experience operating this huge computing system giving the crowd a hands-on demonstration!

J D.

Yelp
I did not get past the ticket guard, being worn by the Dolce & Gabbana eyeglasses. Go see for yourself. Maybe it was an off day for him, but not everyone is cut out for service jobs. I will not return to that place. Another place of 'the spectacle'. Scary neo nazi like ppl in unnecessarily gauche modern building. After I walked all the way over to the back counter, because the salesperson was raising his arm and not making eye contact or uttering a noise, he sent me away and hand picked two eugenically more pleasing specimens. Then proceeded to bark at over 10 people as to where the line is to be. Seriously. Sequence? Either pick someone to check out, or bark at ppl, then proceed to accept from that line as the first move. Next, subsequent logical moves. Not, raise hand, bark at ppl, hand pick a couple from opposite area of the line up. Ignore anyone who explicitly objects. I have been in at least 3 top international institutions (local, domestic, and abroad), am an A+ cs student, and am born and raised here in the Bay Area. Visiting that place will 1. not make you better at a) computer science b) programming c) math or d) creative ideation, and 2. make you a social and economic sponsor of 1%er insipidity. Might as well avoid stanford while you're improving your life. Although, some ppl rly need the name brand boost for very legitimate reasons. Have a nice day.
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Carmen V.

Yelp
Very cool museum! I have visited many times the coffee shop that is just right there by the museum and was never really attracted to see the inside of the museum. I thought it would be a small little place like the one in Intel...so I was waiting for the occasion to go with no cost:). Thanks that I belong to many groups, associations, meetups and whatever congregates people and food, I got invited to one event there, so I enjoyed even more than a normal visit to a museum. The Catalan ministry of Knowledge and Economy was giving a talk in there and what a great place to be to discuss Big Data, the IoT and all in between Catalan influenced bites and drinks. Since I arrived with plenty of time, I had finally the opportunity to visit the museum that was actually closed only to the attendants of this event. Great space, great display of info, still could be a bigger museum and I am glad I went for free because honestly I think the price is too high.
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Anowar I.

Yelp
A place to nerd out. From the start of abacus to the AI, you go into a time journey that makes you feel so nostalgic.
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Grady T.

Yelp
There's so much history here and lots to consume. Take your time through the museum. For context, I spent 2 hours here and I still don't think I absorbed everything. Three main takeaways: 1) Wow, IBM was such an iconic company. People don't think of IBM all that much today. 2) Computers/Technology solved huge problems throughout history to push humanity forward. Most of us just waste it on Tiktok/meta and other BS. 3) People really take things for granted Enjoy!
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Lauren T.

Yelp
Interesting museum, but I don't think it's really worth $17.50 each. I got a Groupon deal where it was 2 for $17.50. If I was by myself, I probably wouldn't have spent more than a couple of hours here, but my date, a computer aficionado, seemed to really enjoy himself and we spent about four hours here. The museum is nicely laid out. I would say I enjoyed the gaming section and the interactive IBM exhibit at the end where you punch in your name, scan the card, and then it gets printed out. It was a nice unique souvenir.
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Len P.

Yelp
If you are a technology fanatic and loves history, this place is good for you. Clean and interesting exhibit. Tons of info and a little hands on interactive options. Expect to be here about 2-3 hours.
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Raleigh L.

Yelp
Visit date: 4/2/2022 I had an incredibly positive experience at this location, and I wholeheartedly recommend anyone who has any kind of interest or background in computing to visit this museum. Admission price is incredibly reasonable ($13.50 for students), and you can easily spend 4 hours here. The items in their collection span several thousand years, ranging from models of abacuses during the Chinese dynastic era to some recent supercomputer models. They have a few live demonstrations held by some of the original computer operators at scheduled times as well.
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Sarah S.

Yelp
The computer history museum is extremely well curated! The exhibits are incredibly interesting and there's an excellent chronologic progression of tech developments over the years as you advance through the museum. Even if you don't have a lot of background on techs, the exhibits have great explanations along the way. You could easily spend 2-3 hours here. We had such a nice time and we got hungry midway, so we stopped at the zareens within walking distance before coming back to the museum This is a true gem of a museum and well worth a visit!
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Hristos K.

Yelp
I came to this museum 4 years ago when I was in San Jose on business. 4 years later I'm back to San Jose on business and one of my first trips is here. I'm an engineer and to me art museums haven't been that interesting because I prefer to see how things have contributed to what we do in our daily lives..a lot of people enjoy art, I don't, but I love museums like this. I still check them out occasionally though. Back in ma, every year we buy a membership to the museum of science because those are the kind of museums I like to visit. If I lived in San Jose if come here multiples times in a year. Last time I was here, I left on 4 hours cause my phone battery was dying, this time I brought backup batteries. Check Goldstar for coupons.
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Michelle R.

Yelp
This place is amazing didn't realize over 200 years of computers when I walked in here like wow I didn't even think that far how much computers and have been in all of our lives. It is worth every penny to come to this place.
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X Z.

Yelp
Went here for free because I had been a long time Bank of America customer. My experience here was great. It brought back lots of memories on the gadgets I used to own. This reminded me how old I was already! LOL... Highly recommended to people who have never been here before.
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D D.

Yelp
The fact is children vaccine is optional in US, but this museum does not allow children without Covid vaccination coming.