If you know your way to San Jose, California, you can find plenty to see and do. Along with being the home of Silicon Valley, there is also the Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium, and the San Jose Flea Market.
The Silicon Valley has more to it than just computer technology. It also has the NASA Ames Research Center and History San Jose Museum. At the NASA Ames Research Center visitors can learn about the latest research and developments in space technology. Tours are available from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with the Research Center being closed on federal holidays. Over 500,000 artifacts are available at the History San Jose Museum, including Victorian scrapbooks, telephones, cameras, and more. Admission is free.
While you are making the museum rounds, you will want to check out the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium. The Museum holds the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts to be found in the Western United States. The highlight of your visit will be a walk through a full-size replica of a rock-cut tomb. The planetarium shows are free and can be seen Monday through Friday at 2:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. General admission is $9, with $7 admission for students and seniors $7, and$5 admission for children 5 through 10. School and group tours are provided on request.
If you’re still in the mood for mysteries after viewing the Egyptian artifacts, you can visit the Winchester Mystery House. This Victorian mansion, at one time owned by heiress Sarah L. Winchester, is full of odd and mysterious things, such as staircases that lead to the ceiling, and doors that have blank walls behind them. The construction of the mansion was begun in 1884, and it continued until her death 38 years later.
There are three types of tours available at the Winchester Mystery House. The Grand Estate Tour costs $26.95 for those 13 and over, and $23.95 for seniors and children 10 through 12. Children under 12 are not admitted on this tour or the next due to safety considerations. The Behind-the-Scenes Tour costs $18.95 for those 13 and over, and $17.95 for seniors and children 10 through 12. Children are allowed on The Mansion tour, with a cost of $13.95 for those 13 and over, $18.95 for seniors, $15.95 for children 6 through 12, and free admission for those under 5.
At the San Jose Flea Market you’ll find over 2000 sellers of every collectable you can imagine, from arts and crafts to comic books and belt buckles. There are also 25 restaurants and many snack carts around the flea market to test your palette. For your entertainment while you browse through the vendors, there is music from many different countries, and children’s playgrounds. The San Jose Flea Market is open from Wednesday through Sunday, from dawn until dusk. Parking is $6 on weekends, and $2 during the week.
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