Children's Museums
Gilbert House Children's Museum
📍 116 Marion St NE, Salem, OR 97301🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–5 PM |
About Gilbert House Children's Museum
Children's museum in 3 historic houses. Children's science & art museum spanning 3 Victorian houses plus an outdoor play area. The museum spans 3 interconnected Victorian historic houses, creating a unique multi-building educational experience rather than a single structure. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,283 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Children's Museum
- Best For
- All ages, infants to teens
- Location
- Salem, Oregon
- Exhibits
- 20+ hands-on exhibits plus Outdoor Discovery Area
- Admission
- $16 general, $14 seniors/military, free under 1
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum spans 3 interconnected Victorian historic houses, creating a unique multi-building educational experience rather than a single structure
- Features a massive outdoor labyrinth maze that visitors describe as large enough to temporarily lose sight of children, creating an engaging and memorable navigation challenge
- Offers income-qualified Access Membership at $75/year, demonstrating commitment to accessibility for lower-income families beyond standard admission pricing
- Daily educator-led Science Time program runs every day from 1:00-2:00 PM with hands-on experiments, providing structured learning opportunities throughout operational hours
💬 What Visitors Say
- Arrive early or plan for a full day - the museum has extensive indoor exhibits across unique rooms plus outdoor play areas (playground, sand pit, climbing structures) that can easily occupy visitors for 4+ hours
- Plan your visit before 4:30 PM gate closure, and note that the museum closes Mondays and opens at 10 AM on other days - this limits access for working parents, so plan accordingly or consider membership benefits
- Don't miss the outdoor labyrinth maze - it's a signature feature that children find engaging and challenging, but parents should supervise as it's easy for kids to get temporarily lost inside
- Check the daily Science Time programming (1:00-2:00 PM) and Friday storytime (11:30 AM) to enhance the educational experience with structured activities beyond self-directed exploration
- If visiting with a large family, inquire about party booking options and summer camps led by experienced educators, which may offer better value than drop-in visits for frequent attendees
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