gilbert house children's museum

We love Gilbert House Children's Museum. They have a wide variety of hands on exhibits in historic homes. Your children & grandchildren will want to go back again & again. The outdoor play areas are unique and engaging. If you live in the area a membership is a great option. That way you can go even if its a short visit and enjoy it more often.

I would highly recommend visiting this place with your children, grandchildren, friends children, it really captures their imagination, hands on things to do, visually appealing, wish something like this was around when I was a kid. The hardest thing about this place is telling the kids that it is time to go. Put it on your list.

It really felt we were let down from this experience. It was expensive and not a full experience. We were told this would be a great place to take our two kids because it was raining too heavy outside. We took the recommendation and really regret it. It seemed pretty cool at first, because they have a "store" with mini grocery carts for the small children. Our daughter enjoyed picking out "healthy options" and "paying" for them. Once we roamed around in the main house, it seemed run-down and we quickly became bored. At the next house, nothing more to offer. While proceeding to the last house, we noticed a huge play area outside with an enormous jungle gym and other activities we couldn't fully enjoy- because of the weather. I would have thought if you couldn't fully utilize all areas, you shouldn't be charged the full admission rate. We tried to play chess outside, but was too cold and my daughter was too young to keep out in the weather. We entered the last house and it really had two rooms with not much going on in either. We were on our way out and were told an activity was occuring in the main house, we thought we would check it out. Another huge mistake- it was some kind of putty thing with glitter the girl knew nothing about making. She informed us she could not thicken the putty-stuff anymore cause it took too much starch. I cannot think of why one would have an activity in which making the product is impossible. I was severely let down and if I lived in the area would tell anyone and everyone I knew not to waste money. It honestly felt like a money trap. One other thing to note, it seemed as if the same two kids following us room to room, had no manners, and were very rude to our young daughter. There wasn't much staff in the rooms of the houses to monitor or give any insight to what we were to experience.

This is an awesome place for kids. Lots of hands-on, interactive exhibits and plenty to see and do outdoors as well. Good location downtown near Riverfront Park and carousel. Affordable. Good to go any season. Call first for hours. Small, fun shop as well. Plan to be there a few hours. Food for sale. Free, close parking.

We're always on the lookout for opportunities where we can combine learning and fun. Typically you'll find this at a science museum, etc. AC Gilbert has aspects of a science museum mixed with toys and art. There is a good variety of hands-on activities for kids. I would say this would probably appeal mostly to kids maybe 10-12 and under, above that, it probably won't keep their attention long. The big play structure outside is a lot of fun, even for the adults. You could easily spend several hours here.

Great hands on kids museum that is comparable to Portland's Children Museum. Some rooms are constant while others change after several months to a year. I like how the museum maintains the separation of the old houses and puts activities in separate rooms. This lets kids focus on the activity at hand and not run around everywhere and it helps contain the noise so it's bearable (that's one major thing I did NOT like about the Portland Children's Museum). Plus there is an AWESOME multi-level outdoor play structure with slides, sand pit, large chess board, wind instruments, swings, picnic tables, bubble making area etc. Some of the fun indoor rooms include the grocery store room (shop and check out), arts and crafts (the room is always there, but the activities change), dark room with wall projection of self, space ship or submarine control room, farm to sea room, vet clinic and toddler play room. They also host birthday parties and have a preschool. Really fun for the kids. I had a membership for 2 years and am thinking about it again.

First things first. GPS will not get you there following Marion Street address. Look for Union and Water Streets. We were lost for an hour trying to find Marion Street address with GPS. Also, park in free spots. Metered parking horrifically expensive - literally what you would pay in midtown Manhattan. Meters are for a municipal lot, so city to blame, not Gilbert House. Once there, this is a terrific attraction for children of any age, certainly 12 and lower. Easily a fun half-day. Make sure to visit all the different exhibits - rooms. We loved the train room, grandson there for one full hour and cried when had to leave! Great "hands-on" approach and lots to see. Just get location right before departing.

Located downtown Salem, A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village was easy to find. Although the place caters to young children, our 12-year-old and 15-year-old sons who were there with our 2-year-old daughter also enjoyed themselves tremendously, especially in the outdoor playground and large slides. Each of the 3 houses presented a different science adventure for young and curious minds. We only wish we had more than a couple of hours to spare!

Excellent if you become a member. Day visit - over price. Like - indoor and out door activities. Dislike - poor quality food.

A place to explore with your grandkids as you experience life through their eyes. Make believe worlds abound. Exciting discoveries are around every corner. Some cost but well worth it for a day with the grandkids.

Lots of hands-on art/science activities for children, with creative wooden play structure outside. Set in cluster of historic homes in Riverfront Park. Admission might deter families: General (ages 3-59): $8;Seniors (60+): $6; Toddlers (ages 1 & 2): $4; Children under 1: Free; Children on Public Assistance: $4

There is a huge wood maze that my kids love. There are also two houses with rooms full of discovery, hands-on science and exploration. My kids are always excited to go there.

I was part of the crew that helped build the climbing structure and during my teaching career made Gilbert House a yearly event. I was not only a fan, but a supporter. After a few years illness I returned a couple weeks ago with a grandchild. While the outdoor climbing structure is still terrific, I found the trip disappointing. Many of the original and very active explorations areas are gone and have been replaced by rooms that seem designed more for the staff to have as little daily clean up to do than to encourage curious minds. They also seem not to have any idea of what age child they are seeking to serve. In the past it was geared for ages 4-10 on the whole and a place where even 2 year olds could go with older siblings and find some things to enjoy. The directions for most things are written for older children while the activity itself is for younger children. There is not enough true exploration in spaces where children do such things as place wooden vegetables in pretend dirt and touch pretend items in a pretend sand area. A real sand box to replace the former bubble room might be a wonderful space. The former recycling area was great. The room where they can move around pipe to make ball chutes, was a hit with the youngest children, however, the magnets on the pipes were too strong for even some of the parents to move about, thereby making it more of an adult exploration than a young child's. Materials are lacking. One stapler, no glue sticks or tape for several children to share to put cut paper together is just not practical and does not lend itself to much fun. Especially when the one stapler is too hard for the 4-6 year olds using it to push without adult help. That art room used to get messy, but it had paint and chalk, and glue and scissors and was a wonderful place. Now it looks like an office not an art room. The train does not even run on the track that goes by the spot where the kids can come up under the bubble to watch it. Not very thoughtful. The changes that have occurred have not made the museum better, only neater and in my mind not child friendly or stimulating. So when my 4 nieces and nephews came last week to stay in Salem for their Easter Weekend, we went to Portland to play at OMSI. There would have been a time when these 4 kids ages 5-12, and the adults would have had a great time at Gilbert House. I hope that time returns. For now I can no longer recommend it more than a 3 star space, a 2 for the inside and a 5 for the outside climbing area.

Our grandchildren say the Discovery Village was the highlight of our trip....they had so much fun. The exhibits are perfect for kids as all are hands-on, relevant, curious, informative and especially fun.

I have a 3.5 yr old boy, and was hesitant to go at first because I did not know if he would find it fun being so young. I'm glad we went though, he had a blast! And so did I.