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Computer History Museum

Explore the fascinating development of technology over the centuries at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. See exhibits that decode the 2000-year-old history of computing and 1,100 artifacts, including the very first computers from the 1940s and 1950s. Learn about the game-changers in computer history through multimedia exhibitions and experiences, or play a game of Pong or Spacewar.
Computer History Museum At Mountain View, California

Computer History Museum

1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, California, 94043
Distance from hotel: 3.14 miles

Hours

  • Wednesday through Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Docent-led Tours: Wednesday−Sunday, noon and 2 p.m.

Prices

  • General Admission - $15
  • Students, Seniors, Active Military - $12
  • Children (12 and younger) - Free

Events

  • Speaker Series
  • Educational Events
  • Docent Led Tours: Wednesday−Sunday, noon and 2 p.m.
  • Women In Computing Tour: First and third Friday every month, 2 p.m.

Activities

  • Computer history exhibits
  • Historic artifacts
  • Games
  • Cloud Cafe and Gift Shop
  • Multi-media exhibitions
  • Guided Tours 
  • What exhibits can I see at the Computer History Museum?
    Discover the origins of modern technology, including computer games and the Internet, through multi-media exhibits and artifacts. Current exhibits at the Computer History Museum include Revolution: The First 2,000 Years of Computing, The Babbage Engine, IBM 1401 Demo Lab, and Where To? A History of Autonomous Vehicles. The museum also features traveling exhibits and demonstrations throughout the year.
  • Are there tours of the Computer History museum?
    The museum offers docent-led tours for groups of 10 or more, Wednesday - Sunday at noon and 2 pm. and reservations must be made at the least 45 days in advance. You can also enjoy self-guided tours at your own pace, as well as weekly demonstrations. Bring your mobile phone and download a Computer History Museum Guidebook, a free app at http://www.computerhistory.org/planvisit/.
  • Who invented the first computer?
    Who invented the first computer is a matter of historical perspective. The history of computers is epic, driven by human passion and innovation to solve problems. A millennial might say "Steve Jobs." The Computer History Museum espouses that the first modern computer was born during WWII with ENIGMA and the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer in 1945. The museum's Revolution: The First 2000 Years of Computing exhibit chronicles the history of computing, from the abacus to the smartphone, through 19 galleries, 1,100 objects, multimedia experiences, and accounts from pioneers and innovators.
  • Does the Computer History Museum have parking?
    There are 400 free parking spots right in front of the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. Located just 3 miles away, Hotel Strata offers a complimentary shuttle to the museum.