The Best Things to do in San Jose

By Mei Chen

San Jose, often overshadowed by its flashier neighbors, has more to offer than just tech headquarters and traffic. From historic landmarks to cultural hubs, the city has enough quirks and hidden gems to keep even the most jaded traveler entertained. Here are the best things to do in San Jose that might just make you reconsider your plans to drive up to San Francisco.

1. Winchester Mystery House

Winchester Mystery House is famously bizarre, with staircases leading to nowhere, doors opening into walls, and enough Victorian oddities to make your head spin. It was built by Sarah Winchester, widow of the inventor of the Winchester rifle. It’s a labyrinth that feels like something straight out of a fever dream—or a home improvement show gone terribly wrong. But don’t take my word for it; get lost in the corridors and see if you can spot a ghost or two while wondering how much money is too much for an eccentric hobby.

2. The Tech Interactive

Next, dive headfirst into the heart of Silicon Valley at The Tech Interactive. It’s a hands-on science and technology museum that’s as much about playing with robots as it is about learning how they might take over your job one day. Whether you're tinkering with gadgets or building a robot that moves like a caffeinated hamster, it's impossible not to have fun here—even if your latest smartphone update has left you feeling like a technological dinosaur. The IMAX theater is also worth a visit if you want to feel small and insignificant in front of a giant screen.

3. San Jose Museum of Art

For a dose of culture, the San Jose Museum of Art offers a collection that’s both diverse and delightfully modern. This isn’t your grandma’s art museum—unless your grandma is really into contemporary works and installations. The museum is a great place to wander around and pretend you understand what "postmodern deconstructionism" means while nodding appreciatively at a sculpture that resembles a pile of old shoes.

4. Japantown

If you want a taste of history and a full belly, head over to Japantown, one of the last three authentic Japantowns in the United States. It’s a neighborhood that perfectly blends the old and new, with traditional shops, sushi restaurants, and a karaoke bar or two where you can sing your heart out (or at least try). The farmers market on Sundays is a great spot to pick up fresh produce, handmade crafts, and listen to local gossip in a mix of English and Japanese.

5. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

Finally, for something truly off the beaten path, visit the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, which holds the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the Western United States. The museum itself is a bit of a mystery, just like the secretive Rosicrucian order that founded it. Mummies, hieroglyphics, and enough relics to make Indiana Jones jealous—it’s all here. And if you think you’re leaving without at least a little bit of existential dread after staring into the hollow eyes of a mummy, think again.