The Best Museums In Fresno, California
Despite being hundreds of miles away from the cultural hotspots of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Fresno is by no means a backwater. The largest inland city in California has a number of museums, from single-building affairs to large galleries. Some dwell on local history, while others celebrate the achievements of ethnic groups or Americans as a whole. Take your pick from these top museums in Fresno.
1. The Discovery Center
Building, Museum, Park, Winery
The Discovery Center
The five-acre Discovery Center consists of a museum and park that contain a wide range of hands on learning opportunities for children. Inside the museum, kids can visit exhibit areas dedicated to music, electricity, space, magnets, paleontology, botany, geology, and Native American artifacts. Outdoor attractions include a tortoise enclosure, a replica space capsule from the Gemini program, bark dwellings made by members of the Miwok tribe, a cactus garden, and the oldest adobe building in Fresno. The “Dino Dig” excavation area is always a hit – just watch out for the metal T-Rex and pterosaur.
Address & telephone number: 1944 N Winery Ave, Fresno, CA, +1 559-251-5533
2. Meux Home Museum
Museum
3. Fresno Art Museum
Museum
5. Kearney Mansion Museum
Museum, Park
Kearney Mansion Museum
M. Theo Kearney, known as the ‘Raisin King of California’ for his involvement in the fruit industry, was a self-made Irish businessman who played a major role in the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural development in the latter part of the 19th century. In his will he bequeathed his residence and the grounds of his 230-acre estate to the city of Fresno, now Kearney Mansion Museum and Kearney Park respectively. Over 70 percent of the mansion’s original furnishings and décor from 1903 have been preserved, and guided tours can be taken around the premises.
Address & telephone number: 7160 W Kearney Blvd, Fresno, CA, +1 559-441-0862
6. Veterans Memorial Museum
Memorial, Museum
7. Arte Américas
Library, Shop
Arte Américas
Across its 10,000 square feet of gallery, classroom, and performance space, Arte Américas aims ‘to make Central California a flourishing place for Latino arts’ by promoting the work of artists from Mexico, Latin America, the American Southwest, and California. To this end, exhibitions, performances, dances, and recitals are frequently held here. Cultural education is facilitated further by the provision of a Latino history and literature library. The center also contains a tiendita, or ‘little shop,’ that sells authentic handcrafted garments, jewelry, and other items.
Address & telephone number: 1630 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA, +1 559-266-2623
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.