California Academy of Sciences

Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning Renzo Piano, this $500 million architectural marvel in Golden Gate Park is a pioneer of environmentally friendly design: its “green” planted roof can be seen from across Golden Gate Park and it received Platinum LEED certification.

Best of all, however, the exhibitions are presented with a lot of imagination; it’s the kind of place that will keep both kids and parents entertained for hours. The main floor is divided into three main spheres: the rainforest, aquarium and planetarium. Each is a massive space that houses everything from interactive displays to live animals, but thanks to the brilliant architecture, the exhibitions are flooded with light. While you can eat at the Moss Room and the more casual Academy Café, we recommend lunching by the sculpture garden of the café in the de Young Museum directly across the way.

Indagare Tip: Especially on the weekends, ticket lines can be long, so consider ordering yours in advance on the Academy’s website. Prices are lofty, but the quality of this educational museum and the amount of time you can spend here make it worth it. Afterwards, you can explore Golden Gate Park, making this museum and environ a perfect escape from city bustle.