Top Attractions in the Palo Alto area

Palo Alto, Stanford, and the surrounding communities offer activities for all ages and interests. For out-of-town visitors, attractions that top the list of must-sees include a trip to the Stanford University campus. Highlights include:

• Hoover Tower
• Memorial Church
• Cantor Arts Center
• garage where David Packard and Bill Hewlett started Hewlett-Packard can be seen from the street.
• The Computer History Museum in Mountain View offers a low-key view of the development of Silicon Valley.
• Gardening enthusiasts should visit the Gamble Garden in Palo Alto and the Filoli Estate & Gardens, located about a 15-minute drive north on Interstate 280.

Family-Friendly Activities

Kids will enjoy

• The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo
• The small Museum of American Heritage in downtown Palo Alto
• The Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos
• Great America, an amusement park located about 20 minutes south of Palo Alto on U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Clara
• Ice skating at the Winter Lodge, an outdoor rink in the Midtown Palo Alto shopping district (October to April)

Art and Culture

Art lovers shouldn't miss:

• The many galleries around town
• The Palo Alto Art Center, a popular venue for Bay Area and local artists

Other Popular Attractions

• The Allied Arts Guild, an oasis of shops, gardens, and artists' studios in nearby Menlo Park
• The Stanford Linear Accelerator, a particle physics research facility operated for the government by Stanford
• The Stanford Research Park, home to many high technology companies

When you're worn out from sightseeing or shopping, get outside and get some exercise by taking advantage of one of the area's many recreational opportunities. See our Recreation section for more information.