We have a wealth of artistic beauty and historical information to share with our children in Monterey County. Summer is the perfect time to take advantage and enjoy an educational and fun afternoon exploring.
Colton Hall
Pacific Street between Madison and Jefferson Streets, Monterey, 93940
831-646-5648
www.monterey.org/museums/city-museums/colton-hall-museum
Built to serve as a public school and town meeting hall, Colton Hall now offers visitors a re-creation of the meeting room where California’s first Constitution was drafted in October 1849. Colton Hall is small but interesting and a must for history buffs as well as children in grade school as they begin to learn the history of the state.
Dali 17 Museum
5 Custom House Plaza,
Monterey State Historic Park,
Monterey, 831-372-2608
www.dali17.com
The Museum of Monterey underwent a complete change as the artwork initially housed in the museum was replaced with over 300 original works of Salvador Dali.
Monterey was the only place in the US where Dali lived and painted. He spent summers in Carmel and had close ties to Monterey County as a result. Dali17 is a permanent exhibition of etchings, mixed media, lithographs, and sculptures by one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated artists.
Monterey County Youth Museum
425 Washington Street, Monterey 93940, 831-649-6444
www.mymuseum.org
The museum was developed in 1997 to provide an environment where both children and adults learn together through experience. MY Museum is an 8,500 square foot museum with a variety of hands-on exhibits. Special classes and activities are included with admission including Make-n-Take, Baby Jam, and My Music Series. $2 Tuesday offers reduced admission days on the first Tuesday of every month to all Monterey County residents. MY Museum is partnering with the Dance Center to offer a special toddler dance class in July and August.
Monterey Museum of Art
559 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940
831-372-5477, www.montereyart.org
The Monterey Museum of Art is a small museum with a helpful staff and a good collection of California artists. Keep an eye out for Family Days when the Museum offers free admission and activities that support current exhibits. Two-hour free street parking is available on Pacific Street.
National Steinbeck Center
One Main Street, Salinas, 93901
831-775-4721, www.steinbeck.org
Dedicated to the work of Salinas native, John Steinbeck, the National Steinbeck Center has film clips, readings from books, plays, information and artifacts from his personal life and much more. Excellent docents are a wealth of information, and the museum store is an excellent place for gifts. Information on special events at the museum as well as educational resources for parents and educators is available on the Center website.
Pacific Grove Museumof Natural History
165 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, 93950, 831-648-5716
www.pgmuseum.org
The museum opened in 1883 making it one of the oldest natural history museums in the country. The museum showcases the birds and wildlife, plants, and geology of the area. The website has a wealth of information about local nature activities for each season of the year, including a large amount of information on monarch butterflies.
Pacific House Museum
10 Custom House Plaza,
Monterey State Historic Park,
Monterey, 831-649-7118
www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=961
The Pacific House was built in 1847 during the US occupation of California. The adobe has been used as storage for the US Army, a hotel, a courthouse, a tavern, and as offices. The museum tells the story of Monterey when it was the capital of Spanish and Mexican California. The museum features beautiful baskets, pottery, and other Native American artifacts.
Presidio Museum of Monterey
Corporal Ewing Road, Building 113, Monterey, 93944, 831-646-3456
https://www.monterey.org/museums/City-Museums/Presidio-of-Monterey-Museum
The Presidio of Monterey Museum offers exhibits of Monterey’s various stages of military development. The majority of the museum is dedicated to the history of the Presidio as a training base.
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