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Balboa ParkvsThe New Children's Museum
Both are endorsed by professional reviewers. On balance, The New Children's Museum scores significantly better than Balboa Park. The New Children's Museum has a TripExpert Score of 92 with approval from 6 sources such as Michelin Guide, Frommer's and Travel + Leisure.
Balboa Park
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
Michelin Guide
Afar Magazine
National Geographic Lonely Planet
Where Where Show All Reviews
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
From $0/night
Concierge "As Central Park is to New York City, Balboa Park is the center of this out-of-doors city."
Lonely Planet "Balboa Park includes a number of gardens, reflecting different horticultural styles and environments, including Alcazar Garden , a formal, Spanish-style garden." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Besides trails, dog parks, and play areas, the historic Balboa Park is home to such attractions as the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Museum of Art." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "It’s pretty much impossible to get bored at this park." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"Balboa Park endures as an idyllic sylvan retreat and the nation's largest urban cultural park." Full review
Afar Magazine "Balboa park is a landscape of arts and culture in San Diego, including museums, such as The Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Photographic Arts." Full review
National Geographic "The nation’s largest urban cultural park includes the San Diego Zoo (see below), the Old Globe, 13 major museums, unique gardens, and fanciful architecture that originated with Expos in 1915 and 1935." Full review
Lonely Planet "All attractions are easily walkable, or jump aboard the park's tram to whizz around them all at speed." Full review
Where "At 1,200 acres, this lush green space overlooking downtown San Diego is the largest urban cultural park in the country, home to more than 17 museums, theaters and other cultural institutions." Full review
Where "The cultural heart of San Diego, Balboa Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country." Full review
The New Children's Museum
Fodor's Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure Michelin Guide Where Afar Magazine Travel + Leisure
Frommer's
200 West Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
From $0/night
Fodor's "Opened in May 2008, NCM blends contemporary art with unstructured play to create an environment that appeals to children as well as adults." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Installations are designed by artists, so tykes can learn principles of movement and physics while simultaneously being exposed to art and working out the ants in their pants." Full review
Travel + Leisure "San Diego's art-minded museum has studio space where kids can decorate a 1973 VW Bug." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"The museum is building a state-of-the-art new facility in San Diego's marina district. Projected date of completion is fall 2007." Full review
Where "Designed just for kids, this awesome interactive art/play space downtown is a revolutionary learning environment." Full review
Afar Magazine "The Children's Museum in the Gaslamp is a multilevel building full of wonderful things for kids to do." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Engaging exhibits, colorful interactive play areas, and hands-on art installations offer fun for young kids"
22 Fun Things to Do in San Diego With Kids
February 21, 2023
Frommer's "Industrial and angular, the museum features ever-changing artworks by local artists that can be climbed on, touched, or interacted with in some way." Full review
