4.9
Absolutely one of the best museums I have gone to, not even on the West Coast or the United States but the world, and easily the best non-art museum. Massive insightful collection filled with actual useful content and the probable best implementation of audio extra to a museum I have seen, which I guess makes sense.
Tickets are 20 bucks which makes sense as you do get what you pay for. This museum is massive, especially if you use your audio guides. You can put in an extra hour or even 3 on this alone.
In terms of the main/upstairs area, the different countries were well explored, especially Europe and America. I didn't get to hear a lot of the African or Native American sections but there was clearly a lot. In terms of Asia, most of the areas, especially Vietnam and South East Asia were well explored. If anything, I wish they could have had more stuff from Japan and China, not just from the performance pieces mostly. It felt small, especially Japan, by comparison to the rest of the countries
The imagination room where you get to play instruments fits in with many personalities, though it can get quite loud. Trying to play a theremin also feels quite difficult. The artist section was nice as well.
I think what partially made this better than your average museum was the enthusiastic staff.
Special note to the Apolloina organ performance and staff. We spoke with the guy who was running the show and his knowledge of the subject and his enjoyment for music was clearly shown. The performance was quite interesting as well.
I honestly think that the only thing not worth it was 7 dollars for the drum exhibit, not because it was not extensive, but it was quite possibly not even necessary as the rest of the museum was so good.
Cafe isn't bad either.