De Young Museum
One of our very favorite things to do as a family is spend a few hours at an art museum. It’s a fun way to get out of your normal routine and enrich our lives. I love having introduced our kids to art from when they were very little. Walking through an art museum is a personal experience. Each of us sees art in a different way from a unique perspective. Modern art is particularly accessible to young children. We make it a point to visit at least one art museum everywhere we go. Today I’m sharing how to explore an art museum with kids through our time at the De Young Museum in San Francisco.
Recently we spent the day at the De Young Museum in beautiful Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. From the very first days I spent in San Francisco, I’ve loved this museum. It used to be a very different much more traditional building more like the old museums in New York or London. Today, it is a modern structure complete with a viewing tower with views of the city which can’t be beat. The tower itself is worth the trip.
I find that the buildings themselves are part of the fun of a museum. It’s so interesting to me how architects and gallery designers choose to construct in such a way to exhibit the works so artfully. A modern building exudes a different feeling than an older building and yet both are common avenues for which to experience art.
We were lucky enough to catch one of the final weeks of the Keith Haring exhibit. The kids really enjoyed it as it’s nothing short on color or statement. We also enjoyed seeing one of our favorite Thiebaud paintings. We were all impressed with an installation in one of the modern american art galleries using burned pieces of wood to the point of charcoal. Stunning, impressive and like so much art, a social statement.
The cafe is great though expensive with a wide range of delicious food for parent and kid foodies alike. We often go there to play in the sculpture garden outside the cafe where you don’t need a ticket to enjoy. The De Young is located adjacent to the Japanese Tea Gardens and The Academy of Sciences. A not to be missed walk through Shakespeares Garden is the perfect cap to the day. Obviously a museum trip is not complete without a green wall and a photo shoot.
I am not able to publish this post without a very big shout out and grateful mention to the gracious man that found me in line, a very long line! and offered us his VIP tickets. He generously asked if we would like his 4 tickets as he could not use them (5 and under are free) and refused to take anything more than a thank you. He not only saved us a lot of $$ but a long wait in line with my littles. I have been on the giver end of such a considerate selfless act but never a recipient. I have thought about him every day since and how he brighten our day with his generosity. I can’t wait to pay it forward!
If you’d like to read more about visiting art museums with kids, I’ve written about The Guggenheim, The MoMA, The Tate, and The Anderson Collection museums.
The De Young is just one of our favorite things to do in San Francisco. Check out our Guide to San Francisco for your next visit or staycation.
