The kids and I love going to the Exploratorium here in San Francisco. This place is amazing and filled with hours upon hours of fun exploration not only for the littles but for adults as well, they even have Thursday night cocktail events!
I enjoy the parent-child engagement that this place provides. As we go from one station/exhibit to another, I talk to them about what they are doing and in the process we learn about new concepts, how things work or a different perspective.
Most of the stations there are very science & technology oriented(which i love), and in most cases has the kids physically interact with it, teaching valuable lessons of cause and effect and involving the senses.
Mark Jacinto loves that they use cool colored LED lights, Dominika likes that there are plenty of areas for a little one like her to play and interact. They have a room were all the walls are pegboards and they provide the kids with sticks, pebbles and whatnot so that they can build things and create.
We really enjoy doing this as a family, and personally appreciate an stimulating place were mommas can learn new and interesting things.