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Museum of Making Music

5790 Armada Dr · Carlsbad, CA

Why you should go…

The Museum of Making Music is a music-history museum in Carlsbad, California, operated by the NAMM Foundation and opened to the public in March 2000. Its galleries recreate vintage music-store settings and trace the connections among people, instruments and the music they make from 1900 to today. Visitors can pick up and play a variety of instruments throughout the hands-on exhibits.

  • #music
  • #museum
  • #history
  • #family

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Museum of Making Music, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    LEGOLAND California

    $50+

    A build-themed theme park for younger kids, with an entire Miniland USA built from millions of LEGO bricks.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    California Watersports

    $25–$50

    Waverunner, boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals on Carlsbad's Agua Hedionda Lagoon.

    1.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    Family Favorite

    Carlsbad

    Free

    Coastal San Diego County city known for its beaches, LEGOLAND and the seasonal Flower Fields.

    2.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    San Diego Natural History Museum

    Under $25

    Southern California's oldest scientific institution, known locally as "The Nat," with dinosaur fossils and giant-screen films.

    29 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    San Diego Model Railroad Museum

    Under $25

    Balboa Park museum with large-scale model train layouts recreating Southern California railroad history.

    29 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Maritime Museum of San Diego

    $25–$50

    Waterfront fleet of historic tall ships and vessels including the Star of India, with harbor cruise add-ons.

    29 mi awayMore like this