Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Aug. 9--SAN JOSE -- Take a trip to the Nile Valley, walk papyrus-lined pathways, examine everything Egyptian and do it all without leaving the confines of California. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium in downtown San Jose is home to more than 4,000 authentic ancient artifacts that date back some 6,500 years and tell the story of a time, a people and a culture that brought us King Tut, the pyramids, a massive stone sphinx and, of course, the preservation of human bodies by mummification.
Visitors to the museum can examine the hieroglyphics that adorn the walls and tell stories, check out the wrapping on some mummies and even venture down into a tomb to visit both the offering and burial chambers.
In addition to the museum, the grounds also are home to a planetarium. While not quite laying claim to the word "ancient," the planetarium can claim that it was only the fifth one to be built in the United States. With daily showings, the planetarium is highlighting a show that examines an ancient Roman religion and how one theory connects it to the stars.
Walls full of beautiful drawings, intricate tools of an ancient time and skies full of stars, it's enough to make anyone want to walk like an Egyptian.
WHERE: 1342 Naglee Ave., San Jose, inside the gardens of Rosicrucian Park.
WHEN: weekdays, 10 a.m. to5 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last admittance into the museum is 30 minutes before closing. Weekdays, there is one planetarium show at 2 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, there are two (one at 2 p.m., another at 3:30). Note: The museum is closed on Labor Day.
COST: $9 general admission; $7 for seniors and students with identification; $5 for children ages 5 to 10; children under 5 are admitted free.
GETTING THERE: From the Altamont Pass west of Tracy (Interstate 580), continue on 580 to Dublin and take Interstate 680 south toward San Jose. Take the Mission Boulevard west exit to Interstate 880, merge onto Mission Blvd/CA-262 west and merge onto I-880 south toward San Jose. Take the exit marked "The Alameda" and turn left on The Alameda. Turn right onto Naglee Avenue.
DRIVE TIME: 1 hour, 32 minutes (MapQuest)
MORE INFORMATION: 408-947-3636 or online at www.egyptianmuseum.org
Bee assistant librarian Karen Aiello can be reached at kaiello@modbee.com or 578-2370.
-----
Copyright (c) 2006, The Modesto Bee, Calif.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
