Exploratorium General Admission: Interactive Science Museum Experience
4.7
122 Ratings
San Francisco
Experience the excitement of experimentation, the pleasure of discovery, and the power of play at the Exploratorium, an award-winning museum of science, art, and human perception in San Francisco.
Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Exploratorium - Kids and adults both will love the Exploratorium in San Francisco! This favorite family attraction boasts a convenient location along the Embarcadero waterfront, between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building. Enjoy the vibrant bayside energy of Pier 15, and then head inside the museum with your all-day general admission ticket.
What's Included
  • Daytime admission to the Exploratorium
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Tactile Dome experience
  • Viator ticket purchases cannot be applied to an annual membership at the museum.
  • After Dark - Thursday Evening Admission (Ages 18+ only)
Additional Information

Visit the Exploratorium, a renowned institution dedicated to empowering curious minds through the unity of science, art, and the study of human perception. Delve into over 600 immersive exhibits, both indoor and outdoor, which open your eyes to the wonders of our world. Test your senses in the infamous Tactile Dome as your navigate its pitch-black twists and turns. The museum also houses a unique gift shop and two culinary options: the Seaglass restaurant with a breathtaking view of the bay, and the Seismic Joint Cafe (hours may vary).

Nestled on Pier 15, between Pier 39 and the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero of San Francisco, the Exploratorium is easily accessible via public transit and has nearby parking spaces.

  • All exhibition spaces, the Store, dining areas, and all public restrooms are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
  • A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available for loan, free of charge. They are located at the Info Desk on a first-come first-serve basis.
  • Guide dogs and other certified assistance animals are welcome
  • Tactile maps for blind and visually impaired visitors are available upon request.
  • Coin-operated lockers are located just past Ticketing and the Info desk
  • Complimentary museum maps are available in English, Spanish, French, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, German, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean and Filipino.
  • Free admission for children ages 3 and under
Location
Exploratorium
Green St, Pier 15, The Embarcadero
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(122 Ratings)
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Revathirajakumar
Feb 24, 2024
It's a must-visit, especially for science enthusiasts. - The Exploratorium offers an extensive experience that can easily fill 4-5 hours of exploration. It's a must-visit, especially for science enthusiasts. With a diverse array of interactive displays, from playing with lights, creating giant bubbles, experimenting with magnetic sand, observing dancing water droplets, infinity mirrors, and discovering fascinating science facts presented in an engaging and fun manner, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
74jadec
Feb 23, 2024
Fun place to visit - not only for children! - Visited here recently with my sister (both 27 lol) on a very wet and cold weekday and we really enjoyed it. We were here for hours! Was obviously full of kids but as the time goes on, it becomes emptier! This was part of the city pass we purchased.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindagr3875vz
Feb 20, 2024
Fantastic day for the whole family! - The whole family loved our day at the Exploratorium! We took our kids when they were growing up, several times and now we've taken our grandson, next generation also! The food in the restaurant was delicious and the view of the Bay Bridge right through the floor-to-ceiliing glass walls was amazing too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebeccar99
Feb 19, 2024
Always delights! - This was our 2nd time to the Exploratorium, but my 12 year old didn't remember it. It was just as much hands on fun as the last time, and we saw dolphins out in the bay from the window. We'd go again. It was full of field trips from local schools on a weekday, but it was still a blast.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolyndesai
Nov 28, 2023
Fun interactive learning experience for the whole family! - We just loved this museum and the entire experience! Our nine-year-old twins were fascinated with all the different exhibits. We arrived at 11:00 am and other than a quick stop at the cafeteria for lunch, we were all happily occupied right up until it closed at 5:00 pm. The interactive exhibits were so informative and so much fun, for kids and adults alike. I highly recommend for families with kids of all ages!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ndj152
Nov 24, 2023
Great Experience! - Great learning experience! Picture a huge airplane hanger style (several) all out overlooking the pier / bay. The building is divided into 6 galleries that each focus on a specific scientific topic. Every 2 feet is a hands on tactile experiment for the kids to participate in. My son is 10 and we spent 6 hours here. He had a blast. Beautiful environment and really encourages tactile learning in multiple ways. Buy the tickets to also do the dark dome. Was a really fun and interesting experience. Would encourage all families to visit!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sf092023
Nov 20, 2023
Really worth seeing for those thirsting for knowledge - With our City Pass we got in for free and it's really exciting. Whether it's math, physics or chemistry, there's something for everyone. I can only recommend it and you should go around 10am when it's not so busy. It's great that you can try out lots of things. Adults can have a lot of fun here too. With our City Pass we didn't have to queue either. It could be expensive for a large family, $37.00 per ticket, not exactly a bargain, but if you get the City Pass at home you can save a lot. Great facility. The staff are also really friendly and helpful. I lost my cell phone. The staff helped me look for it and it was found. I can only recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ahmad_hisham_83
Nov 20, 2023
Love it - A really nice experience to kids and anyone interested in science, it is an interactive exhibit and you will love to tryout different experiments and learn more about them. But set aside sometime for it, if you want to explore it good, then 3-4 hours is needed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amberltaylor
Sep 7, 2023
So much to do, fun for all ages - There are so many hands on attractions that you are never waiting around to try something. We almost entered the day before a couple of hours before closing but so glad we came the following morning instead as we were occupied for hours and still could have done more. My kids are 14 an 16 and we all had a great time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W1797zljacquelined
Apr 24, 2024
Interactive - A fun and cute interactive museum. Covers a wide variety of things, as a photographer, I had a lot of fun with the light area!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
April 2024
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