Exploratorium: Tickets

Exploratorium - Tickets and Visitor Information

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What is Exploratorium?

• The Exploratorium is a hands-on science museum at Pier 15 on San Francisco's waterfront, where you can experiment with science, art and human perception.
• It’s a family-friendly attraction that has been designed for visitors of all ages. You can explore, touch, and interact with more than 650 exhibits.
• The exhibits cover subjects such as light, sound, movement, the human body and the natural world.
• Founded by physicist and educator Frank Oppenheimer in 1969, the Exploratorium moved to its current waterfront location in 2013.

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Quick Information

• Address: Exploratorium, Pier 15, The Embarcadero at Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94111.
• Opening Hours: Monday: Closed | Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00 | Sunday 12:00 - 17:00
• Recommended Visit Duration: Most visitors spend between 2-4 hours at the Exploratorium.
• Family-Friendly: Yes.
• Exploratorium Ticket Options

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Is the Exploratorium Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy trying things out rather than simply looking at displays. The Exploratorium lets you experiment with light, mirrors, sound, movement and other scientific principles through exhibits designed to be used and explored.

• It is a good choice for families because children can learn through play, while adults can enjoy the puzzles and experiments too.
• The waterfront setting is another advantage, with outdoor installations and views across San Francisco Bay.

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What You Can See at the Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is set out with multiple interactive exhibits, including:

• Fog Bridge: An outdoor installation connecting the museum's piers. It releases clouds of fog around you, creating a changing experience shaped by the wind and weather. It is also a good reason to spend some time outside the galleries.
• Light, Colour and Mirrors: Several exhibits explore how the eyes and brain interpret what we see. You can experiment with coloured light, reflections, shadows and visual illusions to discover how perception can be affected by the surrounding environment.
• Science Experiments: Across the galleries, you can investigate physics, sound, movement and natural phenomena through practical experiments. Rather than reading explanations alone, you can manipulate objects, test ideas and see the results for yourself.
• Outdoor Waterfront Exhibits: The museum extends beyond its indoor galleries, with outdoor installations and views of the bay. Leave some time to explore the waterfront areas as well as the main exhibition spaces.
• The Tactile Dome: A dark, immersive experience where you navigate a series of spaces using your sense of touch rather than sight. You may need to crawl, climb and feel your way through the route. Separate reservations are required this for, so check availability if you want to try it.

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Exploratorium Ticket Options‍

DAYTIME Entry Ticket - From $39.95

Best for: families and first-time visitors

• Exploratorium: Entry Ticket
• Best for families
• Indoor and outdoor galleries included
• Interactive science installations

AFTER DARK Thursdays 18+ Entry Ticket

Best for: Adults looking for a unique evening experience

• Exploratorium Adults (Thursday evening - 18:00 - 22:00)
• 18+ ONLY
• Interactive science installations
• Live music + bar access

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About Exploratorium

San Francisco's Exploratorium at Pier 15 is a family-friendly interactive science museum dedicated to hands-on learning and exploration in a fun way. The museum blends science, art, and human perception via exhibits that invite you to touch, experiment, and experience.

It was founded by physicist Frank Oppenheimer (brother of J. Robert Oppenheimer of Manhattan Project fame), and its aim is to transform learning through curiosity and exploration and encourages you to get involved and most importantly, have fun.

Highlights Include:

• Tornado: Step into a special indoor version of a powerful natural vortex. 
• Freezing: Watch water freeze and see how it changes.
• Sunlight Painting: See how light changes colour!
• Earthquake: Make a miniature earthquake and see how it moves the seismograph.

Exploratorium Thursdays - ADULTS ONLY (18+)

Visit on Thursdays from 6PM until 10PM for fun at the weekly adults only event. Grab your friends, start with a drink at the bar, chill with the live music and then have fun with the interactive displays, including the pitch-black dome.

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