Exploratorium

A $15.00 value, included in the Go San Francisco Card!

Exploratorium

Immerse yourself in a vibrant landscape of colorful sights, sounds, and curiosities! This remarkable museum combines art, science, and human perception into hundreds of exciting and interactive exhibits that make learning fun. Take a sensory journey in total darkness in the Tactile Dome (See Reservation Information), as you crawl, slide and climb through this maze in which your sense of touch is your only guide.

Known as the first and foremost of the world's interactive museums, the Exploratorium is housed in the Palace of Fine Arts, located in San Francisco's Marina district near the Golden Gate Bridge.

  • Not seasonal
  • Good for families
  • Parking available
  • Restaurant or snack bar
  • Restrooms
  • Disabled access
  • Reservations not required

Hours

Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Closed

Mondays (except for selected holidays) Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. All holiday hours are subject to change without notice.

Redemption Instructions

Included general admission with the Go San Francisco Card

Reservation Instructions

Advance reservations required for Tactile Dome (415-561-0362)

Address

3601 Lyon Street
At the Palace of Fine Arts
San Francisco, CA 94123

Public Transportation

Bus:

#30 Stockton Bus from either the Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square areas.

#43, #28, #29, #22, #41, and #45 Buses also stop nearby.

Rail:

Get off at Montgomery Street station and walk up Market Street one half-block, take the #30 Stockton bus to the Exploratorium

Different veins of the museum’s exhibits include the following:

  • Seeing
  • Traits of Life
  • The World of Matter
  • Mind
  • Listen: Making Sense of Sound

The museum has all sorts of goodies for any type of visitor to enjoy like the various floorwalks: The Ultimate Date Floorwalk and the Dance Walk. If you’re here with a special someone, for example, start off by going to the Ultimate Date Floorwalk to explore your feelings for each other through the Heat Camera “hotness” meter, Finger Tingler, Emotion Tracer lie detector, Listening Vessels, and Everyone is You and Me. Once you’ve reconfirmed your attraction to your partner, or maybe you’re riding solo with just your family and friends by your side, either way, check out the cool Dance Walk exhibits, situated in different corners of the museum. You can play with the Antigravity Mirror, the Shadow Box, and the Colored Shadows.

The Exploratorium gives you the chance to learn about the world around you and about yourself. Leave the museum with a greater understanding for human behavior and cognition. Give the kids a chance to learn about their world through hands-on science-related activities.

Complete your museum experience with some of the online activities on the Exploratorium’s website.

Take your significant other, friends, and family to get the most interactive experience San Francisco has to offer at the Exploratorium!

Product Rating
 
4 stars
 (1 Ratings)
Review Snapshot® by PowerReviews Express
Avg. Customer Rating:
 
4 stars
(based on 1 reviews)
0% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Already own it? Write a Review
Reviewed by 1 Customers Sort by:
Displaying Reviews 1-1 of 1 Back to Top Previous | Next

[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

 
Nice visit for family, but no for adults
By Joss from Denver, CO on 5/31/2011
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Smart Destinations Exploratorium:

I had a good time there, however it's more a suitable visit for family. Find a bus/shuttle to get at there, on foot it's very very long from Fisherman Wharf.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No- You may also flag this review.

Save on San Francisco's Top Attractions

At a Glance

Address

3601 Lyon Street
At the Palace of Fine Arts
San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone: 415-561-0360

Website: Exploratorium

Adult Gate PriceChild Gate Price
$15.00$10.00