Exploratorium

The museum of science, art and human perception at the Palace of Fine Arts

The Exploratorium is an experimental, hands-on museum designed to spark curiosity—regardless of your age or familiarity with science. Touch, pick up, and tinker with hundreds of exhibits. Your curiosity will guide you to endless discoveries!

The Exploratorium stands in the vanguard of the movement of the "museum as educational center." It provides access to, and information about, science, nature, art, and technology.

This unique museum was founded in 1969 by noted physicist and educator Dr. Frank Oppenheimer, who devoted his efforts to it—and was its director—until his death in 1985. From 1991 until 2005, the museum was led by renowned French scientist and educator Dr. Goéry Delacôte. In May 2006, nationally known science education and policy expert Dr. Dennis M. Bartels was named Executive Director.

Museum Hours:

• Open Tuesday through Sunday
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Closed Mondays (except certain holidays)
• Closed Thanksgiving
• Closed Christmas Day

General Admission Prices:

• Adult (18-64) $14.00
• Student (18+ with ID)
• Seniors (65+) $11.00
• Youth (ages 13-17)
• People with Disabilities $11.00
• Children (ages 4-12) $9.00
• Children (3 and under) FREE
• Tactile Dome (7+; general admission included) $17.00
• Members FREE
• Free admission on first Wednesday of each month; however, due to capacity limits, groups of 10 or more are required to make reservations or will not be admitted.

Exploratorium Store:

Like the Exploratorium itself, the Exploratorium Store is full of fascinating things to look at, play with and learn from - for everyone from toddlers to teenagers to so-called grown-ups - in every price range.

Events:

The MIND team and advisors developed a variety of special events to test exhibit and program ideas and to complement the project’s permanent exhibit collection.