Reviews of Exploratorium (Museum)

Vernon Reagan

Took a visit and was not disappointed. There is a whole lot to do and you can easily spend a whole day here. We only got to spend a few hours because they do close relatively early so start your day here if you have more stops in mind. The moon is very ominous when you see it floating in the distance and does not disappoint up close. They also have Dissection shows and I caught the cow eye. It was very informative

Chris Maynard

The Exploratorium is a MUST visit if you’re in San Fran with kids. Especially if they enjoy hands on activities. The Exploratorium is huge and offers so so much to do and explore! Becoming a member is definitely worth it if you think you’ll be returning to the area within a year as there is so much to do here it’s likely you won’t get to experience it all in a single day. Just writing this review is making me want to plan another trip to San Francisco just to go to the Exploratorium and the California Academy of Sciences again! Highly recommend!

Latana Chaichanhda

incredible hands on experience for friends and families of all ages!! my 1yr old to my 10yr old loved it could not get them to leave after spending 5hrs in there! kids learn while having fun and fun for adults as well!

Jody Brooks

Countless stations demonstrating mind blowing scientific discoveries. Nice revamp in this new location right on a SAN Francisco pier, with all the views that implies. Great sites to see for kids and adults.

Stephanie Underwood

I really enjoyed my visit in this place. I learned more about Science. There are a lot of interactive activities in the place. I will definitely bring my family next time.

Anastasia Mares

The Exploratorium was soooo much fun! Anyone who loves engaging their mind and seeing kids discover wonderful principles of the universe should go here. My fiance and I spent 4 and a half hours here and still didn't finish the whole place. Will definitely be coming back again.

Amanda Malicoat

Very disappointed with them! I won 4 tickets last year for 4 general admission and unfortunately I finially was able to afford to take my kids and stay in San Francisco being a single mother. I just realized my tickets expired in February 2019 after spending an hour searching for them. So bummed I decided to call them to see if they could be so kind to extend only 3 tickets to next weekend (I already booked our room) we do not need the 4th ticket and the plan was to donate it to a family in line... They said nope and so I asked if they could offer any type of discount so I can still take them. No, they wouldnt even offer any kind of discount on admission for 3 people even if I brought the tickets in. I get it I sould of notice they expired but unfortunately I didnt. Most good businesses would offer something to satisfy their customers also in hopes they would return with their families again. We wont be going here ever again as we do not support businesses that do not support their customers satisfaction and experiences with the company.

Nancy Kaven

Excellent, you explore many areas to practice that you didn't know, much and very good knowledge. I love it.

Theresa Hunter

Best science museum. All the exhibits are interactive. I loved this place as a kid and am glad to find that it holds up. It will ruin you for all other science museums, however.

Dave Franz

A ton of great activities for preschool aged children to adults. There were way more activities than there was time. Something for every interest. Would highly recommend catching out at least 2-3 hours. Getting a season pass for locals makes a lot of sense.

Bill Strathearn

This is truly one of the most inspiring and intellectually interesting places you can take a child in the Bay area. The breadth of hands-on exhibitions is simply stunning. The creativity involved in developing each of these stands as a testament to the talent available in San Francisco.

Guy Cooper

Plan to spend 2 days here if you can and you want to interact with the exhibits. We spent most of one day and barely got to see the main exhibit building. There is just so much to see and do. Crowds were manageable when we went and rarely impeded our ability to explore the exhibits.

Emma Stone

I've been going to the Exploratorium since I was a kid, and it's still my favorite hands-on science museum. We mostly go to the After Dark events now, and the lectures are great. The recent temporary exhibits have all been super interesting, and we're excited to see what's next!

mikado benny

Lots of fun, even as an adult with no children. Was able to check out a wonderful exhibit, curious contraptions. Would love to come back for their after dark feature

Megan Barry

Best science museum we've been to, ever! Spent all day here with my boys (age 15 & 9) and they were completely entertained!

Aurel

Best for curious children of any age. On Thursday evenings, 21+ children can also have fun drinking at the wine bar at the same time! I LOVE this museum. It is full of workshops and made for understanding science by the experience. Sadly the price is outrageously high.

Maria Vishwanath

This place is huge. There is so many places to explore. Great for children 5 and up. If under 5 you can still look around and stand on the tornado

LeeAnna Vakameilalo

Love this place! A great learning experience for all ages. Love the indulgence into all of your senses! It really makes one think of how the world around them actually works.

Adam Lasnik

Amazing, joyous place! Just watching kids' faces here will make you smile! :) THUMBS UP: - Playful, welcoming environment - They hire, train, and decently pay young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to be docents - This place must inspire and delight quadrillions of kids a year :) - Even we adults can learn a lot about the world around us from the exhibits here THUMBS DOWN: - Can be insanely crowded on weekends - Like everything else in this darn area, it's very expensive (Note: if you're gonna come with a friend more than once a year, a yearly membership is well worth it!)

Natalie Ede

We really liked it! We couldn't even make it through in 3 hours! My only negative why I didn't give it 5 (I would give it 4 1/2 if that was an option) was the cost. It was almost $100 for our family of 4 to go! That seemed pretty steep, especially since we had to pay extra for parking on top of it! But the museum was great, the boys loved all the exhibits with sound especially.

Caroline Saksena

Interesting science exhibits and displays. Everything is well designed constructed (thanks to their in museum workshop) and it's a very hands-on experience. There's something for everyone, and there's so many exhibits that you won't be able to see everything in a day. You'll leave with some interesting random science facts that are applicable to your life. I'd recommend arriving early so as to maximize your trip. Have fun exploring!

Rebecca Masur

We went to After Dark for adult beverages and to learn about Whales. Had a great time. They open up a large area so you can play around with various exhibits. The bar was nice and included cocktails. Lots of space to wander and things to do!

Jes Seaman

This place is so much fun, there is literally SO much to do. All hands on too! It's geared for mostly kids 4 and up (maybe) but my 2yo had a blast! So don't count them out. The food and the gift shop are fair price on most things. The is also a large variety of gifts and toys too. My favorite is the fog bridge, but be careful! It gets SUPER dense and you literally cannot see in front of you. My only complaint is that I didn't get to stay long enough. Very cool place!

saul Garcia

You can spend a whole day here, fun stuff to do and see. Especially the tree is a nice view. And it's right next to the ocean.

Luming Tang

The best science museum that I have ever ever visited! No matter u are a beginner in science or a graduate student, u will definitely learn a lot from the experience and what’s more important, (re-)gain the enthusiasm for discovery of science! The only thing need to notice is that u should leave more time for this traveling spot. 1 hour is definitely not enough. 2 hours should be fine!

Aaron Leong

Too many exhibits to see on just one visit, so be prepared to come back a second or even third! My suggestion is to start at section 3 then 4 and 5, because the latter ones are arguably more exciting. Regardless of how you do it, this is a fantastic place to bring yourself, kids, etc.

California Woman

Words are not enough to describe how much I love it. While other Museum say don't touch this says touch everything. It lets you experiment Explorer and learn more about science. My son enjoyed it immensely so it's good for all ages. It is definitely worth the price of admission for all the stuff that you get to see, touch, and learn. They even have little learning stations where the staff show you different items and how they work. They even have a dissecting 1 where you dissect a real animal I or heart or something. It offers you a lot and it asks you to come back in like the most awesome way possible. By having more exhibits. When you guys are in San Francisco absolutely check out the Exploratorium it'll be worth it!

Yasmin Hovakeemian

You don't have to have kids to come here. This is such a great place to come and. Enjoy all the interactive displays at any age. Spent quite a few hours learning about lights, colors, sounds and more! Bring your student ID for a $5 discount at entry and plan to spend hours!

Joanna Yee

Parking lot available across the street from Exploratorium. Cost $10 for all day parking. Lots to touch, see, and explore. Attended the "after dark" event. Cost $19.95. Not too crowded when you go early. Starts at 6-9pm. Lots to drink and eat. Can be a bit overwhelming with all the gadgets and spinning machines. Some gizmos didn't work. Food and drinks looked good, but expensive. Overall, a fun filled place to go to for a date or night out to do something.

zen

Honestly you can spend hours here. It's not your standard museum, you wont be bored at all. Everything is hands on and interactive. It's perfect for all ages! The place is clean, great employees, and everything is visually stunning.

Rosa Maria Reyes

i enjoy coming to the exploratorium in the pier, it is always fun and full of activities. from a cows eye to exploring the sea monkeys!

Noelle Fell

Fantastic day of science! I especially enjoyed the outdoor section.

Eri van

It’s a great interactive museum in San Francisco that allows visitors to explore the world through science, art, and human perception. Its mission is to create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide.

Guy Singh

So much fun, and great activities for my kids. We would love to visit the place again hopefully next year.

Eric Dick

Amazing place with great hands on science for the whole family. I’m particularly impressed at the upkeep of exhibits!

Jeff Pendleton

This is a great place to learn as an adult or child, get your hands on the exhibits and learn how science works! I have three kids under 6 and they all love it. Hours of enjoyment

Sean Fournier

This place is brilliant. I will come back multiple times. The exhibits are more interesting and better quality than any government funded science centre I've ever been to–and I've been to dozens. The "science" is great for adults and enough exhibits to keep kids busy for days. The "light and visual" section is outstanding. π

Nicholas Angelo

Great scientific-themes "museum" where you can experience science through the various exhibit. They have exhibits for various sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Electronics). It's great to get your kid interested in science.

Marta S

We had a lot of fun! We went on a Thursday night and it was awesome! No kids around because at that time it’s only open for adults and you can purchase drinks inside. We enjoyed the experience and we are looking forward to going back because we couldn’t manage to visit the whole museum! Totally recommended!!

Jonathan Cheung

Such an awesome place for both kids and adults. I have fond memories of going as a child, and was so happy to take my 3 year old. He was able to enjoy many of the exhibits, even if he didn't understand what exactly was going on. A nice mix of the classic exhibits i remember as a child, and some new ones. The new space is spread out and in a high tourist area, but the weather was nice and we were able to check out the outdoor exhibitions as well. Close to the Ferry Building, where we went for lunch. For a family, 2 visits a year would make up for the cost of the annual family pass. If we lived in the area, I would definitely go for that option.

Yishu Lin

Good place to visit for the whole family. Both my 8yrs old and 4 yrs old enjoyed it very much. Cool stuffs are interested to adults as well. Stayed till close and we will come back again.

Débora Tavares

This place instantly became one of my favorite places, ever! I was amazed and entertained all the 4 hours I spent there on their Thursday After Dark events. I could easily have spent a couple more hours and it still might have not been enough to see/try it all. It's just so much fun to interact with everything and get a better understanding of how things work. I simply love it and I'll definitely come back if I ever have the chance.

Napat Poonsawad

One of the coolest place in SF! Strongly recommend this place. Perfect location, friendly staffs and amazing activities to explore. Should spend 2-3 hrs+ here

Shailesh Nalawadi

My family had a great time at the museum. My daughter learned so much and my son did as well. Highly recommend if you want to do something fun as a family

yunus emre demir

Excellent place for kids between 5-~

Chelcey Guptail

I love the exploratorium! It was fun and a great learning experience! If you have a fascination of how things work or why things do the things they do then this is the place for you to go. I am very inquisitive about the world and if you are too then this is the best place to go on a day trip. I went with my friend on a Saturday and there wasn't that many children so I was surprised. But definitely worth a go if you've never been.

Elise Phillips

Hands down of the coolest museums I've ever been too. So much to see here for kids and adults. I went twice during my visit to the area and still didn't see it all. No matter your age...you'll find something to learn and enjoy here. An experience not to be missed.

Manwell S

This place is awesome.. only drawback is the price of admission, but it is San Francisco, so I get why it's so damn expensive. Pay for parking across the street. Good place to take the kids and really check out some things that we never think about on a daily basis. How coils work, human interaction, lighting angles, it's all here and a whole lot more.. if you are a low income family, need food stamps or some other kind of aid, see if you qualify for free admission and take advantage of it when you want to take the family somewhere interesting for free.. the brownies are DAMN GOOD.. seriously.. try one.. or 7.. whatever. Location is beautiful, right on the pier with great views of the bay. The people that work/volunteer there are proactive and you can learn a lot if you spend a few hours here. Find the Earthquake s of California light up display in the upstairs glass room. Hope y'all enjoy it!

Athena Karantzalis

Felt like a kid again! Even the most apathetic cynic will find something that interests them in this 6 gallery, massive interactive museum - featuring fun outdoor activities. Tip: bring hand sanitizer and comfortable walking shoes.

Josh Lewis

Love the Exploratorium. Tons of fun experiments to see, getting to touch all of the exhibits is really cool. i wish my girlfriend and I could've come on the adult only night, but even during the day with a bunch of kids running around, two adults can have a good time.

Sébastien Branly

This is a lovely place to go to (especially as a couple or for a date) which offers a bunch of different experiments/interactive things based on physics etc. This is really interesting. Once a concept is understood, it tends to be repetitive though (the experiments become simple variations of something you already understood) but the trick is to walk around and switch rooms frequently (there are so many) because 4 hours is not enough to do it all anyway. Better to go on Thursday nights if you can!

Samantha Colden

We went to one of the After Dark sessions and had the best time! This is so much more than a museum, it's hands-on, it's fun and it's educational. We had so much fun exploring the vast space and all the exhibits - there was so much to see, learn and do. I'm not scientifically minded at all but I really enjoyed getting my nerd on and loved how there was an explanation for each exhibit. I never knew science could be so fun! Personally, I appreciated the adults only and relaxed vibe, the neat little pop up bars and the super friendly staff. The guest speaker was great too. Highly recommended - will definitely come back next time I'm in San Francisco!

S

There is so much to see, in fact it's overwhelming. The price of the admission is a bit high in my opinion.

Trevor Owens

This is the best science museum in the country. They invented the interactive learning science museum model and no one does it as well, but hopefully it will spread because these type of exhibits really make you enjoy science. I like taking my time with a few exhibits to really understand it, rather than trying to push every button.

Robert Sterner

This is a fantastic place. Its not quite a museum as its more about experimental science. It would be easy to spend a whole day here, and I wish we'd had more time. We really enjoyed our time here and spent a lot of time going through half of the place, not even realizing just how much was left. I would recommended this for anyone with kids and even if you don't have kids. There's neat things to check out outside.

Pax DeHaan

A wonderous place for adult and child alike! Had our company party here instead of at a park for picnic and it is THE BEST! We will definitly go back to explore in depth. I have a masters from Cal and I learned a number of things! Plus, stunning views great for photos of SF looking over thr bay toward Alameda county. If you have not been since the move to Pier 15 you must go!

Kalina Zufelt

So much fun you could spend days here! So many different aspects of science to learn about and unique interactive displays. You can tell they update the attractions often and keep fresh exhibits throughout. Loved the outdoor section as a nice break from being indoors. Spent 3 hours here and didn't see everything.

Nick Kisel

I rather enjoyed my day here. Note that I visited alone on the Community Day for $1. The venue, naturally, was crowded. The majority of visitors were families with children, so it got rather loud, and many of the activities were being used at a time so it was hard to get to all the attractions. However, this did not impede exploring, because in many cases watching someone else interact with an attraction was enough to understand it or be fascinated by it. There is a lot to do here - maybe even too much for me - and I think a $30 price tag is justifiable if you spend a good bit of time here and go through most of the attractions and perhaps even a short film screening.

Amusement Alex

Amazing! I loved all of the different exhibits, and even if I didn't like a certain section, there were so many others to choose. I would really recommend it , and adults and teenagers can still have a great time!

Brogan Stich

One of the best things todo in SF, For kids it's a great place to learn about science in a fun and hands on way. They also have After Dark for adults Thursdays, which is incredibly fun and a great date night. They have something for everyone and would make a "must stop" list for sure.

Nailya Gubaydullina

It is a huge exploratorium, it will take you all day to go through everything. The place is good for both children and adults. Very educational, made and explained simply. Various interesting games that will challenge you. Just go and you will learn a lot about our planet. Subjects such as physics, engineering, biology are covered with excellent examples which makes objects to be understood easier.

B Haysom

Great museum for all ages! The exhibits are hands on so many things to see and learn. I love the tiles in the bathrooms yeah it's a bit ridiculous.

Paul Douglas

Great place! Hands on science learning location, good for all ages. Plan on spending several hours there.

Eke Dubois

Simply great. You'd do best projecting spending a whole day. And btw you can go in and out all day with same pass. Really enjoyable for all ages.

Tomas Corteggiano

It is amazing, one of the best science museum I have ever gone. All kind of things, such as electrical stuff, magnetic field, light, waves, electromagnetic waves and classic physics. Its close at 5pm, be careful with that.

Mohit Sahu

I was with my kid as part of school field trip. Good place to learn some physics concept like reflection, sound, vibration, lenses etc. You can touch the exhibits. They have good place to take lunch. Overall good to spend couple of hours.

Alan Musselman

Such a fun place to visit even if you live in the city. Check out the adult only once a month Thursday for a special time with friends.

Sean Torrez

This is one of the most amazing museums I have ever been in. I'm an engineer and it was just as much fun for me as for my five year old. I thought it rivaled some of the great museums like the German technology museum in Munich. It's very different from many high caliber museums but just as good.

Flory Umayam

We went there as a homeschool trip and it was amazing!!!! They had a program about getting in for free if you use the BART, however, I think it's very well worth the entrance fee that they charge! There are LOTS of exhibits! We were there the whole day and I don't think we really saw everything! The cool thing is, it is truly an "explorer" museum! You can touch and try everything. You don't even need to whisper! A very educational and fun place! We went with kids ages 4-12 & everyone enjoyed it. We are going back again soon!!!

Ji Lee

Amazing place to visit! I thought it will take just a few hours, but ended up spending 4+ hours, and still didn't see everything. There is something for all ages, from toddlers to adults. I will definitely visit again.

Erik Rose

Awesome place. Leave yourself plenty of time to visit because it's huge. We only had a couple hours and could have easily spent another hour or two.

Ari Kessler

Well this place. It has so much potential but it really is more like a playground for schools and kindergarten. Although it seems like a place of great knowledge it really is a museum of basic physics an biology. It really is a sad part. That however does not mean that it is a bad museum. If you want to get into science (and meanwhile get surrounded by hundreds of children because the place is stuffed until 2 pm.) it has your name written all over it. It does however still do a great deal of fun. But really do not expect much if you want a little more advanced stuff. To conclude. The Exploratorium does what it name implies. It lets you explore its contents with a great deal of pleasure and teaches about a base knowledge of science.

Paul Armistead

What a mesmerizing array of ingenious inventions, contraptions, and mind challenging gizmos.

Amberlea Rose

Complete fun with science that is interactive and a blast. You could spend hours in here.

Kenneth Bates

Love to visit and share the wonder with my little boy. And occasionally a couple of his closest friends. A great experience for any child. (And adults alike)

Jim C

This place is awesome. We could have spent a whole day here. Plenty of things to keep every kid busy, from 2-12. Even though it gets pretty crowded, there are literally so many things to do that lines for an activity are minimal at most. Consider getting there right at opening when it is less busy. There is an indoor waiting area with activities to keep kids entrained. We highly recommend.

Nicholas Tyson

I was worried that it would be too kid-focused, but it's actually a great museum for adults too. The place is also huge.

Jacqui Sandoval

So much fun even for adults!

Allen Watson

Great place, not only for children, for the curious and ”like to try/find out self” people. A massive number of ”experience/do it yourself cells”, divided into 6 categories, over a very large area. Science focused. You can easily spend several days here, so don’t go if you don’t have time. Cafe’s and fast food inside the walk around area, so you don’t have to leave and come back. You can, however, get a stamp, leave and come back same day.

Sundae Billings

this was the best interactive experience I have ever had. It is a mixture between a theme park / a science camp and a playground. It is a interesting learning experience that I would recommend to anyone who has children also adults who want to learn a little bit more and because it's so interacting everyone can enjoy it

Myroslava Symonenko

On our first visit 3 hours seemed like nothing, so we had to come back for the whole day and had a blast! A lot of exciting, interactive and interesting exhibits, the outdoor and roof top galleries and a very decent canteen made the whole day experience in the Exploratorium super fun for both kids and adults.

Veronica Day

I LOVE this place. Can never get tired of going here. Been here TWICE and still haven't explored everything yet. Perfect for ALL ages. So nice to let the little ones explore. It can get a little packed but there's so much to do that there's always something open and or available to use. Wheelchair accessible. My brother in law wheelchair is almost like a gurnee and he fit through just fine and was able to participate with some things as well. Can't wait to go back again.

Randall Cook

Excellent hands-on science museum. One of the best things to visit in the whole Bay Area, if not the world. We particularly loved the sand, magnetism, and electrical exhibits, plus the movies and movement tracking screen. The tactile dome was a splurge but lots of fun. A once in a lifetime thing. Can't wait to go back for more. In four hours we barely scratched the surface.

sbgroppi

Very cool place for kids. The diner towards the front is very good! The pendulum drawing board is awesome!

Sayali Godbole

It was a great place for kids and science enthusiasts. Various hands on experiments and learning experiences. Could spend an entire day if you would see all experiments. The Tinkering studio was the highlight of the tour. Try to go and get tickets early and then watch the rest of places while you wait for your turn. Same goes for drawing station.

Greg Roderick

As they say, if you're a curious person, this place is for you. It was founded by Frank Oppenheimer who was a physicist and Brother to Robert Oppenheimer. Yeah, that Robert Oppenheimer, another physicst and the father of the atomic bomb. This place is one of the first hands on museums around, and has been copied over and over again by others. It's a place to truly discover how the world really works through science, and man is it fun too. Think Myth Busters but in a safe controlled environment.

Israel Gomez

Great museum in front of the bay, with a lot of interactive exhibits, a lot of experiments and things to learn, great for kids

Leia Krier

Fantastic hands on place to learn about many science disciplines. Seems loosely organized by human perception (sound, optics, communication, environment). Guests are encouraged to interact with small-scale stations as individuals or partners to experience the scientific idea presented. Our group's age range was 2-70; everyone had a great time while learning!

Rainee Daze

Went to an After Dark Thursday night event (9/12) that is adults only and had a blast! Great Bartender (didn’t get his name but he wore a fedora and gauges) great staff in general, all very friendly and knowledgeable. Lots of activities and hands on experiments. My only wish is that I had more time because there was some things I didn’t get to yet, however that just gives me another reason to return! Completely loved my experience. Great vibe, great people, phenomenal activities and learning experiences. If you like science or fun activities I would highly recommend.

Cat Stone

Went twice recently - once with my 30-something friends for Thursday adult night and again with Mom, wife, 6 year old niece and in-laws. Had a blast on each visit. Amazing that all age groups can find entertainment and wonder here. Honestly recommend it, wear comfy walking shoes and get a snack at the attached restaurant/cafe and watch the water.

Jeffery Hall

This place is awesome, there is so much to do you can't see everything in one visit. All the exhibits are interesting and thought provoking.

Katie Handy

This place rocks. Always more to do and see. I could spend more days here than at Disneyland without getting bored.

Isaac Cabrera

Amazing place that will take you three days to fully enjoy. My whole family had a great time!

Alix Jules

Can not say enough about this place. We made it for the Pi Day anniversary and worth it. Could not get through all the exhibits, will have to go back later. Neither my 7 year old or 4 year old were bored. The 8 year old was highly engaged. The social psychology exhibit generated days of conversations on behavior and morality. We initially were ready to pass on the visit due to expense, but it was pay what you want community day. Would’ve been worth every cent, so we donated heavy regardless.

A Google User

Amazing museum for curious children and adults. an entire day is not too much, you can leave and come back within a day.

Daniel Zhao

Fun museum, lots of cool exhibits to explore. I found it interesting even as an adult. We also had our holiday party here and the venue was amazing! Very cool to see it at night.

Jesse Knight

Such an amazing place for adults and kids alike. So many interactive stations on science concepts from electromagnetism to social pressure. Only downside is the cost.

David Horning

There is so much cool things to see and do that you occasionally forget that you're learning something with each exhibit! Lots of cool pieces that are changed out often. Childfree adults: I'd recommend going on adult only nights and grab a drink while you walk around and explore! It's a great place to take a kid during normal hours too. I love it here and I'll definitely be back

Laura McSherry

This was an amazing interactive science museum for all ages. Tons of stations and all promote quick learning so that people move through each and into the next, so you aren’t waiting long if someone is at a station.

Donald Walker

The best museum I've ever been to. Outstanding.

Eva Loriston-Cabrera

This is a wonderful place to go to on the weekend and is for all ages. It teaches creativity to all and is free with a membership. I recommend this to everyone!

Jennifer Rozo

The exploratorium is awesome, it's for everyone there are a little ones every where going crazy on all the exhibits but it's still really cool you learn a lot I loved it. If you're visiting or you live here and haven't been I definitely recommend it. You get a great view of the bay bridge and the bay it's awesome!

Erica Walker

School field trip with the whole family after 4 hours, I'm happily exhausted... we haven't even scratched the surface. Could definitely use 2 days here. All 5 kids enjoyed from 18 months to 19 years. Adults too. Educational and fun. Will definitely be back.

steven m.

Pretty boring—if you have a degree in the life sciences, then you may have already seen most of the exhibits in the center during your studies. It was frustrating how they would demonstrate interesting phenomena, but they wouldn’t give any practical applications for that knowledge. It seems more appropriate for young kids that just want to be wow’d without any explanation.

Ahmed Sabbour

Cool place to explore with kids and adults alike. Get your ticket cheaper through the Go City pass.

Ella Shinar

It’s an amazing underrated attraction, I try to go every year whenever I’m in San Francisco. It’s a great experience for the whole family with interactive activities for all ages which will occupy you for the whole day. No matter how often you go there will always be something new to learn in a hands-on way. It’s one of the best things to do in San Francisco, especially for children.

Aloysious Hall

Always very cool. I don't think they are ever going back to the palace of fine arts. That being said, still very awesome! No tactile dome any longer but great stuff for all ages. Great looking food court...sushi, wow! Learn and grow in San Francisco!

Paulette Hughes

The person by the till was very kind to offer us a discount due to our profession, despite us not having ID. A great start! We spent a whole afternoon here and unfortunately didn't finish! This was because of how long we spent at each station. Hours of fun to be had here, would definitely recommend. If you have a chance go here! This was one of the best museums I have ever been to! We spent 4 hours here and felt rushed, you need a full day! I went with my 16 yr old and 14 yr old and we all had so much fun! Highly Recommend!

Rattasat Nudam

This museum is unlike others. In stead of solely walking and appreciating masterpieces,the activities inside are arranged in a way of workshop. Of course, they require your participation and you eventually get fun. They are focused on sciences and let you have an experiment or play a game. Some natural facts which you may never know them will intrigue you. One more suggestion for people who have kids, if you want them to love sciences, bring them here. Many workshops will build your kids’ curiosity which is a key of success in the future.

Eran Messeri

Very large establishment with a lot of different physical & biological phenomenons to observe. Plenty to do for adults as well as kids, plan for at least 2-3 hours there. I've been told (but not verified) that the cafe here is good too.

Mark Joseph Wallaert

Loved this place. Went for a corporate party, so not you're normal visit, but was exceedingly impressed with the space and exhibits. Nice bonus is the workshop where they create new exhibits and you can watch them crafting. The place is huge, don't miss going all the way to the observation deck where there are tremendous views of the Bay Bridge!

Efrat Harel

You can't miss it. Can spend 2-3 DAYS without doing the same thing. Absolutely brilliant! The best science museum I have ever visited

Adnana Mustedanagic

As a teacher, the place is convenient and great for field trips! I just wish there was more structure in terms of organization and tours. But nonetheless, the kids still had a great time.

Alexandria Chen

Loved it! I'm definitely gonna do the adults after dark exhibit next time though, or come early in the morning to avoid the school crowds.

Andrew Buckner

Great and exciting place. My toddler loves it.

Sergey Blashkov

Great museum located on the piers line of San Francisco. It has lots of activities for kids and big enough size to fit all the people going into. There are number of experiments with liquids, electricity, light, and all of them have quite clear description nearby. It say what's happening and why in short and easy to understand posts. There is a parking lot right across the street. When you pay for it, mention that you are going to go into the Exploratorium, and you will get more than 50% off the cost.

Ed Alp

Very nice! Inspiring! 3 hour visit was too short!

Lance

This place was awesome. I was there on pi day I tried to walk the whole thing and couldn't it has a lot of active for all ages I will go back to adventure more and I am 60 years old . Plenty of places to rest if you get tried....

Boglárka Egyed

Super awesome place to spend at least 2-3 hours at! I recommend it especially with kids as everything is interactive. Prepare for crowd though. Bonus: there is a great view of the bay from the pier behind it.

Bob Fafard

We had a great experience here, this place is geared for kids and adults. You really do get to explore every human sense with the experiments and activities they have setup. This place is big, there are a lot of people and kids, we always found something to play with or observe. Good way to spend 2-3 hours. Great interactive place.

Jason G

Fantastic place. It’s not often our 9, 12 and 15 year old all get along and play together but for the 3+ hours we were here they did. Lots to see and do, wish we could of stayed longer.

Mark B Borg Jr

We love this place. I first visited this place in 1991 when I met a dude who would become a lifelong friend. We more recently visited the Exploratorium--that dude and me--with our partners and our kids. It was fun to visit as young adults ourselves so many years ago, much more fun to visit all these years later with our kids!

Valeria Crescenzi

This is a museum-to-be in SFO! I visited it on San Valentine evening, when the museum was open until 10 p.m. (this happens every Thursday, so check their calendar out). It's a science museum with lots of installations and experiments to try. It's perfect for everybody: couples, families or groups of friends.

Tina Tjahjadi

A very fun place for kids and adults to explore art and science. It's strategically located on Pier15 with public transportation and clean bathroom access. There's a small cafe and museum store. It's a slightly pricey place to visit. Visiting on free admission days can be challenging due to crowded visitors.

Sergius Master

Great! That's what should be in every city instead of churches.

Patrick Osborn

I would give this a 5 because it is a really fascinating presentation. I only gave it 4 stars because with the crowds and all of the small presentations you get sensory overload pretty quickly.

Victoria Wilson

Unfortunately it can also be a bummer for lonely people. Quite a few of the exhibits needed two people to work properly. This place would be a lot more fun if you had a partner and kids. If you're like me you'll probably end up leaving this place with mixed feelings. Still, it's a very cool place with lots of exhibits to see. I'd say it's up there with the Academy of Sciences as the two best museums in San Francisco. I did love the great views of the bay on the upper floors and the exhibits are pretty fun for the most part.

GSR

Superb learning experience for children and adults alike. So many mini experiments with water, electricity, kinetic energy, magnets. Great games to exercise the brain and promote team work. You would easily need 4.5 hours to fully explore the Exploratorium

Evan Sidarto

This place is so amazing it's a shame I only had 4.5 hours to spend here. The kids can easily spend hours just on one section, so if you can only visit once, make sure to pace yourself. Kids will really enjoy sections 2 to 5, so start somewhere there first. I personally learned a lot of things, especially in the electricity and magnetism section. I'm sure that both adults and kids alike will learn something useful so it is definitely worth a visit.

Karen Aguilar

Went to the new location as a chaperone with my son's class, lots of new exhibits and a few of the old ones. Didn't see the tree of lights(sound activated), I'll look for it next time, when it's just me and my children. Heard the shadow wall is still there, that was my other favorite as a child.

Rob Nolin

I grew up going to the Exploratorium several times. I loved it them and I love it now. There is Just so much to do and see. Would actually recommend more than a single day to cover the entire Museum. Fun for all ages.

Cory Shiraishi

We only had 2 hours, wish we had more. It was fun and interesting!

Karin Pond

Exploratorium was great. There is a lot of stuff to do there. At least 3 hours worth of stuff if you wanted to spend time at EVERY project. You could spend just a good hour though if you wanted to run through it. I would not recommend night life drinks because they are a rip off. $13 for a cup of ice basically and a tiny cup. If I knew what I was paying for I wouldn't have gotten it. That thing was two sips and I was done. That was the only thing disappointing.

Farrukh Saidov

Good place to observe some phenomenon of physics.

Brandon Williams

An awesome adventure. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to spend a long time there. It's huge and you can literally touch everything. Which is great for young kids.

Chi Nguyen

Such a fun place to explore for my little one and the adults can also enjoy different interactive exhibits. Love that they change up the displays so we can always learn something new each time we visit the museum.

Nick Kupinski

Fantastic museum you could easily spend your whole day here. They have so many different interactive exhibits, you can enjoy them all no matter what age. If you can go on a day when there isn't too many kids, i.e. field trips, then you will have no problem moving around and playing/interacting with whatever exhibit you wish.

Beatriz Pimentel

This place is amazing! Just went here on my kid's school field trip and it was awesome. My son is 7 years old with autism and he enjoyed this place so much. All the displays are interactive and sturdy enough for tough little hands. The staff is friendly and helpful and there are instructions by every display. It's a pretty big place with lots of different activities that even adults will enjoy.

Joe Manlove

Fun and science come together nicely at the Exploratorium. The displays are well thought out, interesting, and informative. Most of them are also pleasing to the eye. The helpful and friendly staff will gladly explore with you or give you hints. The scattered layout means that you can spend extra time on displays that pique your interest. A half day wasn't quite enough time to see everything, a d I'm looking forward to another trip.

Latchezar Betev

The most amazing science exhibition! Hands-on experiments and clear explanations of the effects and physics laws in action. Absolutely fun for kids and adults. Must visit while in SF.

Ansel Hendrickson

Great place to take your kids. However, take some sanitary wipes with you as many people handle the props and it appears to me that these interactive exhibits are cleaned and wiped down often enough. Other than that it can be fairly educational and a fun experience for kids and adults..

Samantha Koch

Great place however as a lone traveler, I found it to be underwhelming. Still spent 30-40 minutes there, a lot of the exhibits require 2+ people involvement which sadly was not my case. Can't wait to go back with a group!

Brittany Bourdage

I had a great time at the Exploratorium! Staff was friendly, lots to look at and learn. Overall, good experience. They are dog friendly, they just don't advertise it. Only suggestion is that they put hand sanitizer stations around the venue since everything is hands on..

T Lucas

I hadn't been here since they moved to the pier. It's always fun and they always have new exhibits. If you have never gone... It's like going to your favorite science teacher lab and getting to play with all the experiments. You'll learn about physics, science, and a little biology. The toddler we brought didn't like that he had to wait to play, some of the exhibit involving air and light blew his mind. I only wish we had more time to explore, as each exhibit can teach you something. Parking across the street was really reasonable! We parked and explored the rest of the pier.

Adam Ringel

The worlds finest hands on science museum. Ideal for children but by no means exclusively for them. Thursday nights are After Dark, exclusively for adults, allowing them to wander about the museum with a cocktail in their hands and not worry about bumping into children.

Bertrand Casteltown

Our original idea was to entertain an 8-year-old at this place, but the adults in the group had fun just as much. I wouldn't even know what exactly to recommend, everything is interesting and fun! There are even an outdoor deck and the lockers for rent. I recommend, if possible, visiting it during the week-weekends are usually crowded, but I wouldn't miss the visit, nevertheless.

Caleb Stanford

Extremely interactive, high-quality museum with endless interesting exhibits. I'd like to return sometime.

Kristin Weathers

I went to the Residents concert and toured the Exploratorium. There was quit a bit of exhibits my favorite was the sound I could hear through my elbow and all the electricity exhibits. It has an amazing area to hold concert events in, the wall of speakers is pretty cool. Exploratorium "after hours" is perfect for people that want to the exhibits with out a bunch of little children running around.