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Exploratorium

Science Museum

Northern Waterfront, San Francisco

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Exploratorium

9.1^/10

2,695

ratings

Has a stamp of approval from The Wall Street Journal and Wired
"Interactive, fun, and worth the money."(16 Tips)
"Super hands on science museum - great for all ages!"(14 Tips)
"The Thursday night After Dark event is a lot of fun!"(14 Tips)
"Great place for kids and adults .. really really fun"(10 Tips)

313 Tips and reviews

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Colin MusselmanOctober 24, 2013
Get the food here. It's amazing and not too pricey. Best museum food ever, hands down - it's a lot better than most restaurants. Bonus: it's a good break from the crowds (kids) too
Alexa Jane BrooksJanuary 6, 2015
The Exploratorium is so much fun. Go on the 1st Thursday of the month for late night. Also, get the tacos and the potatoes bravos!
Upvoted 4 days ago
Corrie DavidsonAugust 12, 2013
This place is a wonderland that gives new meaning to the idea if hands-on. Fun for ALL ages and exhibits outside as well as inside so anyone can experience it. A must visit if you have kids.
Upvoted 1 week ago
Mikuláš ŠkorpilJuly 4, 2018
At first I thought it will just be a silly exhibit for kids, but it was awesome. It really nicely showed a lot of experiments. I would recommend taking about 3 hours to go through the whole exhibit.
Alex ChiritescuJune 13, 2017
This museum is really great. Huge number of interactive exponates: physics, biology, chemistry, psychology, you name it! Also liked the small demonstrations: attended a cow's eye dissection.
Marisa LownApril 12, 2016
So much fun for people of all ages!! A very large space so plan to spend at least a half day here to enjoy all they have to offer.
Rafael OchoaApril 20, 2013
Visit their new location along the Embarcadero, it's a beautiful new space. I dare you to drink out of the toilet water fountain! Also, head to the back to check out sweeping views of the SF Bay!
SFistAugust 3, 2014
Take the kids to learn about tides and plankton, play with marble machines, and explore the Tactile Dome in total darkness. There's a restaurant fit for adults now, where you can have a glass of wine. Read more
Mortiche WongJanuary 30, 2017
Been here 10+ times
Our favorite museum for for the young, & young at heart. Excellent exhibits, great rotating features makes every visit full of new discoveries. A place where all are encouraged to explore, be curious!
Marissa CFebruary 10, 2017
Adults should come Thursday night for After Dark which has drinks, special exhibits, not crowded and no kids! Tactile dome was lots of fun and worth the extra $10, buy tickets at the front desk.
Geoff GreenAugust 23, 2014
The whole museum is great for kids and kids at heart. The Bay Observatory on the second floor includes some great displays about the history of the bay as well as some informative older and newer maps
Taylor LeeJuly 10, 2018
Keep the family entertained for hours at the exploratorium - the exhibits are all interactive and fun. Check out their temporary/changing exhibits, too.
DailyCandyFebruary 25, 2014
With three times as much space and more than 600 indoor and outdoor exhibits, there are plenty of ways to play.Enjoy interactive exhibits, fog installations, and observatory rooms w/ waterfront views.
Ir&IvApril 24, 2013
We've been in many science museums including NY, SF and London ones. Exploratorium is the very best. You'll discover lots of new ideas about your mind and the world around. And it's fully interactive!
posidoniaDecember 24, 2014
best museum to explore and learn how the world is and why! A must-visit for kids & not only! Will take you at least three to fours hours to see and discover all exhibits!
Karina LopesNovember 20, 2014
Really fun. I loved to play with the experiments. The infrared camera was so cool, showed how my boyfriend has hotter hands than I have
Brian StraussMarch 6, 2016
The quintessential SF rainy day spot. Don't miss the cow's dissection! Nice new restaurant in back with very healthy grub.
Asher Kahn-KrellAugust 8, 2014
Check out the Thursday night adult only hours. You can have a drink while checking out one of the coolest science museums out there. Almost like an art museum for science.
The Bold ItalicMarch 10, 2011
After Dark at the Exploratorium varies in terms of theme and content, so be sure to check online for details about food, presentations, and special exhibits. Read more
Louis HarboeJuly 22, 2016
Wonderful, handmade, interactive exhibits on everything from biology, physics, to social behavior. You'll need at least 3 hours.
Natasha TomishimaOctober 1, 2017
It was very fun and interesting!! However, it'd be nice if there were hand sanitizer stations around since, you know, hundreds of people (a lot of kids) touch those buttons, handles, etc every day.
William FelkerSeptember 14, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Possibly the best Science Museum I have ever visited. Very engaging activities and plenty for all young and old.
Peter GazaryanAugust 31, 2014
The great science museum with a lot! of the interactive installations to perform the experiments from the different areas of science. Fun for both adults and children guaranteed. 100% worth to visit.
Daniel GraysonJanuary 3, 2018
Amazing amazing amazing. Good for humans of all ages.
Pamela WagnerJuly 7, 2017
I hadn't been to this new location. It was wonderful!!! Make sure you take someone with you, as there are lots of things that require 2 people. This is an inter-active destination.
eric bornemannAugust 22, 2020
Pricey for a kids museum but lots of very cool exhibits and stuff to play with. The tactile dome is a lot of fun as an added experience.
Puu KampolratanaFebruary 11, 2015
I recommend spending a whole day here. So much to explore. Kids love it, and so do this 27-yr-old adult. You will have so much FUN.
Celine HOctober 9, 2018
Highly recommend the Exploratorium After Dark for a cute date night. Endless things to discover and talk about, and they serve beer, wine, and cocktails!
Destynee AutumnApril 2, 2015
An amazing building of science omg. Just perfect. I would advise at least 3 hours to get he complete experience.
Jordan StanisciaAugust 8, 2014
You'll never finish everything in one visit. Pick a side and really go for it! For added fun, get tickets to the pitch-black tactile dome!
Jole PDecember 29, 2017
An amazing place for an afternoon for all ages fascinated by science or not! Also walkable to the ferry building for lunch!
Kimberly SSeptember 25, 2014
Drink water from a toilet! ;) Fun place for kids and adults, lots of different exhibits and things to play with. The magnetic sand is my fave!
Andrew SandlerApril 8, 2016
One of the most amazing museums in the world. Don't forget to go upstairs. There's a great patio/deck overlooking the bay.
Laurie BridgesJune 19, 2013
Never went to see it at its old location, but the new digs are great! We were there opening to closing and didn't get to see it all. Go on a long day so you get the most out of it.
Laura CNovember 17, 2011
Science Museum great for children and adults. Features the Tactile Dome, which is a maze of tunnels and slides that you go through completely in the dark using your sense of touch to get you through.
Daniel StansellApril 24, 2017
Full of interactive exhibits and sure to blow your mind. This is an engineer's paradise - come early and hit Pier 23 Cafe or Hard Water after!
Andres NovoaMay 5, 2016
Thursday nights they hold their After Dark 18+ event which automatically gives you a discount on admission! $15 for a night at one of the best museums I've ever been to!
Kian LaviSeptember 9, 2015
Make sure you check out the camera obscura on the top floor! Definitely a highlight
Connie HuJuly 9, 2017
There were many interesting things to explore and learn about, but some attractions would be quite difficult for younger kids to fully understand.
Mike SolimanJuly 22, 2013
If you can't find garage or lot parking and are forced to park on the street, be sure to have the "paybyphone" app installed. You can pay for your meter via the app. No need for quarters anymore.
Jeff RiversAugust 13, 2020
If you have kids and you're in SF, this is the spot. Fun, interactive exhibits. Good cafeteria, too.
Hana MullerovaMay 25, 2016
Worth to visit even if you staying few days. Not only for children, better to go in 2.
Lil' BenitaJanuary 6, 2018
So much to see and do! Making this drawing is fun, but get in line early to grab a limited spot.
Zeke KochDecember 31, 2016
Great exhibits. Challenging with young kids unless you have one adult per kid, but full of fascinating stuff for young and old. The food is surprisingly good, but crowded and chaotic.
Julia MaApril 27, 2014
Been here 50+ times
Every Thursday night, the Exploratorium stays open late for adults. To avoid the crowds, DON'T go on the 1st Thursday. They still have bars and a whole lot less people.
Elisha OlguinMay 2, 2013
This place is awesome had fun. My boyfriend and I enjoyed it. We will definitely have to come back next time we come visit San Francisco
angelaAugust 15, 2014
If you don't like crowds, go on a regular Thursday night when After Dark isn't happening. Booze is still served, and you don't have to wait in line!
Tim IngmireAugust 5, 2016
Lots to do and see and play with. Prepare to spend a lot of time here especially if you have an inquisitive mind.
Tablet HotelsFebruary 26, 2013
Science fans will love this museum. Adults and children alike love the interactive exhibitions like the visual mind set and toilet drinking fountain.
Cameron KetchamJune 26, 2015
My favorite museum of all time! Make sure to set aside enough time! There is a lot to see and explore!

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