Plan Your Visit

Building Facade - Side Angle View

Admission to The Franklin Institute includes access to three floors of hands-on science exhibits and experiences. Explore permanent interactive exhibits, attend live science programs, and watch a show in the Fels Planetarium. Groups of 15 or more are eligible for discounts.

Members of The Franklin Institute enjoy valuable benefits, including unlimited FREE general admission and exclusive discounts on special exhibitions, parking, Sci-Store purchases, and more – all for ONE FULL YEAR!

Buy Tickets 
Member Tickets  Become a Member  

Museum Hours

General Admission Hours 

The Franklin Institute is open daily from 9:30 am - 5:00 pm 
 

Important News: The Train Factory exhibit is now closed in preparation for its reimagination and expansion into a new collections gallery surrounding the Baldwin 60,000, opening November 2024.  

 

Daily Schedule  Museum Map

Ticket Prices

General Museum Admission

Adult: $25
Child (3-11): $21
Member Adult or Child (3-18): FREE

Buy Tickets    Member Tickets

Members of The Franklin Institute enjoy valuable benefits, including unlimited FREE general admission and exclusive discounts on special exhibitions, parking, Sci-Store purchases, and more – all for one full year! 

Join or Renew

Tips for a Great Visit 

Follow these tips to make the most of your visit to The Franklin Institute! 

Before You Arrive 
  • Become a Member. Buy a membership online and enjoy free admission for one full year from the date of your purchase. All memberships include complimentary admission year-round as well as discounts on parking and out Gift Shop.  
  • Be aware of Field Trip season. To avoid busy field trip times, we invite you to visit mid-afternoon Monday-Wednesday or anytime Thursday-Sunday. Our highest concentration of school groups occurs before 2pm and primarily on Wednesday through Friday during the school year. March through May are particularly high traffic times for school groups, when we receive large numbers of visiting children throughout the week. 
  • August is Summer Camp season! Expect several large groups of visitors on Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in August.
  • Preview exhibits and experiences online. Explore our museum map, daily schedule, and find out more about what you’d like to experience before you arrive. There’s a lot to see!  
  • We are upgrading our museum! We heard our visitors, and we are working to bring new experiences to the museum. We just opened a brand new, two-story exhibition, Wondrous Space! Other areas will be closed as we build new experiences, but we have plenty of activities to fill up your day -- just check out our schedule!
What to Know 

The Franklin Institute welcomes you every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our top priority is ensuring a safe and delightful experience for all our visitors, including the little ones who might get distracted when they enter our doors.

 

You can count on our dedicated Guest Experience Members to assist you in reuniting with any separated members of your party. If you lose a child or someone from your group, inform the nearest employee, and we'll spring into action. When you arrive, be on the lookout for our Guest Experience Members and security personnel in uniform, and point them out to your child. Our team is trained to assist you in these situations and any other emergencies that may arise.

 

Our commitment extends to ensuring every guest has an accessible and enjoyable experience. To learn more, please visit our Accessibility page.

Access Programs

PA ACCESS Card

Present your PA ACCESS card and receive admission or tickets for up to four people, at $2 each. Not valid with any other offer or group rate. Visitors must present their PA ACCESS card at the Box Office along with a photo ID to receive the discount. Not valid on special exhibitions, special events or features, or with any other offers or groups rate. Advance tickets not required. ACCESS Philly is a region-wide initiative led by Art-Reach. ACCESS admission is available during regular museum hours.
 
STAMP Passes

Teens from Philadelphia high schools who have a valid Philadelphia student ID receive free admission. Find out more about the STAMP program.

For even more info to help you plan a great visit, check out our Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

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Directions

The Franklin Institute is located in Center City Philadelphia, at the intersection of 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

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Parking

Onsite parking is limited, and $25 per vehicle. TFI Members save $10!


271 North 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

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Accessibility

Learn about the museum's accessible entrances and seating, logistics for parking and wheelchairs, sensory-friendly options, and more.

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Stroller Policy

Strollers are welcome in the museum. However, large toddler carriers, double-sided strollers, and jogging strollers are not allowed in special exhibition galleries due to space constraints.

Experience Live Science Shows & Dissections

Plan your day at The Franklin Institute with our Daily Programs & Shows Schedule. This schedule will show you things to do and see during your visit including live shows, dissections, and Planetarium show times.

Learn more about our Live Science Demonstrations

Daily Schedule

Live Science in Musser Theater

Explore the Night Sky in the Fels Planetarium

Look up and see what the actual night sky would look like without the interference of weather, pollution, or city lights. The immensity and clarity of the view create a sense of wonder and stimulate the imagination. Engaging shows and immersive visuals and sound educate young and old alike about astronomy and our place in the universe.

Current Planetarium Shows

Fels Planetarium
The Eatery

Where to Eat and Stay

Dining & Lodging

Plan Your Visit - Plan a Field Trip to The Franklin Institute!

Plan Your Field Trip

Group Visits

Benjamin Franklin national memorial set up for an event image 8

Plan an Event

Learn More