The museum was conceived by Frank Oppenheimer, a former physicist, college professor and high school teacher who recognized that curiosity is the key to learning. According to Lisa Dratch, senior manager of institutional communications at the Exploratorium, “Oppenheimer was trying to capture that feeling you get when you figure it out — the feeling when you go from unsure to all of a sudden everything coming together.” 

Today, more than 600 immersive exhibits at the Exploratorium invite visitors to explore and learn at their own pace. But let’s face it: the average kid doesn’t care about any of the theory behind learning. All they care about is having a good time — and in this, the Exploratorium delivers.

Why stare at your phone when you can have fun with optical illusions, stand inside a kaleidoscope or watch the wind play a 27-foot-tall harp? The Exploratorium is an important reminder that an entire universe exists outside our screens. The Exploratorium’s executive director Lindsay Bierman told SFGATE, “In a time where all of us, but kids especially, spend more and more time on screens, this is a place where you can come and physically experience the astonishing scientific, sensory and psychosocial phenomena that animate our world and shape our actions.”  

The Exploratorium rolls out new programs and special engagements each summer, which often run into the fall. In 2023, the West Coast debut of the Great Animal Orchestra, an audiovisual art experience that celebrates the animal world, runs through October. The 37-minute film is the perfect length for kids and adults alike. Check the online calendar for additional programming for kids and families throughout the year, including special programming around holidays.  

Perhaps the best reason to bring kids to the Exploratorium is the simple fact that it’s fun. Dratch says, “The Exploratorium is one of the few places where you can go and have as much fun regardless of whether you are three or 73 because the exhibits are focused on human perception.” Whether you’re walking across the swirling mist of the Fog Bridge (seen above), creating colored shadows or examining microscopic plankton, the Exploratorium gives each person who walks through the door a chance to revel in their curiosity. As parents, you’ll know it was a successful visit when your kids carry that curiosity with them when they leave. 

You can add the Exploratorium to your list of free things to do in San Francisco. Complimentary admission is available for up to four people when you present a EBT, SF Medi-Cal or SF CalFresh card at the ticket counter (you’ll also need to show your ID). Admission is also free for California public school teachers and through the San Francisco Public Library’s Discover & Go program (a library card is required and tickets need to be printed in advance). 

Reduced admission is available for active duty, retired or reservist members of the military. For a detailed list of opportunities for free or reduced admission to the Exploratorium, visit the museum’s website.  

In addition to discounted tickets, discount parking at the Exploratorium is available in the Pier 19 ½ and Exploratorium Pier 15 parking lots. Simply enter the code 4302100 into the ticket kiosk or give it to the parking attendant if you’re paying in person. 

Visitors with special needs are invited to contact the visitor services office at 415-528-4407 to discuss any special assistance or accommodations that will help facilitate the best possible experience at the Exploratorium. In addition, patrons with disabilities qualify for discounted admission and caregivers can accompany them for free. Dratch says, “We believe that inquiry-based, hands-learning should be for everyone and welcome the opportunity to meet visitors where they are at and provide a welcoming and inclusive environment.” 

What better way to end a day of learning and discovering than with a meal at one of the Exploratorium’s restaurants? For natural sodas, coffee drinks and grab-and-go items like pastries and sandwiches, head to the Seismic Joint Cafe, located off the Embarcadero near the Exploratorium’s entrance. The outdoor seating area is especially inviting on warm days.  

The Exploratorium is also home to Seaglass Restaurant, which has expansive views of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. The menu uses fresh, local ingredients and features sushi alongside tacos and fish sandwiches. Psst. They’re also known for their craft cocktails. 

Find it: The Exploratorium, Pier 15, Embarcadero at Green St., San Francisco, CA 94111; 415-528-4444 

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].