Exploratorium Tickets

The Exploratorium offers an innovative collection of over 600 exhibits, with a quarter developed specifically for this location. You can explore 6 distinct galleries, each designed to engage with different scientific concepts, from human perception to life sciences. The exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including physics, the local environment, and human behavior. Many are interactive, allowing guests to engage in hands-on experiences that make science and art come alive.

Immersive galleries & hands-on learning

Each gallery provides a focused learning environment. Gallery 1 delves into human behavior and perception with exhibits like All Eyes on Me and the pitch-black Tactile Dome, while Gallery 2 encourages creativity and tinkering with stop-motion animation stations and the intricate Rolling Through the Bay sculpture. In Gallery 3, visitors explore the physics of light and sound through classic exhibits like Bright Black, while Gallery 4 highlights the life sciences with live biological displays, including the Bacteriopolis and a live chicken embryo exhibit.

Real-time observation & outdoor exploration

The experience extends beyond the museum's walls. Gallery 5’s outdoor exhibits allow visitors to interact with the natural environment, with installations like the Fog Bridge, which creates periodic bursts of fog. At the Bay Observatory in Gallery 6, you can witness exhibits like Sky Theater and Oculus Table. This blend of interactive exhibits, and scientific discovery, makes the Exploratorium a dynamic destination for all ages.

Exploratorium Tickets

Discover the Exploratorium, a unique museum located in San Francisco's historic Palace of Fine Arts, on this sightseeing tour that includes over 650 hands-on exhibits spanning across 14 acres. With an average visit duration of about three hours, you'll explore various interactive installations designed to make science both fun and engaging. The Exploratorium is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a wide range of audio guides available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. This tour covers the entire museum complex, offering access to all permanent exhibits as well as special installations such as the Tactile Dome and Wave Organ.

Explore Over 650 Hands-On Exhibits

Your tour stops at the Exploratorium where you can engage with over 650 interactive exhibits spread across 14 acres of the historic Palace of Fine Arts. Established in 1969, this innovative museum features installations like the Tactile Dome and Giant Bubble Maker. The Wave Organ, a unique sound sculpture that creates music from the bay's waves, was built in 1992. Visitors spend approximately three hours exploring these exhibits, which cover topics ranging from light and shadow to color perception. Unlike traditional museums, the Exploratorium emphasizes hands-on learning and encourages visitors to experiment with scientific concepts, making it a must-visit destination for science enthusiasts.

Navigate the Pitch-Black Tactile Dome

At the Exploratorium, guests can experience the Tactile Dome, an immersive installation where your sense of touch guides you through a pitch-black maze. Built in 1985 as part of the museum's expansion efforts, this dome measures approximately 20 feet high and is designed to challenge visitors' perception of space and orientation. Inside, participants navigate various obstacles using tactile feedback alone, creating an unforgettable sensory experience that lasts around 30 minutes. This unique feature sets the Exploratorium apart from other museums by offering a truly interactive and memorable adventure.

Engage with Installations Like the Giant Bubble Maker

Your tour continues at the Exploratorium where you can engage with installations like the Giant Bubble Maker, an exhibit that allows visitors to create and manipulate massive soap bubbles. Located in the museum's outdoor area, this installation has been a favorite among both children and adults since its introduction in 2015. Additionally, the Shadow Box offers another interactive experience where you can play with light and shadow, creating intricate patterns on walls and floors. These installations are part of the Exploratorium’s commitment to making science accessible and enjoyable for all ages.

Discover Unique Installations Like the Wave Organ

Your tour includes a visit to the Exploratorium where you can discover unique installations like the Wave Organ, which creates music from the bay's waves. Built in 1992 by sculptor Peter Richards and composer George Grey, this sound sculpture is situated on the north side of San Francisco Bay. The Wave Organ consists of 35 PVC pipes arranged in a series of concrete benches that amplify the sounds produced by incoming waves. Visitors can spend about 45 minutes exploring this installation, listening to the harmonious tunes created by nature's rhythms.

Rolling Through the Bay Toothpick Sculpture

The Exploratorium serves as home to the Rolling Through the Bay toothpick sculpture, a remarkable piece of art that took over 37 years to complete and uses more than 100,000 toothpicks. This intricate installation was started in 1984 by artist George Wurtzel and continues to be admired for its meticulous craftsmanship and sheer size. Visitors can spend about 20 minutes examining this unique sculpture up close, marveling at the dedication required to create such a detailed masterpiece.

Tour Highlights

• Explore over 650 hands-on exhibits
• Navigate the pitch-black Tactile Dome for 30 mins
• Engage with Giant Bubble Maker and Shadow Box installations
• Discover unique installations like Wave Organ built in 1992
• Spend time at Rolling Through the Bay toothpick sculpture since 1984
• Enjoy audio guides available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese
• Access all permanent exhibits across 14 acres of museum complex
• Experience interactive learning with hands-on science experiments

Perfect for families, students, and science enthusiasts, this guided tour provides an immersive experience through the Exploratorium's innovative installations. The three-hour format allows you to explore the Tactile Dome, Giant Bubble Maker, Wave Organ, and Rolling Through the Bay toothpick sculpture, giving you a comprehensive understanding of San Francisco’s commitment to interactive learning while enjoying unique scientific experiences.