P
We had a ton of fun!
This was a ton of fun! You should plan to spend at least three hours if you've never been before as it is quite overwhelming (in a good way).
SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium After Dark Thursdays (18+) Admission
+14 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2–4 hours
- Price from
- $18 / person
- Rating
- 4.6 / 5 · 52 reviews
- Languages
- AR, DE, ZH-TW, PT
- Group
- Small group, up to 15
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Confirmation
- Instant
Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in San Francisco
Description
Things Look Different After Dark. See for Yourself. 6-10pm every Thursday night at the Exploratorium. Adults-only (18+). Lose yourself in more than 650 interactive exhibits exploring perception, art and science. Grab your friends and a drink and get immersed in everything from a fog bridge, to a large-scale kaleidoscope, dazzling light displays, mind-bending mirrors and more. Journey through total darkness in our twisting, turning, world-famous Tactile Dome. Or savor adults-only programming: featuring unique guest speakers, great music, cutting-edge films and one-of-a-kind activities. It'll change how you think about the world around you. But don't take our word for it—see for yourself. The Exploratorium is located at Pier 15 on San Francisco's Embarcadero – just minutes away from the Embarcadero BART Station, Pier 39 and the Ferry Building.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Expand your mind by exploring the hundreds of interactive machines, contraptions and artworks at San Francisco’s Exploratorium, a quick 10-minute walk from the Ferry Building and a 15-minute walk from Fisherman’s Wharf. Head down on any Thursday at 6pm for the wildly popular After Dark event, when the museum stays open until 10pm for a full evening of adults indulging their curiosity about science and art. Each night revolves around a different theme. The Exploratorium is an intellectual playground for adults — part art gallery, part museum, part laboratory with a dash of party thrown in the mix.
Highlights
SKIP THE LINE Admission to After Dark at the Exploratorium (Ages 18+)
What's included
Included
SKIP THE LINE Admission to After Dark at the Exploratorium (Ages 18+)
Not included
Regular daytime admission to the Exploratorium
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Tactile Dome
Traveller Ratings
4.6
52 reviews
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Ages 18 years and older only (no exceptions)
- Coin-operated lockers are located just past ticketing and the Info desk
- Guide dogs and other certified assistance animals are welcome
- Wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan, free of charge, at the Info Desk on a first-come first-serve basis
- Complimentary museum maps are available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic and Filipino.
- Visitors must be age 21+, with a valid government-issued ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium After Dark Thursdays (18+) Admission lasts about 2–4 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $18 per person for this San Francisco experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in AR, DE, ZH-TW, PT, KO, JA, FIL, EN, ZH-CN, IT, FR, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible Wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan, free of charge, at the Info Desk on a first-come first-serve basis
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(52)
B
So many fascinating...
So many fascinating exhibits! It was my first visit, but I will have to come back many times to see everything here. 2 hours passed by very quickly.
J
Exploratorium is Worth the Visit!
The Exploratorium has so much to do and see that four hours is not enough but we did all that we could! We experimented and played with light, sound, touch, color, and more. We, all adults, had an amazing time there and we would definitely go again!!
N
Wonder and Exploration
Fun! Insightful and very fulfilling for those who want to lean into their childlike Wonder. The skip the line ticket made entry a breeze. I was even able to bring my service animal (doggie).
R
Absolutely to avoid
The indoor restaurant is more than obsolete to begin with which should have alerted us. Chicken with almost no sauce was cold inside, my fries too salty and a fluffy one that looked like a laser cut cake so thin the slice was. I hope we don't get sick. Only positive thing is the person who welcomed us, very nice
Operator response
Merci d'avoir pris le temps de partager vos commentaires concernant votre expérience culinaire. Nous nous excusons sincèrement que notre restaurant n'ait pas répondu à vos attentes lors de votre visite au musée. Vos préoccupations sont importantes pour nous, et nous nous engageons à améliorer nos standards de service de restauration. Nous serions ravis d'avoir l'opportunité de discuter de votre expérience plus en détail et de rectifier la situation. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter directement au visit@exploratorium.edu afin que nous puissions traiter vos préoccupations spécifiques et garantir que les futurs visiteurs aient une meilleure expérience. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your dining experience. We sincerely apologize that our restaurant did not meet your expectations during your museum visit. Your concerns are important to us, and we are committed to improving our food service standards. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your experience in more detail and make things right. Please feel free to contact us directly at visit@exploratorium.edu so we can address your specific concerns and ensure future visitors have a better experience.
E
Incredible exhibits, incredible views!
The exhibits were so interactive and informative! Made me think deeply about phenomenons we experience every day. Space section models were beautiful. There was so much to see that we didn't get through the whole museum; will definitely be coming back!
R
Exploratorium after dark
What a super fun experience! We were able to play along with all of the interactive activities without worrying about stepping on kid’s toes! A very cool experience. Glad we did it!
L
Great Experience!
We had so much fun! We all learned something and we will definitely be back with our friends and family. A must see when visiting San Francisco!
L
Great night out for a date with my hubby!
I am a teacher and spend a lot of time with kids. Spending time with adults only and getting to experience this museum for myself was great!
J
Groovy as heck!
It was awesome! Great exhibits and cool vibes, went with some friends to show them around the city, and they said it was their favorite part of the whole trip!
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