K
Worth it
This was a pretty interesting experience, even though my son is almost 14 he very much enjoyed going through and trying all of the exhibits. It’s definitely worth it to skip the line and purchase ahead of time.
SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium Daytime Admission
+26 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3–5 hours
- Price from
- $40 / person
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 177 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
Experience the Exploratorium, the award-winning museum of science, art, and human perception that's dedicated to the excitement of experimentation, the pleasure of discovery, and the power of play. Indulge your curiosity in more than 650 interactive exhibits—indoors and out—and explore eye-opening ways to understand the world around you. Journey through total darkness in our twisting, turning, world-famous Tactile Dome. There's also a unique museum store plus two delicious places to eat: the Seaglass restaurant, which has a stunning Bay view, and the Seismic Joint Cafe (hours vary). Located at Pier 15 along San Francisco's Embarcadero between Pier 39 and the Ferry Building, the Exploratorium is easy to get to by public transportation plus there's parking nearby.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Kids and adults both will love the Exploratorium in San Francisco! This favorite family attraction boasts a convenient location along the Embarcadero waterfront, between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building. Enjoy the vibrant bayside energy of Pier 15, and then head inside the museum with your all-day general admission ticket.
Highlights
SKIP THE LINE Daytime Admission to the Exploratorium
What's included
Included
SKIP THE LINE Daytime Admission to the Exploratorium
Not included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Tactile Dome experience
Viator ticket purchases cannot be applied to an annual membership at the museum.
After Dark - Thursday Evening Admission (Ages 18+ only)
Traveller Ratings
4.7
177 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
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All exhibition spaces, the Store, dining areas, and all public restrooms are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
- A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available for loan, free of charge. They are located at the Info Desk on a first-come first-serve basis.
- Guide dogs and other certified assistance animals are welcome
- Tactile maps for blind and visually impaired visitors are available upon request.
- Coin-operated lockers are located just past Ticketing and the Info desk
- Complimentary museum maps are available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, German, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean and Filipino.
- Free admission for children ages 3 and under
Frequently asked questions
How long does SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium Daytime Admission take?
SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium Daytime Admission lasts about 3–5 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium Daytime Admission cost?
Prices start at $40 per person for this San Francisco experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium Daytime Admission for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
What languages is SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium Daytime Admission 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 All exhibition spaces, the Store, dining areas, and all public restrooms are wheelchair and stroller accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available for loan, free of charge. They are located at the Info Desk on a first-come first-serve basis.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(177)
D
Exploratorium fun
Hours of fun and fascination for all ages. Highly recommend for a day in the city, especially with kids!
T
The Exploratorium
Lots of things to do and see if the Exploratorium. The place is kid friendly, but there’s enough to do to keep adults entertained.
N
Great adventure, so much to do and see for all ages
The experience was great, lots to do and see. I would highly recommend probably for ages 6 and up to 100. It's definitely worth a trip. Our only problem was when we went to use our viator coupons at the gate, they could not be scanned so we had to go back to the ticketing group to have them scan and print tickets for us.
G
Fraud
After I paid, I cannot get the ticket generated and the museum stuff said there is no ticket generated either. I have to pay again and I cannot refund on Tripadvisor.
Operator response
Hello, we are very sorry for any inconvenience you have experienced. If you purchased the ticket(s) here on Viator, then their customer service team is who you should contact. If you bought it directly through the Exploratorium's website, you would contact us at reservations@exploratorium.edu for assistance.
D
A must for the explorer in us all
Absolutely a must if you or your family is interested in Science or How things work. We have a great time touching everything‼️
G
Very educational and fun...
Very educational and fun for the kids and adults,they had the san francisco fire department showing the kids and adults how to do proper C.P.R.
S
Day at the Exploratorium
Tends to be geared towards 7-8 and above. Our 4 year old didn’t find activities that were at his level.
A
Not the typical museum
It’s not your typical museum. Every exhibit is hands-on, engaging, and genuinely thought-provoking. It’s the kind of place where you come for an hour and end up staying half the day without noticing. What really sets the Exploratorium apart is how it makes complex ideas feel intuitive and fun. You’re not just reading plaques.... you’re doing, testing, laughing, and occasionally being surprised by what you learn. The location along the San Francisco waterfront adds to the experience, with beautiful bay views that make it worth stepping outside for a breather before diving back in.
I
Great for families to do together.
Easy to buy the tickets. No glitches. We didn’t have to wait to purchase tickets there so we went right in. There was street parking very close for $ 20.00 for all day. Everyone loved the Exploratorium .
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