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Plan on arriving at The Franklin Institute at 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia. The museum lists daily hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; general admission is listed at $29 for adults, $25 for teens, and $23 for children ages 3–12, with free admission for children 2 and under. A full visit can take three to four hours, and the exhibits and daily programs available depend on your visit date.
Hours, address, and how much time to allow
The Franklin Institute lists hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and says it closes on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Check the official plan-your-visit page for exceptions before you go.
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The address for the main entrance is 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The Institute says a full visit can take up to three to four hours if you want to experience its exhibitions and programs. On weekdays, it recommends visiting after 2 p.m. for a more relaxed experience because school and other group visits are heavier before then.
Tickets and ways to save
The Institute’s current plan-your-visit listing gives these general admission prices. Prices and ticket options may change, so confirm the total for your date in the ticket information and web ticket store before buying.
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| Visitor | Listed general admission |
|---|---|
| Adult, age 18 and older | $29 |
| Teen, ages 13–17 | $25 |
| Child, ages 3–12 | $23 |
| Child, age 2 and under | Free |
| Member | Free general admission |
Special exhibitions may cost extra. The Institute’s ticket page says exhibition add-ons can be $15–$20 per ticket, but specific exhibition tickets can have different prices and conditions. For example, its Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition page lists daytime tickets at $47 for adults, $43 for youth, and $41 for children, including museum admission. It lists evening tickets Thursday through Saturday, 5–8 p.m. with last entry at 6:30 p.m., for $25; evening tickets do not include museum admission. Check that page for availability and the terms for your selected date.
Other listed savings options include membership, group pricing for groups of 15 or more, Philadelphia CityPASS, PA ACCESS, and STAMP passes for eligible Philadelphia high-school students. The Institute says CityPASS can save up to 51% on a visitor’s choice of attractions over nine days; that is the venue’s claim, not a guaranteed saving for every itinerary. Compare the attractions you would actually visit and their dates before choosing a pass. The Institute lists PA ACCESS admission at $2 per person for up to four people with the card, subject to exclusions.
The Institute FAQ says tickets are valid only for the printed visit date and are not transferable or refundable, but may be exchanged for another date. Review the live ticket terms at checkout in case the policy or conditions have changed.
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What to see and do
General admission includes three floors of interactive exhibits, live science shows, Fels Planetarium shows, and access to the Holt-Miller Observatory when weather permits. The Institute’s homepage currently highlights these exhibits:
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- Wondrous Space
- Body Odyssey
- Hamilton Collections Gallery
- Your Brain
- SportsZone
These highlights are not a promise that every exhibit or program will be available on every date. The daily programming schedule gives date-specific show and program details; the Institute notes that schedules differ between weekdays, weekends, and special-event days. Check it on the day of your visit, especially if a planetarium or live science show is a priority.
Star Wars: The Experience is announced for a February 13, 2027 world premiere. It is a future opening, not an exhibit to plan on seeing before that date.
Choose a visit time and route
For a weekday visit with fewer group visits, the Institute recommends arriving after 2 p.m. If you want time for several galleries, a show, and the planetarium or observatory, allow the full three to four hours and check the schedule before deciding what to see first.
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- Open the daily schedule for your visit date and note any show times you want to catch.
- Use the visitor map to plan a route around those times.
- Check whether your ticket includes the exhibition you want; some exhibition tickets are separate or have different admission terms.
The FAQ says visitors may leave and return the same day using their wristband. Food and beverages may be brought for designated areas: Science Park, The Eatery, and the front lawn picnic areas. Lockers fit small bags, backpacks, and coats, but the museum cannot store luggage. Strollers are welcome, though large toddler carriers, double strollers, and jogging strollers are not recommended in special exhibition galleries because of limited space.
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Getting there, parking, and transit
Use 222 N. 20th Street for the main entrance. The garage entrance is 271 N. 21st Street; the Institute says the garage has direct elevator access to the Atrium, is limited in capacity, and often fills.
| Option | What to know |
|---|---|
| Institute garage | The getting-here page lists $25 per vehicle and a $10 discount for members. Parking is first come, first served; confirm the rate and capacity before traveling. |
| SEPTA bus | The Institute lists routes 32, 33, 38, and 49. |
| Rail | Nearby stations include Suburban and 30th Street. PATCO serves South Jersey; Amtrak serves 30th Street. |
| Bike-share and seasonal shuttle | Indego bike-share stations are nearby. The seasonal Philly PHLASH stop is #10; check current operating dates and service with the operator. |
Transit schedules and seasonal services can change. Confirm current routes and service with the relevant operator before setting out. More directions are available on the Institute’s getting-here page.
Accessibility and sensory accommodations
The Institute describes step-free accessible entrances at the 20th Street business entrance and through the garage elevators, along with wheelchair-accessible restrooms and seating. A limited number of courtesy manual wheelchairs are available first come, first served, with photo ID required. Sensory backpacks are also available first come, first served.
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For specific access needs, contact Guest Services through the accessibility page before your visit. The Institute asks for at least three weeks’ notice for an ASL interpreter request. It also describes a return-visit voucher for visitors who find the museum overwhelming and leave within 30 minutes of ticket purchase; confirm the current terms directly with the museum.
Quick Recap
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