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Science museum at Pier 15

The best of the Exploratorium

700+ hands-on exhibits at Pier 15, the adults-only After Dark night and the ticket on GetYourGuide: here is how to visit the Exploratorium, with honest advice on the price, the right age, and why you need a reservation.

By the Things to Do in San Francisco editorial team 1 ticket checked Prices checked 22 October 2026

See our pick
Short answer

The Exploratorium is a hands-on science museum at Pier 15 in San Francisco. It has more than 700 exhibits you can touch and try. A daytime adult ticket costs $39.95, and every visit needs a reservation. On Thursday nights, the adults-only After Dark costs from €20 on GetYourGuide.

Our pick for the Exploratorium

One ticket: the Thursday night After Dark, for adults 18 and over.

  • from €20 per person Our top pick

    1 day 4.6 (69) reviews on GetYourGuide

    Exploratorium After Dark ticket (18+)

    Entry on a Thursday night from 6 to 10 p.m., for adults 18 and over. All 700+ exhibits are open, with music, talks and live demos. Food and drinks are for sale. It does not cover a daytime visit.

    Best for Couples and friends who want a night out

    Check availability: Exploratorium After Dark ticket (18+) on GetYourGuide

The Exploratorium ticket at a glance

Tour
Exploratorium After Dark ticket (18+) 4.6 (69)
From
€20 per person
Duration
1 day
Pickup
Meet on site
Free cancellation
Yes, 24 h
Why we picked it
Cheaper than a daytime ticket, and rated 4.6 from 69 reviews.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Exploratorium tickets and prices

A daytime adult ticket (ages 18 to 64) costs $39.95 on the Exploratorium website. Entry needs a reservation, and the museum says to book ahead.

The After Dark ticket on GetYourGuide costs from €20. It can be cancelled up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. The Tactile Dome costs extra and is not in either ticket.

The Exploratorium is on the waterfront near the Ferry Building. To see more of the city on the same day, compare the buses in our guide to city tours and hop-on hop-off buses.

Exploratorium hours

Check the calendar on the museum website before you go. The usual week looks like this:

  • Tuesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday: set sessions, times on the calendar.
  • Thursday night: After Dark, 6 to 10 p.m., adults 18 and over.
  • Monday: not on the calendar, so plan for it to be closed.

Exploratorium After Dark: Thursday nights, 18+

After Dark runs on Thursdays from 6 to 10 p.m., for adults 18 and over only. At night the exhibits stay open, with music, talks and live demos added. Cocktails and food are for sale, not in the ticket. Two to three hours is plenty.

Is the Exploratorium worth it?

Yes, if you like to try things with your hands. Every exhibit is meant to be touched, so kids and adults both stay busy. Plan 2 to 3 hours. If you only want to look at art, a museum like SFMOMA suits you better.

Tips for the Exploratorium

  1. Reserve first

    Entry needs a reservation. Book before you go, not at the door.

  2. Thursday night, adults only

    After Dark is adults only and costs less than a daytime adult ticket.

  3. Check the day

    Daytime hours are Tuesday to Saturday, plus Sunday sessions. Monday is not on the calendar.

  4. Check the cancellation line

    The After Dark ticket can be cancelled up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Check the cut-off on the booking page before you pay.

Exploratorium: questions and answers

Is the Exploratorium in San Francisco worth it?
Yes, for anyone who likes to touch and try. It has more than 700 hands-on exhibits at Pier 15. Book ahead, because entry needs a reservation.

How much does it cost to get into the Exploratorium?
A daytime adult ticket costs $39.95. The adults-only After Dark on Thursday nights costs from €20 on GetYourGuide.

How long does it take to walk through the Exploratorium?
The museum gives no set time. A day visit can fill the whole 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. opening. After Dark lasts four hours, from 6 to 10 p.m.

What age is best for Exploratorium?
The daytime museum is for all ages, and the exhibits are made to be touched. After Dark on Thursday nights is only for adults 18 and over.

Is the Exploratorium good for adults?
Yes. On Thursday nights, After Dark is for adults only, with music, talks and drinks next to the exhibits.

More Exploratorium tickets, live

More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

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Facts checked on 23 October 2026 against: Exploratorium: home · Exploratorium: visit · Exploratorium: After Dark.

Written by the Things to Do in San Francisco editorial team.