The Franklin Institute
About
The Franklin Institute has been a cornerstone of science education in Philadelphia since 1824, making it one of the oldest science museums in the United States. Named for Benjamin Franklin — Philadelphia's greatest scientific mind — the museum carries forward his spirit of practical inquiry and experimentation through hundreds of interactive exhibits designed for all ages. The museum's permanent galleries span an exceptional range of scientific disciplines: the mechanics of the human heart (visitors walk through a two-story replica), the physics of aviation and space exploration, the principles of electricity and sound, the engineering of trains, and the mathematics of sports performance. The Mandell Center for Science Education complements the exhibits with live science demonstrations and programming. The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, housed in the museum's Atrium, contains a 20-foot marble statue of Franklin and serves as a permanent tribute to his scientific legacy. The museum's SkyBike attraction and rooftop observatory add unique physical and astronomical dimensions to the visit. As an ASTC Passport Program participant, members of qualifying science centers worldwide may receive reciprocal admission. The museum offers dedicated Homeschool Workshops for students ages 7–14, providing a structured educational experience followed by free exploration time. Philadelphia's cultural corridor along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway places the Franklin Institute within walking distance of several other major institutions.
🏠 Homeschool Programs
The Franklin Institute offers Homeschool Workshops for students ages 7–14, combining structured science activities with free exploration time in the museum. Homeschool co-ops may access group rates. Check website for current schedule.
Subject Areas
Best For
Hours of Operation
Open daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Special exhibitions may have extended evening hours Thursday–Saturday.
Hours change seasonally — verify before visiting.
Admission
Paid admissionGeneral admission required. Members receive free entry. ASTC Passport members from qualifying out-of-region institutions receive reciprocal free admission (Philadelphia-area institutions excluded).
✓ Membership available
ASTC Travel Passport Program
Members of the Association of Science and Technology Centers' Travel Passport Program offer free or discounted admission to members of other participating institutions. Over 300 science centers worldwide participate.
Learn more →47 other places in our directory accept this membership:
Museum of Science
Boston, MA
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Cambridge, MA
EcoTarium
Worcester, MA
Connecticut Science Center
Hartford, CT
Yale Peabody Museum
New Haven, CT
Stepping Stones Museum for Children
Norwalk, CT
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Burlington, VT
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
Concord, NH
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
Wilmington, DE
New York Hall of Science
Queens, NY
Maryland Science Center
Baltimore, MD
Liberty Science Center
Jersey City, NJ
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Houston, TX
Adventure Science Center
Nashville, TN
Science Museum of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN
COSI
Columbus, OH
Saint Louis Science Center
St. Louis, MO
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Denver, CO
Museum of the Rockies
Bozeman, MT
Pacific Science Center
Seattle, WA
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Portland, OR
California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco, CA
Science Museum of Virginia
Richmond, VA
Exploreum Science Center
Mobile, AL
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dallas, TX
Discovery Place Science
Charlotte, NC
Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago, IL
Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee, WI
Indiana State Museum
Indianapolis, IN
Arizona Science Center
Phoenix, AZ
Exploratorium
San Francisco, CA
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Miami, FL
McWane Science Center
Birmingham, AL
Museum of Life and Science
Durham, NC
Science Center of Iowa
Des Moines, IA
The Tech Interactive
San Jose, CA
Witte Museum
San Antonio, TX
Orlando Science Center
Orlando, FL
Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati, OH
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
Denver, CO
Space Center Houston
Houston, TX
Louisiana Children's Museum
New Orleans, LA
Great Lakes Science Center
Cleveland, OH
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Chicago, IL
Maine Discovery Museum
Bangor, ME
Virginia Museum of Natural History
Martinsville, VA