The Franklin Institute
Science Museum
Logan Square, Philadelphia
The folks at Michelin Travel & Lifestyle and visitPA like this place. Would you agree?
"Must check out the electricity exhibit and the giant heart!"(10 Tips)
"The Jurassic World special exhibit was super cool!"(7 Tips)
"The old planetarium is very nice"(6 Tips)
"Everything great, especially science after hours, check it out"(3 Tips)
179 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- giant heart
- science after hours
- dinosaurs
- exhibits
- planetarium
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Missy NarkiewiczAugust 7, 2014The food court was reasonable and tasty. Love the interactive exhibits and shows. Don't come here first thing, start at noon and stay until after the camp and school groups go home.Upvoted 4 weeks ago
visitPAAugust 9, 2013One of America’s oldest centers of science education, visitors can learn how to handle and control a real jet, walk through a giant heart and experience the law of center of gravity aboard Sky Bike.
Upvoted Dec 23, 2024
M JApril 4, 2013One of the best museums I've been to. A definite must visit with family and friends. They let you play with stuff and teach you awesome stuff. Worth the money, though Space Junk honestly wasn't.Upvoted 4 weeks ago
Get the Family Membership if you live in the Philadelphia area. It's a bargain; you get free admission to several museums around the U.S., discount tickets to IMAX along with free Planetarium shows!- This is one of the best museums in the city. Great for kids. Great travelling exhibits. Imax is fantastic. Sci-Store is a lot of fun. Must check out the electricity exhibit and the giant heart!
Arlene CMay 27, 2016Fantastic museum for ALL ages! I had fun on the sky bike . Learned a few new facts and touched the "oldest thing I'll ever touch" 5.5 billion year old meteorite .
Justin RooksApril 21, 2018Everything!!!!! It’s great for the family. I’ll bring my girlfriend next time so she can get science :)
NikNak BarJanuary 21, 2018The Terra Cotta movie and exhibits are excellent. We quickly walked by the rest of the museum but had a hard time enjoying it due to the children running around like crazy w/little to no supervision.
Chris LOctober 2, 2017TERRACOTTA WARRIORS: engaging, well-paced, and so awesome to see a general, archer…and understand little details like why one had a padded collar to protect his jaw from the armor. The AR app was fun!
Karen StagemyerSeptember 2, 2015It's a beautiful place to take the kids but save your pennies before you go. Certain exhibits aren't included in the admission price and it can make for an expensive day. $26 bucks to park!
Even big kids like us love this science museum. We can't get enough of the astronomy tower, IMAX theater, and yes, giant heart. It's also where you'll find many Philadelphia Science Festival events!
Michelin Travel & LifestyleSeptember 17, 2013The "cradle of liberty" rocks a food festival, parades, and concerts. Arrive at the Parkway with a hoagie picnic by afternoon to get prime seats for the fireworks. - Green Guide Editor- Gabrielle BelardoJune 29, 2016Go to their exhibits!! The Pixar one was so cool! And their science after hours are great for adults! Especially the 20's speak easy
- Even big kids like us love this science museum. We can't get enough of the astronomy tower, IMAX theater, and yes, giant heart. Follow the @phlsciencefest for updates on the frequent events held here!
- アミン パーカーMarch 21, 2021I've been here a couple of times as a child and I remember having a good time. I recommend this place for any child under the age of 10.
- Rob McGowanAugust 6, 2018Science museum with interactive displays and special exhibits. Walk through the giant heart then seen a movie in the IMAX theater.
EMMANUEL LUCASApril 13, 2015So much to do, wish I had allocated more time to do everything. Great museum. Children love this place, so much for them to explore.
Shahrzad ShamsMarch 14, 2018A must if you come to Philly. Great exhibitions are on most of the times.
Billy GoodheartJanuary 19, 2014If you have kids, this is a great place to take them. However, if you're looking for a little more "grown up" type of museum, you might want to try the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Alexander KeithMay 25, 2019Got to come down for the Marvel Exhibit with my wife. The history of Marvel Comics came alive with this awesome exhibit!!
Jeff JonesApril 2, 2016This place is fantastic. Plus we are members of the Imagination Station in Toledo, which got us free access and discount tickets on Special Exhibits!
Erica NardelloJanuary 19, 2014If the ticket lines are long, you can buy tickets at fi.edu on your phone. Show your confirmation email at will-call, then print at Information. Saved us at least a half hour of just standing in line.- Jake DayMarch 19, 2017Great museum and excellent customer service - there was a mix up over our membership and staff was able to accommodate us.
Science after hours. Playtime for 21+. Be sure to get a ticket ahead so you don't show up and it's sold out
Leonda LevchukApril 28, 2017Always check for the traveling exhibitions, that is what keeps us coming back. Chinese terra cotta warriors in the fall!
Museum Without WallsNovember 9, 2011Across the street from the Institute, you will see the ‘Aero Memorial’ by Paul Manship. If you look closely at the sculpture—near a fish and a swan you will find the portrait of the artist himself.
The Science Behind Pixar is a fantastic exhibition! Very interactive. We spent 2 hours seeing it. Highly recommended!
Shane CrinApril 1, 2016Don't miss the swinging the pendulum near the stairs! See how many statues of Ben you can find! Bring hand sanitizer!
Maria CorradoDecember 24, 2016The Jurassic World Exhibit was great. The dinosaurs were lifelike. You walked through at your own pace.
Fireground Communications LLCDecember 27, 2013The DreamTrips™ travel club is a travel community for everyone, from adventurers to luxuriators and anyone in-between. Go to https://fireground.dreamtrips.com/refer for this online only deal.
KathrynApril 6, 2012Not enough dinosaurs in the Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs exhibit!! Save your money and watch Jurassic park..but body worlds was amazing when it was here bring it back!
Colleen AlexanderNovember 2, 2014They have 21+ events here in the evening and they rule!! Walk through the exhibits with a beer or wine in your hand!!
ISEPTAPHILLYMay 23, 2013SEPTA PASS PERKS ALERT! $5 off up to four adult tickets to SPY:The Secret World of Espionage with your weekly or monthly SEPTA pass. Read more
Abby NixonJuly 9, 2013Next time I will make this an all day trip we spent a good 3 hours and I had to rush my kids though it but they still enjoyed themselves
TheParrisFoundationOctober 24, 2011Catch a movie in the IMAX Theater and feel like you’re directly involved in the action. Don’t leave before walking through the giant heart, a Franklin Institute classic!
Anthony AdamsMay 26, 2011I have been coming here since I was in diapers, they always have something new and interesting, hell I have been through the Heart probably 50 times and it does not get old. Great place.
Glam StarApril 22, 2015Glam Star Parties is hosting a spa day on May18 just 30$ for a facial,Mani and Pedi and food for more info contact me at 2159089133 ask for Lakuana
Hamid AliMay 21, 2023Pakistani Wedding in the Franklin Institute! THIS IS FREEDOM AND LIBERTY, BABY!!! #FranklinInstitute
GE AviationOctober 20, 2011The Franklin Airshow Exhibit is one of the coolest aviation stops in the US, displaying the history of powered flight from a 1911 Wright Model B Flyer to modern jets!
HeatherMarch 18, 2013The Franklin's "camp-ins" are well organized and so much fun - haven't you always wanted to spend a night at a museum?
The PHLASH trolley runs Fri, Sat & Sun from 10-6 pm May-October 28, 2012. Just head to stops 5 or 15, buy a $2 ticket & you'll be on your way to seeing more of Philadelphia's attractions and museums. Read more
Leonard HansonAugust 18, 2014A fun day out but exhibits lean towards the younger visitors and too many of them aren't working and need repair.
JenniferJuly 18, 2013If you're a tourist, avoid coming on wkday in summertime while summer camps are in session. This place is swarmed and you can't get through any exhibits without kids bumping into u or cutting lines
Designs the Italian genius drew but never built come to life 100s of years later in "Leonardo da Vinci's Exhibit," now thru May 22. Harpsichord-viola, a mechanical lion, flying machines + more! Read more- George SwiftDecember 30, 2016The Jurassic World special exhibit was super cool! Worth the extra cost.
Rubby CastroFebruary 27, 2015Great for everobody!! Bodys world, your brains, all!! Amazing!! Buy your ticket online.- Marie BNovember 5, 2011Always something different. Giant heart is a big attraction, you've been warned. Check out the special exhibits that go in there...they are worth the money.
1,595 Photos
Foursquare © 2025 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Closed until 9:30 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
(215) 448-1200
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
See More
Places inside The Franklin Institute
You might also like
- 8.8
"Everything is amazing here. From the huge dinosaur bones to the butterfly room and the massive rock of quartz, this place is great. A wonderful atmosphere for kids and adults alike."
Conner Watson - 8.4
"Really interesting! Well worth the time and price of admission."
Jessica Herbst-Thorn - 8.9
"Great place for all ages. My 11 month old was able to have fun in the 3-and-under areas. My 15 and 16 year old nieces enjoyed themselves too."
Danielle Ball Control McNair
Places people like to go after The Franklin Institute
- 9.2
"Dutch Eating Place is the best place to eat at here. Great food for cheap prices!"
Gina Felder - 8.8
"Great place in the city with beautiful fountain and buildings around. No swimming, but you defiantly can go near frogs and turtles and take a picture."
Mary Denisova - 9.3
"Sure there's the world-class art downstairs by history's best painters, but don't miss exhibits on the top floor. There's part of a monastery, temple, and a Japanese tea house all INSIDE the museum."
Beth Fisher
Appears on 604 lists
Best Places to Check out in United States Pt 4
Created by WannaSee ItAll
200 items • 491 followers
75 Geeky Places to Take Your Kids
Created by Wired
75 items • 543 followers
GEEKADELPHIA: geekiest places in Philly! #visitUS
Created by Allie Ilagan
39 items • 718 followers