The Franklin Institute is a hands-on science museum in Philadelphia with exhibits, a planetarium, and a Benjamin Franklin memorial.
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A first visit to The Franklin Institute is easiest to understand as a science museum built for doing, not just looking. The Philadelphia landmark mixes walk-through human-body exhibits, space shows, live demonstrations, historic machines, and a large memorial to Benjamin Franklin, so it works for families, curious adults, school groups, and rainy-day visitors.
The museum sits on Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 222 North 20th Street, close to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Logan Square. Plan on a half day if you want the core exhibits, a Fels Planetarium show, and one slower lap through the Giant Heart or a current special exhibition.
After you know the basics, live ticket availability is the next practical step because special exhibition times can change by date.
The Franklin Institute In Philadelphia: What It Covers
The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia is a science museum, learning center, planetarium, and Benjamin Franklin memorial under one roof. The institution was founded in 1824 in honor of Benjamin Franklin and later opened its major science museum building on the Parkway in 1934.
The museum is not a quiet gallery where you move past cases in silence. The strongest parts are physical and interactive: kids crawl through a giant heart, adults test perception in brain exhibits, and groups time their day around planetarium shows or live science programs.
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial adds a civic-history layer to the visit. The large seated statue of Franklin gives the building a more formal center, but the rest of the museum feels built for touching, testing, and asking questions.
What You See Inside The Museum
The Franklin Institute’s main visit centers on three floors of science exhibits, changing special shows, and scheduled programs. The exact mix can change, but the museum’s core identity stays the same: science made physical enough for non-specialists to understand.
- Giant Heart: a walk-through human heart that has been the museum’s signature family stop for generations.
- Fels Planetarium: dome shows tied to astronomy, space science, and the night sky.
- Wondrous Space: an immersive space-science area designed around rockets, planets, and human curiosity about the universe.
- Body Odyssey: a newer human-body exhibit built around movement, balance, health, and how the body works.
- Your Brain: hands-on displays about perception, memory, decision-making, and how people process the world.
- Hamilton Collections Gallery: historic machines and artifacts from the museum’s science and technology collection.
- Live science programs: demonstrations, dissections, and stage presentations that rotate by daily schedule.
Franklin Institute Tickets And Visit Choices
Franklin Institute tickets work best when you decide whether the core museum is enough or whether a timed special exhibition is the point of your visit. The official Franklin Institute ticket store lists general admission and special exhibition bundles separately, with general admission currently including museum access and the Fels Planetarium.
| Ticket Or Visit Choice | What It Covers | Current Cost Or Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Adult General Admission | Museum access and Fels Planetarium access | About $29 for ages 18 and up |
| Teen General Admission | Museum access and Fels Planetarium access | About $25 for ages 13 to 17 |
| Child General Admission | Museum access and Fels Planetarium access | About $23 for ages 3 to 12 |
| Special Exhibition Bundle | Timed exhibition entry, museum access, and Fels Planetarium access | About $47 adult, $43 teen, and $41 child for the current Universal bundle |
| PA ACCESS Admission | Admission for a PA ACCESS cardholder and up to four people with photo ID | $2 per person during regular museum hours; special exhibitions excluded |
| Philadelphia CityPASS | A choice of 3, 4, or 5 Philadelphia attractions, including The Franklin Institute | Bundle pricing varies; advertised savings are up to 51% |
| Group Visit | Discounted admission for groups of 15 or more | Advance reservation required; rate depends on group type |
| Membership | Unlimited general admission for one year plus member discounts | Useful for locals or repeat visitors; price varies by level |
How Much Time Do You Need At The Franklin Institute?
The Franklin Institute takes about 3 to 4 hours if you want a full museum visit without rushing. A shorter 90-minute visit can work, but you will need to skip either a planetarium show, the special exhibition, or several exhibit halls.
Use your time like this:
- 90 minutes: choose the Giant Heart, one body or brain exhibit, and a short look at the memorial.
- 2 to 3 hours: add a Fels Planetarium show and one more major exhibit floor.
- 3 to 4 hours: include the core museum, a scheduled show, a food break, and a timed special exhibition.
Families with younger children usually move slower because the exhibits invite repeated tries. Adults without kids can cover more ground, but the planetarium and live demonstrations still make a rushed visit feel thin.
Getting There, Accessibility, And When To Go
The Franklin Institute is most convenient by Center City transit, rideshare, walking from nearby hotels, or the paid on-site garage. The museum garage is at 271 North 21st Street, but spaces are limited and can fill during weekends, school breaks, and busy exhibition dates.
The museum’s regular public hours are listed as 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, with some special exhibitions adding evening hours on selected dates. Weekdays before 2:00 pm can bring more school and group visits, so late weekday afternoons often feel easier for visitors who can be flexible.
The museum provides accessible entrances through the 20th Street business entrance and the parking garage elevators into the Bartol Atrium. Manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Ticketing Desk with a driver’s license or photo ID.
Where To Stay Near The Museum
Philadelphia hotels around Logan Square, Rittenhouse Square, and Center City put The Franklin Institute within a short walk, rideshare, or transit hop. Logan Square is the closest choice for museum access, while Rittenhouse Square gives visitors more restaurants and evening options after the museum closes.
For an easy museum day, compare hotels near the Parkway and Center City before choosing a room.
A family trip works well near Logan Square because the museum, Academy of Natural Sciences, Sister Cities Park, and Parkway sights sit close together. Adults planning dinner after the museum may prefer Rittenhouse Square or Center City West, where more restaurants stay lively after office hours.
Which Ticket Fits Your Visit?
The right Franklin Institute ticket depends on whether you want the core museum or a specific timed exhibition. General admission is the sensible choice for most first-time visitors because it covers the main exhibits and the Fels Planetarium without forcing the day around one entry slot.
- Choose general admission if you want the Giant Heart, regular exhibits, live programs, and a planetarium show.
- Choose the special exhibition bundle if the temporary exhibition is the reason you are going.
- Use PA ACCESS if you qualify and are visiting during regular museum hours without a special exhibition.
- Check CityPASS if you are pairing The Franklin Institute with other paid Philadelphia attractions over several days.
- Consider membership if you live nearby or expect two or more visits in a year.
For most travelers, the clean first-visit plan is general admission, one planetarium show, the Giant Heart, one body or brain exhibit, and the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial before leaving the Parkway area.
References & Sources
- The Franklin Institute.“Ticket Selection.”Supports current ticket categories, ticket inclusions, and listed admission prices.