Philadelphia's hands-on science museum, with sensory backpacks to borrow at the Ticketing Desk, headphones and wobble cushions in the planetarium and Demonstration Theater, a Sensory Guide and Social Narrative, and a return voucher if the museum feels too overwhelming in the first 30 minutes.
Open daily, 9:30 am to 5 pm. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The museum closes at 3:30 pm Nov 13 2026 for FunFest. No tickets are sold for Dec 7 2026 through Dec 11 2026; call 215.448.1200 before planning a visit those days.
222 N 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (parking garage: 271 North 21st Street)
“Sensory backpacks are available for check-out at our Ticketing Desk. Each backpack is equipped with sensory guide alerts, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets. Backpacks are first come, first served.”
“Headphones and wobble cushions are available upon request in Demonstration Theater and the Fels Planetarium.” fi.edu (Sensory Guide)
“If you find the museum too overwhelming and need to leave within 30 minutes of purchasing your ticket, please stop by the Box Office for a return visit voucher to try again on another day.”
Give the sensory backpack back to any staff member at the ticketing desk before you leave.
In the Fels Planetarium you can take a break in the vestibules, but if you go out into the hallway, you cannot go back in. Live Science staff encourage you to arrive early and talk with a performer if you have questions.
The Social Narrative says the planetarium shows and some live science demonstrations can be very loud, and that a child can put on headphones or borrow a pair from the planetarium staff or the performer.
The Eatery is on the second floor, open 11 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday and 11 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. You can bring your own food and drinks to eat in Science Park, The Eatery and the front lawn picnic areas; the lunchrooms are open to the public on weekends and holidays only.
Staff include security officers and performers. Guest Services can suggest routes, shortcuts and resting spots: 215.448.1200 or guestservices@fi.edu.
Benjamin Franklin National Memorial (Floor 1) (can get loud when many people are in it or the hourly media show is playing; sound echoes a lot)not stated
Franklin's Spark, on the dome at the top of every hour (visuals, lighting and sound that begin abruptly and can be heard outside Wondrous Space (Floor 2))not stated
Neural Climb in Your Brain (Floor 2) (noisy and crowded, with flashing lights and sudden sounds; a shortcut in the wall lets you bypass it)not stated
Sir Isaac's Loft (Floor 3) (very stimulating, with a lot of noise and sights even when not busy, and very loud when busy; strobe light effects at Changing the Light)not stated
SportsZone (Floor 3) (one of the most popular exhibits and usually very crowded, with loud thumping sounds)not stated
Quieter, in the museum's words
Amazing Machine (Floor 2), usually quiet except the occasional sound of machineryquiet zone
Hamilton Collections Gallery (Floor 1), usually quiet, busier after planetarium shows endquiet zone
Space Primer in Wondrous Space, with lower lighting than other exhibitsquiet zone
Admission: adults 18+ $29, teens 13 to 17 $25, children 3 to 12 $23, children 2 and under free, members free. Special exhibits cost extra. Members pay no service fees on advance tickets. Tickets are good only for the date printed; they are not refundable or transferable but can be exchanged for a different date.
PA ACCESS card: up to four people at $2 each, with the card and a photo ID at the Box Office, during regular museum hours; advance tickets are not required. Not valid on special exhibitions, special events or features, or with other offers or group rates. Philadelphia high school students with a valid Philadelphia student ID get in free with STAMP.
Visitors with severe disabilities may bring Personal Care Attendants at no additional cost. For advance special exhibit or theater tickets, call 215-448-1200 (option 3) to ask for a companion ticket for a paid attendant; the visitor and the attendant pick it up in person at the Box Office.
Parking: the museum garage (enter at 21st and Winter Streets) is $25 per vehicle, $10 off for members, limited and first-come, first-served, and it reaches capacity often. Accessible spots for vehicles under 6'5" with a valid placard or plate; an elevator goes up to the Ticketing Desk. For a taller van, email guestservices@fi.edu before your visit. Drop-off is near the main entrance, at the accessible 20th Street Business Entrance.
Strollers are welcome; large toddler carriers, double strollers and jogging strollers are not recommended in special exhibition galleries. Lockers fit small bags, backpacks and coats, not luggage. Free manual wheelchairs at the Ticketing Desk with a photo ID, first come, first served.
Baby-changing stations are in the Planetarium Lobby and 20th Street Entrance / Lunchroom Lobby restrooms (1st level) and outside Your Brain and in the Atrium (2nd level). The infant feeding room is on the first floor, to the left of the double gold elevators.
