The Franklin Institute is a nonprofit science museum, founded and opened in 1824. Its Neoclassical building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each day has its own schedule of live shows, dissections and Planetarium show times, so check it on arrival and plan around the shows your children want to see. A limited-time exhibition, Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition, has its own, higher-priced ticket.
Timing matters on weekdays. Group visits are heavier before 2:00 pm, and the museum recommends coming after that for a calmer visit. You can bring your own food and drink, but only to eat in the designated areas. There are lockers for small bags, backpacks and coats, but no luggage storage.
The trade-off concerns strollers. They are welcome in the museum, but large toddler carriers, double strollers and jogging strollers are not recommended in the special exhibition galleries because space is tight.
If a child finds the museum too overwhelming and you leave within 30 minutes of buying your ticket, the Box Office will give you a voucher to try again another day.
Family FAQ
What are the opening hours of Franklin Institute?
Open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Is there baby changing at Franklin Institute?
Changing stations are in the restrooms at the Planetarium Lobby and the 20th Street Entrance/Lunchroom Lobby (1st level), and outside Your Brain and in the Atrium (2nd level).
