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The Franklin Institute

Explore the wonders of science, from the mysteries of the universe to the intricacies of the human body, at The Franklin Institute. Engage with interactive exhibits, witness mind-blowing live science demonstrations, and experience awe-inspiring astronomical presentations in the Fels Planetarium.

Founded in honor of America’s first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and premier centers of science education and development in the country. Today, the museum continues its dedication to public education and creating a passion for science by offering new and exciting access to science and technology in ways that would dazzle and delight its namesake. In the spirit of inquiry and discovery embodied by Benjamin Franklin, the mission of The Franklin Institute is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology.

You'll also have access to a daily roster of shows, screenings, and demonstrations, so check the schedule before you arrive. Visit fi.edu for information about the museum, daily schedules, building map, showtimes, and more.

Philadelphia CityPASS includes:

General Admission – Entry includes three floors of interactive science exhibits, daily live science shows and dissections, Fels Planetarium and Planetarium shows.

Highlights

  1. 01.

    Wondrous Space: Journey through the cosmos as you explore this immersive, multisensory, two-story exhibit designed to inspire an excitement for space science.

  2. 02.

    Fels Planetarium: Explore the night sky with cutting-edge astronomical presentations in the awe-inspiring Fels Planetarium.

  3. 03.

    SportsZone: Hit the turf and experience how sports connect the science of the human body, laws of motion, and technical innovation.

Visit The Franklin Institute with CityPASS®

CityPASS tickets offer a great way to see The Franklin Institute while saving you time and money.

Philadelphia CityPASS

Advice for Visitors

Tips

Best Time to Visit

Arrive early on weekends and holidays when it's less crowded. CityPASS holders can check in at the ticketing desk.

Learn about The Franklin Institute's safety guidelines and what to expect on your visit here.

To get the full experience, allow about three hours for your visit.

Learn more on the CityPASS Blog about what you'll see at The Franklin Institute.

Attraction Features

Amenities

Gift Shop: Sci-Store

Dining: The Eatery

Accessibility

Get information on accessibility.

Parking/Transportation

Get information on parking, transportation and directions.

Offers & Upgrades

Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition

Step inside the creative and innovative world of theme parks through the lens of Universal's fan-favorite attractions, including Jaws, Jurassic World, DreamWorks Animation's How to Train Your Dragon, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ and more. From authentic costumes to iconic props, 100 original artifacts in eight themed galleries bring the artistry alive. Upgrade upon arrival at the Museum. Cost: $18 adult/child

Contact Information & Hours

  • The Franklin Institute
  • 222 North 20th Street
  • Philadelphia, PA 19103
  • On 20th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City
  • Open daily, 9:30am-5pm

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Please note: Hours may vary; check website for current hours.

Read reviews from CityPASS® travelers.

Philadelphia CityPASS
Great deal and great places to see!
CityPASS is a very convenient cost effective way to see some of the great sites of the great city of Philadelphia!!
Money saver and a good guidance on fun places
I view CityPASS as a good source to find out fun places at destination city. Philadelphia CityPASS definitely helped me with that.
Amazing Experience
I found out about the CityPASS on my 1st day in Philly and I’m so glad I did because I did not have anything planned. It was inexpensive and perfect. Loved everything about it. I was able to visit 3 attractions without any hassle. I can’t wait to use this again when I travel with my kids.
This is the way to go!
We are new to the Philadelphia area and we were anxious to get out and explore some of the sites with our three kids. We came across the CityPASS and decided to take our last two weeks of summer and dedicate it to exploring. This was truly the way to do it! We used every pass and got our money's worth.
Great Purchase
I bought the city pass during my recent trip to Philly and it made getting into several sights that required timed tickets so easy. It was definitely a great purchase and well worth the price!
Philadelphia CityPASS is rated 4.6 out of 5 by 922.
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Bus Was definely the best way to see the most! Zack was extremely knowledge and a pleasure to listen to!!
Date published: 2026-03-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great for a trip to Philadelphia When I went to Philadelphia when the Guardians were playing the Phillies, I got a CityPASS, and it was very helpful to plan my trip. The one difficulty was narrowing things down! I ended up going with Adventure Aquarium, Constitution Center, Drexel Academy of Natural Sciences, Franklin Institute, and the Philadelphia Zoo - a mixture of history, arts, and sciences. I especially enjoyed the hippos at the aquarium, the US history at the constitution center (and its closeness to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall!), and the Disney 100th anniversary exhibit at the Franklin Institute. I definitely want to come back in the future and do the things I didn't do last time. I was disappointed the Philadelphia Museum of Art wasn't included, though.
Date published: 2026-01-14
Rated 1 out of 5 by from Absolute waste of money Not fully informative. I bought the city pass but the hop on hop off tour did not have full coverage and it was never mentioned before I bought it. It would never buy it had I been informed fully about hop on hop off bus route.
Date published: 2025-12-21
Rated 4 out of 5 by from easy access with city pass code easy access with city pass code; reservations help to organize your time.
Date published: 2025-11-07
Rated 1 out of 5 by from Not worth cost. Only valid 9 days? Not worth the cost. Almost impossible to get your money's worth in 9 days time.
Date published: 2025-09-18
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All images courtesy of The Franklin Institute