The Franklin Institute Philadelphia: Best Exhibits, Planetarium Shows, and Tips for Families
The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia is one of the best hands‑on science museums in the country — a place where you can easily spend an entire day exploring interactive exhibits, watching live science demonstrations, and enjoying a show in the planetarium. During our visit, my teenage son spent a long time in Wondrous Space, diving into every interactive station and display. It’s the kind of museum that pulls you in and keeps you exploring.
If you’re planning a trip to Philadelphia, here’s your complete guide to the best Franklin Institute exhibits, ticket tips, and what to expect during your visit.
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Wondrous Space: The Museum’s Must‑See Exhibit
Wondrous Space is one of the most impressive exhibits at the Franklin Institute. I’m not just saying that because, well, I’m Carltonaut. It’s immersive, beautifully designed, and packed with hands‑on stations that explore deep‑space missions, spacecraft engineering, and the future of exploration.
What to expect in Wondrous Space:
- Interactive mission controls
- Spacecraft models and real components
- Deep‑space exploration displays
- Teen‑friendly engineering challenges
Because of all the interactive exhibits, bring some travel-sized hand sanitizer.
We tried our hand at navigating a Mars rover across the planet to avoid terrain challenges and wind storms. I’m proud to say that I was successful on my first try. If you’re visiting with kids or teens, start here before the crowds build.
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SportsZone: The Science of Athletic Performance
SportsZone is energetic, loud, and full of movement — perfect for kids who love testing their skills. It’s also a great place to get your heart pumping as you test your springing speed or vertical jump. Every station teaches a science concept through physical activity.
Highlights:
- Reaction‑time testing
- Jump‑height measurement
- Throwing‑speed stations
- Physics‑based sports challenges
It’s one of the best things to do at the Franklin Institute if your kids love hands‑on learning. You’ll probably enjoy it as well, as you prove your dominance – or age – in some of the challenges.
Body Odyssey & Health Exhibits: Inside the Human Body
The Franklin Institute’s health exhibits are iconic, especially Body Odyssey and the famous Giant Heart. As a person who markets heart services in my day job, walking through the chambers of the heart to experience how it operates was enjoyable. These walk‑through environments make anatomy and wellness easy to understand for all ages.
Don’t miss:
- The Giant Heart
- Interactive brain and nervous system stations
- Walk‑through body systems
- Health and wellness exhibits
These galleries are great for families and offer a nice balance between high‑energy and educational experiences. We tested our hearing ability for different frequencies. Our teenager could hear better than we could, but hearing and listening are two different things, if you know what I mean.
Hamilton Collections Gallery: Engineering & History
The Hamilton Collections Gallery features one of the museum’s most impressive artifacts — a massive Baldwin steam locomotive. It’s a centerpiece surrounded by historic scientific instruments and engineering achievements.
If you enjoy history, machinery, or industrial‑era innovation, this gallery is a standout. Young kids absolutely loved standing in the large locomotive. I gotta say, I was pretty impressed as well.
Fels Planetarium: A Classic Philadelphia Experience
The Franklin Institute Planetarium is one of the oldest in the country, and the shows are consistently excellent. It’s a great mid‑day break and a highlight for families. If the older crowd needs a nap, this may be a good stop for you as well. It’s quiet, dark, and oh so relaxing.
Planetarium tips:
- Shows run throughout the day
- Included with general admission
- Great for kids who love space and storytelling
Live Science Demonstrations
Throughout the day, museum educators host short, high‑energy science demos. These are quick, engaging, and easy to fit between exhibits. Liquid Air was the only demonstration we were able to enjoy during our visit. The scientist was engaging and fun for people of all ages, and definitely provided the WOW factor to the show.
Topics often include:
- Chemistry reactions
- Physics experiments
- Electricity demonstrations
Check the daily schedule when you arrive so you don’t miss one. Then plan your day around what shows you want to experience.
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Food Options, Gift Shops, and Gear
The Franklin Institute has a cafeteria with sandwiches, salads, snacks, and kid‑friendly meals — perfect for a mid‑day break. It’s even a great place to snag the traditional cheesesteak sandwich. In icon of Philadelphia.
There are also two gift shops offering science kits, books, apparel, and Franklin Institute souvenirs. If your kids love hands‑on learning, this is a great place to pick up a take‑home activity.
There are some items you may find helpful for your visit:
- Portable phone charger — helpful for teens and parents heavy photo/video use
- Lightweight daypack — perfect for snacks, water, and souvenirs
- Reusable water bottle — the museum is large, and staying hydrated helps
- Hand sanitizer — Lots of interactive exhibits, so you’ve gotta keep your hands clean
Franklin Institute Tickets & Philadelphia CityPASS
If you’re visiting multiple attractions, the Philadelphia CityPASS is one of the easiest ways to save money. The Franklin Institute is included, and you can choose a C3, C4, or C5 pass depending on your interests and itinerary.
Read more on the Philadelphia CityPASS to see if it’ll save you a few extra dollars on your visit to the City of Brotherly Love.
Franklin Institute FAQ
How long does it take to visit the Franklin Institute?
Plan for 3–4 hours, but you can easily spend a full day.
What are the best exhibits at the Franklin Institute?
Wondrous Space, SportsZone, Body Odyssey, the Giant Heart, the Planetarium, and the Hamilton Collections Gallery.
Is the Franklin Institute good for teens?
Absolutely — especially Wondrous Space and SportsZone.
Does the Franklin Institute offer food options?
Yes, there’s a cafeteria with family‑friendly meals.
Is the Franklin Institute included in Philadelphia CityPASS?
Yes — it’s one of the most popular CityPASS attractions.
Details
Address: 222 N 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (Main entrance). There is an on-site parking garage at 271 North 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Cost: Tickets range from $23-$29 depending on age (adults, teens, children).
Hours: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: https://fi.edu/en
Phone: (215) 448-1200
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