Information
Landmark: Franklin InstituteCity: Philadelphia
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
At 222 North 20th Street in Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute stands as one of America’s oldest and most respected science museums, where polished brass instruments still gleam under the lights.The Institute, founded in 1824 and named for Benjamin Franklin, buzzes with science education, sparks of innovation, and hands-on exhibits you can press, twist, and explore.Each year, millions come-from families with curious kids and school groups buzzing with chatter to scientists and tourists eager to touch interactive exhibits and explore cutting‑edge science programs.A group of Philadelphia’s leading citizens founded the Institute to promote “the increase and diffusion of the knowledge of the mechanic arts and sciences.” Named for Benjamin Franklin, its brick walls and sunlit halls still carry the restless energy of his curiosity and invention.For almost two hundred years, it’s grown from a quiet circle of scholars into a vibrant science museum where visitors can spark curiosity by, say, touching a meteorite or peering through a telescope.The Franklin Institute rises along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a sweeping cultural boulevard in Center City Philadelphia, just a short walk from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.Finished in 1934, the building shows off its classical style with towering columns and a stone facade that catches the light.Over the years, the Institute has expanded and renovated again and again, adding new wings and brighter galleries to keep pace with its growing collection and the crowds who come to see it.Giant Heart: A favorite at the museum, this massive walk-through model lets visitors step inside a human heart, wander through its chambers, and hear the steady thump as they learn how it works.safeIt gives visitors a clear, respectful tour through human anatomy, physiology, and health, letting them grasp how the body works-from the steady beat of a heart to the pull of a muscle.Wondrous Space invites you to step inside a two‑story adventure, where glowing screens and hands‑on displays guide you past swirling planets, blazing stars, and the shadowy pull of black holes, unraveling the mysteries of the universe one stop at a time.Fels Planetarium uses cutting-edge tech to bring the cosmos to life, with shows that sweep you under a glittering night sky and carry you deep into space, making astronomy thrilling for everyone.Hamilton Collections Gallery is a new addition showcasing historic treasures like the massive Baldwin 60000 Locomotive, a tribute to engineering triumphs and the spirit of scientific discovery.SportsZone is an interactive space where visitors dive into the science of athletic performance-exploring biomechanics, physics, and physiology through lively, hands-on activities like testing their sprint speed or throwing a ball for distance.At the Demonstration Theater, lively science shows spark curiosity as electricity crackles, magnets tug, and colorful chemistry flares, all through dramatic experiments that draw in children and families alike.At The Franklin Institute, you can dive into a wide range of educational experiences-hands-on workshops, lively summer camps, engaging lectures, and outreach programs that bring science right to your doorstep.They’re built to draw in students, teachers, and anyone curious about science, sparking interest in STEM-like the thrill of watching vinegar fizz in a baking soda volcano.Holiday programs and rare science exhibits-like a winter stargazing night under crisp, frosty skies-bring extra energy to an already lively events calendar.Visitors can wander through the museum at their own pace, following clear signs, tapping through interactive displays, and pausing to watch crisp videos that bring the exhibits to life.The Institute offers easy-to-use entrances, quiet spaces with soft lighting, and other tailored accommodations so everyone can feel welcome.You’ll find a cozy café, the Sci-Store gift shop, and plenty of parking right on site.The museum’s set up for families-you can roll in with a stroller, pause in a quiet nook, and grab a cold drink before moving on.We’re open every day from 9:30 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, so you can drop by anytime between coffee and sunset.On certain days, select exhibits stay open late, letting you linger under soft gallery lights.Tickets run about $25 for adults and $21 for kids ages 3 to 11-roughly the price of a quick lunch.Kids under three get in at no charge-no ticket needed.Seniors, military personnel, and members can all get a discount-just ask when you check out.You can get here easily in Center City Philadelphia-hop on a bus, drive in, or take a short walk past the coffee shops and street musicians.Parking’s available on-site for a fee, though members get a discount-think a few dollars off each time you park.The Franklin Institute is one of the top spots for anyone curious about science, technology, and discovery, where you can peer through a giant telescope or wander among whirring machines.Blending rich history, hands-on exhibits, and fresh ideas, it sparks curiosity in visitors of every age, urging them to discover the wonders of nature and human invention-like the glint of a fossil under a spotlight.Visitors might peer into the heart’s intricate chambers, drift through a star-speckled stretch of space, or watch a bubbling experiment unfold-and they leave with a sharper sense of how science shapes their daily world.
