Museum · Philadelphia
The Franklin Institute: free entry days, tickets & hours
Philadelphia's hands-on science museum: the walk-through Giant Heart, the Fels Planetarium, the Baldwin locomotive and three floors of interactive exhibits.
Independent guide, not the official Franklin Institute website. Official links are under Sources.
Franklin Institute is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: children 2 and under; STAMP: free for Philadelphia high school students with a Philadelphia student ID.
- Otherwise: adult (18+) museum admission — $29.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- There is no free day for everyone; only children 2 and under (and Philadelphia high schoolers via STAMP) get in free.
- PA ACCESS cardholders pay $2 each for up to four people (not free); show the card and photo ID at the Box Office.
- Weekday mornings are busy with school groups; the museum suggests visiting after 2pm.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forFree for children 2 and under | children under 3 | — | No |
| Free forSTAMP: free for Philadelphia high school students with a Philadelphia student ID | Philadelphia High School students | Art-Reach STAMP program; individual visits only. | No |
Official prices
Franklin Institute ticket prices
| Adult (18+) museum admission — Teens 13-17 $25; children 3-12 $23; 2 and under free. Includes planetarium and live science shows; special exhibits extra. Online tickets carry a service fee for non-members. | $29 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (adult (18+) museum admission). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Franklin Institute
Timed-entry ticketThe Franklin Institute: Entry Ticket★★★★★ 4.6 · 59 reviewsfrom $29
Timed-entry ticketPhiladelphia: The Franklin Institute Entry Ticket★★★★★ 4.7 · 22 reviewsfrom $29
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 09:30–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 09:30–17:00 |
| Wed | 09:30–17:00 |
| Thu | 09:30–17:00 |
| Fri | 09:30–17:00 |
| Sat | 09:30–17:00 |
| Sun | 09:30–17:00 |
Open daily 9:30am-5pm. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
222 N 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Franklin Institute: common questions
Is Franklin Institute free?
Franklin Institute has no free entry for everyone. Also free: children 2 and under; STAMP: free for Philadelphia high school students with a Philadelphia student ID. Otherwise the official ticket costs $29.
Who gets free entry to Franklin Institute?
Children under 3. Philadelphia High School students — art-Reach STAMP program; individual visits only..
How much is a ticket to Franklin Institute?
Adult (18+) museum admission costs $29 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Franklin Institute
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
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Sources
Where this comes from
- fi.edu/en/plan-your-visit · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
- fi.edu/en/plan-your-visit/accessibility · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.