SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium After Dark Thursdays (18+) Admission

Recommended by 92% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

San Francisco, USA

High interest

Booked 2 times today.

2 to 4 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Enjoy a new way to experience one of San Francisco's premier attractions when you book after-dark tickets to the Exploratorium, available exclusively on Thursday evenings. After regular visiting hours end, the Exploratorium turns into an adults-only destination for intellectual discovery. Visitors aged 18 and older can dance, mingle, and explore while sipping on cocktails (own expense, aged 21+ only) and discovering the museum's interactive exhibitions.

Guarantee your admission to this popular recurring event in advance
Beat the daytime crowds and enjoy an experience many others miss
Admire panoramic views of San Francisco Bay from the Exploratorium
Grab a drink (own expense), dance to music, and make new friends

What's Included

SKIP THE LINE Admission to After Dark at the Exploratorium (Ages 18+)

Regular daytime admission to the Exploratorium
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Tactile Dome

Meeting and Pickup

Operating hours
.6:00 pm

Departure Point

Exploratorium, Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

What To Expect

On Thursday evenings, after the Exploratorium closes to regular visitors, guests who are 18+ can explore the museum after dark, and enjoy a festive atmosphere combined with intellectual discovery.

Once inside, wander among cutting-edge exhibits that blend art, science, and technology while sipping on cocktails (own expense, limited to guests aged 21+).

The museum's individual galleries include Gallery 1, which showcases and explores human behavior, Gallery 5—where you can explore winds, tides, and natural phenomena—and Gallery 3, whose exhibits revolve around experimentation with light, mirrors, and bubbles.

The Exploratorium is an easy walk from the Ferry Building and a short stroll from Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf.

Exploratorium

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate

Ages 18 years and older only (no exceptions)
Coin-operated lockers are located just past ticketing and the Info desk
Guide dogs and other certified assistance animals are welcome
Wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan, free of charge, at the Info Desk on a first-come first-serve basis
Complimentary museum maps are available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic and Filipino.
Visitors must be age 21+, with a valid government-issued ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.6

based on 51 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

So many fascinating...

Barbara_F, Jan 2026

So many fascinating exhibits! It was my first visit, but I will have to come back many times to see everything here. 2 hours passed by very quickly.

Wonder and Exploration

Nicole_M, Aug 2025

Fun! Insightful and very fulfilling for those who want to lean into their childlike Wonder. The skip the line ticket made entry a breeze. I was even able to bring my service animal (doggie).

Exploratorium after dark

Robin_M, Feb 2025

What a super fun experience! We were able to play along with all of the interactive activities without worrying about stepping on kid’s toes! A very cool experience. Glad we did it!

Great night out for a date with my hubby!

Laura_B, Jan 2025

I am a teacher and spend a lot of time with kids. Spending time with adults only and getting to experience this museum for myself was great!

Night in SF

Giancarlo_M, Mar 2024

The tour guy hosting a quick seminar. He talked about marginal rates and elasticity problems some brain teasers for the group.

Fun date

Carly_S, Mar 2024

This was such a fun experience! Told my boyfriend we were coming here for date night. After coming, I think we will be back as we did not get through all the exhibits in 3 hours.

Fun experience

Emily_M, Dec 2023

Fun experience worth the trip! Glad we made the last minute decision to go and we learned a few things.

Fun night out without kids

Brennan_G, Dec 2023

This was fun, but more crowded than I expected. I would recommend it to others, but would caution them that if you are expecting to experience every exhibit, you will need to wait. With that said, there was only one that I really wanted to experience that I did not get to.

Cool night time experience

Judy_F, Dec 2023

Fun activity, not crowded. It was an enjoyable experience where you had the chance to try all the exhibits with no wait times.

Amazing Experience at the Exploratorium

Taryn_O, Dec 2023

This was the BEST thing I've ever done in the city. We literally had the best time ever! My boyfriend and I booked this trip after talking to a friend and just asking, "what's your favorite unique thing to do in the city?" She said that the Academy of Sciences does this Night Life event once a month. Which didn't interest me much but then I figured out the Exploratorium does it too! We unfortunately got there an hour after it started which was a mistake because we didn't see everything in the museum. Get there as it opens and just explore ;) I have been recommending this to everyone I know. So much fun ! And no kids in sight, at least 3 bars we spotted, lots of lovely couples and respectful adults. The vibes were immaculate, truly. Also ! don't forget to check out the upstairs ice exhibits and outside on the pier!

Fun in the dark

ANNE_B, Nov 2023

Getting to spend as much time as we wanted on an exhibit without children paint in front or rushing us. The adults were very polite

Horrible

Roger_J, Aug 2023

The app did not work! I bought the tickets and the voucher would not appear? The ticket takers at the Exploratorium tried and nobody could get the ticket voucher to appear. I had to buy new tickets to enter. A frustrating experience I will never use this app or the services of this app again. Terrible!

Fun Time!

Antonia_A, Jul 2023

Great experience & worth the value. You could easily spend 4 hours here if you wanted to. There’s a lot to see & do. The restaurant was decent & quick as well. We had a great time! It was just super busy with a lot of people there.

Love the inquiry-based approach

Bill_S, Jun 2022

Loved the rocking and rolling chairs, echo tubes, wave machine simulating the beach, all the wave stuff,fog simulator. Great stuff and great example of the power and effectiveness of an inquiry-based learning approach.

Great museum! We went for...

Natalie_D, Apr 2022

Great museum! We went for the after dark adult experience and it was so fun. I recommend eating before you go. The cafeteria is expensive and the food acceptable.

Adult fun

Lizzywiz, Feb 2020

So fun! Lots to see and do. Best part....no kids!! It wasn’t overly crowded, we were able to experience everything in the building (and outside as well!)

I went to this event with my best friend and it was so fun! Such a breath of fresh air in comparison to a bar or club.

Inger_F, Aug 2019

Absolutely awesome and interesting! So many things to see and learn about. Takes your thinking and puts it in a whole new perspective and invokes critical thinking.

Fun for grown up kids, too!

Kathryn_C, Aug 2019

Really easy to purchase online and then scan the tickets for a large group from my phone at the museum. Attendants were nice and the drink selection was great. TONS of hands-on activities to do, would be worth it to visit again to see everything.

Excelent

EduardoLuis_L, May 2019

The experience is amazing and os possible to try any place. We recomend this tour. Without children is more fun.

Excellent place plenty to do spent 4...

jean d, Feb 2018

Excellent place plenty to do spent 4 hours inside and out at exhibits. All exhibits are hands on

Fun way to spend a night. Could have...

MICHAEL G, Sep 2015

Fun way to spend a night. Could have spent many more hours exploring the museum.

WORTH IT! 4 hours is a bit tight to...

LTB, Jul 2015

WORTH IT! 4 hours is a bit tight to enjoy all the exhibits, but it's manageable if you eat before and after going to the Exploratorium and not during. Less people than during the day, and interesting talks.

This was a great way to spend a...

Lisa, Oct 2014

This was a great way to spend a Thursday evening! We loved the various exhibits, especially the short films and an interesting session on the wine industry. The Exploratorium is quite large and we didn't get a chance to check everything out, so we will definitely be coming back soon. A perfect activity for friends or date night.