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Exploratorium After Dark

4.4 (208 reviews)
Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Exploratorium After Dark Photos

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Very cool thing
Ryan T.

My friend told me about this and said we Had to do it, so here we are! This was very much not what I was expecting for an Adult only event! It was a Huge area of, strange contraptions, gizmo's and gadgets, and wacky creations! All just out for people to enjoy! To be honest it was Very overwhelming with just how much there was! There was things you could interact with, things to just watch work, things that you press a button, it was all so crazy! I cannot even begin to describe all of the crazy things that were here, especially as it's not a place I myself would have come to, but I'm very glad I came! It's a very "Oooo what's that" kind of experience and there's not actually a whole lot to...do for lack of a better way to say it. But it was a hell of an experience! High recommendation from me!

Bubble station
Emily G.

The After Dark offer is great for adults who want to escape from rowdy kids and experience a friendly atmosphere. And don't get me wrong, I love kids but if there's any kid-free nights offers, I take it. This museum itself is HUGE and holds so many interactive art pieces that are both fun and educational. I love that they offer Museums for All, making the experience easy to access and explore. I've been to many museums, and I gotta say, this one is in the top. You not only get to explore various pieces that are both unique and beautiful, but also get to do it all with a drink in your hand. If you're looking for an authentic museum that is both observant and interactive, this place is for you!

Nicholas A.

Such a fun experiment! I really enjoyed it after Dark. It is a very couples-type place or a group of friends hangout! The staff are sooo friendly and helpful. My only warning is that you would want to wash your hands a lot! A lot of touching in this exploratorium. Again, luckily it's all adults soo no kiddie hands touching things... i would bring your own personal hand wipes and/or sanitizer. They do provide a couple throughout the exhibit though. I just felt it could have had a little more.

Seth E.

The exploratorium is a great way to spend your Thursday night whether with family, friends, or significant others! I personally went with my family and it was a great time! There's a parking lot out across the street that you have to pay for, but we parked at the parking structure near Pier 39. I got free tickets for the four of us since I had my EBT card, so make sure to use it if you have it! The whole place is filled with tons of interesting and immersive exhibits, so much so that I still don't know if it's possible to get through every exhibit in just the four short hours that you have there. Based on our family, I think it's great for all ages (18+) as there were different exhibits that piqued our interest and allowed us to have a lot of fun in the process! No matter who you're with, there's a lot of exhibits that feature mirrors or photo opportunities that I recommend seeking out to make digital memories for that night. Definitely going back to get through the rest of it if possible!

Outside
Annabelle R.

Last time I attended Exploratorium After Dark was at the old location at the Palace of Fine Arts many years ago. It's just as fun today, even post-COVID era. If you love science, it's easily 5 stars, how can you beat inteactive exhibits, learning and seeing science in action, and spending time with loved ones (especially for date night)... all while enjoying adult beverages! Well I'm not very good at science, but engaging with different exhibits is still entertaining and mind boggling, but maybe it depends on who you come with... I think EAD makes for perfect quality time with a significant other, free of distraction from kids in the venue. And the place is spaced out well, so it didn't feel too crowded during our visit. My favorite piece is the tornado exhibit which is one of the beautiful and mesmerizing artworks demonstrating a vortex of water that actually occurs in everyday tasks, like stirring liquid beverages. Unfortunately, some exhibits were closed due to the pandemic, and there were not a whole lot of drink choices through Seaglass Restaurant (your only option here). Also, affordable parking is almost non-existent. Otherwise, I'd definitely give this place 5 stars... I'm always looking for something "different" to do, and this certainly fits the bill.

Dani S.

Super fun event at the exploritorium! Came here one weekday night for this event and it was a great time. The whole place was crowded, seems like all the young and hip in SF are here. The whole place is open for you to play with and there were multiple scientific talks given by the staff members. The schedule is posted at the entrance and throughout the whole place so you can figure out what's going on and where. We went to a few different presentations and they were all very interesting and the staff were enthusiastic and informative. Definitely a fun event!

Linda Z.

This was a great interactive experience for adults! Great date night idea or something to do with your friends! (Don't wear heels to this date night like me, lots of walking!) Being an adult doesnt mean you can't be a kid at heart. Loved how After Dark does not have any nasty kids picking their boogers and touching everything. My favorite pieces were the magnetic black sand and dry ice that imitated comets in space. Spent about 2 1/2 hours and didnt finish the exhibit, so much to see & will come back again. Relatively affordable for only $20 per person

All of the lights
Arnold M.

I absolutely love this place! I've been here at regular times but this was my first time experiencing the "After Dark" times and it was awesome! If you're looking for a place to hang and do science stuff (lol) with friends, a date, or solo like I did, this is the place to be. It was only $20 bucks to get in and you get full access to all of the different exhibits. The Seaglass restaurant was open and served drinks and food! The staff there are extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Shout out to the team that did the cow eye dissection! They were very cool about me live streaming my experience there and my viewers enjoyed the whole trip. Would definitely recommend After Dark since you get to experience so much for such a low price. Amazing place. I would post more pictures but there's only so much I could post!!!

Colby D.

What's better than the Exploratorium during the day? The Exploratorium After Dark! Adults only + alcohol is truly the only thing that can make the Exploratorium better than it usually is. The Exploratorium After Dark (EAD) series features most, if not all Exploratorium offerings, and there is nearly always a theme that brings in a few more attractions (usually booths or shows). I've been to EAD twice, once for a "Future Foods" event and once for a Glow event. At the Future Foods event, I learned about cellular seafood with Finless Foods, about sustainable agriculture with CUESA, about smart gardens with Kijani Grows, about vertical farming with Green Skies Vertical Farms, and listened to institute for the Future's Rebecca Chesney talk about recipes for the next decade. I also re-tried the vegan Impossible Burger, tried chips made of crickets, and got a free persimmon on the way out! The Glow event just had cool lighting and lasers and stuff...it could have had a lot more that I missed, but it didn't seem much different than a themeless EAD. I've been wanting to draw with that weird pendulum machine for a while but there are always too many people in line. Maybe one day... Oh and although there is alcohol, keep in mind that it's kinda pricey and there are only special drinks on themed nights.

MarVy S.

An After Dark Museum for adults 18 and over. It's open every Thursday night from 6pm- 10pm. It's located in Pier 15. The activities touches on science and human perception. You'll learn a lot if things! :: Experience:: We came on May 4th which was a Stars Wars theme; May the 4th be with you. Some people dressed up with the Stars Wars theme. I liked the R2-D2 droids roaming around. This museum is very hands-on. They serve alcohol throughout the place. The activities consist of sight, motion, electricity, water, wind, and sound, etc. There are also exhibits outside. This place is a big playground for adults. ::Food:: If you are hungry, there is restaurant inside called SeaGlass. ::Tips:: -Purchase tickets online. -Check the website for events. ::M's Notes:: -Ticket Prices: $15 General and $10 Members -Street and Lot Parking

Fallon F.

So much fun for date night! Bay Area Native here and I've been to the exploratorium on field trips numerous time growing up, coming back as an adult was just as fun! Beer and drink selection were reasonably priced in the cafe in my opinion with good options too. The exhibits themselves were obviously fun and interactive and it didn't seem too crowded here either. They check vaccination cards and IDs and have hand sanitizer all over the place which was a nice Covid friendly addition too given almost everything is hands on and interactive. Tons of fun and definitely will be coming back to after dark. I've gone to cal academy's after dark which is fun as well, but I have to say I think the exploratoriums exhibits are way more interactive.

Piggyback!
Nicole G.

I think my expectations were too high. After a few months of waiting the anticipation was high based on the Yelp reviews. The science and technology were interesting. Many exhibits ranging from sight and sound. My personal favorite was geography and the history of California territorial lands. There are a few bars around the exploratorium. The shortest line was in the cafeteria. After dark is cool because it is 21 and up and it is date night and/or groups of people walking around. We were there for an hour and a half. We were able to park across the street without paying, because there was no attendant.

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Very interesting with all the different science experiments and all... when with a few coworkers...but looks great for date night

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Ask the Community - Exploratorium After Dark

Are you allowed to take adult drinks with you as you walk through the exhibits?

Yes! We encourage you to get inquisitive and grab a drink.

Do people dress up or is it casual?

I just wanted to confirm before I commute to the city with my dog - are dogs allowed to the all exploratorium after dark events? TIA!

I saw a service dog

Do you need to show ID to enter?

Hi Jennifer! Thanks for your question. After Dark is open to all visitors ages 18 and older. We do not typically check IDs at the door, as the entryway to the museum is open to the public. We will occasionally check IDs at the ticket counter or… Read more

How do I become a member here?

Membership area is located straight ahead past the ticketing area.

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Review Highlights - Exploratorium After Dark

The tactile dome was quite intriguing and I'd highly recommend it if you've never done it before.

Mentioned in 20 reviews

Read more highlights

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4.4(1.3k reviews)
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I have been here multiple times throughout the years, and have only had good experiences. However,…read moremy last visit stood out to me the most. A few weeks ago was my senior prom, which was at the Exploratorium. The exhibits and environment were very fun and made for a super engaging night! As a trans person, I have a lot of anxiety in public bathrooms. Although they were unable to open up the general neutral bathroom (I mean, it's high schoolers, you can't trust them). However, the staff was extremely accommodating and kind, and escorted me to a separate bathroom. They made sure I got to pick the bathroom I was most comfortable in, as well as apologized for the inconvenience. Not only is this place fun, entertaining, and family friendly, they are welcoming, kind, and caring. I will never forget the kindness that I was shown.

Exploratorium San Francisco, CA…read more Date went 4/25/26 Time went around 1:15pm on a Saturday It was very busy to say the least Bonus the entry fee is $5 for food stamp recipients Atmosphere It was so great to see a mixture of young children with parents, teenagers, and even older people in this establishments. I saw lots of laughter, play, and wonder and despite it being packed everyone was respectful and I didn't see any hogging of the different activities. You could easily spend at least 3 or 4 hours in there. Food Court I ordered a chicken avocado bacon burger and it was surprisingly delicious! Also, not too expensive. Overall I highly recommend coming her with your kids, on a date, or just for some fun scientific exploring! I didn't get to see what the regular entrance fee was, but I'd say this would be worth it for about $25-$30 per person. I wish I would've taken more pictures of the different activities Recommendations - More hand sanitizing stations, I only recall seeing one throughout the entire place

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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - My perspective on Ruth Asawa pieces.

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4.2(979 reviews)
1.1 miSoMa, Financial District

Huge 7 floor Museum with lots of see. There were plenty of people and students. They have their…read morecafé and the fifth floor and then they also have a smaller café on the second floor before you enter. Each floor has both stairs and an elevator. Sometimes the stairs were hard to find. I only stopped by quickly for the special exhibitions. And they were pretty interesting and fun. There was lots to see, so I only stopped by very quickly by each exhibit. My favorite exhibition would probably be the yarn art exhibition as I was one of the few items that were very unique and different from everything else

San Francisco has always been a plain canvas and a city full of artist. You can see art on the…read morestreets with the architecture and buildings and you can also see it at a restaurant and especially at a Michelin guide restaurant on a plate of food. You can listen and watch San Francisco art on your analog and digital devices. The art of the deal is happening all over the city. The art of rebellion is part of the fabric of San Francisco. Even one of San Francisco's past Mayors is name Art ( Agnos). There is one place where you can see over five floors of modern art exhibits in San Francisco in the SOMA. It's called the SF MOMA. On a SOMA stroll I entered the SF Museum of Modern Arts building. Inside I went to many floors of different art exhibits and there was plenty to explore. I also was able to see the KAWS exhibition which had very animated art and is only available until May 3rd. You will also see visual art and also photography art. This place has a little bit of everything with the human touch and not totally made by a robot or AI ( time will tell). A good human experience of the human experience in San Francisco. Plan a visit when in SOMA. San Francisco art is everywhere and even in the restaurant food's "aroma"especially in the neighborhood of "SOMA" and to appreciate art you don't need to have an art "diploma" you can just go and appreciate the art inside of the "SF MOMA" Art is more than when someone paints or when someone "draws "some art can be digital as long it has a message and some have a "cause" some art museums are therapeutic like mental "spas"there is a few days left to watch the art exhibit at SF MOMA for "KAWS"

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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Kaws: Family, May 01, 2026. I can imagine many of these images on colorful T-shirts.

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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - Got my tickets! Let's gooooo!!

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de Young Museum - de Young Museum

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4.0(1.9k reviews)
4.4 mi

Art, Atmosphere, and Joy…read more Unexpected visit to San Francisco turned into something truly special. I didn't plan it, but I happened to arrive while a Monet exhibition was on display, and it felt like perfect timing. Monet has always been one of my favorite artists, and seeing his work in person at the De Young Museum made the experience feel both intimate and powerful. The museum itself is just as impressive as the art it holds: calm, spacious, and thoughtfully curated in a way that lets you slow down and really take things in. I also stopped by the café and had the lasagna with an American coffee. It came to about $35, which is on the expensive side, but I consider it part of supporting the museum and the experience itself. Everything was satisfying and well-presented. Overall, this visit felt unexpectedly meaningful. I'm glad I came when I did, and I would absolutely return again, especially for future exhibitions.

de Young Museum is a world class museum of art, right up there with the majors like The Getty, The…read moreMet, thought not quite as good. De Young has almost all of arts: Fine arts, classical art, medieval art, Renaissance art, religious art, contemporary art, ancient art, modern art, great art, bad art, talentless art, sculptures, amateur old arts, creat art, and more! There is also an awesome tower to for some great views of San Francisco. $20 for some culture and beauty, and ugly.

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de Young Museum - De Young Museum "Art of Manga Exhibit"

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De Young Museum "Art of Manga Exhibit"

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Museum Of 3D Illusions

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4.4(353 reviews)
0.9 miFisherman's Wharf, North Beach/Telegraph Hill

Had a fun experience here! Cool illusions near the wharf and they have markers for the best place…read moreto make the images work best. It was a little bit pricy since the space isn't that big but if you come in with the expectation of it being a short visit, I think you'll enjoy it. I was a little worried it would feel gimmicky but the experience of taking picture with friends and trying to figure out the best poses and angles to make the illusions work was actually really fun.

This was a fun little place, and I emphasize, "little." It worked out for us because we were the…read moreonly ones there. I get why this place would be super hot and not the best if there were multiple guests inside. The place itself is really tiny and it's quite stuffy inside. It was just, my husband, my son and I, so we were able to take time to take pics of all the backdrops. The backdrops are painted murals that create cool illusions. They have sample pics so you know where and how to pose and signs where you're supposed to stand to take pics. It took us about 30 minutes to circle the whole thing (maybe even less). This is a fun a little trip if you don't mind taking wacky pics like we do. Also, it would help if you don't mind lying on the floor. We enjoyed it, but I can see why the bad reviews of people expecting it to be much more. As long as you know what to expect, I still think it's an enjoyable experience. Pros: Cute murals that make for cool photos Fun family activity or with friends They have lockers for your stuff up front Cons: it's pretty pricey, and TBH, not worth $30 per person.

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4.7(1.2k reviews)
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One of my favorite stops whenever I'm in San Francisco. The Palace of the Fine Arts is an…read moreincredible visit - beautiful and peaceful. I've visited here both during the day and at night and each one will provide you with its own unique experience. During the day, you'll be able to take in all the surrounding nature - its lake, the birds and the ducks, grassy areas. You can also take in all the intricate architecture of the Palace. Can definitely get busy and loud during the day, but it's still so nice to walk around and enjoy. At night, you're going to lose the majority of the people. Last time we were there after dark, there were only a dozen other people wandering around. You won't really be able to see the nature, but the Palace has areas lit up with lights that give it a different beauty you won't see during the day. Free to enter and enjoy. We've always walked here, so I can't touch on the parking situation, but it doesn't look like the best just from glancing around. As I said, one of my favorite stops in SF, and I look forward to visiting it on each trip.

One last adventure on our trip was a stop by the Palace of Fine Arts. I've see pictures and clips…read moreof it in movies for many years, and have always been kind fascinated by it. Unfortunately our visit was so jam packed with everything else, we were only able to get there at night...which wasn't terrible. It is well lit and still very impressive. The structure was originally built for the world's fair about 100 years ago, but because of the response they actually rebuilt it after, with more long term/long lasting material. It's held up very well, and is spectacular to see. It really makes you feel like you're in an ancient European city. There is another building next to the famous structure that is used as a convention hall, and gallery space. It was closed and locked up when we were there. All in all, it was a cool stop on our trip. I definitely enjoyed seeing it in person, and maybe next time we visit San Francisco, I'll be able to see it in daylight

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Palace Of Fine Arts - 06.15.25 the domed rotunda is an open-air octagon supported by eight piers, triangular in plan, that frame arched openings

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Exploratorium After Dark - museums - Updated May 2026

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