Exhibits and Experiences

Explore the beating “heart” of The Franklin Institute!

Explore the amazing world of machines! You’ll be amazed at the similarities between the machines from our collection and the ones you use every day.

Explore the night sky with cutting-edge astronomical presentations in the awe-inspiring Fels Planetarium. 

Hit the turf and experience how sports connect the science of the human body, laws of motion, and technical innovation.

Spark your curiosity about the wonders of electricity in this interactive exhibit dedicated to the museum’s namesake—Benjamin Franklin.

Think about how you think when you explore Your Brain. What is the brain? How does it work?

Put your piloting skills to the test in the lively Franklin Air Show exhibit that introduces the history, majesty, science, and technology of powered flight.

The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial features a dramatic 20-foot-high marble statue of Benjamin Franklin sculpted by James Earle Fraser.

Opens November 4! Experience the excitement of space exploration and develop an out-of-this-world appreciation for the night sky.

Enter the playground of experimentation to discover falling objects, chain reactions, and optical illusions that bring Newton's laws to life.

Reopening November 4th!
The Holt & Miller Observatory houses the 10” Carl Zeiss Refracting Telescope, one of the largest historical artifacts in the museum's collection.

The Train Factory exhibit is now closed in preparation for its re-imagination and expansion into the new Treasures of The Franklin Institute Gallery, opening in the fall of 2024! 

Show off your engineering skills in Tech Studio. Design, build, and test the most efficient spinning top or construct a K'Nex aircraft that can safely land on the runway.