San Francisco Exploratorium - how is it now?
July 13, 2023 6:40 PM Subscribe
Our family is heading out this weekend on a road trip that will eventually bring us to San Francisco, where we have not been in many years. Last time we were there the Exploratorium was still in the Presidio and our (now adult) kids loved it. Our youngest kid (age 12) has never been; how does the new (or really "new" by now) Exploratorium rate against the original?
I think the last time we were in SF as a family was 2009. Our kids, then 11 and 7, LOVED the Exploratorium and I remember being impressed by how many of the exhibits were enjoyable by a range of ages. I don't think our older ones (now 25 and 21) are going to want to go, but our youngest, who enjoys science and nature in general, might like it if it were mostly like the Original Flavor Exploratorium.
Questions are: How different is the new one from the old one? Is it mostly the same exhibits in a new space or is it totally different? Is it super techy? Is there still enough that a twelve year old would find interesting? If not, are there other places in SF that might be interesting in the same way? We will also be spending time in Golden Gate Park, at the beach (gotta see the ocean) and possibly Monterey Bay Aquarium.
I think the last time we were in SF as a family was 2009. Our kids, then 11 and 7, LOVED the Exploratorium and I remember being impressed by how many of the exhibits were enjoyable by a range of ages. I don't think our older ones (now 25 and 21) are going to want to go, but our youngest, who enjoys science and nature in general, might like it if it were mostly like the Original Flavor Exploratorium.
Questions are: How different is the new one from the old one? Is it mostly the same exhibits in a new space or is it totally different? Is it super techy? Is there still enough that a twelve year old would find interesting? If not, are there other places in SF that might be interesting in the same way? We will also be spending time in Golden Gate Park, at the beach (gotta see the ocean) and possibly Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Best answer: For what it's worth, I visited the "new" Exploratorium in 2017 or so; my most recent visit before that would have been in the mid-90s as a nerdy 12- or 13-year-old, when I loved it to pieces. I found it to have a lot of the same "flavour" as I remembered from my youth.
The main difference I noticed was a big new section on marine biology and ecology, which took advantage of their new site. There might have been more "techy" stuff that I'm not remembering; but there were definitely lots of the sort of cool-large-scale-demonstrations-of-natural-science-principles that were their bread & butter back in the day.
posted by Johnny Assay at 6:54 PM on July 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
The main difference I noticed was a big new section on marine biology and ecology, which took advantage of their new site. There might have been more "techy" stuff that I'm not remembering; but there were definitely lots of the sort of cool-large-scale-demonstrations-of-natural-science-principles that were their bread & butter back in the day.
posted by Johnny Assay at 6:54 PM on July 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
The biggest difference in my eyes is there is no Tactile Dome. Otherwise, it’s the same museum in a different space.
I was at the old location not so long ago and they still had some signage up for the Exploratorium. It was a trip to see after all these years.
posted by sacrifix at 7:12 PM on July 13, 2023
I was at the old location not so long ago and they still had some signage up for the Exploratorium. It was a trip to see after all these years.
posted by sacrifix at 7:12 PM on July 13, 2023
Tactile Dome reopens in 2 days, actually! Just in time :)
posted by peppercorn at 7:16 PM on July 13, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by peppercorn at 7:16 PM on July 13, 2023 [7 favorites]
Best answer: The exhibits are much the same, and it's still a wonderful place. See cosmic rays! Freeze soap bubbles! So many hands-on interesting things!
posted by anadem at 8:06 PM on July 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by anadem at 8:06 PM on July 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
The California Academy of the Sciences is also pretty cool and in Golden Gate Park so you can walk around before/after.
I’m a big fan of the Wave Organ; ymmv with a 12 year old.
posted by A Blue Moon at 8:18 PM on July 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
I’m a big fan of the Wave Organ; ymmv with a 12 year old.
posted by A Blue Moon at 8:18 PM on July 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
After all these posts, I wish _I_ were going to the Exploratorium! I last went when there was a SHARE (IBM customer) conference in SF, and it was at the Presidio. One of my favorite adult trip memories. Glad to hear the new space retains the old flavor.
posted by TimHare at 8:51 PM on July 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by TimHare at 8:51 PM on July 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
I visited both locations (as an adult both times) and, as others here are saying, found the experience to be largely similar (and very enjoyable).
posted by number9dream at 6:13 AM on July 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by number9dream at 6:13 AM on July 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks so much for the feedback! I am thrilled and relieved that it retains its original feel. I will have to do more research about the Tactile Dome though - Youngest Kid is autistic and can have a strong NO WAY reaction to some things.
posted by sencha at 7:45 AM on July 14, 2023
posted by sencha at 7:45 AM on July 14, 2023
Best answer: Just a warning since you mentioned it, I went into the Tactile Dome with my wife and a friend about 20 years ago in my 30s. That was the day I found out I was claustrophobic. About halfway through I totally freaked out and pulled a flashlight out of my pocket. The person on the speaker (I assume they have IR cameras) told me to turn it off, I absolutely refused and they told me directions to get out.
While I sat and calmed down my wife and my friend went back in again because it was so much fun. Your mileage may vary...
posted by mmoncur at 9:18 PM on July 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
While I sat and calmed down my wife and my friend went back in again because it was so much fun. Your mileage may vary...
posted by mmoncur at 9:18 PM on July 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: All righty then - no Tactile Dome for us! Kiddo would be too scared. Many thanks for the feedback; sorry you had that experience.
posted by sencha at 6:59 PM on July 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sencha at 6:59 PM on July 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
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