Your Membership Guide
Your Membership Card
Parking
Fels Planetarium
Tuttleman IMAX® Theater
Using Free IMAX® Tickets
Franklin Theater
SkyBike
Special Exhibit Fees
Important Numbers
Members' Events
Email and Online Information
Upgrading Your Membership
Informational Changes
Fundraising Events
Volunteer Opportunities
Gift Memberships
Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Your Membership Card
You will receive your membership card in the mail along with your members' guide within 2–3 weeks of becoming a member. Bring your membership card to the Membership Desk when you arrive to receive admission and theater tickets, as well as for any special information you might need to start your visit. Use the membership identification number on your card to purchaseevent, special exhibits, or IMAX® tickets in advance.
Parking
The entrance to the Franklin Institute's parking garage is located on 21st Street at Winter Street. Parking is first come, first served for everyone, including members who receive free parking. Additionally, please note that the garage has limited parking for over-sized vans, trucks, and SUVs.
Parking tickets must be validated at the Membership Desk to ensure you receive the reduced rate for up to 5 hours. If your membership includes free parking, you will receive the allotted parking stickers, valid for 4 hours each, with your membership card. Unfortunately, we are unable to issue refunds for unused time.
If the parking garage is full, there are additional parking facilities in the area; however, The Franklin Institute is not affiliated with any of these garages, and only the Commerce Square Garage, located on 21st Street between Arch and Market offers The Franklin Institute's validated rates on weekends only. Please also be aware that none of the area parking facilities will accept the Premier member 4-hour free parking vouchers.
Fels Planetarium
Planetarium shows are free to all members, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Shows are open to all ages. For features and show times, click here or call 215.448.1200.
Tuttleman IMAX® Theater
All members receive discounted or free tickets to IMAX® films shown at The Franklin Institute. Please call 215.448.1200 or see the IMAX® schedule for show times. We strongly recommend that you reserve tickets in advance during holiday seasons, school vacations and throughout the duration of blockbuster exhibits. To reserve your tickets in advance, please call: 215.448.1231 (weekdays); 215.448.1254 (weekends).
Tickets purchased in advance are subject to a service fee; please have a major credit card ready when you call. Free tickets are not valid for full length feature films.
Using Free IMAX® Tickets
If, as a benefit of your membership, you receive free IMAX® tickets, you will not receive passes in the mail. Free tickets are tracked electronically and deducted from your account when used. Advance reservations using free IMAX® passes are not subject to a service fee. Free IMAX® tickets expire with current memberships and cannot be carried over with renewal.
Franklin Theater
All members receive discounted tickets to films shown in the Franklin Theater. Please call 215.448.1200 or view show times. We strongly recommend that you reserve tickets in advance during holiday seasons, school vacations and throughout the duration of blockbuster exhibits. To purchase your tickets in advance, please call: 215.448.1231 (weekdays); 215.448.1254 (weekends).
Tickets purchased in advance are subject to a service fee; please have a major credit card ready when you call.
SkyBike
The SkyBike is free to members, although certain restrictions do apply. Riders must be at least 56 inches tall and weigh less than 250 pounds.
Special Exhibit Fees
The Franklin Institute strives to bring exemplary special exhibitions to you and Philadelphia. Because of the expense associated with hosting tremendous traveling exhibitions, they are not included in members' free admission. Members may, however, enjoy these exhibits by purchasing tickets at exclusive discounted rates. We strongly recommend that you reserve tickets for special exhibits in advance, especially during weekends, holiday seasons and school vacations. To reserve your discounted tickets in advance, please call: 215.448.1231 (weekdays); 215.448.1254 (weekends).
Important Numbers
| Membership Office (Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM) | 215.448.1231 |
| Weekend Reservations | 215.448.1254 |
| General Information | 215.448.1200 |
| Advance IMAX® tickets | Weekdays: 215.448.1231 Weekends: 215.448.1254 |
| Group Reservations | 800.285.0684 |
| IMAX® Hotline | 215.448.1111 |
| Camp-In, Discovery Camps, and Traveling Science Shows | 215.448.1286 |
| Birthday Parties | 215.448.1302 |
| Sales and Catering | 215.448.1165 |
| Weather Report | 215.448.1123 |
| Membership Fax | 215.448.1235 |
| Membership Email | membership@fi.edu |
Members' Events
Exclusive members' events are held throughout the year and are listed in News & Event - a mailing you will receive bi-annually - in members' emails and on the website. Watch for private member previews of traveling exhibits and Tuttleman IMAX® Theater features.
Reservations are required for members' events unless otherwise specified.
E-Mail and Online Information
Additional events are also announced via bi-weekly members' e-mails. If you do not currently receive member e-mail updates, contact the Membership Office at 215.448.1231 or membership@fi.edu to add your e-mail address to our records. Member e-mail addresses are not released for solicitation purposes.
The Franklin Institute's website provides information on the latest exhibits, programming and show times, as well as scientific resources, curriculum materials for teachers, links to other valuable websites and fun activities for children and adults alike.
Upgrading Your Membership
You may upgrade to a higher level of membership within 60 days of your original subscription by simply paying the difference in the cost of the Membership. The expiration date of your Membership will remain the same.
Informational Changes
Please keep us informed of any updates, such as changes in contact information, by contacting the Membership Office at 215.448.1231 or membership@fi.edu.
Fundraising Events
Members can support The Franklin Institute beyond their dues by participating in annual fundraising events. The Franklin Institute Awards Ceremony and Dinner, a black-tie program honoring scientists who have made significant advances in science and technology, is held each April. Franklin Family FunFest, the region's most prominent family-oriented event, provides an evening of fun and excitement for guests of all ages each October.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Franklin Institute values its more than 550 dedicated volunteers and has continuous opportunities for persons ages 16 and older. From interpreting science to visitors, to assisting guests with questions, to behind-the-scenes support, we may have the perfect opportunity for you or your family members. For more information, please call 215.448.1163.
Gift Memberships
Give the gift of year-long exploration at The Franklin Institute to friends or family! To purchase a gift membership, please contact the Membership Office at 215.448.123. There is also a downloadable membership form that can be completed and faxed to 215.448.1235.
Association of Science-Technology Centers Passport Program
Members of The Franklin Institute are entitled to free admission to over 250 reciprocal science and technology centers throughout the world. When traveling, be sure to take along your Franklin Institute membership card and visit other great science museums. To receive free admission, simply present your current membership card upon arrival to the museum or center. If you do not have your membership card with you, please contact The Franklin Institute's Membership Office at 215.448.1231 at least three days ahead of your visit in order to be sent a membership confirmation letter, which can be used in lieu of a membership card.
Members of museums that are reciprocal to The Franklin Institute must provide proof of membership AND residence when they arrive at The Franklin Institute. Acceptable proof of membership includes a membership ID card or a membership confirmation letter on your home institution's letterhead. Reciprocal members are entitled to free general admission to the continuing exhibits at the Science Museum and to the Fels Planetarium. The maximum number of free admissions per membership is two adults and four children. IMAX® Theater admission is $5.50 per person. Please note that reduced IMAX® rates do not apply to feature length films. Traveling exhibits are not included.
Program Restrictions:
Free admission to participating museums does not guarantee free admission to special exhibits, theaters, or programs at these museums. This reciprocal admission program does not entitle the cardholder to museum member benefits, such as discounts in retail stores or restaurants. Additionally, each museum or science center reserves the right to define "family membership" and "number in family." Museums are subject to admission or deletion from the ASTC program without our notice. Please call in advance of your visit to confirm.
1. Based on participants' location: Science Centers/Museums located within a 90-mile (150- km) radius of each other are excluded from the Passport Program unless that exclusion is lifted by mutual agreement. 90 miles is measured "as the crow flies" and not by driving distance.
2. Based on members' residence: Passport Program benefits do not apply to those members whose principal place of residence is within a participating science center's or museum's local market area. In other words, to receive Passport Program benefits, your members must live more than 90 miles away from the center/museum they wish to visit.
CLICK HERE for a list of participating museums and science centers located beyond a 90-mile radius.
CLICK HERE for a list of museums within a 90-mile radius with whom The Franklin Institute has a special agreement.