Membership FAQ

Thank you for your support! New members will receive their digital membership card via email within 7–10 business days after their membership purchase. If you have not received your digital membership card yet, you can visit using the temporary membership pass PDF attached to your emailed purchase receipt, or using the temporary membership card you received if you purchased on site. 

Scroll down for answers to questions about your membership card.

Absolutely! You can apply your ticket purchase price toward a membership at any time on the day of your visit. The number and type of applicable tickets varies with the membership level you purchase. Tickets purchased from third-party vendors are not applicable; other restrictions may apply. Ask any Visitor Services Associate for details during your visit.

Yes! An Exploratorium membership makes a wonderful gift for any occasion. When you purchase a gift membership, you will receive a voucher you can give as a gift. Each gift voucher has an expiration date of 120 days from the purchase date. The membership benefits start when the gift recipient redeems their gift voucher. To learn more, contact us at 415.528.4321 or membership@exploratorium.edu.

Yes, it is. As a donation to a nonprofit organization, your membership fees are either partially or fully tax-deductible depending on the level. You will receive a welcome letter listing the tax-deductible amount. Thank you for your essential support!

Yes! And they can get $10 off on a member-discounted ticket. Learn about guest policies below.

Yes! The Exploratorium participates in ASTC's Passport Program, which entitles all of our Daytime members to free admission to 350+ science centers and museums worldwide located outside of a 90-mile radius from the Exploratorium. You can simply show your digital card at participating organizations to receive free or reduced admission! Questions about ASTC guidelines or participating museums? Click the ASTC link on the “back” of your digital card, or visit the ASTC Passport Program, for more information. 

If you're an ASTC Passport Program member from another participating institution, visit the Exploratorium's on-site Ticketing Desk on the day of your visit. Tickets are issued based on availability.

Both Daytime and After Dark members have a 10% discount on all nonalcoholic food and beverages from Seaglass Restaurant and Seismic Joint Café. To take advantage, simply show your membership card at the time of purchase.

Yes! Daytime memberships at the Supporters level and above include both Daytime and After Dark admission.

No. This time is reserved for members of our museum only.

That depends on your level. If you have a Dual or Family Explorer membership, one named adult member can bring one adult guest if the second named adult is not visiting or if no second adult is named on the membership. Insider and higher levels of membership admit your unaccompanied guests if they show the digital membership card you shared with them.

All guests are required to possess a membership card and ID for entry.

Additional guests of Daytime members are eligible for a discounted ticket rate of $10 off any regular admission. Discounted tickets are available for purchase on site.

If you are an iPhone user, access your digital card invitation email from your smartphone. Click the "Download" button, then click "Add to Wallet" and "Add." The card will automatically go to your iPhone’s Apple Wallet. It can be accessed in Wallet at any time. 

Android users can add their card to Google Wallet or Wallet Union. Be sure that you have one of those apps installed. After you have the app, access your digital card invitation email from your smartphone and click “Download.” Tap either “Save to Google Wallet” or “Add to Wallet Union,” then click “Save.” The card will automatically go to your Google Wallet or Wallet Union app, where it can be accessed at any time.

Your digital membership card and a form of ID are required for entry. 

Also, your card is where you'll find all your up-to-date membership information—including your membership expiration date—and for Daytime members, it can be used to gain admission when you visit our ASTC Passport Program reciprocal admission partners. 

Your new digital membership card will update automatically with all of the information you’ll need.

Please check your junk, spam, trash, and updates folders for an email from membership@exploratorium.edu, which will include a link to download your card. If you are still unable to find your digital card invitation, please contact us at 415.528.4321 or email membership@exploratorium.edu. We can resend the email for you to download and enjoy your digital membership card.

If you have an iPhone, the card will automatically download to Apple Wallet. Check the Wallet app for your new card. If you have an Android, your card will be in either Google Wallet or Wallet Union, whichever you choose during the download process. For both types of phone, scroll through any cards that are already in your wallet—it may be hiding!

We can still mail you a paper membership card upon special request. If you have already purchased your membership and would like a paper card mailed to you, please call 415.528.4321 or email membership@exploratorium.edu.

Please call 415.528.4321, email membership@exploratorium.edu, or visit the Information Desk on site to request a paper membership card.

Please call 415.528.4321 or email membership@exploratorium.edu to update your membership record. The updates will show up on your phone within 10 days.

On the “back” of your digital membership card, you’ll find helpful links to our website, your membership ID number, and details on the admission benefits included in your membership level. To see the back of the card: 

• On your iPhone, tap on the 3 small dots at the upper right corner of your card. 
• On your Android phone, tap on the information icon (the lowercase “i” in a circle). 
• On the GPay app, simply scroll down to view all of your membership information. All information is on the "front" of the card.

Please keep this option (on the back of your card) toggled on. This will ensure your digital card stays up to date with your membership’s current expiration date, and membership benefits.

We will send reminders when your membership benefits are about to lapse. We realize constant notifications are intrusive, and we promise to only send information pertinent to the status of your membership.

No. If your membership information changes, you’ll need to download your digital card again. When you renew or upgrade your membership, you’ll be invited to download a new version of your card.

If you have a second member named on your membership; or if you have an Insider, Supporter, or Sustainer membership, and you want to share your membership with a friend, family member, or caregiver without a named member being present; then please follow these instructions.

Navigate to the “back” of your membership card (in Apple Wallet or Wallet Union). Then share the card as follows: 

• On an iPhone, click on the “share” icon (tiny rectangle with upwards arrow), select iMessage, and send your card via text to the intended recipient. When they receive your text, they should tap on the image of the card, and select “Save.” The card will be added to their Wallet. 
• On an Android phone, click the “Share Pass” button to send the card to your recipient. The recipient must also have Wallet Union their smartphone. 

If you have an Android phone and downloaded your card to Google Wallet, you can forward the download email that you received to the intended recipient. Google Wallet does not currently support sharing directly from the digital card.

Please note: Sharing cards is intended for temporary usage, limited to family members and friends, and must remain consistent with the terms and conditions of your membership. It is the named member’s responsibility to maintain control of their cards.