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Membership FAQ
With the museum closed, are you offering extensions on annual memberships?
Yes. At this time, we plan to offer all members the option to extend their memberships as soon as we know the duration of the museum’s mandated closure due to COVID-19. We will stay in close touch with our members as the situation changes, and we hope to know more soon. We look forward to seeing you when we reopen, and we appreciate your support!
What about gift membership vouchers? Are you extending those too?
If you’ve received a gift membership voucher, we encourage you to activate it before it expires, even with the museum’s closure due to COVID-19. Once we know our date to reopen, you’ll be able to extend your membership to receive your full 12 months of benefits. Activating your voucher now will not decrease the effective length of your membership. We will also honor any vouchers that expired in March 2020 and after.
Can I apply general admission tickets toward a membership?
Absolutely! Once the Exploratorium reopens, when you visit with general admission tickets, you can apply your ticket costs 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, and other restrictions apply. Ask any Membership Associate for details during your visit.
I just joined and am planning my first visit to the Exploratorium. What do I need?
Thank you for joining! Once the Exploratorium reopens, stop by our member check-in table with your photo ID, and we will make sure you start exploring right away. You should receive a wallet-sized membership card in the mail within 2–3 weeks from the time you purchased it.
Do I need my membership card to visit the Exploratorium?
No, you do not need your membership card to visit the Exploratorium. Once the Exploratorium reopens, bring your photo ID and check in at any of our membership or ticketing stations and a representative can assist you.
Is an Exploratorium membership reciprocal with other museums?
Yes! The Exploratorium participates in ASTC's Passport Program, which entitles all our Daytime members free admission to over 350 science and technology centers (once they reopen) located outside of a 90-mile radius from the Exploratorium.
Why do I need to present a photo ID along with my membership card?
We ask all of our members to present some form of photo identification along with their membership cards to ensure that the membership is being used by the appropriate party. Exploratorium memberships are nontransferrable.
Can a guest use my membership without being named on the membership?
That will depend on your level of membership. Dual and Family Explorers levels can only be used by the adults named on the membership. However, if there is only one named adult, then a guest can visit the museum as long as the guest is accompanied by the named adult member. For Family with Caregiver, Insiders, Supporters, and Sustainers levels, guests can use the "Caregiver" or "Guest of" membership cards and enter the museum without the named adult members.
How do the Guest and Caregiver Cards work?
If your membership includes a Caregiver card or a Guest card, you may loan out that card. The person using it can visit without you and will not need to provide ID. It is the named member’s responsibility to maintain control of these cards.
| Membership Level | Extra Cards | Use of Card |
| Family with Caregiver | 1 Caregiver Card |
Without named member present, one adult may bring children for Daytime admission only. With named member present, an extra guest may come in place of a caregiver. |
| Insiders | 2 Guest Cards | Without named member, the limit per day is 2 adult guests and up to 4 children. It is not necessary for a group to bring both guest cards. |
| Supporters / Sustainers | 2 Guest Cards | Limit per day is 6 guests of any age. It is not necessary for a group to bring both guest cards. |
What if I have additional guests with me who are not covered for free by my membership level?
Once the Exploratorium reopens, any additional guests accompanying you are eligible for a discounted ticket rate: $5 off any adult or teen ticket and $2 off any child's ticket.
I joined the Exploratorium over two months ago but my cards have either been lost or never arrived. What can I do?
If you need new or replacement membership cards, please contact the Membership office at (415) 528-4321 or email us at member@exploratorium.edu.
Can I purchase an Exploratorium membership as a gift for someone else?
Yes! An Exploratorium membership makes a great gift for any occasion. When you purchase a gift membership you will receive a gift voucher you can give as a gift. The gift voucher is only good for 120 days from the purchase date. The membership starts when the gift recipient redeems the gift voucher. Make sure to activate your gift voucher before it expires, even with the museum’s closure due to COVID-19. Once we know our date to reopen, you’ll be able to extend your membership to receive your full 12 months of benefits. Visit our gift-membership page to learn more, or call us at (415) 528-4321.
Is an Exploratorium membership tax-deductible?
Yes, it is. As a donation to a nonprofit organization, your membership fees are either partially or fully tax-deductible depending on the level. The welcome letter accompanying your membership cards will indicate the tax-deductible amount. Thank you for your essential support!
I still have more questions that I need answered. Whom can I call or write?
You can reach the membership office weekdays at (415) 528-4321, and a team member will be happy to help you. You can also email us at member@exploratorium.edu.
