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ExploratoriumvsMusee Mecanique
Both are rated highly by professionals. On balance, Exploratorium scores significantly higher than Musee Mecanique. Exploratorium scores 96 with recommendations from 12 sources such as Not For Tourists, Atlas Obscura and Time Out.
Exploratorium
Fodor's
Concierge
Frommer's
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
Not For Tourists
Michelin Guide
Afar Magazine
Where Show All Reviews
Pier 15, on the Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111
From $0/night
Fodor's "Walking into this fascinating "museum of science, art, and human perception" is like visiting a mad-scientist's laboratory." Full review
Concierge "Adults as well as kids will enjoy blowing giant bubbles or entering a tiny room that scrambles one's sense of perspective."
Frommer's "Scientific American magazine rated the Exploratorium "the best science museum in the world" -- and I couldn't agree more." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Find answers to questions you wished you'd learned in school, at San Francisco's thrilling hands-on science museum." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Prepare to spend several hours here; rotating exhibits like “Making Sense of Sound,” where visitors don headphones to hear how deer, snakes, and other creatures process sound." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Designed... to teach you about science and perception through play." Full review
i
New, larger, oceanfront location and excellent restaurant
Not For Tourists "Experimental hands-on museum of science, art, and human perception."
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"This innovative museum of science, art and human perception has served as a model for similar science museums around the world since its opening in 1969." Full review
Afar Magazine "This is not, however, a museum simply for kids—though curious kids will definitely be entertained while learning. Instead, its exhibits aim to raise the scientific literacy of visitors of all ages." Full review
Where "This educational center offers an array of interactive scientific exhibits and hands-on displays that stimulate the senses and minds of the young and old alike." Full review
Musee Mecanique Fodor's Concierge Condé Nast Traveler Where
Atlas Obscura
Time Out Afar Magazine Frommer's Lonely Planet
The Wall Street Journal
Pier 45 Shed A San Francisco, CA 94133
From $0/night
Fodor's "A time-warped arcade with antique mechanical contrivances, including peep shows and nickelodeons, Musée Mécanique is one of the most worthwhile attractions at the Wharf." Full review
Concierge "Bring quarters (or dollars for the change machine) so that you can fully enjoy this bizarre collection of historic arcade games housed at this wacky museum on Fisherman's Wharf."
Condé Nast Traveler "Enjoy this bizarre collection of historic arcade games housed at this wacky museum on Fisherman's Wharf." Full review
i
Kids will love the clockwork farm
Where "Before television and video games, there were arcade machines and coin-operated musical instruments." Full review
Atlas Obscura "A collection of 20th-century automata, penny arcade games, and musical contraptions. " Full review
Time Out "A museum in name only, everything at the Musée Mécanique can, and should, be played with." Full review
Afar Magazine "Musée Mécanique, at Pier 45 in Fisherman’s Wharf, is one of the largest privately held collections of vintage mechanical arcade machines in the world." Full review
Frommer's "Once located at the Cliff House, this mechanical-minded warehouse of around 300 antique coin-operated penny arcade diversions is guaranteed fun. " Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Where else can you guillotine a man for a quarter? Creepy 19th-century arcade games like the macabre French Execution compete for your spare change with the diabolical Ms.Pac-Man." Full review
The Wall Street Journal "Equal parts phantasmagoric museum and retro arcade. There, a collector and his family have amassed over 300 mechanical artifacts from the early 20th century onward."
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