,url-https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripexpert.com%2Fimages%2Fmarker-fade%402x.png(-122.40111,37.78572)/-122.39998485893011,37.79338230577439,12.491012376440942/1280x214@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidHJpcGV4cGVydHdlYiIsImEiOiJja2Fud3l2MDcwbXZ0MndyeGF3eGI3ZWhzIn0.zLqNa1RECyZZadF8zfQM5w)
ExploratoriumvsSan Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
Both are rated highly by reviewers writing for major publications. Overall, Exploratorium ranks marginally better than San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Exploratorium comes in at #1 in San Francisco with positive reviews from 12 sources such as Fodor's, Lonely Planet and Afar Magazine.
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
"Walking into this fascinating "museum of science, art, and human perception" is like visiting a mad-scientist's laboratory." Full review
"Adults as well as kids will enjoy blowing giant bubbles or entering a tiny room that scrambles one's sense of perspective."
"Scientific American magazine rated the Exploratorium "the best science museum in the world" -- and I couldn't agree more." Full review
Top choice
"Find answers to questions you wished you'd learned in school, at San Francisco's thrilling hands-on science museum." Full review
"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
"Designed... to teach you about science and perception through play." Full review
i
New, larger, oceanfront location and excellent restaurant
"Experimental hands-on museum of science, art, and human perception."
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
"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
"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
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
Concierge
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
Not For Tourists
Michelin Guide
Afar Magazine
Where
Time Out
Fodor's Show All Reviews
151 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
From $0/night
"This architecturally arresting black, gray, and white museum... has five floors of 20th-century art, including works by Matisse, Pollock, Georgia O'Keeffe, Diego Rivera, and Ansel Adams."
Top Choice
"San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) was destined from its start in 1935 to become an eclectic, unconventional museum." Full review
"The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has been the premier West Coast spot for modern art since 1935, with over 27,000 works from Modernists and contemporary artists." Full review
"Currently under construction until 2016... the museum's collection is on display in galleries and museums throughout the Bay Area." Full review
"Mario Botta-designed modern art museum. Check out the new rooftop sculpture garden."
3 Stars
"San Francisco's premier showcase for modern art is housed in a delightful building." Full review
"In addition to the main exhibition, the museum always displays supplementary art and photography exhibitions, which are almost always amazing. " Full review
"After a three-year hiatus, SFMOMA has unveiled a Snøhetta-led expansion that makes it the largest modern art space in the nation." Full review
"More than 30,000 internationally acclaimed paintings, sculptures and performance art pieces from contemporary and modern artists." Full review
"One of the largest modern art museums in the country and the revitalized anchor of the Yerba Buena arts district...the museum displays only a portion of its more than 33,000-work collection " Full review