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The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is the science museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Under 'Sensory-Friendly Options,' its accessibility page says sensory backpacks can be checked out at the Ticketing Desk, first-come, each holding sensory guide alerts, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets. The page also links a Sensory Guide and a Social Narrative for planning, and says guests who find the museum overwhelming and leave within 30 minutes of buying a ticket can stop at the Box Office for a return-visit voucher. It suits families who want everyday — not event-day — sensory support.
Contact & location
- Address
- 222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Logan Square
- Phone
- Call 215-448-1200
- Hours
- Daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Website
- fi.edu
Decision snapshot
- Evidence tier
- Tier A — Confirmed on official source
- Hours
- Daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Sensory bags / kits
- Sensory backpacks for check-out at the Ticketing Desk, first-come: sensory guide alerts, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets.
- Social story / pre-visit guide
- A Social Narrative and a Sensory Guide are linked from the museum's accessibility page.
Sensory provisions, quiet hours, and programs change without notice. Information here is sourced and dated, but always confirm with the venue before visiting — especially before travelling for a scheduled sensory program.
Sensory provisions, in detail: Sensory provisions
| Quiet / sensory hours | Not documented (not documented) The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
|---|---|
| Quiet room or space | Not documented (not documented) The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
| Sensory bags / kits | Sensory backpacks for check-out at the Ticketing Desk, first-come: sensory guide alerts, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets. The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
| Staff training (as published) | Not documented (not documented) The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
| Social story / visual guide | A Social Narrative and a Sensory Guide are linked from the museum's accessibility page. The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
| Advance / desensitisation visits | Not documented (not documented) The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
| Low-crowd times | Not documented (not documented) The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
| Lighting | Not documented (not documented) The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
| Noise / music notes | Not documented (not documented) The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
| Certifications held (as published by the venue) | Not documented (not documented) The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · 2026-10-28 |
Before you go
- Sensory bags / kits: Sensory backpacks for check-out at the Ticketing Desk, first-come: sensory guide alerts, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets. — The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu), 2026-10-28
- Social story / pre-visit guide: A Social Narrative and a Sensory Guide are linked from the museum's accessibility page. — The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu), 2026-10-28
Questions families ask about this place
Does The Franklin Institute have sensory bags or kits?
Sensory backpacks for check-out at the Ticketing Desk, first-come: sensory guide alerts, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets. (Source: The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu), last checked 2026-10-28.
What sensory provisions does The Franklin Institute document?
The Franklin Institute's own published pages document: Sensory bags / kits, Social story / pre-visit guide. Each provision on this page names its source and the date we checked it (2026-10-28). Provisions the venue does not publish show as "not documented" — that means unpublished, not necessarily absent.
Does The Franklin Institute run dedicated quiet hours?
No dedicated quiet hours from The Franklin Institute appear in the published material we checked on 2026-10-28. Ask the venue about its quietest times instead — several venues run informal quieter sessions they never publish.
Is this your listing?
Claim this listing free to correct anything here, add photos, and complete the details the public record leaves blank — 8 items are currently marked "not documented" on this page. Claiming never buys a higher evidence tier: tiers are earned by documentation, checked the same way for everyone.
Source & freshness
Source: The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu) · Last checked: 2026-10-28
Report a change or an error — reports are checked and logged on this page.
Change log
- 2026-10-28 — Initial record from venue's published accessibility/program page.
More options in Philadelphia
- Academy of Natural Sciences — Tier A — Confirmed on official source, last checked 2026-10-28
- Philadelphia Zoo — Tier A — Confirmed on official source, last checked 2026-10-28
- Adventure Aquarium — Tier A — Confirmed on official source, last checked 2026-10-28
- Sesame Place Philadelphia — Tier A — Confirmed on official source, last checked 2026-10-28
The Franklin Institute — visit-prep card
Tier A — Confirmed on official source · Last checked 2026-10-28 · Source: The Franklin Institute — Accessibility (fi.edu)
- Address
- 222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Phone
- 215-448-1200
- Hours
- Daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Sensory program page
- https://fi.edu/en/plan-your-visit/accessibility
Key facts
- Sensory bags / kits: Sensory backpacks for check-out at the Ticketing Desk, first-come: sensory guide alerts, noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets.
- Social story / pre-visit guide: A Social Narrative and a Sensory Guide are linked from the museum's accessibility page.
Questions to ask before you order
- Do you run dedicated quiet hours or low-stimulation sessions, and when?
- Is there a quiet room or low-stimulation space we can use if my child needs a break?
- Are staff trained in sensory needs, and who is the best person to ask for on the day?
- Can we do a short practice or familiarisation visit before the real one?
Sensory provisions, quiet hours, and programs change without notice. Information here is sourced and dated, but always confirm with the venue before visiting — especially before travelling for a scheduled sensory program.