The Franklin Institute was named after the famous American statesman and scientist, Benjamin Franklin. This is a museum in Philadelphia and is known to be one of the oldest centers of science development and education in USA. The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is also situated in the Institute. The institute was founded in 1824 by William H Keating and Samuel Vaughn Merrick. In 1825 the museum started and after 100 years, in 1934 moved to its present location in Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

The Franklin Institute Science Museum is the most recognizable part of the Franklin Institute's Science Center. The largest number of artifacts from the workshop of the Wright Brothers can be seen here. There are many different exhibits that are kept here and are of interest to a large number of people.

Throughout the academic year, there are many workshops and school programs that are held here. For students who visit the museum the Franklin Institute provides educational experiences. There are exclusive workshops here on different topics. These workshops enhance the experience of the students when they visit the museum. The educational opportunities of home schooled students are also taken care of by the department at the museum by helping them to take part in different activities.

The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is maintained by the memorial and is the only privately managed memorial in the country. The 20 foot high marble statue is a beautiful piece of art and was sculpted by James Earle Fraser. The memorial is designed on the same lines as the Pantheon in Rome.

Named after American scientist and statesman Benjamin Franklin, the Franklin Institute is one of the oldest science centers in the country. The founding of this Institute can be dated back to 1824 when it was built for promoting the mechanic arts. Thereafter, many groundbreaking new technologies have been demonstrated at Franklin Institute.

To carry forward the inquiring spirit of Benjamin Franklin, the Franklin Institute Science Museum showcases an extensive collection of scientific masterpiece including the artifacts from the Wright brothers' workshop. Apart from permanent exhibits, Franklin Institute also hosts a good many of traveling exhibits as a member of Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative. Plus, the institute is home to Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, Tuttleman IMAX Theater, Fels' Planetarium Theater and Franklin Theater.

Want to know more about Franklin Institute? Please visit its homepage:

Franklin Institute

http://www2.fi.edu/

To ensure a pleasant tour, let us equip ourselves with the hours info of museum, theatres as well as the restaurants.

Museum Hours: Generally, the museum is open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm daily. You should notice that Franklin Institute is closed on Franklin Awards Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Franklin Awards Day varies each year. The 2011 Franklin Awards Day is Thursday, April 28, 2011.

Theater Hours: The core mission of Franklin Institute theatres is to show educational movies and promote learning in a fun way. Currently, there're three theatres: Tuttleman IMAX Theater, Fels' Planetarium Theater and Franklin Theater.

The Tuttleman IMAX Theater is a dome theater featuring 180° encompassing, 30 degrees titled screens. With the combined action of 20,000 watts of amplifier power and over 50 speakers, audience will get indulged in the movie. For upcoming showtimes, please refer to the current schedule:

IMAX Theater Current Schedule

http://www2.fi.edu/theater/imax/schedule.php

Franklin Theater is a state-of-the-art high-tech theatre with new sound and projection systems, cinema-style seating and prominent presentation. The high definition digital 3D projection system lets us get completely involved in the action. For upcoming showtimes, please refer to the current schedule:

Franklin Theater Current Schedule

http://www2.fi.edu/theater/franklintheater/schedule.php

Fels' Planetarium Theater offers cutting edge astronomical presentations and traditional Sky Tonight presentations. Some of its current shows are Two Small Pieces of Glass, The Sky Tonight, Black Holes and One World, One Sky. As for the specific showtimes, please visit:

Fels' Planetarium Theater Current Schedule

http://www2.fi.edu/theater/planetarium/schedule.php

Dining Hours: There are two dining places at Franklin Institute: Franklin Foodworks and Franklin Foodworks Express.

Franklin Foodworks is a cafeteria-style eatery located in Jordan Lobby, Second floor. This adorable restaurant is perfect for a family meal. Some favorite dishes of Franklin Foodworks include their house-made soups and chicken tenders, juicy hamburgers, crisp french fries, fresh-baked cupcakes and more. Open hours of Franklin Foodworks are:

Monday - Friday: 11:00AM-3:00PM

Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM-4:00PM

Franklin Foodworks Express is located in the Bartol Atrium, second floor. To cater for evening events and IMAX presentations, the cafe will be open later. Open hours of Franklin Foodworks Express are:

Monday through Friday: 9:00AM-5:00PM

Saturday and Sunday: 9:00AM-5:30PM

An amazing mix of hometown charm and big city excitement, Philadelphia is the city where America began. Equally a center for history, culture and modern amenities, the city is always bubbling with so much to see and do in the Greater Philadelphia area. Franklin Institute, named after the famous American scientist and statesman Benjamin Franklin, is just a top attraction in this city you won't want to miss.

Housing the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, Franklin Institute is one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States. Set in Center City Philadelphia, Franklin Institute is located at the intersection of 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. With hands-on approach to science and technology, combined with the Fels Planetarium, the museum is made a popular attraction.

Planning to drive to Franklin Institute? You might be surprised to learn that there are plenty of parking options available to make your self-driving tour a breeze. Best of all, Franklin Institute has its own parking facilities for the benefit of visitors.

With the height clearance of 6′33″, the museum's parking garage can be accessed behind the building at the intersection of 21st Street and Winter Street. The garage provides limited parking for oversized vans, trucks and SUVs, so you may be directed to other garages if your vehicle cannot be accommodated. To explore the detailed driving directions to Franklin Institute parking garage, visit this page:

Driving Directions to Franklin Institute Parking Garage

http://www2.fi.edu/visitor-guide/directions.php

The parking rates for Franklin Institute are $12 up to 5 hours, $15 for 5 - 12 hours and $25 for 12 - 24 hours. If you are just a daily parker, the parking rates are a bit expensive. You will be charged $9 for 1 hour, $15 for 2 hours and $20 for 2 - 12 hours. The maximum daily rates are also $25. You can bring your parking ticket to the Box Office for validation in order to receive reduced rates.

For employees of Moore College of Art & Design, they are eligible for reduced rates at the Franklin Institute parking garage. Also, they will be guaranteed an indoor parking space next the entrance of the museum. The reduced rates are valid from 7:30am to 10pm from Monday to Friday, excluding overnight or weekend parking.

Alternatively, there are many off-site parking options in the nearby area to make your trip a bit easier. Central Parking System just operates five lots in the nearby area. These indoor parking facilities are all open 24 hours a day. The locations include:

- 1815 John F Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103

With the entrance at 1850 Cuthbert Street, the parking garage is about 0.26 miles from the Franklin Institute. It provides valet parking service. The parking rates are $5 for 30 minutes, $10 for 1 hour and $18 for 10 hours, with the maximum fees of $24. Early birds entering by 9:30am and exiting by 7pm will be charged $14. For those who park after 4pm through 6am, the rates are $10. Weekend parking rates are $11 for parking by 4pm up to 12 hours. If you have any questions, call (215) 568-8030.

- 1919 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19103

With the entrance at 1919-37 Arch Street, this indoor parking lot provides self-park and valet parking services. The daily rates are $20. For guests who enter at 6am through 9:30am and exit by 2pm, the parking rates are $13. If entering after 4pm and exiting by 5am, you will be charged $8. Weekend rates for parking after 6am up to 12 hours are $10. For more questions, call (215) 568 -2755.

These two locations accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express as forms of payment.

- 36 South 19th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103

This parking lot could be accessible from 36 South 19th Street. With valet parking services, the parking rates are $3 for 20 minutes, $15 for 1 hour, $25 for 12 hour and $12 for each additional 12 hours. If you enter the lot at 12am through 7am and exit by 7pm, you will be charged $10. For those entering by 4pm up to 2 hours on weekend, the parking rates are $6. The contact No. is (215) 561-1187.

- 1900 John F Kennedy Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19103

About 0.27 miles from the museum, this garage can be accessed from 1925 Commerce Street. Parking there, you will be charged $9 for 1 hour, $18 for 2 hours and $24 for 24 hours. Early birds who enter between 6am to 9:30am and exit between 2pm to 7pm can enjoy discounted parking. The reduced rates are $14. Evening rates are $10 for parking after 4pm through 8pm. To learn more about this lot, call (215) 564-9225.

- 1901 John F Kennedy Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19103

The entrance of this lot is situated at 54 North 19th Street, just 0.25 miles from the Franklin Institute. It provides customers with self-park and valet parking services. The parking fees are $5 for 20 minutes, $10 for 40 minutes, $15 for 60 minutes and $20 for 80 minutes, with the maximum daily fee of $26. Early birds who enter by 10am and exit by 7pm, the rates are $14. Those entering after 2pm and exiting by 12am will be charged $12. Weekend rates are $11 for parking after 6am up to 12am. For more info, call (215) 557-3721.

The forms of payment for these three locations include cash, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Central Parking System also offers coupons for each parking location. With these coupons, you can enjoy discount parking at these locations. To get Central Parking System coupons, click here:

Central Parking System Coupons

http://philadelphia.centralparking.com/Destinations/Philadelphia-The-Franklin-Institute-Parking.html

More parking options are listed below:

- JMB Properties Co. (Address: 2 Logan Square; Contact: 215-496-0600)

- Edgewater Parking (Address: 2301 Race Street; Contact: 215-496-9918)

- Patriot Parking Inc. (Address: 2101 Walden Street; Contact: 215-567-1615)

- Patriot Parking Inc. (Address: 139 North 23rd Street; Contact: 215-569-4006)

If you are staying at a hotel Philadelphia PA and looking to explore this historical city, then you must not miss the Franklin Institute. Founded in memory of Benjamin Franklin, the Franklin Institute is the premier center of science education and development in the USA. There are three centers in the Franklin Institute-the Science Center, the Franklin Centre and the Center for Innovation in Science Learning. The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is also present in the Franklin Institute.

1 What are the things to see at Philadelphia Museum of Art?-The Science Center-The Franklin Center-The Center for Innovation in Science Learning

2 What does one need to know about the three centers in the Franklin Institute?-The Science Center is the most famous of the three centers. Apart from housing various important scientific artifacts related to science, it has the largest collection of artifacts from the workshop of the Wright Brothers.-Apart from its permanent exhibits, the Science Center has in house theaters and conducts various programs. There are annual school workshops, homeschooling, camp ins, discovery camps and other museum floor programs.-There is also another section for traveling exhibits.-The Franklin Center has a huge library and it aims to inspire excellence in science and technology by recognizing and rewarding outstanding work in these fields.-The Franklin Center houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. - The Franklin Center publishes the Journal of the Franklin Institute and gives away the Benjamin Franklin Awards.-The Center for Innovation in Science Learning is reputed for its research and its work in developing K-12 education.-The Center for Innovation in Science Learning has the Science Leadership Academy and conducts a teacher professional development program.-For enrichment of science and career development, a year round program is conducted by the Center for Innovation in Science Learning. It is known as Partnerships for Achieving Careers in Technology and Science.

3 Recommended list of websites for finding information about the Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute-Home

http://www2.fi.edu/

Resources for Science Learning at the Franklin Institute

http://www.fi.edu/learn/index.php

The Franklin Institute-Directions

http://www2.fi.edu/visitor-guide/directions.php

The Franklin Institute Science Museum is a very important museum suitable for both adults and children if you want to learn something about science and technology. Franklin Institute is a favorite destination for school field trips and offers science awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to science and technology issues.

http://www2.fi.edu/

There is so much at the museum which makes it a good place to while time away. You will find exhibits such as the Giant Heart, Space Command and Amazing Machines. The exhibits include the continuing and traveling exhibits. There are also events which take place from time to time such as the Night Skies in the Observatory slated for October 2009. The section for Resources for Science Learning is where science learners and educators can get some inspiring scientific ideas. There are also educational programs such as the Youth Programs which can be beneficial to the young ones.

http://www.gophila.com/C/Philly_Favorites/380/U/The_Franklin_Institute_Science_Museum/7.html

There are many activities taking place at this museum it could take you the whole day. Hotels in Philadelphia PA near this attraction includes the Windsor Suites, Sofitel Philadelphia and the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel.

http://www.expedia.com/FranklinInstituteScienceMuseum-Hotels.0-l502287-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels