The expERIEnce Children’s Museum is located within the heart of the Erie downtown cultural and entertainment district and only a 5 minute walk away from the Lake Erie Bayfront. The museum is located within an historic building that was built in 1906 and that once operated as a stable livery. Large sliding doors and remnants of mechanical gears are still in place from the building’s past. The Children’s Museum opened its doors to the public over 20 years ago and has now expanded to include exhibits on three floors and an outdoor classroom.
Hours:
- Wednesday – Saturday 10am-5pm
- Sunday 1pm-5pm
- Monday – CLOSED
- Tuesday – CLOSED
*member early access Saturdays from 9am-10am
Closed: New Year’s Day (Jan. 1st), Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24th), Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25th).
Directions and Parking:
420 French St.
Erie, PA 16507
814-453-3743
From I-90, take exit I-79 North. Travel North and follow signs to the Bayfront Highway. Travel the Bayfront Highway and turn right onto State Street. Turn left on East 4th Street. Turn right onto French Street. The Children’s Museum will be on the right side.
Construction has begun in the Outdoor Classroom as Phase 1 of the build is begun! Phase 1 of construction is estimated to finish Spring of 2023.
ECM’s construction zone takes up the South end of French Street onto 5th Street, closing the block of E 5th Street between State and French Street to cars. Sidewalks and pedestrian walkways are available for foot traffic through the closed block. Access to State Street from French St. is available further South through E 7th Street.
Entrance Access
The museum is still fully operational and the front door is available via the French Street sidewalk and new ramp installed to the left of the entrance.
Parking Information
Please note that as construction continues, parking along the left side of French Street is no longer available in front of the museum.
Metered Street parking is available on the North end of French Street, 4th Street, State Street, around Perry Square along North and South Park Row, and Peach Street.
Metered lot parking is accessible on the corner of 3rd and French Street.
Metered parking can be paid using quarters or via the MeterEZ mobile parking app.
Garage parking is available on East 3rd St. You can find all parking garages and their rate through the Erie Parking Authority.
On the weekends, Erie Insurance graciously allows us to use their free parking lot directly across from the museum on French Street.
Traffic Flow
Please note that the expERIEnce Children’s Museum is located on a one-way street. French Street traffic goes South, away from Lake Erie.
Admission:
- Adult $9.00
- Child (age 2 & older) $9.00
- Senior (age 62 & older) $7.00
- Museums for All (EBT card holders, up to 4 people per card) $2.00
- Museum member free! Purchase an expERIEnce Children’s Museum membership here!
- Military (with ID) $7.00*
*Thanks to National Fuel, we offer active Military Admission at a discounted rate.
The Blue Star Museum program will launch on May 21, 2023 – Armed Forces Day and run through Labor Day, September 4, 2023. We offer free admission to active duty military members including Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard and Reserve members and up to five family members. Please present military ID upon entering the museum to redeem the discount.
ACM Reciprocal Admission:
To receive Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Reciprocal Network benefits, you must present a current Membership Card from an ACM reciprocal institution with the ACM Reciprocal Network logo on the card and a valid photo ID. ACM reciprocity will grant 50% discount on admission fees for up to 6 people that are listed on your institution’s membership.
Sensory Friendly:
Stop at our front desk on your next visit to the museum to check out one of our sensory friendly backpacks.
Sensory Friendly backpacks are made possible through a sponsorship by UPMC Health Plan.
