San Francisco’s Exploratorium is offering free admission today, its last day at the Palace of Fine Arts before the popular science museum moves down the waterfront to Pier 15 in April.

The Exploratorium, which opened at 10 a.m. today, will also mark the end of its 43-year tenure at its current spot with a final ringing of its closing bell at 5 p.m., according to museum officials.

Staff members will line up at the exit to say goodbye to visitors.

The Exploratorium hosts more than 500,000 visitors annually and offers hands-on exhibits about biology, physics and other scientific fields.

Since 1995, the museum has also helped train about 6,400 educators.

The Palace of Fine Arts is located at 3301 Lyon St. The new Exploratorium will open at Pier 15 on April 17.

Dan McMenamin, Bay City News

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