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Academy of Natural Sciences Review

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Academy of Natural Sciences

Address: 19th St. and Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Logan Circle, Philadelphia, PA | Map It
Phone: 215/299-1000
www.acnatsci.org

Category: Museums/Galleries
Location: Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.0/5

Fodor's Review:

The dioramas of animals from around the world displayed in their natural habitats give this natural history museum an old-fashioned charm. The most popular attraction is Dinosaur Hall, with reconstructed skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and the latest paleontological find—the giganotosaurus, the biggest meat-eating dinosaur ever discovered. Other draws are Living Downstream, an interactive watershed model with multimedia kiosks for visitors to engage in a role-playing game called Tough Choices; the Big Dig, where you can hunt for real fossils; and the live butterflies that flutter all around you in a tropical rain-forest setting. Outside-In is an interactive children's museum where kids can crawl through a log, investigate a real beehive, and touch a tarantula. If you're keeping track of Philadelphia firsts, note that the academy, the oldest science-research institution in the Western Hemisphere and a world leader in the fields of natural-science research, education, and exhibition, was founded in 1812; the present building dates from 1868.

Cost: $9
Open: Weekdays 10-4:30, weekends 10-5

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 10/19/08
There are better natural history museums in other cities, but this one is pretty good, especially for kids. Includes reconstructed fossils, dioramas with mounted animals in habitats, a few smaller science related exhibits, some Egyptian artifacts, and a few things relating to Robert Peary's Arctic expedition. Kind of expensive for what you get, but it's the place in Philly for dinosaur bones.