Academy of Natural Sciences
add photosButterflies!
Our live butterfly exhibit has an additional fee of $2.00 per person for general admission. The price of Butterflies! for groups is $1.50 per person, but you'll need a group reservation to qualify.
General Admission
Adults (age 13 and above): $10.00
Children (age 3 through 12): $8.00
Seniors (age 65+): $8.00
Military & Students (with ID): $8.00
Members get in free!
9 Reviews for Academy of Natural Sciences
25
40 families found this helpful
"Good for an hour or two"
This is a nice museum. The facilities are a bit old and the bathroom is inconvenient down in the basement. We enjoy the dinosaur exhibit and the taxidermy animals; however the live butterfly conservatory is not worth the extra money. Try for the metered street parking on the side street next to the museum.
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0 families found this helpful
"Informational"
This is another really cool museum in Philly. Kids might prefer the Franklin Institute to this one, but it is also family-friendly. They have a butterfly room which is fun. Other than that there are a lot of informational exhibits and displays, but not too many hands-on things.
0 families found this helpful
"Wonderful experience."
Our 5 year old son loved the Academy of Natural Sciences. He was the perfect age. He enjoyed the live animal show, with the snakes, birds, and other creatures. Then it was onto the millions of stuffed animals! He really enjoyed getting to see how big some of the animals actually are. The dinosaur hall was great, but we did arrive here a little bit to late in the day to be able to participate in the dino bone dig. We all really enjoyed the butterfly conservatory. It was a great way to spend an afternoon in philly!!
'11
0 families found this helpful
"Okay for a Rainy Day, Older Kids"
During our weekend staycation in Philadelphia, our first day was met with POURING, DRIVING rain. Indoor attractions were our only option, so we decided to check out the Academy of Natural Sciences. We walked there from our hotel which was a great way to save on parking fees.
Our daughter was 18 months old at the time.
She enjoyed the dinosaur bone displays and liked the exhibit after exhibit of stuffed animals.
There was also a neat area up on the top floor geared toward the younger crowd. There were live animals to check out and even some that you could pet or touch. Lily enjoyed exploring this area, though it got very crowded within a few minutes of our arrival.
The rest of the somewhat small museum was definitely above her head and she got edgy and tired after just an hour or so.
Admission wasn't too steep, and we lowered it even more by using a BOGO free admission coupon from the Entertainment Book and added 2 $2 tickets to the live butterfly exhibit. (Uh, and FYI- that exhibit was SUPER LAME. I know, I know, it was only $2/person, but it was so small and after visiting the Butterfly Conservatory last summer in Canada, it was a real let down.)
Total for the visit: $16.
0 families found this helpful
"The Academy of Natural Science"
What kids don't find dinosaurs fascinating? Besides dinosaur hall and the permanent butterfly exhibit, there is a spectacular "Outside In" exhibit just for kids aged 3-8 that has tons of live animals and hands-on activities. Lots to see, lots to keep kids busy and entertained.
1 family found this helpful
"enthusiastic employees"
We went here to break up a trip from Richmond and because they were having a BUGS weekend and we have a budding entomologist in out family. All of our kids 7,7,and 4 enjoyed the museum. I must say we would have to go back to thoroughly see the sights because we spent all of our time with the insect activities. They did a great job teaching the kids about insects and had a wealth of science professionals and students on hand. All of the employees were enthusiastic and informative. We even went on a bug walk with some entomologists to catch some insects, identify and examine them. if you are a member of your local childrens museum check for a reciprocity agreement. you may not have to pay admission!!!
1 family found this helpful
"My kids LOVED it!"
Now every time we go to visit their grandparents in the Philly area, my 5 year old begs to go to the "Natural Science Museum." The first time I took them, I was afraid only my 9 year old would enjoy it, but my 3 and 5 year olds loved it as well. Definitely worth a visit!
1 family found this helpful
"A gem"
Overshadowed by its neighbor, the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences is a great find. The dioramas are impressive, and the live animal show is fantastic. We saw a special exhibit on butterflies and were treated to a humid, lush habitat where butterflies of all shapes and colors clung to our clothing. The "petting zoo" on the top floor was a huge hit - my girls held turtles, an albino rat(!), and other small animals. It was great fun.
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"Fun and educational"
You really should not miss the butterfly exhibit, which can only be described as “magical.” On one family visit, our six-year-old insisted on walking through twice! On the third floor, "Outside In" is a hands-on exhibit for children twelve and under. Kids can touch mice, snakes, “legless lizards” (skinks), frogs, turtles, and enormous cockroaches from Madagascar. Enthusiastic and well-informed volunteers are available to answer questions. Near Outside In is a robotic dinosaur not to be missed. It roars! (Very little children may be frightened.)
The Academy of Natural Sciences is the oldest continuously operating natural history institution in the Western Hemisphere, but to our kids it will always be “the dinosaur museum.” Dinosaur Hall features Tyrannosaurus rex and Gigantosaurus, one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs ever discovered. In The Dig, visitors can be paleontologists and dig for real fossils with real tools.
Make sure you check the schedule when you arrive at the academy, because there are live animal shows and films at regular intervals. Family memberships are available.
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