ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCE

19^th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
(215)299-1020
Hours: Weekdays, 10:00am-4:30pm; 
weekends, 10:00am-5:00pm
Admission: $6.75
http://www.acnatsci.org

Located in Philadelphia’s Parkway/Museum district, the Academy of Natural Sciences is one of the world’s most well-recognized and renowned science museums. It’s noted primarily for it’s dioramas of animals which are elegantly displayed in their natural habitats, but features every manner of science-and-nature-oriented matter imaginable. The clever displays and ever-changing exhibits make this museum one of the city’s absolute best.

Fashioned in a historic, well-worn architectural style and dating back to 1868, the museum instantly stands out due to the statues of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures which are casted in its courtyard. Inside, the sights are just as amazing; the museum has the authority to showcase the world’s latest discoveries, which provide its major draw to the public. For example, it was the first museum to feature the recently-unearthed Gigantosaurus, a dinosaur even larger than the Tyrannosaurus. Therefore, it should be no surprise that the Academy has a huge collection of dinosaur-related artifacts. Don’t miss "Discovering Dinosaurs," which boasts recreations of several of the large lizards, including the aforementioned T. Rex. This exhibit can get crowded at times, so plan accordingly.

Other strong points of the building include a relatively new rain-forest exhibit, where you’ll be surrounded by butterflies and such as you take in the sights, and the miniature museum outside, by the statues. This smaller gallery features creepy delights like tarantulas and snakes, along with various fossils, teeth, and things of that nature. The Academy of Natural Sciences is an absolute can’t-miss attraction, and no visit to Philadelphia would be complete without stopping in. Highest possible recommendation.