Why go
Academy of Natural Sciences earns time because it offers a compact museum whose older exhibition style is as revealing as its specimens. Its central thread is historic natural-history collections, dinosaur displays and carefully staged habitat dioramas. Dinosaur Hall sets large fossils against the scale of the museum's 19th-century institution. The habitat dioramas preserve an older approach to presenting animals and ecosystems.
What to look for
- Dinosaur Hall sets large fossils against the scale of the museum's 19th-century institution.
- The habitat dioramas preserve an older approach to presenting animals and ecosystems.
The full story
Academy of Natural Sciences is best understood through historic natural-history collections, dinosaur displays and carefully staged habitat dioramas. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, formerly the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, is the oldest natural science research institution and museum in the New World. It was founded in 1812, by many of the leading naturalists of the young republic with an expressed mission of "the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences". For over two centuries of continuous operations, the Academy has sponsored expeditions, conducted original environmental and systematics research, and amassed natural history collections containing more than 17 million specimens. The Academy also has a long tradition of public exhibits and educational programs for both schools and the general public.
Useful to know
- Confirm current public access before traveling; the institution has announced a near-term change.
- Pair it with The Franklin Institute across Logan Square if both are open.
Your next visit
Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.
Indoor visit · 30–90 min
World planning estimate; admission, opening, visit duration and access need checking.