Your Member Guide to the Academy
Credit: Ramon Torres/ANS
Welcome to the Academy! As a member, you have free year-round general admission to the museum, where you’ll see some of the most surprising and spectacular wonders of the natural world. There is so much you can do with your membership!
While you enjoy all of your member benefits throughout the year, you are also providing important support for the Academy’s world-renowned research in biodiversity and environmental science. We appreciate your support and hope you visit us often.
This guide is designed to help you make the most of your membership. If you have any questions regarding your membership, please contact the Membership Department at 215-299-1022 or membership@ansp.org.
Page Section Links
Museum Hours
Public Hours
Fridays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed
Thanksgiving
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
Planning Your Visit
The Academy is located right in the heart of Philadelphia’s museum district, at the corner of 19th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Visit Directions and Parking for more information.
Parking
Academy Members receive exclusive parking discounts at the parking garage at 1815 Cherry Street. Please download the iParkit App and sign up for Express Hourly Parking (no reservations necessary). Use program code ACADMBR001 and your Academy Member ID to register, and you will receive special parking rates and an additional 20% off your first five uses. The first five uses discount also applies to other parking garages throughout Philadelphia. Remember to scan your Express pass at the entry station when you arrive. See your membership welcome email for additional information or contact the membership department at 215-299-1022 or membership@ansp.org for assistance.
Contact Us
The Membership Department at ANS can be reached Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at 215-299-1022 or by email at membership@ansp.org for assistance.
Other Academy Contacts
- General Museum Information: 215-299-1000
- Birthday Parties: 215-299-1060
- Donations to the Academy: 215-299-1182
- Event and Facility Rentals: 215-299-1115
- Lost-and-Found: 215-299-1000
- Program Registration: 215-299-1060
- Volunteer Office: 215-299-1029
A Guide to Your Benefits
All members receive the following list of general member benefits plus any additional benefits that are included with your membership level. Please check back for updates!
Free General Admission to the Museum
Members of the Academy always get free general admission to the museum! Just show the admissions desk representative your member card. Don’t have your member card? Simply provide a valid photo ID and our representatives will validate your membership.
Downloadable Digital Membership Cards
We are now offering digital membership cards. This helps us save thousands of traditional plastic cards and the associated paper letters and envelopes from entering landfills each year.
Exclusive Previews of Academy Exhibits
Members have the opportunity to see our exhibits before anyone else! Look for invitations throughout the year to special events and exhibit openings.
Free Admission to Academy Festivals
Members always get free admission to our exciting festivals and special events! Simply bring your member card and/or a valid photo ID to check in and enjoy the day.
Behind-the-Scenes Access
Every year, members of the Academy are treated to a special Members’ Night where they can meet our staff, see the collections and experience the breadth and depth of work that takes place behind the scenes.
Special Members-only Program Discounts
Members receive special discounts on Academy programming.
Discounts in the Academy Shop
Enjoy a 10 percent discount in the Academy Shop. Every purchase made in our shop supports the Academy’s ongoing research activities and educational efforts.
Add One Extra Adult to Your Membership
Academy memberships are nontransferable. Any adult using a member card to gain entrance into the museum must be listed on the member card. Now you can add your nanny, babysitter, family member or friend to your membership for just $20 extra per year. You can make this addition to your membership at the admissions desk on your next visit or by calling the Membership Office at 215-299-1022.
Discounted Guest Passes
Members may purchase discounted admission for their guests on the day of their visit or discounted guest passes in advance of the guest’s visit. Members do not need to accompany guests who use guest passes. Members may purchase guest admission or guest passes at the discounted rate of $11 each at the admissions desk on your next visit.
Free Admission to More Great Science and Technology Centers
Family Plus level Academy members and above are entitled to free admission to more than 300 science and technology centers throughout the world through the Association of Science -Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program.
Other Important Information
Email and Online Information
Keep informed with the most up-to-date information about events and other important Academy news by signing up to receive emails and our monthly e-newsletter. Member email addresses are not released for solicitation purposes.
Volunteer Opportunities
More than 400 volunteers of all ages contribute their time each year to further the Academy’s mission. We have volunteer opportunities in museum exhibits, administrative support, environmental programs, library support and scientific research assistance.
Gift Memberships
Give the gift of discovery to friends or family by purchasing a gift membership to the Academy! As a member of the Academy, your gift recipient will get 12 months of unlimited free admission to the Academy and special exhibits throughout the year. The Academy of Natural Sciences is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and your gift of membership purchase is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You can purchase your gift membership online or by calling the Membership Office at 215-299-1022.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Academy memberships are nontransferable. Any adult using a member card to gain entrance into the museum must be listed on the member card. You may add an extra adult onto your membership for $20. You may make this addition on your next trip to the museum or by calling the Membership Office at 215-299-1022.
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Yes. The Academy of Natural Sciences is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and as such all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Individual and Family memberships are 100 percent tax-deductible. Family Plus memberships and Academy Collaborator memberships are partially tax-deductible.
Your receipt will contain the estimated tax-deductible portion of your membership dues payment. For more information about the tax benefits of your membership contribution, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 215-299-1122 or friends@ansp.org.
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Absolutely. You may upgrade your membership at any time by simply paying the difference between your current membership level and the level to which you would like to upgrade. Upgrade at the admissions desk on your next visit, by calling 215-299-1022.
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Yes. Simply provide a valid photo ID and our representatives will validate your membership.
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If your email address is linked to your Academy membership, you'll receive an email from our partners at Cuseum with a link to download your membership card to your mobile device. You can use Google Pay (GPay), Apple Wallet and many other digital wallet apps. If you did not receive the email to download your membership card, please contact us at 215-299-1022 or membership@ansp.org to ensure we have your email address on file.
Once you've downloaded your membership card to the wallet app of your choice, you'll simply open the app on your phone and click on the membership card. This will open your membership details and a barcode for museum access.
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If you need us to send a new link to your digital membership card, or if you need to request a physical membership card, please call the Membership Office at 215-299-1022 or email us at membership@ansp.org.
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Yes! If you have one or more other adults named on your membership, they can also download the digital membership card. If their email address is linked to the membership, they will receive an email from us with the link to download the card to their digital wallet. If we do not have their email address, you may still share the digital membership with them. Visit the Cuseum support page for detailed instructions. Please note, any adult using a member card to gain entrance into the museum must be listed on the member card and will be asked for a photo ID at the admissions desk.
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No, Museum Memberships cannot be combined with group visits. Other discounts, coupons, and affiliate memberships are not applicable with group admission.
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I’m organizing a drawing or silent auction. How can I request a donation from the Academy? We process all donation requests through an online form. Please submit your request online and we will make every effort to fulfill it.
Academy memberships are nontransferable. Any adult using a member card to gain entrance into the museum must be listed on the member card. You may add an extra adult onto your membership for $20. You may make this addition on your next trip to the museum or by calling the Membership Office at 215-299-1022.
Yes. The Academy of Natural Sciences is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and as such all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Individual and Family memberships are 100 percent tax-deductible. Family Plus memberships and Academy Collaborator memberships are partially tax-deductible.
Your receipt will contain the estimated tax-deductible portion of your membership dues payment. For more information about the tax benefits of your membership contribution, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 215-299-1122 or friends@ansp.org.
Absolutely. You may upgrade your membership at any time by simply paying the difference between your current membership level and the level to which you would like to upgrade. Upgrade at the admissions desk on your next visit, by calling 215-299-1022.
Yes. Simply provide a valid photo ID and our representatives will validate your membership.
If your email address is linked to your Academy membership, you'll receive an email from our partners at Cuseum with a link to download your membership card to your mobile device. You can use Google Pay (GPay), Apple Wallet and many other digital wallet apps. If you did not receive the email to download your membership card, please contact us at 215-299-1022 or membership@ansp.org to ensure we have your email address on file.
Once you've downloaded your membership card to the wallet app of your choice, you'll simply open the app on your phone and click on the membership card. This will open your membership details and a barcode for museum access.
If you need us to send a new link to your digital membership card, or if you need to request a physical membership card, please call the Membership Office at 215-299-1022 or email us at membership@ansp.org.
Yes! If you have one or more other adults named on your membership, they can also download the digital membership card. If their email address is linked to the membership, they will receive an email from us with the link to download the card to their digital wallet. If we do not have their email address, you may still share the digital membership with them. Visit the Cuseum support page for detailed instructions. Please note, any adult using a member card to gain entrance into the museum must be listed on the member card and will be asked for a photo ID at the admissions desk.
No, Museum Memberships cannot be combined with group visits. Other discounts, coupons, and affiliate memberships are not applicable with group admission.
I’m organizing a drawing or silent auction. How can I request a donation from the Academy? We process all donation requests through an online form. Please submit your request online and we will make every effort to fulfill it.