Planning Guide

Planning a future visit? Check out our offerings below!

	Basic School Groups	Title 1 Pennsylvania Public Schools	Required chaperones (1/10)	Additional adults
School Group Admission Fees	$9/person (Only available Sept. 1-June 30)	Financial support may be available! Call 215-299-1060 for details.	Free	$9/person
Add a Gallery Experience (Outside In)	$2.00/person per experience	$2.00/person per experience	Free	$2.00/person per experience
Add a Discovery Lesson	$85/lesson (groups of 10-35 students)	$85/lesson (groups of 10-35 students)	Free	Free

Booking your field trip to the Academy of Natural Sciences is easy! Here’s how.

Choose your preferred dates and experiences: Self-guided Visit or Enhanced Museum Experiences;
Call 215-299-1060 or register online to complete your reservation;
Check your mail or email in two to three weeks for a confirmation and schedule;
Book your bus and recruit your chaperones.

Please allow at least one hour of free time to explore Dinosaur Hall, the changing exhibits hall, Science at the Academy, and the diorama halls of North America, Asia, and Africa.

To help you on the day of your visit, download the information packet, which includes trip information and a schedule planner for your chaperones.

Funding for School buses may be available from these organizations:

Field Trip Payment

A $50 deposit is due at the time of booking. The deposit will count toward the total cost. Remaining balance of payment for school group visits, including admission fees and program fees, is due in full upon arrival. The museum reserves the right to turn away groups for insufficient funds.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made a minimum of two weeks prior to visit. Cancellations within two weeks of your scheduled visit will forfeit the $50 deposit fee PLUS the cost of any lessons and gallery program fees. Overpayments by check are refunded by check back to the original account. Museum Memberships cannot be combined with group visits. Other discounts, coupons, and affiliate memberships are not applicable with group admission.

Visiting Details

Entrance:: Use the Group Entrance along the 19th Street side of the building. Academy staff will meet with you at the scheduled arrival time.
Bus Parking:: Buses can park for $20 per day, per bus at the Callowhill Bus Parking Facility at 2nd and Callowhill Streets in Philadelphia.; Download the Bus Parking Directions.; Download the Bus Parking Street Map.; School groups MUST provide one chaperone (complementary admission) for every 10 students (or campers) through Grade 12. Chaperones must be over 18 years old. Additional chaperones will be charged the group admission rate.; Download the Information Packet for more information to give to your chaperones.; Chaperones may also find the following exhibit guides useful: Africa and Asia Diorama Hall Activity Guide and North American Journey.; NEW! Download our Dinosaur Hall Scavenger Hunt! Answer key located here.
Lunchroom:: A lunchroom is located in the Commons Room on the Ground Level. Lunchroom reservation is based on availability. There is a 30 minute time limit.
Accessibility and Service Animals: This webpage provides information that should ease and enhance your visit. Staff are always happy to assist you in any way both before and during your visit. If your group will be accompanied by one or more service animals, please inform our Visitor Services Department in advance at visitorservices@ansp.org or 215-299-1000. This will help us decide which animals to select for your lessons or programs.
Museum Hours:: Wednesday–Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

If you have any questions, please contact the Reservations Office. Call 215-299-1060 or email reservations@ansp.org.