Hours

Current Hours

Wednesday-Friday: 10 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

What will be open?

• Life Onto Land: The Devonian (November 11, 2023–September 29, 2024)
• Under The Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest (February 17–September 2, 2024)
• Dinosaur Hall
• Dioramas
• Marveling at Mollusks
• Outside-In
• The Big Dig! (Open Saturdays and Sundays)
• Science at the Academy
• Secrets of the Diorama
• What Eats What

Tickets

We are offering timed ticketing to help provide a fun and relaxing experience for everyone. 

We highly recommend purchasing your tickets online for a low-touch entry. Your online tickets will be emailed to you as a PDF attachment. When you arrive, we will either scan your tickets off your phone, or you may choose to print your tickets at home and bring them with you.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Your tickets will grant you full access to the museum at one flat fee. This includes Dinosaur Hall, the dioramas, and the special exhibits, including Life Onto Land: The Devonian and Under The Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest (Opening February 17).

Please check back regularly for status updates on school field trips, events and programs.

What to expect for your health and safety

To ensure the health and safety of our guests, staff and volunteers, we have carefully developed new health and safety protocols, following guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Drexel University, and in consultation with national museum organizations as well as fellow museums around the world, across the nation and in Philadelphia.

If you have had contact with someone with COVID-19 within the past 14 days or if you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, please plan your visit at later date.

We are committed to these precautions and protocols for as long as necessary:

• Advance reservations are highly recommended.
• Timed ticketing is in place to facilitate contactless transactions.
• All public spaces and surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.
• Hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the galleries.
• We have installed plexiglass partitions in admissions and other areas.

Comprehensive health and safety protocols and training are in place for Academy staff.

New! Down the Hall and Around the World Self-Guided Family Expedition Tours

Free with admission; pick up onsite or download at home
 
Ready to embark on an expedition? When you visit the Academy, grab a brand new, free self-guided tour to take a closer look at Dinosaur Hall, North American Hall, and African and Asian Halls.
 
Explore each exhibit at your own pace. The answers will be right before your eyes or printed in the labels, so have some fun on this expedition and travel to a whole new world in the halls of the Academy. What will you discover today?
 
Like to preplan your route? Download the guides here!

• Dinosaur Hall
• North American Hall
• African and Asian Halls

The Academy will continue to follow guidance from the state and city. Plans and opening dates are subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are helpful tips to help you prepare for your visit.

What entrance should I use?

• You may enter through the Parkway or 19th Street entrances regardless of whether you have purchased your tickets online.
• If you have a stroller or need wheelchair accessibility, please enter through the 19th Street entrance.

Please contact us directly at 215-299-1060 if you have specific requests and we will be happy to assist you.

Are all the exhibits open?

All exhibits are currently open. The Big Dig is currently only open on the weekend. The Academy Café is currently closed, but benches are available to sit down and eat snacks brought from home. The coat room is open.

Entrance to our special exhibits is now included with general admission. Your tickets will grant you full access to the museum, including Dinosaur Hall, our dioramas and all special exhibits. 

The Academy will continue to follow guidance from the state and city. Plans and opening dates are subject to change.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is of the utmost importance to us. Here are some of the health and safety steps we have taken to make your visit feel safe, relaxing and enjoyable.

Do I need to wear a face covering?

As of 1 p.m. on April 22, 2022, masks are optional at the Academy of Natural Sciences, with the exception of our Mask Mornings. In the coming months, we will continue to follow guidance from the City of Philadelphia, Drexel University and the scientific community regarding indoor masking. Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding as we navigate these times together. 

Will there be hand-sanitizing stations?

Yes, we have installed many hand sanitizing stations throughout the museum for visitor use.

How are you ensuring that the museum stays clean?

We formed a multi-departmental team, surveyed our audience and consulted with national museum organizations and sister institutions. We developed comprehensive guidelines and step-by-step procedures to make visitors of all ages feel safe, comfortable and at ease from the time they enter the building to the time they leave.

We also have comprehensive guidelines for our staff.

In addition to an increased frequency of building-wide cleaning, we have enhanced our cleaning protocols to include the use of hospital-grade cleaning solutions and regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces (like elevator buttons, door knobs, handles, railings and restroom fixtures) and common areas throughout the day.

Please note that a risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. When guests redeem their tickets, they acknowledge notice and acceptance of the COVID-19 exposure risks associated with visiting the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Upon redemption, guests agree to hold the Academy and Drexel University, their trustees, officers, employees and affiliates harmless from any and all causes of action, claims, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for injury or loss, that may result from exposure to COVID-19 during their visit to the Academy. This release extends to heirs and personal representatives.