The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Rating
Family of 4
$70-90 (admission ~$18-20/adult, $13-15/child; cafe on site)
Duration
2-3 hours
Best Ages
Best for ages 2-11
About
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University on the Ben Franklin Parkway is America's oldest natural history museum, and it remains one of Philadelphia's best family museum experiences for a straightforward reason: the dinosaur hall is genuinely magnificent. Full-scale mounted skeletons, including a T. rex positioned mid-action, reliably produce the open-mouthed stare in kids from toddlers through elementary school age.
Beyond the dinos, the Academy does hands-on well. The Dino Dig station lets kids 4-10 use real brushes and tools to excavate replica fossils from a dig site — it's the kind of activity that keeps an energetic 6-year-old occupied for 30+ minutes. The live butterfly exhibit (seasonal) has free-flying butterflies that land on visitors, which delights younger kids in particular.
The broader natural history galleries cover mammals, birds, and ecosystems in ways that hold older kids' interest.
Critical logistics note: the Academy is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It's closed Monday through Thursday. This catches many visitors off guard, so check before you go. Admission runs approximately $18-20 for adults and $13-15 for children (check current pricing). A family of 4 should budget $70-90 including admission and the on-site cafe.
The museum is on the Ben Franklin Parkway, which makes it easy to combine with the Franklin Institute or the Philadelphia Museum of Art for a full museum day. Parking along the parkway can be challenging on busy weekends — the underground garage near the area or public transit via the subway are worth considering.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Indoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Friday or weekend mornings when first open; check hours as open only Fri/Sat/Sun
Wait Times
Minimal inside; check for timed entry or exhibit queues on busy Saturdays
Nearby Food
The museum has a cafe on site. The Ben Franklin Parkway area has various food options nearby, and the Reading Terminal Market is about a 10-minute walk for a classic Philly lunch experience.
Why Kids Love It
The Academy of Natural Sciences has one of the best dinosaur halls in the mid-Atlantic — full-scale mounted skeletons including a T. rex that genuinely awe kids of all ages. The 'Dino Dig' area lets 4-10 year olds excavate replica fossils with real brushes and tools, which is hands-on enough to keep them engaged for 30+ minutes. There's also a live butterfly garden where butterflies land on you.
Pro Tips from Parents
- IMPORTANT: The museum is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Plan accordingly — it's closed Mon-Thu.
- The Dino Dig excavation station is where kids ages 4-10 will spend the most time — budget extra time here.
- The live butterfly exhibit runs seasonally — check their website for current availability.
- It's on the Ben Franklin Parkway museum corridor — combine with the Franklin Institute or Philadelphia Museum of Art for a full museum day.
- Parking is easiest in the underground garage beneath the nearby Whole Foods on South St or in the parkway garages.
What to Bring
- Layers (interior can be cool)
- Water bottles
- Camera for the dinosaur hall
- Patience for the dino dig line on weekends
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$70-90 (admission ~$18-20/adult, $13-15/child; cafe on site)
Tips to Save
- Philly residents sometimes get discounted rates.
- Members of AAA or military can check for discounts.
- The museum shares reciprocal membership benefits with some other natural history museums nationwide.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 10AM-5PM
- Monday
- Closed
- Sunday
- 10AM-5PM
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Saturday
- 10AM-5PM
- Thursday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
