The Academy of Natural Science was founded in the year 1812. This is the oldest natural science research institution and museum in Philadelphia. The academy hosted sponsored expeditions, conducted original environmental and systematic research.

The Academy of natural sciences has a collection of natural history which includes more than 17 million specimens. The academy of Natural science is home to public exhibits and educational programs for both schools and general publics.

Academy of Natural sciences overview

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_of_Natural_Sciences

Academy of Natural Science displays

http://www.ansp.org/

Academy of Natural Sciences dinosaur lab

http://www.levins.com/academy.shtml

The collections of the academy are unique which contains volumes, journals, illustrations and photographs of nature. The categories of collections are Biological Systematic, botany, diatoms, entomology, ichthyology, malacology, ornithology, vertebrate paleontology, and more.

The displays of the Academy of Natural Sciences are art of science, live butterflies, dinosaur hall, outside in and many more. Live Butterflies is the most fantastic collection of the academy as you can walk among dozens of species of lie butterflies. In the dinosaur lab you can see the skeleton of more than dozens of dinosaurs. In the year 1868 the skeleton of Hadrosaurus foulkii was put on the public display.

There are 37 dioramas in the academy, which are a distinct fusion of art and science. The dioramas feature musk-ox, bears, mountain sheep and moose. The Outside in is the Academy's children museum which offers hands on exhibits especially for the children from the age 3 to 8.

Upcoming events of Academy of Natural sciences

http://www.ansp.org/museum/future.php

Description of the academy's displays

http://www2.citypass.com/philadelphia/academy-natural-sciences

If you are in Philadelphia for a business or leisure trip, one of the stops you should make is at the Academy of Natural Sciences. One of the best ways to make sure you do not miss out on this opportunity is to stay at one of the top hotels in Philadelphia. The kind of hotel you get will definitely be determined by your budget. Use various search engines available or a travel agent to get a nice hotel nearby.

Some of the basics you need to know include:

1. What is a nice hotel?

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Most of the 2 star and three star hotels fall under the nice hotel category. These hotels usually have all the basic necessities that you need during your stay. There are very competitive rates offered by the hotels but you should make enquires about the services before you make a booking.

2. What to look for

- Spacious rooms

- Dining facilities

- Recreational facilities

- Wireless internet connection

3. Recommended lists of nice hotels near the Academy Of Natural Sciences

Hotels near Academy Of Natural Sciences Of Philadelphia on priceline.com

http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/POI Academy_Of_Natural_Sciences_Of_Philadelphia_Philadelphia_Pennsylvania_United_States-72965805.html

Hotels near Academy Of Natural Sciences Of Philadelphia on tripavdvisor.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocalMaps-g28970-d615510-National_Academy_of_Sciences-Area.html

Academy of Natural Sciences happens to be a natural science museum as well as a research institution in Philadelphia. This 197-years old museum was founded by several top naturalists of the new republic. Today the Academy has collections of natural history which contain over 17 million varieties. Besides, the Academy has sponsored expeditions and it has conducted primary as well as systematic research on environment.

What are the timings for visits?

The Academy of Natural Sciences can be visited on weekdays from 10am till 4.30pm while on holidays and the weekends the timings are 10am to 5pm. On New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day the Academy remains closed.

What kind of discounts can be availed on admission?

To get information on the general admission as well as the group and other discounts you must visit Tickets and Times.

http://www.ansp.org/visit/admission.php

What are the dining and shopping options at the Academy of Natural Sciences?

You can get snacks and meals at Ecology Cafe. It is situated on the Academy's ground floor. Different kinds of gifts as well as collectibles can be bought from

Academy Shop.

http://www.ansp.org/visit/dining.php

http://www.ansp.org/visit/shop.php

Some activities and the exhibits at the academy include -

i. Exhibits

The Butterflies! exhibit presents living butterflies from the Central and the Southern parts of America. You will also see butterflies from East Africa as well as Southeast Asia. Then there is the Dinosaur Hall and children's nature museum called Outside In which has hands-on activities.

http://www.ansp.org/visit/shop.php

http://www.ansp.org/museum/outside-in.php

ii. Activities

Among the activities is sleepover of Safari Overnight. For toddlers there is Tiny Tot Explores. In July and the month of August there is Summer camp.

Philadelphia hotel reservations in the proximity of Academy of Natural Sciences can be made at -

Embassy Suites Hotel Philadelphia

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/PHLDTES-Embassy-Suites-Philadelphia-Center-City-Pennsylvania/index.do

Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/PHLDTES-Embassy-Suites-Philadelphia-Center-City-Pennsylvania/index.do

The Windsor Suites

http://www.windsorhotel.com/

Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown

http://www.cpphiladelphia.com/

The Academy of Natural Sciences provides public exhibits as well as educational programs designed for both the schools and also the general public. For more information do visit http://www.ansp.org/.