The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Academy of Natural Sciences is the oldest natural history museum in the country (and the Americas). It has everything the curious could hope for -- dinosaurs, ancient fish and birds, an emphasis on conservation, and a deep-seated appreciation for the natural world. Although many of the subjects have been in the museum for well over a century (the academy first opened its doors in 1812), they are well preserved, and their exhibits carefully crafted with hand painted scenes in the background.