Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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The Academy's tradition of weird science dates from 1853 and has expanded to include
46 scientists and thousands of live animals. Butterflies alight on visitors to the glass
Rain-
forest Dome
, a rare white alligator stalks a mezzanine swamp and penguins paddle the
tank in the
African Hall
.
Steinhart Aquarium
In the basement aquarium, kids duck inside a glass bubble to enter the
Eel Forest
, find
Nemos in the tropical-fish tanks and befriend starfish in the
aquatic petting zoo
. Premier
attractions include the California aquaculture wall, the walk-in tropical fish theater,
columns of golden sea dragons and the huge, shy pink Pacific octopus.
Architecture
To make the Academy the world's greenest museum, Pritzker Prize-winning architect
Renzo Piano creatively repurposed the original neoclassical facade while adding a
2.5-acre
Living Roof
, a lofty lawn polka-dotted with wildflowers, solar panels and air
vents.
Morrison Planetarium
Glimpse into infinity under the massive digital projection dome, and take a half-hour vir-
tual journey through ancient forests and billions of years to explore the earliest signs of
life in the universe.
Wild Nights at the Academy
After the penguins nod off to sleep, the wild rumpus starts at kids-only Academy Sleep-
overs. At over-21 NightLife Thursdays, rainforest-themed cocktails are served. Book
ahead online.
