The Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the most-visited museums in the US, a sprawling institution in the Museum District whose standout is the Morian Hall of Paleontology, a dramatically staged hall where dozens of mounted dinosaur and prehistoric skeletons are posed mid-action, predators lunging at prey. Beyond the dinosaurs, highlights include a dazzling gems-and-minerals hall, an Ancient Egypt gallery, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center, a three-storey glass rainforest cone alive with free-flying butterflies.

It's a major all-ages day out, with a planetarium and giant-screen theatre as add-ons. There's far more than you can see in one visit, so prioritise the paleontology hall and the butterfly center. It sits in Hermann Park alongside the zoo and other museums, making the district an easy place to spend a full day.

Don't miss

• The Morian Hall of Paleontology's action-posed dinosaurs
• The Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals
• The Cockrell Butterfly Center rainforest
• The Ancient Egypt gallery
• The planetarium and giant-screen theatre (add-ons)

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit The Houston Museum of Natural Science

Cheapest way inMuseum of Fine Arts, Houston All Access Admission Ticket4.6★ · 53 travelers1-4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$10 per personSee dates →Best full daySpace Center Houston Admission Ticket4.1★ · 1,473 travelers~24 hoursFrom$33 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleHTX Adventure Park Admission – ATV Rental Fee Not Included4.5★ · 41 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$20 per personSee dates →

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Getting there

Know before you go

• Prioritise the paleontology hall and butterfly center if time is limited.
• The butterfly center, planetarium, and theatre are separate add-on tickets.
• Check for free general-hall entry times before you go.
• It's in the Museum District by Hermann Park, easy to combine with the zoo or other museums.

A bit of history

Founded in 1909, the Houston Museum of Natural Science grew into one of the country's largest and most-visited natural history museums. The acclaimed Morian Hall of Paleontology opened in 2012, raising its profile with its dynamic, lifelike dinosaur displays.