Houston Museum of Natural Science
Front of the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Where I Can Go and Be A Kid
Plan Your Visit | Destinations | Museums
The Houston Museum of Natural Science has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. It’s an amazing place to play and learn for children and adults.
The museum is at the northern end of Hermann Park adjacent to the Museum District. This area has many top Houston attractions including the Houston Zoo and Museum of Fine Art, so I recommend planning a day in Hermann Park to see what interests you.
Permanent Exhibits
Plan on spending several hours here minimum. Some of my favorite permanent exhibits include:
Matter & Motion: This has many interactive exhibits that make science fun, including a periodic table dance floor and walk-through human brain.
Burke Baker Planetarium: Admission is typically extra, but this planetarium has a variety of movies about the galactic and Earth-bound adventures.
Hall of Texas Wildlife: Life-like reproductions teach us about the diverse wildlife in Texas biomes.
The World Around Us: I found a couple of animals tied to my favorite game, Animal Crossing in this interactive exhibit that includes virtual exhibits and live animals.
Cockrell Butterfly Center: At an additional cost, you can wander through this live, walk-through habitat in the hopes a butterfly will land on your shoulder.
Hall of Gems and Minerals: Sadly, this will be closed during a 36-month renovation. It features extraordinary gems and minerals from around the world. Some of the pieces will be displayed on the first floor beginning October 2025.
Dining and Shopping
The large gift shop is amazing! Located near the admissions desks, you can purchase anything from the usual museum souvenirs to designer jewelry and a wide variety of Texas-themed gifts. Items range from “I have a few bucks,” to “Take my money.” You can also shop online.
If you are hungry, food options on the first floor include a grill, bistro, and coffee shop.
Houston City Pass
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is included in the Houston CityPass, which you should purchase if you are going to be in Houston for a few days. The pass includes discounted, one-time admission to leading attractions.
I used the Houston CityPass when my uncle visited Texas recently; I uploaded my pass to the MyCityPass mobile app (available for iPhone and Android) and had each attraction scan my pass.
Learn more about visiting Houston and the Houston CityPass.
