Established in 1909 by the Houston Museum and Scientific Society, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is a museum dedicated to natural history in Houston.
The museum complex is spread across five floors loaded with natural science exhibits, along with the Burke Baker Planetarium, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre.
HMNS aims to preserve and advance natural science knowledge while fostering an appreciation for related subjects.
It features a plethora of intriguing displays covering topics such as geology, paleontology, astronomy, and more.
Read on to learn all you need to know before booking tickets for the Houston Museum of Natural Science – ticket prices, timings, what to expect, how to reach, FAQs and more!
Top Houston Museum of Natural Science Tickets
# Museum of Natural Science Houston tickets
# Cockrell Butterfly Center at Houston Museum of Natural Science tickets
# Burke Baker Planetarium tickets
Table of contents
- What to expect
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work?
- Ticket prices
- Museum of Natural Science Houston tickets
- Other attractions at Houston Museum of Natural Science
- How to reach Museum of Natural Science Houston
- Museum of Natural Science Timings
- Best time to visit
- How long does the tour take
- Museum of Natural Science Houston exhibits
- FAQs
What to expect
Expect to be amazed by a wonderful collection of exhibits when you visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Explore exhibits spread across five floors, ranging between astronomy, space science, Native American culture, paleontology, energy, chemistry, geology, seashells, and Texas wildlife.
The museum experience includes interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and exciting events for visitors to enjoy.
See vast dinosaur skeletons, stunning gemstone displays, the Fabergé eggs, a record-breaking marlin, and much more when you visit HMNS.
The museum is particularly famous for the variety of special exhibitions that rotate throughout the year.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is dedicated to promoting science education and exploration, ensuring a memorable experience for all visitors.
Where to book tickets
Tickets for the Houston Museum of Natural Science can be purchased either at the attraction or online in advance.
We suggest booking your tickets in advance to save time and money.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointment.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
How do online tickets work?
To book your visit to the Museum of Natural Science Houston, head to the booking page and choose your desired date and time and the number of tickets.
Once you’ve made your purchase, your tickets will be sent to your email.
On the day of your visit, simply present your ticket at the gate and walk in.
Ticket prices
Tickets for the Houston Museum of Natural Science are available at a discounted price of US$14 for adults between 12 and 64.
Tickets for Senior Citizens aged above 65 and children between three and 11 are also available for US$14.
Kids aged under three get in for free.
Discount tickets are available on-site for students and military personnel with valid IDs.
Visitors can get free entry to the permanent exhibitions on Thursday afternoons.
Museum of Natural Science Houston tickets
Discover the intriguing world of natural science by purchasing an admission ticket to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, one of the most popular museums in the United States.
Witness an array of fascinating displays such as dinosaur skeletons, space station models, and stunning mineral specimens.
In the Morian Hall of Paleontology, witness the animated struggle of prehistoric beasts as they try to survive.
Admire a 2,000-carat blue topaz crystal at the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals.
Experience the diverse cultures of America’s indigenous peoples at the John P. McGovern Hall of the Americas.
Observe wildlife ecology at the Frensley Graham Hall of African Wildlife or learn about shell science and mollusk research at the Strake Hall of Malacology.
Enjoy the interesting temporary exhibits that make HMNS a treat to visit.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (12 to 64 years): US$14
Senior Ticket (65+ years): US$14
Child Ticket (3 to 11 years): US$14
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Other attractions at Houston Museum of Natural Science
Houston Museum of Natural Science is also home to Cockrell Butterfly Center and Burke Baker Planetarium. Read on to know more about these must-see attractions.
Cockrell Butterfly Center at Houston Museum of Natural Science tickets
If you’re fascinated by the idea of exploring a magical butterfly kingdom, then it’s time to plan an expedition to the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
Visit the home of some of the world’s most wonderful winged creatures, both alive and preserved, and get scientific with entry to the Brown Hall of Entomology.
Step into the museum’s three-story glass rainforest conservatory, a tropical trail of exotic plants and countless unique butterflies, both large and small, with a 50-foot (15 meters) waterfall as a bonus.
The upper level is dedicated to the Amazing World of Arthropods, where you can delve into the creeping, crawling world of insects.
From leaf-cutting ants to crime-fighting critters, you’ll gain a newfound respect for six-legged creatures.
For educational games and activities, check out the Land of Beeyond, where the little ones can buzz around in a giant beehive.
You can also discover how insects are vital to humans inside Insects and Us.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s even an insect vending machine where you can try a lollipop with a worm in it – words we never thought we’d write!
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (12 to 61 years): US$12
Senior Ticket (62+ years): US$10
Child Ticket (3 to 11 years): US$10
Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free
Burke Baker Planetarium tickets
Experience the wonders of the universe at the Burke Baker Planetarium located in the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
The planetarium has been updated with the latest digital technology, offering you a chance to explore the vastness of space like never before.
Discover planets, asteroid fields, stars, and entire galaxies projected on a digital platform that will make you feel like you’ve stepped off the planet.
The planetarium offers a variety of dome shows, including “Lamps of Atlantis,” “Are We Really Alone?,” “Black Holes,” “Starry Night Express,” “Dark Side of the Moon,” and “Passport to the Universe.”
Come and expand your knowledge of the universe in a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
Ticket Cost: US$9
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How to reach Museum of Natural Science Houston
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is located on the northern border of Hermann Park in Houston.
Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Get Directions
You can reach the Museum of Natural Science Houston by public transport or car.
By Bus
Board bus 56 and get down at the Main St @ Remington Ln stop to reach the Museum of Natural Science Houston.
By Lightrail
Get down at the Museum District station to reach the museum.
The stop is serviceable by the red line.
By Car
If you want to drive to the attraction, turn on google maps and get started!
You can park at the HMNS Parking Garage.
Museum of Natural Science Timings
The timings for the Houston Museum of Natural Science are regular all across the week.
The attraction opens at 9 am in the morning and closes at 6 pm in the evening.
Entry to the museum closes at 5.30 pm in the evening.
You can get free entry to the permanent exhibitions on Thursday afternoons from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Best time to visit
Even though there is no bad time to visit the museum, you should plan according to the experience you wish to have.
If you want to have the place to yourself as much as possible, planning your visit on a weekday morning is best.
The earlier you arrive at the Burke Baker Planetarium, the less crowded your experience will be.
Weekends and public holidays tend to be the most crowded time at the attraction.
How long does the tour take
If you want to see just the permanent exhibits, it takes a couple of hours on average.
A stroll through the temporary exhibitions can take an extra 45 minutes.
However, visitors can take longer to completely explore the museum depending on how much time they spend at each exhibit.
Museum of Natural Science Houston exhibits
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is currently undergoing an exciting transformational period.
Renovation of the permanent exhibition galleries is underway to expand the collections to showcase the best and most important artifacts and specimens.
On top of the permanent exhibits, the museum is famous for its expansive temporary exhibits.
Click here to look at the exhibits on show at the museum.
FAQs
Here are some questions visitors generally ask before visiting Museum of Natural Science in Houston.
You can visit the Morian Hall of Paleontology, the Wiess Energy Hall, the Hall of Ancient Egypt, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center when at the museum.
On top of that, there are special exhibits that rotate throughout the year, giving you something new and exciting to see around the year.
You can shop for a host of unique and educational items, including books, toys, and souvenirs, at the gift shop located inside the museum.
You can stop for a bite at the cafe inside the premises, which offers a range of snacks, sandwiches, and beverages, including coffee and tea.
You can get the best deals on tickets by clicking here.
Guided tours are available at the museum.
You can book a guided tour online or at the museum’s ticket counter.
The Museum of Natural Science Houston is accessible to people with disabilities.
Visitors can borrow wheelchairs for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Even though photography is allowed at the museum, there are certain restrictions on the usage of flash in certain exhibitions.
Also, it is best to check for signs by the exhibit entrance to see if you can click pictures.
Sources
# Hmns.org
# Wikipedia.org
# Tripadvisor.com
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