The Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
This outstanding science museum has a spectacular collection of mineral specimens, a dinosaur skeleton, space-station models, a planetarium, IMAX theater and a six-story butterfly center in which these beautiful creatures land delicately on outstretched arms.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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$25.00
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Address
Neighborhood: The Museum District
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See what travelers are saying
- MEHEL3Fayetteville, North Carolina1,287 contributionsWe Loved ItOur visit was 9 June 2023. Three adults, one senior, teenager. We started on 4th floor and came downward to the bottom. The Museum is excellent and there is much to do and see. You can spend a whole day there and be oblivious of the time. We went on a Friday but maybe during the week might have been better. There were many people and of course school is out. Overall, we learned, enjoyed ourselves, and are glad we visited. There was a couple of other events there we did not get the attend and would probably come back for them. Parking was okay, but you just have to determine where to park. Nice and cool on inside, that was why everyone was probably there also. You could eat there but there are other close by options outside around area. Felt safe in the area. You really have to go to see this place.Visited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 24, 2023
- Julia IMadison, Wisconsin180 contributionsGreat hall of paleontologyThe hall of paleontology was superb! So many trilobites! And so much information. And great skeletons and dioramas. And the final section on evolution of hominids was also great. We spent nearly 2 hours in that one hall and then just had energy to walk briefly through the Texas hall of wildlife. My husband loves dinosaurs more than I do, but even I found it very interesting. And we were relieved it wasn’t too crowded on a Sunday afternoon in January. Parking is $30 and so it’s worth trying for free parking —the website has a good map and we got lucky to park in closest free lot A. Also saved by getting senior tickets (only available in person).Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 29, 2024
- Travel_with_trippAtlanta, Georgia196 contributionsDinosaursVery awesome. Best part was all the dinosaurs. So much history. Kids loved the planetarium and all the hands on exhibits. We bought the city pass to get in. We stayed near the children’s hospital and parking was plenty and easy in and out. If you don’t want to drive you can ride the light rail to the museum district, about a 10 min ride. Very easy.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 18, 2024
- bgerman20242 contributionsA Jewel of a museumThe HMNS is a fabulous museum. The exhibits are well worth the time and effort. Children and adults of all ages will surely be captivated and inspired. The HMNS offers unique learning experiences. If you are in Houston, this is a state-of-the-art facility, which benefits from professional leadership.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 6, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
5,351 reviews
Excellent
3,794
Very good
1,194
Average
256
Poor
61
Terrible
46
Amy L
New Orleans, LA49 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
All in all, I would say the museum is OK. There are several experiences/exhibits that are not included with the general museum entrance ticket that was kind of disappointing. I wanted to see the butterfly area but I wasn’t going to pay the $24 extra for my husband and I. Many of the Dino displays were casts/replicas. There were stickers on a lot of the displays that said the “label is being created” so you didn’t really know what it was. Many items had hard to read labels and lacked dates/locations that would’ve made it more interesting. Each floor is also a maze, there is no handheld map to reference. You have to memorize or take a photo of the directories on the walls.
We also discovered the price is obnoxiously cheaper third party which is annoying.
My favorite parts were the Egyptian mummies and the gems/crystals. The Energy and Chemistry areas weren’t really my cup of tea, it was primarily focused on oil rigs. We covered the whole museum (none of the extras) in about 3 hours.
There is close free parking in a park area nearby.
It would be fun to bring a kid to kill some time. Would I spend the money to visit again? Probably not.
We also discovered the price is obnoxiously cheaper third party which is annoying.
My favorite parts were the Egyptian mummies and the gems/crystals. The Energy and Chemistry areas weren’t really my cup of tea, it was primarily focused on oil rigs. We covered the whole museum (none of the extras) in about 3 hours.
There is close free parking in a park area nearby.
It would be fun to bring a kid to kill some time. Would I spend the money to visit again? Probably not.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angie
San Antonio, TX108 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
My only complaint was one of the employees being a bit snarky with us. We walked into the museum and had just looked online the night before $13 for general admission, when we came up to the box office she gave me a total of over $50. To which we asked why so much, when we had just seen pricing online to which she replied that was only for online but she couldn’t guarantee the tickets were processed if we paid online confused we tried to get guidance but again we’re met with snarky comments. We walked outside purchased our tickets without any problems and walked back in, and got out general admission tickets for $13, I don’t understand why she was so unhelpful but the museum was tons of fun just wish people who enjoyed the museum worked there to help out with questions, the employee didn’t have a name tag but had red hair.
Written November 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boris E
Staunton, VA977 contributions
Jan 2021
Plan to dedicate several hours or an entire day at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It is a vast place with several exhibitions and worth every penny. We dedicated a full hour and a half to Egypt's exhibit and loved it. If you are visiting Houston for the first time and planning to visit several touristic attractions in the area, please make sure that you purchase the City Pass to save money on several museums and touristic attractions. It is certainly worth it!
Written January 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melwashere81
Cleveland, TX3,441 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Any visit to Houston isn't complete without a stop here. With 4 floors of exhibits there really is something for everyone! My favorite is always the paleontology exhibit. I love seeing the huge dinosaur bones and reading where these animals once lived. On this trip we decided to check out one of the special exhibits....Pompeii. it was amazing!! The little volcano simulation experience followed by the revelation of just what happened to people was moving. I think this particular exhibit is here until September so be sure to check it out before its gone. With admission to the special exhibits you get to see all permanent exhibits as well so its worth the price! I can't wait to see what the next special exhibits they have are so I can go again!
Written April 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bogie49
Springfield, MO10 contributions
Apr 2022
My wife and I are senior citizens that enjoy going to museums that feature the Faberge Russian Imperial Easter Eggs. There are very few in the US so we were excited to learn that the Houston Museum of Natural Science had one---the Diamond Trellis Egg given to Tsarina Alexandra from Tsar Nicholas II before they, along with their children, were executed in July 1918. They also had two other Imperial Quality Eggs ( Nobel Ice Egg and a Kelch Egg). All were a part of the McFerrin Everyday Faberge permanent collection. We live in southern Missouri, so the round trip was about 1300 miles. We experienced traffic gridlock both going to the Museum and heading back home out of Houston; very stressful!
When we got to the Museum there was a 20 dollar parking fee. Oh well, such is life in the big city. There was a travelling Egyptian Exhibit "Rameses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs". Admission was 54 dollars and worth it! But remember the trip was all about the Imperial Egg that is the featured item online along with a royal diamond tiara. When we got to the exhibit the tiara showcase was empty and the Imperial Egg showcase had a cardboard photo of the Egg. No explanation of where the missing items were. I asked a security guard at the exhibit but he had no idea what I was talking about. I suppose that isn't in their job description. I asked another extremely kind security person (delightful Asian lady) if she had any information. She had a Museum employee paged. He looked and acted very knowledgeable but fumbled and poorly faked his answers. The tiara might be out for cleaning and had no answers at all about the Egg. (The Egg is so important to the Museum that it is used as the directional icon within the facility}. He was going to give me a parking voucher to use next time we came. I assured him that was never.
I called the Museum on the way home the next day and got a very nice lady who informed me the Egg was currently in London by request of the Queen as she owns the automaton elephant that was the original surprise inside the Egg. She also offered to comp a revisit but I declined. I suggested they do a better job warning potential visitors on their website when important items are out on loan. Also, put some sort of explanation on the display case beside the cardboard picture.
I can't give a rating of 0 which is my reaction to a 1300 mile trip as the Rameses Exhibit was excellent. Also the nice Security person is a real asset to the Museum, and the lady on the phone did offer a revisit. However, a 2 is the best I can do. There is another Egg in Cleveland that we are planning to visit next month. I've learned to call ahead!
When we got to the Museum there was a 20 dollar parking fee. Oh well, such is life in the big city. There was a travelling Egyptian Exhibit "Rameses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs". Admission was 54 dollars and worth it! But remember the trip was all about the Imperial Egg that is the featured item online along with a royal diamond tiara. When we got to the exhibit the tiara showcase was empty and the Imperial Egg showcase had a cardboard photo of the Egg. No explanation of where the missing items were. I asked a security guard at the exhibit but he had no idea what I was talking about. I suppose that isn't in their job description. I asked another extremely kind security person (delightful Asian lady) if she had any information. She had a Museum employee paged. He looked and acted very knowledgeable but fumbled and poorly faked his answers. The tiara might be out for cleaning and had no answers at all about the Egg. (The Egg is so important to the Museum that it is used as the directional icon within the facility}. He was going to give me a parking voucher to use next time we came. I assured him that was never.
I called the Museum on the way home the next day and got a very nice lady who informed me the Egg was currently in London by request of the Queen as she owns the automaton elephant that was the original surprise inside the Egg. She also offered to comp a revisit but I declined. I suggested they do a better job warning potential visitors on their website when important items are out on loan. Also, put some sort of explanation on the display case beside the cardboard picture.
I can't give a rating of 0 which is my reaction to a 1300 mile trip as the Rameses Exhibit was excellent. Also the nice Security person is a real asset to the Museum, and the lady on the phone did offer a revisit. However, a 2 is the best I can do. There is another Egg in Cleveland that we are planning to visit next month. I've learned to call ahead!
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yp17
Houston, TX190 contributions
Apr 2021
The Gem vault is always worth a repeat visit. Imax films are a good value. Parking is more difficult in this area compared to the zoo. Main complaint is the additional exhibits/lectures events are sizeable extra cost, even for members. New gardens across the driveway are beautiful.
Written April 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael
Woking, UK255 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Luckily we visited the Museum on a Thursday when it is free entry for anybody after 2pm! There were no queues and the exhibits inside weren't that busy. There was plenty to look at and for a free experience it was very good, however I don't think it's worth the usual entry price. Nevertheless there is still lots to do and the exhibits are well maintained and detailed. We didn't attend any of the 'extra' exhibits, and in total we spent around 2 hours there. If you can go on a Thursday I would thoroughly suggest a visit.
Written April 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel L
Apex, NC832 contributions
Apr 2022
The museum that was open with General Admission was alright, there was a good amount of things to see and they were all fairly interesting. My gripe is that a lot of the museum is locked behind fairly expensive extra tickets that you need to purchase beyond the initial entrance fee. Even parts that used to be general admission are now having to be paid for.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernard W
Dallas, TX1,947 contributions
Dec 2021
What an exceptional Museum! We last viewed this museum about 20 years ago. It was very good then, but is great now. We took advantage of the free entry Thursdays from 3-6 pm. One must stand in line outside the building near the ticket area to get a free ticket. They do not seem to limit the number of tickets as the line was long and the number of people at the exhibits was large—yes, even in these Covid times. Masks were worn.
We spent the entire 3 hours viewing the permanent exhibits, but if one has the time and chose to pay admission there is lots more to see. We started off at the Herzstein Foucault Pendulum and then went into the Morian Hall of Paleontology. Make an initial left into the hall and then view the exhibits going to the right. The exhibits are comprehensive and wonderfully displayed. My only complaint is that the lighting on the many signs is such that shadows of others often result making the reading more difficult than it should be. The number of dinosaurs is shocking in its number and expansiveness—all to the good. There is much to see besides including the development of our own species: man.
We also took advantage of viewing the The George W. Strake Hall of Malacology, especially enjoying specimens before and after they were cleaned. The array of colors and sizes are awesome.
The McFerrrin Faberge Collection and the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals will dazzle anyone privileged to view it.
We spent the entire 3 hours viewing the permanent exhibits, but if one has the time and chose to pay admission there is lots more to see. We started off at the Herzstein Foucault Pendulum and then went into the Morian Hall of Paleontology. Make an initial left into the hall and then view the exhibits going to the right. The exhibits are comprehensive and wonderfully displayed. My only complaint is that the lighting on the many signs is such that shadows of others often result making the reading more difficult than it should be. The number of dinosaurs is shocking in its number and expansiveness—all to the good. There is much to see besides including the development of our own species: man.
We also took advantage of viewing the The George W. Strake Hall of Malacology, especially enjoying specimens before and after they were cleaned. The array of colors and sizes are awesome.
The McFerrrin Faberge Collection and the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals will dazzle anyone privileged to view it.
Written January 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dolooper
San Antonio, TX105 contributions
Mar 2022
We found this museum had an interesting layout for their great exhibits. The posted garage price was so high we looked for somewhere else to park — very inconvenient. We wrongly assumed that the video theater venues were included in the entrance ticket and the ticket line was so long we didn’t go back to upgrade.
Written March 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was closed when we went sorry, so cant answer it. I presume it was as the rest of the place was - except for the outside seating area when eating lunch
Written January 9, 2025
Is it possible to store a suitcase at the museum for the duration of the visit?
Written March 20, 2023
Yes, there would be. I still do not recommend the current "King Tut" immersive exhibit though.
Written March 21, 2023
Are we able to take engagement photos in the museum and in the Arboretum without renting the space? Thank you.
Written October 8, 2021
As far as I know there are not any restrictions on taking pictures anywhere on the property. If you are bringing a professional photographer and staging some sort of photo shoot, you might want to call ahead and ask.
Written October 12, 2021
Hey all.. I’m planning to take my family there and I want to know what kind of tickets should I get to see the moon and dinasors’ bones ?
Written September 8, 2019
To the traveler in Austin, please refer to the website for the Houston Museum of Natural Science for hours and pricing, and special events. Trip advisor does not allow me to send you the link directly. Have fun and enjoy!
Written September 8, 2019
hi , are there any hot springs in colorado?if it is,where are these locations?thank you🙏🏻
Written September 1, 2019
I don’t know about Colorado. This museum is in Houston Texas
Written September 2, 2019
hi , how can find good & cheap hotel to niyagara falls?thank you🙏🏻💖
Written August 19, 2019
Hello fellow traveller,
You have posted this question in the wrong place, Houston Texas is very far from Niagara Falls.
You might try aTripAdvisor search for Niagara Falls-Hotels and see what comes up, there should be plenty of options.
Keep in mind that Niagara Falls hotels might be listed for both Canada and the USA. Make sure you get a hotel in the country you are visiting and if you plan to cross a border have the proper required ID and documents.
Have fun and take lots of pictures, Niagara Falls is lovely.
Written August 19, 2019
hi ,what is the best &importan things in this museum?thanks lot🙏🏻💖
Written August 18, 2019
Impressive dinosaur bone collection, IMAX was showing the 1969 Lunar Landing documentary which I loved, and the planetarium is good too. Bring a sweater. I was cold
Written August 30, 2019
Where’s a good place to grab lunch close to the museum?
Written April 7, 2019
There are a few restaurants within walking distance. Barnabys is a great one!
Written May 30, 2019
Does the $25 adult ticket admit you to all 16 exhibits, including the dinosaurs?
Why does their online ticket site have times on them? if I select a time does that mean I have to show up at that time slot? what happens if I miss that time slot?
Can I just walk up to buy tickets on the day I want to visit?
Written August 13, 2018
You have to pay extra for several of the exhibits - like the 3D movie, the butterfly exhibit and the Sherlock Holmes mystery room. I think certain shows are only on at certain times, so you’ll miss the show if you miss the time slot
We did that - bought tickets on the day, so I’m sure you can too. Maybe, you’ll need to buy them in advance for holidays etc thought, but I can’t be sure.
Members get way better offers, so if you’re a resident of Houston, I suggest you look up the memberships. Have a happy day :)
Written August 13, 2018
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