Houston Museum Of Natural Science

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  • Address: 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston Texas 77030/ 5800 Caroline Street Houston, TX 77030 (GPS ADDRESS), United States
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  • Timings: 09:00 am - 05:00 pm Details
  • Ticket Price: 20 USD
  • Tags: Science Museums, Observatory, Planetarium , Family And Kids
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The Houston Museum of Natural Science or HMNS is a science museum situated next to the Hermann Park in Houston, Texas, United States. With an aim to provide a free institution for the people of Houston in the fields of natural science and related subjects, this museum was established in 1909 by the Houston Museum and Scientific Society, Inc.

Museum Of Natural Science is one of the most visited museums and science learning centres in Texas. Its variety of topics such as astronomy, space science, Native American culture, palaeontology, energy, mineralogy, chemistry, gems and minerals, seashells, Texas wildlife among many others appeal to people of all age groups and backgrounds.

Attractions at HMNS:

This museum has many exhibitions for its visitors to explore. There are online exhibitions, special exhibitions, curated exhibitions, past exhibitions, and 16 permanent exhibitions.

The permanent Houston museum of natural science exhibits are as follow - 

  • Faberge: Royal Gifts – With over 600 pieces, the visitors can experience the design artistry and craftsmanship of the Fabergé work masters.
  • Hall of Ancient Egypt – Here you can explore the themes of writing, religion, natural resources and mummification of the ancient Egyptian civilization.
  • Morian Hall of Paleontology – This exhibit lets you see some of the prehistoric beasts and predators in action. Right from the tree-climbing australopithecines to courageous mammoth-hunters, you will see it all here.
  • Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Hall - The Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Hall features many Tumbesian fish species including the world record black marlin caught by Glassell on 4 August 1953.
  • Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals – Here you can discover over 450 beautifully crystallized mineral specimens including the blue topaz crystal that weighs more than 2,000 carats and other rare examples.
  • Wiess Energy Hall – Visit this exhibit to explore the natural sciences of earth through the lens of chemistry.
  • Herzstein Foucault Pendulum – This one-of-a-kind exhibit features a visual demonstration of the Earth’s rotation.
  • Cabinet of Curiosities – This exhibit aims at facilitating creative thought through many extraordinary natural and manmade objects
  • Lester & Sue Smith Gem Vault – Continuing the story created by the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, this exhibit features some more gems.
  • John P. McGovern Hall of The Americas – Dedicated to the indigenous peoples the Americas, here you can see their collection of rugs, pottery, bead-work, kachina dolls, pre-Colombian gold, and more.
  • Frensley/Graham Hall of African Wildlife – Explore seven biomes of Africa at this exhibit. Sections include Congo Basin, West African Tropical Forest and Ethiopian Realm, Serengeti Grassland, Lowveld region, Saharan Desert, and Saharan Desert.
  • Welch Hall of Chemistry - Visit this interactive chemistry hall that will interest all ages and all chemical experiences.
  • Earth Forum – An arrangement of 11 interrelated work stations through computers and photographs helps you understand more about earth and its geography.
  • Hamman Hall Of Texas Coastal Ecology – Here the visitors can learn about the environmental characteristics of the Texas coast through its various exhibits.
  • Vintage Texas Wildlife Dioramas – Visitors here can learn more about the Texan wildlife through these dioramas and their rich and fine details.
  • Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife – Learn about the remarkably diverse biomes highlighting the Piney Woods, Oak Motte, Coastal Prairie and Wetland of Texas.
  • Strake Hall of Malacology – Dedicated to the study of mollusks, this exhibit has more than 100,000 specimens.

Burke Baker Planetarium - 

The Burke Baker Planetarium takes you to a galaxy far, far away. Established in 1964, this planetarium offers many astronomical programs to its visitors. Equipped with one of the world’s leading digital planetarium software and projection system, the Digistar 6, visitors can experince flying through the universe, roam on planetary surfaces, navigate through the asteroid fields, and so much more. A few shows offered at this planetarium include:

Tales of a Time TravellerArcs to Auroras: Following the Magnetic ForceEdge of DarknessSolar SuperstormsDark Side of the Moon

Wortham Giant Screen Theatre -

Featuring a state-of-the-art motion picture projection, this 394-seat giant screen theatre is Houston’s first IMAX theatre. This theatre recently upgraded from IMAX 70mm film projection to stunning 4K digital with advanced 3D technology offering viewers an unsurpassed movie viewing experience.

HMNS at Sugar Land -

HMNS at Sugar Land in Sugar Land, some 23 miles from Houston, is a satellite facility of HMNS in Houston and offers many exhibits & events. Special attractions at this museum include Collection of History, Mystery and Wonder, Salt Water Aquarium, Microscope Lab, Dig Pit, Digital Dome Theatre, Science on a Sphere, and Art Gallery. Permanent exhibits in the fields of Life Science, Earth Science, Space Science, Hall of Palaeontology, and Discovery Works are also present here.

Cockrell Butterfly Centre -

The Cockrell Butterfly Centre together with Brown Hall of Entomology provides a living butterfly habitat for its visitors to enjoy. Walk through a spectacular setting and chance upon seeing live and preserved specimens of arthropods. There are many interactive games and quizzes to keep the visitors entertained.

George Observatory - 

Open only on Saturdays, all-year-round, the George Observatory has telescopes, expedition centres, a discovery dome, observatories, astronomy classes, workshops, and many more events.

Museum Store at HMNS -

The Houston Museum of Natural Science's Museum Store has a ton of interesting things for you to take back home. There is apparel, bestselling collectibles, designer collection, fashion, gems & minerals, toys, and much more. 100% of the store proceeds towards the Houston Museum of Natural Science's Educational Programming.

Dining at HMNS -

McDonald’s in the Grand Entry Hall is perfect for a quick meal. There are several dining options outside the museum as well. Note that food and beverages are not allowed inside the Museum exhibit halls or theatres.

Education at HMNS:

The Museum also provides various educational programs for educators, families, scouts, and adults.

Houston Museum Of Natural Science Travel Tips

  • Planetarium and Butterfly center both have separate entrance fees.
  • Wheelchairs, elevators, stroller accessibility, accessible parking, and accessible parking are available for the physically challenged.
  • Access HMNS App, visual vocabulary, sensory guide, HMNS exploration planner, sensory backpacks, and sensory friendly events are available for people with sensory sensitives and autism spectrum disorders.
  • The Wortham Giant Screen Theatre is equipped with facilities that provides aid for hearing-impaired movie audiences
  • Certain exhibits do not allow photography.
  • Only the Grand Hall and the rainforest of the Cockrell Butterfly Centre allow flash photography.
  • Selfie sticks, tripods and camera stands are not allowed at HMNS, HMNS Sugar Land and the George Observatory.

Entrance Ticket Details For Houston Museum Of Natural Science

HMNS Permanent Exhibits tickets

  • Adult: USD 25
  • Child: USD 15
  • Child 2 and under: Free
  • Students: USD 15
  • Seniors: USD 15
  • Military: USD 8
  • Group price (10+): USD 8
  • School Groups (Pre-K–12th Grade): USD 3.50
  • Thursdays 2 pm – 5 pm: Free

Houston Museum Of Natural Science Hours

  • Monday – Sunday: 9 am - 6 pm
  • Thursdays: 9 am - 9 pm

Museum of natural science exhibition timings

  • Monday - Sunday: 9 am - 6 pm
  • Last entry to special HMNS exhibits: 4 pm

Wortham Giant Screen Theatre timing

  • Monday – Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm

Burke Baker Planetarium hours

  • Monday – Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm

Cockrell Butterfly Center hours

  • Monday – Sunday: 9 am - 6 pm

How to Reach Houston Museum Of Natural Science

  • Museum District Stop (Metro Rail)

  • Mc Donalds
  • Baba Yega Restaurant
  • Chelsea Grill
  • Benjy’s Restaurant

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  • Houston Museum Of Natural Science Address: 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston Texas 77030/ 5800 Caroline Street Houston, TX 77030 (GPS ADDRESS), United States
  • Houston Museum Of Natural Science Timing: 09:00 am - 05:00 pm
  • Houston Museum Of Natural Science Price: 20 USD
  • Best time to visit Houston Museum Of Natural Science(preferred time): 09:00 am - 04:00 pm
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  • 33% of people who visit Houston include Houston Museum Of Natural Science in their plan

  • 27.66% of people start their Houston Museum Of Natural Science visit around 11 AM - 12 PM

  • People usually take around 30 Minutes to see Houston Museum Of Natural Science

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

68.48% of people prefer to travel by car while visiting Houston Museum Of Natural Science

People normally club together Houston Zoo and Museum Of Fine Arts Houston while planning their visit to Houston Museum Of Natural Science.

* The facts given above are based on traveler data on TripHobo and might vary from the actual figures

Houston Museum Of Natural Science Reviews & Ratings

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