Houston Museum of Natural Science Tickets

General admission tickets for the Houston Museum of Natural Science get you access to all the permanent exhibits.

This includes the Cabinet of Curiosities, the Hall of Paleontology, the Hall of African Wildlife, the Hall of Gems and Minerals, the Hall of Ancient Egypt, the Hall of The Americas, the Welch Hall of Chemistry, the Energy Hall, and more.

Also on-site are the Cockrell Butterfly Center and the Burke Baker Planetarium. If you've got a full day, these are wonderful additions to your museum trip, and tickets for these attractions can be purchased in addition to your basic entry ticket (online or in-person).

Special behind-the-scenes tours of the permanent exhibits are available directly with the Houston Museum of Natural Science. If you've already made the most of your basic entry ticket, then a special tour with an expert could be the icing on the cake!

These themed, expertly led tours include the Hall of Paleontology, the Hall of Ancient Egypt, and more. Check out the official calendar for more info.

It's recommended that you take at least 2-3 hours for an express look around the museum, but with so much to explore, you could stay all day. If you can, plan to spend half a day inside and take your time.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science free day is on Thursday. Every week you can get access to the permanent exhibitions without spending so much as a dime on entry.

Can't make it on the Thursday free day? Pick up a regular Houston Museum of Natural Science ticket and start exploring. Concessions are available for children aged 3-11 and seniors.

• See the 60-foot-long Foucault pendulum, which demonstrates the Earth’s rotation in real time

• In the Gems & Minerals Hall, you'll find 750+ crystals, minerals, and gemstones

• The museum boasts the largest paleontology collection in the US - including Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops skeletons

• Discover historical artifacts from more than 50 pre-Colombian cultures

• Travel back in time to the Hall of Ancient Egypt, featuring artifacts, temples, and mummies from centuries ago

• Visit the Wiess Energy Hall to see how we power the planet, including a 14-foot-wide replica of a tricone drill bit

• Don’t miss the Genovator – an immersive ride that simulates an exciting journey back in time to the Cretaceous Period

Houston Museum of Natural Science tickets go fast - it's a popular family and school trip destination. Save yourself the hassle by booking online in advance.

Make sure you grab the right Houston Museum of Natural Science tickets:

• General admission tickets give you access to all permanent exhibits but do not give you access to the Burke Baker Planetarium or the Cockrell Butterfly Center

• If you want to see the Burke Baker Planetarium, be sure to get a separate ticket. This ticket does not include general admission to the museum

• Spending more than a few days in Houston? Pair your Houston Museum of Natural Science tickets with The Space Center Houston or Downtown Aquarium Houston

General information:

• You can attend the museum for free on Thursdays. It's busiest on Thursdays and weekends. School trips often come on weekday mornings. If you want a quieter visit, check the peak hours before going

• There are 3-hour parking lots around the area, as well as alternative parking places

• Food and drinks are not allowed in the exhibit halls. You can pack food that you carry with you or you can buy food from the restaurants on site

• Every floor has restrooms with changing tables. There are family restrooms on the second floor and on the lower level. The lower level also has a unisex restroom

• You may nurse anywhere inside the museum, but if you want privacy, you can use the family restroom on the second floor or lower level

Accessibility information:

• Please contact the accessibility team if you have any accommodation requests for blind, deaf, neurodivergent needs, or physical disabilities

• For more information on how different areas of the museum are lit, and how loud it is, check out the Sensory Guide

• Service animals are welcome at the museum as long as they're leashed or harnessed. Emotional support and therapy pets aren't allowed

Walk through a living butterfly habitat as you browse both live and preserved specimens of some of the world’s largest and weirdest arthropods.

The Cockrell Butterfly Center is best known for its immersive walk-through butterfly habitat, but there is much more to explore in the world of bugs! Visit the exhibits surrounding the rainforest conservatory for an in-depth look at arthropods with a range of interactive games, quizzes, and activities.

Burke Baker Planetarium has presented astronomical programs to millions of visitors since 1984. Soar through the universe, float through space, roam planetary surfaces, navigate asteroid fields, and watch the latest shows in a fulldome venue.