Children's Museums
Texas Science & Natural History Museum
📍 2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78712🌐 sciencemuseum.utexas.edu/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp
🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 1–5 PM |
About Texas Science & Natural History Museum
Galleries explore biological diversity. Exhibits include a Texas Pterosaur skeleton hung from the ceiling & a giant blue cut topaz jewel. The museum features a Texas Pterosaur skeleton hung from the ceiling in the Great Hall, serving as a striking centerpiece that attracts visitors. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 934 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Location
- UT Austin campus, Austin, Texas
- Hours
- Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm (closed Mondays)
- Best For
- All ages
- Special Offer
- Free admission every fourth Sunday of the month
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum features a Texas Pterosaur skeleton hung from the ceiling in the Great Hall, serving as a striking centerpiece that attracts visitors
- The Dinosaur Trackways Building contains 113-million-year-old dinosaur trackways, representing authentic prehistoric footprints from the Cretaceous period
- A new bat exhibit opened on May 24, expanding the museum's live animal collection and interactive experiences
- The museum offers free admission on the fourth Sunday of every month through the H-E-B Free Fourth Sundays program, making it an accessible cultural resource
- All exhibits feature specimens found specifically in Texas, including dinosaur fossils, animals, rocks, and astronomy displays, creating a regionally-focused natural history collection
💬 What Visitors Say
- Visit on the fourth Sunday of each month for free admission, but expect large crowds. Consider visiting on other Sundays or weekdays for a more relaxed experience with better access to exhibits and staff interactions.
- Start in the Great Hall to see the impressive flying pterosaur and main dinosaur fossils—this centerpiece exhibit is a highlight for kids and sets the tone for the visit.
- Plan for 2-3 hours maximum. The museum is intentionally sized to be exciting without being exhausting, making it ideal for young children who may get overwhelmed in larger museums.
- Sign up for the museum newsletter to get first notification of new exhibits like the bat exhibit (opening May 24) and rotating programs. This helps you plan repeat visits around fresh content.
- Take advantage of hands-on learning activities throughout the museum and ask staff and resident scientists/archaeologists questions—reviews highlight that staff are readily available and answer creatively to engage children.
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