Visit Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Perot Museum of Nature and Science
#5 of 100 things to do in Dallas

Large-scale state-of-the-art interactive & multimedia exhibits & educational programs for all ages. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a natural history and science museum located in Dallas, Texas.

Dallas, Texas is home to one of the most innovative and hands-on science museums in the world: the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Located in Victory Park, just north of downtown, this stunning cube-shaped building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne is a destination for curious minds of all ages. The museum features five floors of permanent exhibits, including a world-class dinosaur hall, a children’s museum, interactive engineering and sports exhibits, and an immersive digital planetarium .

Whether you are a parent looking for a rainy-day activity that educates and excites, a teenager fascinated by robotics and gemstones, or a tourist wanting to see life-sized dinosaur skeletons, this guide provides everything you need to know—from ticket prices and hours to exhibit details, family activities, parking, the free Whynauts® series, and social media links.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science was formed in 2006 through the merger of the Dallas Museum of Natural History (founded 1936), the Science Place (founded 1946), and the Dallas Children’s Museum (founded 1985) . The current building opened in 2012 and was made possible by a $50 million gift from the Perot Foundation, along with contributions from the City of Dallas, the State of Texas, and more than 4,000 private donors .

The museum is divided into 11 permanent exhibition halls, plus a digital planetarium and temporary exhibition gallery . It is designed to be highly interactive, encouraging visitors to touch, build, run, and experiment throughout the experience.

Key Details at a Glance:

• Address: 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, TX 75201 (in Victory Park)

• Phone: +1-214-428-5555

• Official Website: https://www.perotmuseum.org

• Number of Floors: 5 (plus lower level)

• Permanent Exhibits: 11 halls

• Admission: Paid (children under 2 free)

Hours & Ticket Prices

Opening Hours

The museum is open Wednesday through Monday. It is closed on Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Note: Last entry is at 4:00 PM . The museum closes promptly at 5:00 PM. The busiest times are weekends and school holidays (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM). For a quieter experience, visit on weekday afternoons (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM).

Ticket Prices

Tickets can be purchased online in advance (recommended) or at the box office. Online tickets are non-refundable but guarantee entry during peak times.

Membership: An annual family membership starts at approximately $120 and includes unlimited free admission, planetarium tickets, member-only hours (10 AM entry), discounts at the store and café, and exclusive event access . Join online or at the admission desk.

Discounts: The museum participates in Blue Star Museums (free admission for active-duty military families summer through Labor Day) and Museums for All (free or reduced admission for SNAP/WIC recipients – call for details).

Exhibits & Activities: What You Will See

The Perot Museum’s 11 permanent exhibit halls span five floors. Below is an evergreen guide to the most popular halls, organized by floor (starting from the top).

Level 4 (Top Floor) – Dinosaurs, Gems & Energy

Level 3 – Human Body, Sports, and the Universe

Level 2 – Children’s Museum (Ages 5 and Under)

Note: This is the only exhibit designed specifically for young children. It is very popular; consider visiting on weekday afternoons to avoid crowds.

Level 1 – Temporary Exhibitions, Theater, Store, Café

Lower Level – The Whynauts® & Education Studios

Activities for Adults & Children: Hands-On Science & Learning

👨‍🔬 Adults: Fossils, Gems & Engineering

1. Dinosaur Hall
   Adults will appreciate the Alamosaurus – one of the largest dinosaur skeletons ever mounted in the United States. Interpretive signs explain the Cretaceous period and the excavation history of the Texas fossils.

2. Gems and Minerals Hall
   One of the finest gem and mineral collections in the Southwest. The Alma Rose rhodochrosite is a must-see. Low lighting allows the fluorescent minerals to glow under UV light – a stunning effect.

3. Engineering and Innovation Hall
   Hands-on challenges for adults (build a wind turbine, program a robot, test bridge designs). Great for engineers or anyone who enjoys problem-solving.

4. Planetarium Shows
   The digital dome offers shows on black holes, the search for life beyond Earth, and “Dark Universe” (narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson). Shows last 20–30 minutes . Purchase tickets in advance as they sell out.

5. Temporary Exhibitions
   Past special exhibits have included Mummies of the World (actual human and animal mummies), The Science of Pixar (interactive animation), and King Tut. These require a separate ticket but add significant depth for adults.

6. Photography
   Photography is permitted for personal use throughout the museum. Flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are not allowed (flash can damage sensitive specimens and disturb other guests).

👧 Children & Families: Dig Pits, Sports Simulators & The Children’s Museum

1. Dinosaur Dig Pit (Level 4)
   Located within the dinosaur hall, this supervised area allows children (ages 3–12) to brush sand away from replica fossils and “discover” bones. Free, no reservation required.

2. Sportsology (Level 3)
   Children of all ages can:

   • Test their reaction time (catching a falling ruler).

   • Run a 40-yard dash against a digital athlete.

   • Measure their vertical jump.

   • Balance on a stability trainer.

   This is consistently the most popular exhibit for school-age children (6–14).

3. Moody Family Children’s Museum (Level 2)
   Designed for ages 5 and under, but older siblings are welcome. Highlights:

   • Water table with dams, funnels, and floating toys (smocks provided).

   • Mini grocery store – scan pretend groceries, operate a tiny checkout.

   • Climbing wall (low height, padded floor).

   • Block zone with large foam building blocks.

   Pro Tip: This area can become crowded. Visit within the first hour of opening (11 AM) or after 2 PM on weekdays.

4. The Whynauts® (Free Digital Series)
   Available on the museum’s website and in the museum’s learning lab. This 11-episode interactive educational series features a diverse cast of young explorers answering science questions like “Why do volcanoes erupt?” and “How do planes fly?” . Generously brought to you by the Perot Foundation and The Lamar Hunt Family . Teachers and parents can use the free companion curriculum guides.

5. Educational Programs & Field Trips
   The museum offers engaging topics for every grade level – from kindergarten through high school . Take a trip to the museum, or the museum will bring the learning to you (virtual or on-site outreach programs). School groups must book at least two weeks in advance .

6. Birthday Parties
   The Perot Museum hosts birthday parties for children ages 4–12. Packages include museum admission for all guests, a private party room, and a hands-on science activity led by a museum educator. Book through the website.

Planetarium: A Digital Dome Experience

The Expanding Universe Hall houses a state-of-the-art digital planetarium with a 360-degree domed screen and 4K projection.

Pro Tip: Buy planetarium tickets online when you purchase your general admission. Weekend shows often sell out by 1 PM.

The Whynauts®: Free Educational Series for Home or Classroom

One of the Perot Museum’s most beloved free resources is The Whynauts® – an interactive educational series designed to bring science to life for children (grades K–5) .

• Format: 11 episodes, each focusing on a different science topic (e.g., paleontology, energy, human body, engineering).

• Where to watch: Perot Museum website (free, no registration required) or inside the museum’s digital learning lab.

• Features: Live-action hosts, animation, experiments you can do at home, and interactive quizzes.

• For educators: Free curriculum guides aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards .

This is an excellent resource for homeschooling families or for preparing children before a museum visit .

Dining & Shopping

Pro Tip: The café lines are longest from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Bring your own water bottle (empty) and fill it at the water fountains; save lunch for a picnic in the park on nice days.

Parking & Public Transportation

🚗 Parking

The museum does not have its own parking lot. Several paid garages and surface lots are within a 2–5 minute walk .

Pro Tip for Families: The Perot Museum Garage is the most convenient (elevator directly to museum entrance). Arrive before 10:30 AM on weekends to secure a spot.

🚆 DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)

The museum is highly accessible via public transit .

• Victory Station (Green and Orange lines) – 5-minute walk (0.2 miles) via Victory Park Lane.

• DART Bus Routes – Routes #27, #31, and #215 stop within one block of the museum.

Address for GPS: 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, TX 75201 .

Accessibility

The Perot Museum is committed to providing an inclusive experience for all visitors.

For specific accessibility questions, call +1-214-428-5555 or see the “Accessibility” page on the Perot Museum website .

Nearby Attractions (Within Walking Distance)

The Perot Museum is located in Victory Park, adjacent to the Dallas Arts District.

Pro Tip: Plan a full day: Park once in Victory Park, visit the Perot Museum in the morning (10 AM – 1 PM), walk to Klyde Warren Park for lunch at the food trucks (1 PM – 2 PM), then visit the Dallas Museum of Art (free) in the afternoon (2 PM – 4 PM).

Tips for Your Visit

1. Buy tickets online – Weekend and holiday time slots sell out, especially for the planetarium.

2. Allow 3–4 hours – The average family visit takes 3 to 3.5 hours to see all five floors. Add 30 minutes for a planetarium show.

3. Plan for the Children’s Museum first – The Moody Family Children’s Museum (Level 2) is most crowded from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Visit it within the first hour of opening if you have toddlers.

4. Check the planetarium schedule – Shows run every 30–45 minutes. Book your planetarium ticket for a specific time when you buy general admission.

5. Wear comfortable shoes – You will walk 1–2 miles and stand for much of the visit.

6. Bring layers – The museum is climate-controlled, but the planetarium can be cool (68°F).

7. No touch exceptions – Most exhibits are hands-on, but fossils and gemstones behind glass are look-only. Read signs.

8. Photography rules – Flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited . Handheld smartphone and camera photos are welcome.

9. Locker rental – Lockers are available near the entrance (first floor) for storing coats, backpacks, and bags. Small fee ($1–$2).

10. Member benefits – If you live locally or plan to visit twice per year, a family membership pays for itself (free admission + planetarium + member-only early entry at 10 AM).

Upcoming Events & Seasonal Programs

The Perot Museum has a rotating calendar of special events, summer camps, and holiday programs. Below are typical annual offerings.

All events are posted on the Perot Museum website’s “Events” page. Sign up for the museum’s newsletter to be the first to know about ticket releases and member pre-sales.

Educational Programs: From Pre-K to High School

The Perot Museum serves as a major educational resource for North Texas schools and families . Offerings include:

• School Field Trips – Guided or self-guided visits aligned with TEKS standards. Groups of 10+ students must book at least two weeks in advance .

• Outreach Programs – Museum educators bring hands-on science activities to your school or library.

• Virtual Learning – Live, interactive Zoom sessions for classrooms.

• Scouts Programs – Badge workshops for Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts (pre‑scheduled).

• Homeschool Days – Special discounted admission and programming for homeschool families (check calendar).

For teacher resources, including free curriculum guides and The Whynauts® lesson plans, visit the “Education” section of the Perot Museum website .

Stay Connected:

Follow the Perot Museum for daily science facts, exhibit sneak peeks, event announcements, and behind-the-scenes content.

• YouTube: Perot Museum of Nature and Science – The Whynauts® episodes, exhibit walkthroughs, and virtual planetarium previews

• Facebook: Perot Museum of Nature and Science – Daily posts, ticket giveaways, and family activity ideas

• X (Twitter): @PerotMuseum – Quick updates, weather closures, and ticket release alerts

• Instagram: @perotmuseum – Stunning dinosaur and gemstone photos, visitor reels, and behind-the-scenes looks at new exhibits

• Pinterest: Perot Museum – Science experiment pins, classroom resources, and activity ideas for parents

If you have any experience with this place, please share it with us in the comments below!