The Houston Museum of Natural Science (abbreviated as HMNS) is a natural history museum located on the northern border of Hermann Park in Houston, Texas, United States. The museum was established in 1909 by the Houston Museum and Scientific Society, an organization whose goals were to provide a free institution for the people of Houston focusing on education and science. Museum attendance totals over two million visitors each year. The museum complex consists of a central facility with four floors of natural science halls and exhibits, the Burke Baker Planetarium, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre (formerly known as the Wortham IMAX Theatre). The museum is one of the most popular in the United States and ranks just below New York City's American Museum of Natural History and Metropolitan Museum of Art and the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco in most attendance amongst non-Smithsonian museums. Much of the museum's popularity is attributed to its large number of special or guest exhibits.
The initial museum organization was called the Houston Museum and Scientific Society, Inc., and was created in 1909. The museum's primary collection was acquired between 1914 and 1930. This included the purchase of a natural-history collection assembled by Henry Philemon Attwater and a donation from collector John Milsaps, the latter of which formed the core of the museum's gem and mineral collection. First housed in Houston's city auditorium, the collection was subsequently housed in the Central Library for seven years, and then at a site in the Houston Zoo in 1929. The museum's now wide-ranging education programs began in 1947 and, in its second year, hosted 12,000 children.
Monday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Thursday | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Friday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Saturday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Sunday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Valerie Haltiwanger | Jul 3, 2018
I can't say enough about this museum! It has anything you could imagine, and then more. Surprises around every corner. We spent several hours there and still didn't see half of it. Gorgeous gems, wonderful view of the dinosaur exhibit and interesting decor in the Closet of Curiosities. I would love to visit again (and again)! I definitely understand why it's a favorite of the locals. Must see!
Melanie Zimmerman | Jun 24, 2018
It's been a few years since I've visited here and I was so impressed! The museum has been renewed and the displays are top notch. I loved the care given in the Texas wildlife area. I remember the old display being the same musty smelling animals but the new area was so enjoyable to look at that I forgot to take any pictures! :) If it's been awhile since you've been, gather the kids and enjoy.
Janice A. Vega Rodriguez | Jun 11, 2018
Be prepared to spend more than 2 hours here. This museum is amazing. Great collection of dinosaurs. The Egyptian exhibition was very interesting and educational. My favorite one was the jewelry and precious stones collection. There's a lot of stuff to see in here. There are also special exhibitions that you pay extra for them. Looking forward to going back and hopefully will be able to see the entire Museum next time!
Paul Trainor | Jun 4, 2018
My wife and I are museum members and always enjoy the exhibits. The museum is kid friendly and very clean. Although there is a McDonalds in the museum, it would be nice to have a Starbucks and another restaurant with different options...perhaps even some proper food trucks would Answer nicely. We recently viewed the Sherlock Holmes exhibit which had an interactive part which immersed you into becoming a detective, quite fun for adults and kids alike. You collect your notebook and follow the instructions and let your imagination takeover. Though, the museum always has very interesting exhibits. Hope to see you all there...have fun.
Emily Pirela | Jun 16, 2018
Worth getting the family membership. Wonderful place to escape the summer heat and have a good time. We love everything about this museum. We get a family membership every year and get our money’s worth out of it. The butterfly center, the dinosaurs, the Egypt exhibit, quality IMAX educational videos, the gem display, intriguing rotating exhibits, and so much more - there is a lot to see and one visit can’t come close. It’s spacious so it’s easy to move around and to easily keep track of your children. The only improvement I would like to see is to replace or add other food besides McDonald’s. Also, the new Energy Hall is beautiful, but biased towards big oil without mentioning the astronomical negative impacts to the planet from obtaining and using petroleum products. There is a small renewable section but it should be much bigger. As long as one is aware - just look at the sponsors and you will understand. Overall worth the money and the time. We will keep coming back.
T Todd | Jul 14, 2018
Amazing museum! Very educational! We loved it! There's not a whole lot to hold the interest of my kindergartener, but there was enough visually interesting things, that he enjoyed it. My older kids loved it! We would recommend it to anyone! The only food available for purchase inside is McDonald's, so we packed our lunch and enjoyed the adjacent park with water sculpture. It could definitely take you all day to see every exhibit if you like to read all the info available.
Michael Herrera | Jul 24, 2018
If you have ever been here as a kid and remember looking around with a sense of awe; that is more or less the same kind of feeling you get when you go now since they completed the renovation. The Egyptian exhibit has to be hands down one of the best in the nation! They always have several special exhibits that are not part of the normal exhibitions. Not to mention the city has made several improvements to the park so over all it makes for a great day (provided the weather cooperates!)
Mattie Mills | Jul 11, 2018
This museum is impressive. They have tons of fun and educational exhibits. This place has so many exhibits that will suit the interests of each family member. Currently, the have a really cool Sherlock Holmes exhibit. This exhibit allows you to look a clues and solve a crime on your own. I had a great time solving the puzzle with my family. The Sherlock Holmes exhibit is one of the many cool traveling exhibits that rotate through the museum. If you haven't been in a while, I would reccomend coming again and seeing some of the new special (traveling) exhibits and re-living the old ones. I had a wonderful time here and I give high praise to this museum!
Silvia Mendoza | Jul 24, 2018
Beware the parking garage next door is $20.00 for non members. Once you get your parking out of the way though the museum itself is an amazing experience. I visit allot and enjoy every trip. Blows my toddlers minds away! Also the garden across the street is worth checking out when it gets a little cooler but it's great being indoors in this Texas heat!
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