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Houston Museum of Natural Science
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
5555 Hermann Park DrHouston, TX 77030
Neighborhood: Museum District
(713) 639-4629
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun 9 am - 5 pm
Tue 9 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
90 reviews for Houston Museum of Natural Science
Review Highlights
"The gem vault was by far my favorite."
(in 5 reviews)
"The first visit was for Body Worlds."
(in 8 reviews)
"I'd return for different exhibits or even the IMAX."
(in 32 reviews)
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90 reviews in English
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Review from Abigail H.
Boston, MA
1/19/2012
I've lived in Houston since I was in fourth grade and I didn't realize how great the Museum of Natural Science was until coming back from my second year of college. They have so much to offer!
Planetarium shows, IMAX Theater, Butterfly Center, Shell exhibit, Chemistry exhibit, Petroleum exhibit, Dinosaur and wild animal exhibit, gem exhibit... SO MUCH
I had such a wonderful time here yesterday and I definitely will continue to come back! Also, when you're there, take a ride on the circular roller coaster in the entryway. It's fun :D -
Review from Brandy C.
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wanna know where some of those stars are? I have a family of three. We went for an IMAX show and the permanent exhibit and after that and parking spent $81. If we hadn't snuck around the gift shop to the parking garage by walking outside, we'd be well over $100. As I paid this ungodly amount for a museum that pales in comparison to many others who have good reason to charge so much, I wondered how people with more than one kid or living on a budget would ever get to even try and experience this. I know about the Tues free after 2 (geez, that's easy for working parents, kids in school, homework...) but that's still tough. And yet somehow this place stays crazy busy.
Money aside, let's be honest here. The permanent exhibits border on downright dull. If they were free if you paid for something else, that would be fair, but to charge what they do for that?! Um, no. Their IMAX shows, though always too short, are fun. I don't mind paying for that specialness and they KNOW how to do 3-D. It isn't the crud you get when James Cameron reworks his video so Leo's arm barely hangs over the edge of the screen. We saw the Dinosaurs 3-D and those boogers were flying from behind us and around us. Awesome. I saw a body one here once and they popped a zit on that screen... awesomely gross. I've gone to the Butterfly exhibit a couple times here and it's just not all that. I don't get the excitement and I always end up with wet jeans.
Come here for the IMAX, the special planetarium shows (everyone should do Pink Floyd once!) and the special exhibits. They've had some amazing stuff and while they'll make you go broke, at least you get something in return. -
Review from Jenna L.
Houston, TX
1/25/2012
We came to the museum during the FREE Tuesday admission that starts at 2 pm. I was excited to see this museum basically because I am a museum addict. I was actually glad we went on the free day because paying $15 per adult would not be worth the permanent exhibits. The paper copy of a map that was cut off on the side was pretty useless. I don't know if we saw everything.
There were like 5 dinosaur skeletons and other fossils in the main entry. The energy exhibit was neat, lots of hands on activities and a neat experience in the drilling gallery in the Geovator. You get to travel down into an oil well complete with bouncy floor and "windows."
The pendulum was neat to watch. We waited for it to knock down a peg, oohed, then moved on.
The mummy was neat, but it is a very small exhibit on the lower floor.
The gem collection was nice. Kinda spooky that it is so dark, but the sparkly jewels kept my attention.
The African and local animal exhibits were neat. Everything is behind glass.
The Malacology (shells) exhibit was extensive complete with some live specimens.
The Chemistry area was neat with hands on activities. The periodical table was complete with examples of the element (for example, magnesium had a bottle of Milk of Magnesia.)
If you are going to see this museum, I recommend the free Tuesday nights. Not only was it FREE, but there weren't that many people, and the school field trips had all ended. -
Review from Donny W.
Austin, TX
1/25/2012
In comparison to other museums in America it is VERY expensive- like they are trying to reach the $100 mark per person to spend a large chunk of the day at it. everything is a charge and at inflated prices (very) in comparison to other parts of the country. This is a pretty good/good museum when you haven't seen what is available elsewhere...
I wish people would learn to balk and not go to the museum and then we would not get gauged so much. And $11 for a 1/2 hour 3-D film is also way too high. I would go if you really want to see a 3-D/Imax production but be warned. Many are like on racing with literally nothing more than a car in a stationary position with wind projections over them or other things where the work would look better in 2-D or has no advantage from being shot in its current state. In many cases the work is little more than scientists providing the equivalent of blah blah blah in terms of how the film relates on the Psychological/entertainment level and with kids running around and obviously very frustrated at the bad talking heads. The exhibitions in the place are good but not great and many are much better in other places of the world. The building is old and old school and out of place- Michael Garfield on 950 KPRC AM has heavily criticized the building and lack of experiences within it. I would be more forgiving but I believe this is an extortionist attempt to keep generating the maximum amount of money. As for the special and usually $30+ exhibits I would spend space ripping on them individually but so far i find they are only basic, not very informative and boring.
In fact the one on magic featured such things as the long section on cups and balls with the emphasis on wink-wink. Yes a lot of the exhibitions such as the one on Chocolate are yet the same tired cliches in the standing up for the gay community and campy side of the entertainment world. This is what these wink-winks make me think of the gay community in Houston:
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
and at $30+ bucks a pop to see it you have to be kidding me. You can't be serious.
The magic show that accompanied the exhibit was almost at the kid doing magic for friends and family from a box sex he got for Christmas and with a weak slight of hand. But it could be that was part of the campiness of the exhibit.
Government officials in Houston:
The NSMH is a overly expensive joke that is making the city look bad. It's time to rip it down and build something that is more in line with the great quality of Museum they have in New York and at the affordable prices of other places.
Oh yeah and the kicker is that after they donate for black schools to get to go to the museum they have them walk around and utilize the one restaurant in the place- Mc. Donalds. Yes the place that uses record amounts Corn Syrup on every thing including the salads because once you go from hating the taste to becoming addicted to it, it makes you unable to tell you are full so you keep eating and it's very cheap to produce. And so the sadly fat kids walk around eating the food that will probably give them diabetes later on. That is no joke just ask Mabel King from What's Happening- oh, wait she died from it. Diabetes left her bed ridden and without legs. Pathetic, especially when you consider that you can change your tastes to where they were before you got addicted to food that is bad for you and really enjoy eating healthful foods. You can exercise and avoid diabetes. Almost, everything about MNSH is about exploiting the public and not about providing a state of the art high quality museum that rivals New York. But every once in a while it's cool to see a 3-D or Planetarium show in the building and yes I did buy these cheap and cool cave man figures there that must be part of the gay camp they love to feature at the joint. The cave guy has the big hairy chest like he is one of the Village People or gay/gay influenced guy from the Disco era. Mayor Parker can you please have a vote to tear down this old school dump and replace it with a state of the art venue and one price general admission and decent special exhibits that aren't around $30+ a person? Based on what I see there time and time again or the handful of times I have gone or seen ads for it I have to say this is an elitist gay man's way of making fun of the middle class while wink-winking to their kind and culture. And it's pretty pathetic including the heavily concrete butterfly center that is an additional charge of course and oh yeah be sure to spend on butterflies encased in plastic on the way out. t I'd go on about how the Texas show was mediocre too but I am out of spac -
Review from Katherine R.
Houston, TX
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Educational and fun! It's great to come here as an adult, especially on a day that has gorgeous weather. Parking is a bit high, $10, so drive around to see if you can find a spot for free. Bring a picnic and go across the street to the park to enjoy your packed meal, and bring a book to read too.
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Review from Aaryn P.
Cedar Park, TX
1/20/2012 2 photos
This was an alright museum - they have a lot going for them but I did find some things that I really think that they could really improve upon. Granted, I did not visit any of the additional exhibits, (currently the Civil War exhibit) and did not experience the IMAX theater.
1. The dinosaur exhibit was alright. Cast molds of three giant dinosaur skeletons greet you in the main foyer. They're large and impressive eye candy. Their fossil collection was very nice to look at.
2. The traveling exhibit, (included in the general exhibit pricing) Gemstone Carvings: The Masterworks of Harold Van Pelt was particularly beautiful and incredibly cool. We really enjoyed seeing all of the intricately carved gemstones that he transformed into vases, statuettes, furniture and jewelry.
3. The pendulum was an awesome interactive piece that we stood and watched for a quite a while. Pegs are lined up around the pendulum and every 20 minutes or so, the pendulum knocks one down. Waiting for this event is quite exciting.
4. The Energy Exhibit was mainly meh... heavily sponsored by large oil companies. Fairly informative but not really all that entertaining and largely a lot of reading. It was humorous at the end to see one small display on solar panels, and two small displays about alternative energy engines. I understand that Texas is an oil producing state, but let's step into the 21st century and update this exhibit or turn it into a "History of Texas Oil Drilling" feature, and call it what it really is.
4. African Wildlife/Texas Wildlife - Lots of taxidermy here... really fake looking scenery. Reminded me of a elementary school field trip for some reason. Next! Oh, and it looks like they could peel the dust off in layers..bleh!
5. Malacology Display - We really liked browsing through all of the different shells and reading about malacology...it was neat.
6. Gem Vaults - Super spectacular! If you go to HMNS for no reason other than this, it is worth it. Gems from all over the world and a special vault for jewelry. Incredibly done exhibit with low lighting and sparkling gems... simply outstanding!
7. Planetarium - Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon Laser Show - I've seen a lot of laser shows in my time, mainly in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. This was a 40 minute canned show that was light on the lasers and heavy on lame graphics. I was completely and utterly disappointed in this show. There were barely any intense trippy and entrancing patterns, feelings of movement, or loud music blaring like I'm used to. It was my boyfriend's first laser show - and after I had talked it up, I walked out feeling literally embarrassed. They also let young children in, which didn't go over very well with me, as they were talking and yelling during the show...incredibly distracting. Don't waste your money on this one...
8. Cockerell Butterfly Pavillion - This last summer we stopped in just to see the butterflies and it is truly a great experience..but it didn't take us long to go through the entire thing. Big palm trees, a huge focal waterfall, tropical flowers and foliage as well as a few lizards. It was pretty neat watching all of the butterflies around us - they're really hard to catch with a camera! While this exhibit is a little expensive by itself, I do recommend it, especially for kids.
So, in essence HMNS is a pretty cool museum for very select reasons and I would absolutely recommend giving it a go. I definitely recommend leaving yourself enough time to enjoy the wonderful gem vault on the second floor. Minus two stars for the weird African Wildlife exhibit, and for having to pay extra for special exhibits as well as the lamest laser show I've ever seen. -
Review from Nora S.
1/9/2012
I love this science museum. It is one of the things I miss most about Houston, believe it or not and it measures up well to the other science museums I have visited (except the Smithsonian, which is in a league of its own).
The museum is large with excellent exhibits and that is not counting the extras including the butterfly dome, IMAX and special exhibits. If you want to save money, the museum itself has plenty to see. We did not even explore all of it as the kids tired after about 2 hours of it. It features hands on exhibits for the kids, chemistry, dinosaurs, gems and minerals, space etc There are a lot of fun kid-friendly exhibits.
Unfortunately, I have to dock a star for the Energy area. This is very thorough and I kept expecting the "funded by Halliburton" announcement to come up as I walked through it. Talk about brainwashing Houston's youth. Especially as they had maybe one to two token exhibits for "alternative" energy solutions. One of the things I don't miss about Houston is the lack of concern for environmental issues. -
Review from Olivia G.
Houston, TX
1/24/2012
Maybe my expectations were too high but I was pretty disappointed with this museum. I pre-purchased tickets online for the permanent exhibits ($15 ea.) and the planetarium ($8 ea.). I highly recommend this so you don't have to wait in the long line. There was not a "will call" but we walked up to the "member" window and they were able to help us right away. Initially, I was worried because we were running late and I was afraid 3 hours would not be enough time to see everything. I was wrong and we had plenty of time to kill. In fact, we walked around the park across the street before our show started at the planetarium. We chose Starry Night Express which was about 30 minutes long. I'm not sure if it's the same guide for all of the shows but this guy was pretty annoying. Luckily, he only commentated during the first half and it was prerecorded thereafter.
The gem vault was interesting but with all the kids yelling over each other, it made it hard to take in. I'd recommend going during the week (admission to the permanent exhibits is free from 2 - 8 pm on Tuesdays) and pack you own lunch unless of course you like the "hamburgers" at McD's. If you can't find street parking, the garage is $10 w/ your admission ticket.
Overall, this museum was outdated and most of the exhibits were meh. A second-rate museum for the price but at least I can check it off my list. -
Review from Christopher K.
San Diego, CA
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was recently in Houston for a few days, and I wandered into the museum on a late afternoon. It turned out to be free that day, with the exception of some of the better exhibits (e.g., butterflies). They have a few dinosaur bones, but not very many. There are an extraordinary number of polished and unpolished still-in-the-rock gems, if you are interested in that sort of thing.
The energy area is strange though and feels like a pro-big oil brainwashing for kids. The "elevator ride" where we learn the joys of a "frak job" was really odd. I wanted to go to the butterfly area, but since the rest of the museum was so disappointing I really couldn't bring myself to pay money for it. I am not sure who goes there when it isn't free, but the experience was pretty shabby. -
Review from Sing W.
San Gabriel Valley, CA
10/3/2011
Compared to some of the other better known museums in other states, this museum is okay. It's okay because: the exhibits are mediocre...definitely not as interesting and does not have a vast array of topics. The focus on oil was interesting because we were in Texas and could see how it relates to the state. I loved the dinosaur exhibit...definitely a popular one for everyone!
I also didn't like how we had to pay extra (and alot extra money) to go to other sections like the butterfly center. But overall, great place is if you want to kill time and learn more interesting things...but if you're a tourist and is on a time crunch... definitely skip this place!Listed in: A Los Angeleno travels to NOLA…
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Review from Ken G.
6/14/2011
This was a nice museum to go to, especially since it was really hot outside...it was a good way to be indoors, yet learn something and enjoy science.
The subject of science spans many categories including natural science, history and astronomy. There was a pretty cool section for watching butterflies up close and some hands-on sections, which are great for adults and kids. I'd recommend this spot for anyone and it's perfect for families looking to do something interesting together.
I think it's a bit outdated, however, and the price is a bit high for what you're getting. -
Review from Seb A.
11/2/2011
I'll be honest - I mostly went here because I walked through Houston all day in the middle of a heat wave like an idiot, and I desperately needed efficient air conditioning in my life.
However, I had a pretty good time. The staff were courteous but I could tell they thought it was weird that a 25 year old man would be there in the middle of a weekday. By himself. Most of the other people there were either young children, families, awkward (but mildly attractive) female anthropology majors, and couples. Most of them looked like they were having a blast.
The general exhibit thing was affordable and there was A LOT to do. I thought the other exhibits/IMAX stuff was too expensive - they weren't included in the price of the general exhibit. I'd say 60% of the material in the general exhibit was genuinely interesting. There was a LOT of material. I was able to stay there for 2 hours, and was genuinely intrigued and entertained for at least an hour. The exhibit on First Nations cultures was incredible. The exhibit on oil drilling was fascinating as well and really made the visit special for me.
One more than awkward moment I had was inside this machine that simulates what it would be like to be shrunken down into the middle of a drill. It's inside this large, open vessel, but once you're in there you're shut off from the rest of the world until the "ride" is over. I was in there alone with a Mexican couple. They kept making out and ignoring the ride, with occasional lapses so that the guy could ask me, "You lookin' at somethin' homes?" while I was doing my best to ignore them. I'm sure that chick was very impressed by his braveness in asking me that. Anyway, the part of the oil exhibit that made it especially special was when the ride stopped. The exit doors opened and there was a countdown before the "entry" doors opened. I was a bit intimidated by that guy in the vessel and thought it better to walk as far away as possible as fast as possible when the doors opened. After 30 seconds I decided that that was ridiculous; it's not like I was going to die or anything. So I walked back. What a sight there was to greet me. I'll try not to be too crude here (pun so fucking intended), but the couple was making their own simulation of drilling for oil. If oil wasn't oil and was really a probably-not-going-to-be-attained-on-time-climax.
It was awkward and instead of killing me they were just mortified and avoided me during the rest of our visit at the museum.
I know that probably has nothing to do with how your visit will go, but this is Yelp and this event impacted my life and now I am writing about it - so there y'all are. If it's hot out and it's a weekday and you're waiting for your friends to finish their shifts at their white-collar jobs, go to the Houston Museum of Natural Science and learn about oil drilling.
If you don't care about oil drilling, don't like air conditioning, or are a 20-something man considering hanging out in a museum for a few hours, don't do it. There are probably better things you could be doing with your time. -
Review from Reed S.
Norman, OK
11/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I enjoyed the gallery of malacology and the chemistry gallery. May need some updates on info though as most was a little outdated. I saw born to be wild in the IMAX and thought it was very well done. Great museum.
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Review from Jen F.
Dallas, TX
7/7/2011
During my visit to Houston, my husband and I decided to feel like little kids again and go to the Museum of Natural Science. However, we had no idea it would be so expensive! They charged for each feature separately-- the exhibit hall, butterfly center and planetarium. Of course we wanted to do everything so we ended up spending around $50 for two people! My goodness.
Some exhibits were pretty cool and others were not so impressive. You can definitely tell you're in Texas because the energy exhibit focused mainly on oil and was very detailed with everything from oil extraction to the different drills they use. There was little to no information about other types of energy. There were also many stuffed creatures on display.
After a few hours we got hungry so we started looking around for some cafes/ restaurants. After passing a McDonald's a few times, we realized that's all they have! I know that the museum has many kids visiting but they should still have at least one non-fastfood restaurant there.
The planetarium was definitely not as cool as I remembered it being when i was little. We watched an old (80s or 90s) film about black holes that was not at all worth the money. The room wasn't dark enough so i didn't have that feeling that I was really looking up at the night sky.
The butterfly center was nice. It was super hot inside but the butterflies were everywhere. It was so beautiful! We got many nice pictures of all the different butterflies
The gem vault was AWESOME. It was very crowded that day so I didn't really get to enjoy it as much as I wanted to but it was beautiful and something i'll remember. Even my husband was amazed at the sparkling gems. The room is dark and each gem has a small light above (or below?) that made it appear to glow in the dark.
Over all, I think this museum was ok. I expected more though especially since it's in Texas. i suggest seeing the butterfly center and the exhibit hall (for the gems) but skip the planetarium. -
Review from Natasha G.
Houston, TX
7/11/2011
The fun part here for me is the butterfly exhibit. When I was in 2nd grade, we took a field trip here and my mom made me bring my sweater in case I got cold (because all museums are cold). I thank her because my sweater was like a multicolor butterfly dreamboat of spectacular and butterflies literally came to me and parked their little legs on my arm thinking I was a flower. :)
The dinosaur area is okay, the T-rex isn't made from real bones, it's a replica of the bones, that made me sad. I was thinking it would be like in the movies like the in the north east area. They have a new section beyond the dinosaurs, past that neat rocking long string knocking down the blocks. There is a science, well duh. Well more interactive things like different oils you can pump for thickness, crazy light things and such. I'm not a science person. Have you guessed? Well it's all cool in the end.
They do have an IMAX, this is nice for Harry Potter movies in 3D!!!
Shhh I didn't tell you! YEY! -
Review from Karen S.
12/20/2010 4 Check-ins Here
I consider myself a Naturalist in the purest sense. I can imagine myself born two centuries ago, travelling the world on the HMS Surprise with Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin (who have an uncanny resemblance to Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany, respectively). We would take an expedition to the Galapagos, me in my walking dress and carrying a parasol...okay, back to the review.
This is one of the better natural science museums in the United States. The standing exhibits include the typical fossil, gem, and wildlife displays which are common to these venues. They are a little small relative to the heavy hitters, like the New York Museum of Natural History or the Smithsonian, but it's a great place to visit.
The energy exhibit is different, and utterly hokey. Awesome! Perfect for the kids, and members of Congress or the Department of the Interior who missed the classes on it in school. Maybe we should give them all tickets to come down from Washington DC to see it.
The Planetarium is totally old school. It's nice to see some things haven't changed since childhood. I still get that same sense of wonder that I got as a child in my dorm room at college. With the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling, before passing out from too much peach schnaps and vodka, I pondered the mysteries of the universe. Although very educational, I can't help but wonder if its hokieness is lost on today's kids who have access to much better scientific media--like the IMAX. Wonderful, beautiful, amazing. It's like you are in the deep ocean or flying across the Serengeti. Definitely worth the experience.
The special exhibits keep this place fresh. And they mix them up in target audience to keep everybody happy. World-class Archaeopteryx fossils? Check. Pirates!? Argh! (I mean, check). Robots for kids. Check. To me, this and the IMAX are the real draw.
It's a little pricey, but they offer memberships which pay for themselves if you go more than once a year.
Get blinded by Science! -
Review from Pam B.
3/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Do you have a flexible work schedule that allows you to visit the HMNS on a Tuesday afternoon? Doooooooooo it! Why Tuesdays? On my ever present quest to discover Houston on the cheap, I discovered I could visit the museum for free on Tuesdays after 2pm....SCORE.
The HMNS has a very impressive collection of gems and minerals which I found to be the most interesting part of the museum. The only word that comes to mind is stunning. The presentation alone deserves 5 stars...I want a gem vault in my house! It also just kind of goes on forever with every turn featuring more and more unique stones.
Another fun area of the HMNS was the paleontology exhibit. It truly was fascinating to see all the dinosaur fossils although, I must admit, there is a rock shop in downtown Carrollton Tx that featured a lot of similar fossils. As I was going thru the exhibit, I kept thinking to myself "where have I seen all this before? Ahhhh yes, the rock shop".
Overall, the HMNS was a lot fun and neat place to visit. I'm giving it only 3 stars though because a lot of the museum was under renovations. For example, we couldn't even get to the 3rd floor to view 'The Americas' exhibit. In fact, at almost every turn there was an 'under renovation' sign...which I'm sure will be worth the inconvenience when all the renovations are complete but today was just kind of annoying. It would've really been a drag if I had paid the usual $15 admission. I was also expecting the HMNS to be a lot larger...Finally, 1 star automatically get subtracted for having a McDonalds inside the museum. Really? A McDonalds? I suppose that just encourages people to pack a lunch and picnic at Hermann Park instead.
I definitely want to go back to see all of the completed renovations, I also want to check out the butterfly exhibit. Until my next visit though, the rating stays at 3 stars. -
Review from Sarah D.
2/7/2011
This place is a lot of fun. Sure, it's no Smithsonian, but you can definitely learn a lot and have a good time while you're at it. Also, if you really want to see everything in the regular exhibits, it takes 2-3 trips minimum, which I like in a museum. And they are always getting in new, fun exhibits that bring me back every few months.
However, for a single 20-something in Houston, HMNS has the flat-out best singles parties with their Mixers and Elixirs bashes on Friday nights during the summer. You get food and exhibit tickets for under $20, there's a live band, everyone there is young, out to have a good time and hey, you know they have to be smart/intellectual/cool if they're partying in a science museum! (can you tell I'm an engineer?) And thanks to the setting, the party stays classy. It's just an all-around good time. Definitely perfect for first dates or any date. I have never failed to have a blast and I've been four times. Side note: You're within a short cab ride of Rice Village as soon as the party lets out so you have an opportunity to continue the fun easily!
By the way, Mixers and Elixirs is also perfect for something else, despite being a singles party: My parents had a great time there when they came to visit me! So if you have friends or family in town, this is a great place to go to, especially if you want to drink but don't want your parents or friends to deal with, say, a club on Washington! -
Review from Michelle H.
Houston, TX
10/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
The kids enjoy the dinosaur & wild life exhibit.
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Review from charlie p.
Fullerton, CA
10/10/2011
I love the museum of natural science but despite being a member, the visits to the special exhibits is so expensive. I also wish they had more hands on experiences for the kids in the main hallway. The Sugar Land museum definitely needs to improve and more hands on activities (kind of like a discovery hall) would be more appropriate since it's catering to families with children. I also wish they had the special classes on the weekends for families to take their children to. I hope to see some good changes, I'd love to support this museum.
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Review from Sonia C.
Katy, TX
11/26/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I enjoyed the Museum of Natural Science. True, it doesn't compare to museums in DC or London, but hey, it's still a cool place to go, and what could be better than a science museum?
I thought my four year-olds would marvel at the dinosaurs, but it was I who stood in awe. The size of their reconstructed bones never fails to inspire. You don't have to be a paleontologist to appreciate the history of those beautiful beasts.
There is also a nice gemology exhibit with plenty of amethyst, citrine, rhodochrosite, malachite and much more. I took a bit of geology in college, so I found this exhibit interesting, but let's just say that it wasn't crowded. My children enjoyed seeing the large colorful pieces, but they weren't inclined to spend a lot of time in this section.
I was ready for a treat when I saw, "gem vault,' and wasn't disappointed. The vault houses stunning pieces of jewelry, reminiscent of the displays I saw in Europe. The necklaces, rings, and earrings are sparkling beauties, with HUGE gemstones. I loved the emeralds and sapphires. I loved the diamonds too, but that goes without saying - right?
The Americas exhibit was practically empty when we were there, but it's worth seeing. Children will love the teepee and Native American garb. They also have rugs, pottery and some pretty neat masks.
My boys liked the African wildlife exhibit. I had mixed feelings about it. While I enjoyed being able to see the animals up close, and read more about them, I wondered how they were acquired. It would bother me for them to have been destroyed to satisfy human curiosity.
The Butterfly exhibit costs a few dollars extra, but it's worth it. There's nothing quite like being surrounded by lovely little butterflies. It you can visit this exhibit during the week, I'd recommend doing so. It was very busy on a Sunday afternoon.
We purchased a museum membership, so we'll be returning - next time we'll see the Pirate exhibit. I hope the boys will enjoy it; I know I'm looking forward to it! -
Review from Noelle M.
Houston, TX
8/19/2011
Founded in 1909, this museum has been getting it right for more than a century. Where else in Houston can you marvel at prehistoric dinosaur bones, watch some of the finest motion pictures in IMAX 3-D, and travel through a tropical rainforest filled with thousands of fluttering butterflies? The museum has routinely premiered world-class exhibits such as the Terra Cotta Warriors, Body Worlds 2, and The Nature of Diamonds. At the Houston Museum of Natural Science, there is something for everyone.
Listed in: Favorite Places to Go
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Review from Gretchen P.
Houston, TX
5/22/2011 ROTD 10/22/2011
What was your favorite childhood school-related memory? No, really think about it. Was it lunchtime? Annual musical rehersals? Playground time? Kickball days? Obstacle course day? The days your school-sponsored book orders came in? Science Fair? Or...was it field trip days?
Twenty years later (or so) and this girl (lady) occasionally wants to pack a lunch consisting of an Antone's Sandwich, chocolate pudding cup, Capri-Sun, and a bag of cheese puffs. I'd call in sick and head out on an adventure. Specifically, I'd want to go see those crazy dinosaur bones and look at some gemstones, ride around Hermann Park on the train, then head to Miller Outdoor Theatre's hill for my picnic. Later that afternoon, I would awaken to a gaggle of school kids standing around me wondering who the crazy old lady is who hit her head on some rock while rolling down the hill.
I have the fondest childhood memories of Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS). I learned many interesting things that have stuck with me, which is quite a rarity after twenty or so years of other knowledge crowding into my brain.
I learned to question the facts placed in front of me, to be inquisitive and feed my curiosity. I learned that giant animals roamed the Earth 200 million years ago. I learned that things change, and that there was a time before dodge ball and gas rationing; people had to invent story telling and tools and wheels. That gems come in every shade, and that butterflies do, as well. I learned one way to show that the Earth rotates is by watching a (Foucualt) pendulum knock over little blocks standing in a circle around the pendulum.
We would learn all of these things, then go eat our Antone's sandwiches at Miller Outdoor. Those days were magical; those were the days that I learned that learning can be fun.
Frankly, I don't go as often as I'd like. I have an aversion to school groups, and it is a bit pricey nowadays. However, I have seen two rather extraordinary things in the past few years. The People's Princess exhibit replete with her Elizabeth/David Emanuel wedding dress and its 25 foot train, a smattering of her clothes from the 80s and 90s, and the stacks of guest books from her funeral. I also saw an IMAX close-up of Bill Nighy giving a speech to the media, vainly trying to reassure them that the Ministry of Magic was still in control. All the while, his eye and cheek muscles were dancing a jig in a nervous tic. I saw the entire movie there, but I think that in the world of CGI we've unfortunately taken a lumbering swan dive into, his acting, his failing composure, was extraordinary. I'm a bit sad that I can't make it three not two and say I saw (and smelled) Lois, the corpse flower. Alas, I missed out on her stench. I mean, odor. I mean, fragrance.
HMNS, you were my 500th. Was it as good for you as it was for me? Never mind, don't answer that. -
Review from Ellen C.
9/23/2010 5 photos
It's a little hokey and it was FAR more interesting when I was 13 years old and younger (those shrunken heads and taxidermed animals gave me nightmares forever and a day - I was a sensitive wimpy child, so what?!). However, there is still something to be said about the Houston Museum of Natural Science . . .
I've been here a few times in my adult life and I'm pleased to announce that I no longer flip out at the sight of scientific artifacts. They're mostly kind of "meh" to me now, but I guess that's because I had my fill of natural science museum thanks to my science fanatic father and my elementary and middle school educators. Didn't know what to do for a field trip? "Hey kids let's go to the Museum of Natural Science for the billionth time. There's something to be discovered every time! (But not.)"
I'm kidding, the museum has expanded since I was a child - I couldn't tell you what's new, but it's still a lovely place to visit to get your knowledge-on. You have your usual dinosaur, animals, marine life, geology stuff that's sure to keep any inquisitive child or adult occupied for a couple of hours.
I always have such high expectations for the exhibitions, but aside from Body Worlds, I haven't been too impressed with any of them. Maybe the child inside of me has died off and I can no longer derive pleasure from things unless alcohol is involved . . . just kidding, but anyway - the exhibitions usually run about $20 and permit you admission to the rest of the permanent collection.
Ideally I'd like to give this place four stars, but I'm just not really into this museum anymore. I would encourage anyone who has never been to come, especially if you're 13 and under, but I've been to better science museums in recent years and this one is just okay! -
Review from Barry B.
Houston, TX
Went to the museum midweek and was a little bit disappointed. It seemed as if the exhibits were geared toward children. The energy exhibits were not nearly as interesting as the ones on the rig in Galveston that we had visited the day before.
The highlight was the gemology exhibit. It was fun seeing all the jewels. All in all it wasn't worth the money we payed to get in. -
Review from Laura S.
7/21/2011
I've been to this museum many times and it never gets old or boring. There's always more than one new exhibit that last for many months so you can't miss it and many of the exhibits are interactive as well. The overall experience is quite entertaining! My only negative thing I need to say is parking is a hassle most of the time and there are hundreds of kids running around crazy the majority of the time, so it's hard to relax. So figure out a time to go that not to many kids would be there and figure out which exhibits the kids wouldn't be interested in, like the Minerals/Stones exhibit.
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Review from Polly R.
7/12/2010
I love museums. I'll say that first.
This museum is getting the A-OK for a few reasons. It's a nice museum, lots of different things to see.. if you're willing to pay for them separately. Your 15 bucks will basically get you in the door, and to some exhibitions that have been there probably since Eve bit the apple. (Ahem, animals on second floor..)
The butterfly exhibit is really pretty (extra) and as far as what's included in your admission; the gemstones and jewelry exhibit were probably the best.
Lastly, if you don't like McDonald's, I suggest bringing your own doggie bag. It's their "restaurant". -
Review from Christine L.
Houston, TX
7/31/2010
The last time I was here before going to see Lois last weekend was probably when I was a child... 15(+) years ago child. O yeah....
Strangely, the main hall looked all too familiar. Lines were wrapping every which way. Luckily, we took their advice and bought tickets online to pick up at Will Call. It took just about a 10 minute wait.
Thanks to my inquisitive father, I have a healthy appreciation for all museums. Who knew dragging me around to all those places as a child would pay off? I realize how lucky I was and am grateful for all the places he introduced me to.
If it hadn't been for the high volume of people I definitely would have taken my time to mill around. I plan to take advantage of their free admission days in the coming weeks to familiarize myself with this place. I also am thinking about becoming a member. What a geek!
Tinkered around the gift shop looking for Lois pins but discovered they can only be bought online. We bought educational place mats instead. I kid you not. Now I will learn/read about the human body and the planets when I eat dinner. LOL -
Review from Kathryn C.
Houston, TX
6/24/2011
I love coming here. I'm not really sure what else I can write about that hasn't been said, other than my experiences.
I've been coming here since elementary school. I remember it was 3rd or 4th grade and the teacher said to wear bright, colorful clothes for the butterfly center. I remember that being magical as a child, but sadly I haven't been back there since, so I have no idea what it's like now.
I recently saw the Stars Over Texas show at the Planetarium and, unfortunately, it was meh for $8 a ticket (I bought 3). Showed promise, but could have been a lot more invigorating.
I've been to a lot of exhibits over the years. Always educational and entertaining. As I said, I love it here, but customer service is the reason I'm only giving 3 stars. Maybe I've just been unlucky, but there have been too many occasions when I was purchasing a ticket or asked a question and was spoken to very impolitely. If I have enough respect to not be a bitch to you, I expect the same courtesy, please. Right? The crowds sometimes are another turn off, but not enough so to keep me away.
The gift shop is awesome. The jewelry and stones and black light reactive minerals are so pretty. Even the cheesier, cheaper stuff further in the shop is cool. This is my favorite part of the museum. If I had a few hundred to spend, most of it would be here. -
Review from Kristen S.
Houston, TX
9/15/2010
i love this place. I love that there are always new exhibits, but also they maintain some staples, like the dinosaur hall, welch chemistry hall, and the texas wildlife exhibit.
The butterly center, imax, and planetarium are cool too.
I recommend getting a membership, it's cheap, you save a lot, and you get discounts on parking, and gift shops stuff. -
Review from Elmer M.
Humble, TX
11/11/2011
2 weeks ago I was asked to chaperone some children at my daughter's school at the natural science museum. Needless to say I was very impressed with the exhibits. The staff did a great job of making it extra fun for the kids during the dinosaur tour. They made some really funny jokes that my daughter, Elizabeth won't stop repeating. Would definitely recommend.
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Review from PK H.
10/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
This museum sports some ok collections (dinosaurs, energy, chemicals, the Americas, African creatures, shells, etc.) and one that the gals went crazy over (Gems - the guys thought it was pretty cool too, until the gals started saying things like "you should get me a necklace like that one!").
Its nice to visit, but I'm not sure I would want to come back cause of the price. You pay to see the permanent exhibits, and then you have to pay some more for each special exhibit? I've been to bigger and better natural science museums that don't charge so much, if at all, for the special exhibits (though they also didn't have as much expensive jewelry on display, maybe that's where all the money went).
If you live nearby and get a membership, I can see coming back, otherwise, once is enough unless you're dying to see the special exhibits or you have a serious fascination with some serious jewelry.
PS, one of the docents said that they were expanding. If they don't raise the prices, the extra exhibits may make this a more attractive proposition. -
Review from Bryan M.
Rogers, AR
7/15/2011
Way overpriced. It's a nice place but there is a reason they don't post admission prices on their website. If the admission included getting into the planetarium, butterfly place, IMAX..etc then it would be worth it.
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Review from Meghan B.
New Orleans, LA
11/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is definitely a museum you should check out.
The space 3-D IMAX was awesome.
The butterfly gardens were amazing.
I didn;t get to go through the entire museum, but everything that I saw was educational and fun. -
Review from Alan S.
4/7/2008 ROTD 9/20/2008
Rather than complain about the high prices, (FYI: to see/do everything would cost you $74) I'm going to let you know how to get the most out of your museum dollars.
1) Go during the week and after noon. I recommend getting to the museum around 1, Monday - Thursday. Lots of kids are there with school groups in the AM and the weekends are just crazy. Avoid summers and school holidays too if you can. If you are taking your kids and thus can't avoid weekend/holidays, go on the first weekend after school starts or the first weekend after winter break. These are the quietest times at the museum.
2) Want to see the special exhibits that are more expensive? Pick one and visit it first and then take in 1 or 2 of the regular exhibits and if you want a little more add in an Imax or Planetarium show. If you are the type to take your time in a museum this can easily take half the day if not more. If you do this you can make 3 trips to the museum during the year averaging $15-30 per person per trip and feel very fulfilled each time.
3) Don't waste your money on the non 3D imax or the "Night of the Titanic" planetarium shows. See one of the other ones, much more bang for your buck. (NOTE 1/5/09 - Turns out a friend of mine worked on making this show, so go see it! But realize its geared more for kids.)
4) There is a 3rd floor... most people don't realize this for some reason. If you go and don't see it, you are missing out on what you paid for.
5) Want to see the permanent exhibits for free? Go Tuesday after 2pm.
Random Comment: Based on bang for your buck, it's not a bad deal at all. It's the same price as going to the movies and you will learn more and get more value for your dollar.
Random Fact: I'm a volunteer! -
Review from Emily D.
6/10/2011
It's always fun to visit Dinosaurs, that's for sure! Also has an excellent exhibit on Native Americans and Central Native Americans, complete with video.
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Review from Danielle S.
Houston, TX
2/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
I wish I could give this museum a higher star rating, considering it's ingrained into my childhood consciousness. Pretty much all of the exhibits I loved as a child are all there, in the same form...which unfortunately contributes to the poor review. All the golden oldies are still here, and still look almost exactly the same...the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, the African Wildlife exhibit, the dino bones, the Strake Hall of Malacology, the McGovern Hall of the Americas and the Wiess Energy Hall. Only the dioramas of Texas wildlife were mostly closed off on my last visit, hopefully to be spruced up. Sadface--these were always my favorite as a kid; it's like a wildlife game of I Spy.
As far as completed renovations, the only thing that seems to be redone in recent memory is the museum's gift shop, which doesn't really say good things about HMNS' priorities. I'm amazed at the nickel-and-diming of museum patrons these days...I distinctly remember as a kid that when you bought admission to the exhibit halls, you bought admission to ALL the exhibits. BF and I decided to make the HMNS our Valentine's Day outing because it's too expensive to go "just because". A ticket to the Faberge exhibition and the main exhibit halls cost $18 for a COLLEGE student--I shudder to think what a family of four would spend. And even then, there was a different "separate cost" exhibition (Headhunters of the Amazon) that we couldn't even see with said $18 ticket! Then, of course, there's the planetarium, the IMAX and the butterfly center, too...all at an extra fee.
I understand it takes money to build these temporary exhibits and bring some very neat stuff to Houston (the aforementioned Faberge collection, Lucy, etc.) But I wish they'd just incorporate it into the price of the main ticket, because it smells distinctly like a ripoff to me.Listed in: FUN FUN FUN FUN, you know what…
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Review from David N.
8/11/2009 2 photos
So have you ever overloaded your brain with knowledge?
Well that's exactly what happened to me today. I decided to visit the HMNS. I swore It's been years since I have been here. Things have changed...not significantly but enough for me to enjoy this place all over again.
I came specifically for the Terra Cotta exhibit, which I must say was overpriced. 24 dollars for a student ticket or 30 for a normal adult. It was also 2 extra dollars for the Nature of Diamonds exhibit.
The Terra Cotta exhibit gives you an option of getting the audio tour for an extra 9 bucks. This place can really put a dent in your wallet. I decided to do without it and just go through the exhibit for myself. Honestly, I was not impressed. More text and pictures than actual artifacts for the price I paid.
Next, I went to check out my other paid exhibit, diamonds, really???
This was a paid exhibit and it was worst than Gems on the second level.
So why does this place get 5 stars you ask???
For the exhibits that are always here. Admission for these attractions is included with any special exhibit but it was around 15 dollars for 4 LEVELS of educational excitement.
The lower level, includes many youth education programs. The main level gives you the Cockrell Butterfly museum, Wiess Energy Hall, the Wortham IMAX theater, the Foucault Pendulum, and the Burke Baker Planetarium. The second floor was my favorite. It had exhibits such as the Farish Hall of Texas wildlife, The strake hall of malacology, and the Gem vault. The gem vault was by far my favorite. There was just so much amazing things to look at. The third floor was by far the worst and it was still solid, Hall of Americas. A lot of these exhibits are very kid friendly and may take hours to explore.
I would recommend coming EARLY in the day, take the kids. I would just come for the exhibits that are stationary. Since it's much cheaper and you get a great deal. There is so much information here, it could easily take a whole day to experience this fully.Listed in: Houston: Museums
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Review from Lisa A.
Austin, TX
1/2/2008 1 photo
This museum is for kids and Mike Huckabee. (I cracked up the whole time I was walking around the dinosaurs and looking at dates -- 140,000,000 years ago -- thinking that the Republican PRESIDENTIAL front-runner in tomorrow's Iowa Caucus doesn't believe in evolution.)
I do not recommend going to this museum the day after NYE when schools are still out and the weather is cold. It was a madhouse. Kids everywhere! Kid bumping into you, cutting in front of you and pushing the button you were about to push. I like kids in general but it was like we were on an elementary school playground with no rules. And was loud (did you hear that?) very, very, loud. The kid to adult ratio was about 3:1 and I literally saw kids running around and climbing on exhibits. Madhouse.
Some of the exhibits had informational material but I thought the flow of the information hard to follow (especially in the energy hall) without a brochure over the material or a progression of information as you walk around. Much of the material was very basic and general and at a elementary level. I was expecting something on a level closer to the Smithsonian or Natural History Museum in NY and it really doesn't compare. The gem section was interesting and the jewelry in the vault takes your breath away but I really wasn't impressed with the exhibits.
That said, we did not pay the extra $20 to see Lucy or $10 for an IMAX (admission for an adult is already $9). Frankly I'm glad we didn't spend $58 for the two of us to see Lucy though because just getting through the permanent collection was trying, exhausting, and very annoying. I'm also fairly certain we would have been pushed along and not had the time to read plaques and enjoy the exhibit like in the general section. -
Review from Amanda H.
Chicago, IL
8/26/2008
This place gets two stars for the gem room alone. As my boyfriend said, "This place would be awesome when you're tripping your balls off."
I did not come for the gem room, however. I came to see Lucy. And the Lucy exhibit was so disappointing. What could've been an amazing lesson about prehuman history was turned into a religious exhibit, where the majority of the space was devoted to displaying religious artifacts that seemingly have no relationship to the eponymous fossil.
I don't know who curated the exhibit, if it was Houston or someone else. From what I understand it's traveling to Seattle after leaving Houston (despite the anthropological community suggesting it's unethical to promote the travel of a fragile, 3.2 million year-old fossil), so I don't know if it'll be the same there or if Seattle has latitude to curate its own display. I hope Seattle does something different, because Houston's choices leave the impression that they were trying to avoid a discussion of evolution. (There are some charts about the relationship between pre-human species and humans, admittedly, but they're certainly not the focus of the exhibit.)
