The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is one of the top attractions in Dallas and a really fun museum for kids, which is very close to Victory Park, Klyde Warren Park, Dallas World Aquarium, and other museums, like the Dallas Museum of Art.
If you are visiting with your family, here are our Top 10 Tips to make the most out of your experience!
Taking in the unique architectural design from the outside (on full view from the Woodall Rogers Freeway) is a great way to start your visit.
Keep an eye out for the reflective glass which houses a 54-foot escalator, offering more great views from inside-out of Downtown Dallas.
Top Tip: Purchase your tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the Box Office.
How much does it cost to get into the Dallas Perot Museum?
If you have a membership, you do get free admission.
Regular admission is $15 for kids aged 2-12 (under 2’s are free), Seniors are $18 and it’s $25 over the age of 13. Go online and book a timed entry.
You can get FREE or discounted tickets too, if you are Military and First Responders (bring up to 7 additional family members for $3 each). Texas educators and teachers also get free admission and discounted membership prices.
Community partners like DART, Children’s Health Pediatric Group, Dallas Public Library and North Texas Food Bank sponsor $1 admission tickets too.
Bring the following documentation to the “Need tickets” line at the Box Office to claim this price: WIC EBT card, Lone Star card, Medicaid card, CHIP card or SSI award letter with you.
Films are an extra $8 each.
Save 51% on admission with a CityPASS®!
Admission includes the Perot Museum Dallas, Reunion Tower GeO-Deck, Dallas Zoo, George W. Bush Presidental Library & Museum, and the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, too!
Is it worth buying a Perot Museum Dallas Membership?
The short answer is Yes. You get unlimited access to the 11 permanent exhibit halls for one year, members-only hours which give exclusive access before the public does (the first full weekend of the month).
You get 10% discount on purchase in the Cafe and the Museum Shop and 50% off Museum Parking (only $5 per car in the Museum Parking lot)
Access to their Passport Program: You also get free or discounted admission to other partnered local, national, and even international museums, including the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the McKinney Heard Museum.
Eligible educators (K-12) get 15% off the purchase of a Perot Museum Dallas membership.
You can also upgrade to the Explore level, for single-use flex and discounted tickets for access to traveling exhibits and films, members-only events and priority registration and discount for their Discovery Camps.
Membership prices start at $100 per year (for 2 people aged 2+)
Top Tip: Arrive early to explore the museum before the crowds arrive, or arrive late (after 2pm)
What are the opening hours at the Perot Museum Dallas?
Monday 10am–5pm;
Tuesday – closed
Wednesday–Saturday 10am–5pm;
Sunday 11am–5pm;
Last exhibit entry 4pm.
Member-only access Saturday 9–10am and Sunday 10–11am.
If you buy online, you can choose an entry time that works for you.
Top Tip: Visit on a weekday if possible, as weekends can be very busy.
Entering after 2pm is a good way to take in the museum with fewer crowds.
What parking options are available at the Perot?
There is one convenient parking lot, (Lot B) which is located under Woodall Rodgers Freeway, which is covered and has a walk way directly towards the entrance to the Perot Museum Dallas, with a ramped walkway.
Parking is payable per vehicle, upon exit. You can pay for parking within the Box Office or when you leave the parking lot. Members pay $5 and non-members pay $10.
Top Tip: Parking is payable when you exit, so do not worry about that when you first arrive.
If the parking lot is full, there are alternate lots near the Museum and within walking distance. Check those details before you go.
Top Tip: Grab a bite to eat at the on-site cafe
What options do I have for places to eat at the Dallas Perot Museum?
Head straight to the Wolfgang Puck Cafe, to enjoy something a little unique and very tasty for lunch or a snack.
Top Tip: Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated while walking around the museum.
Top Tip: Stop by the Museum Store for unique souvenirs and gifts – many are great science or nature learning toys and tools.
How long does it take to go through the Perot Museum?
We recommend allowing 2-3 hours to get through the 11 permanent exhibits with options to see the pop-up exhibits which are usually in the basement level (they may require an extra ticket purchase for access)
This amazing museum is a great mix of natural history and science exhibits, highlighting the human body, building, architecture and allows kids to explore the world with various interactive exhibits.
Top Tip: Don’t miss the T. Rex exhibit on the third floor, if your kiddo loves Dinosaurs!
Go to the top floor in the external glass elevator, to take in the great views of Downtown Dallas, and make your way downstairs to enjoy the:
- Rose Hall of Birds
- Life then and now
- Expanding Universe
- Tom Hunt Energy Hall
- Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals
- The Rees-Jones Foundation Dynamic Earth
- Being Human
- Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall
- Discovering Life
- Lamar Hunt Family Sports Hall
- Moody Family Children’s Museum
Top Tip: Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at the museum to see everything.
If your kids (and ever-learning adults) in your family love prehistoric creatures, the wonders of space, wild weather, robots and more, you’ll love the Museum.
Our favorite exhibits include the “Race a virtual T. rex”, the “power of earthquakes” simulator and the selection of 3D films, which take you to a place unknown! (book online for a timed showing of one of a choice of daily showings)
In the walk-up to the entrance, you can also enjoy climbing over the outdoor leapfrog forest.
The Moody Family Children’s Museum has a miniature Dallas Farmer’s Market for kids to play pretend, with reusable shopping bags, a playplace based on the Dallas skyline and the Great Trinity Forest with live insects and reptiles on display and a mini campsite to play in.
They can head outside to dig in the Little Bend fossil dig.
Top Tip: Book a fun Summer Camp experience for your Kids! Ask for details at the Museum so you can plan ahead!
The Perot Museum Dallas offers a variety of camps for kids of all ages!
Some of our favorites include:
– Junior Paleontologists Camp: For ages 4-5, this camp teaches your little ones all about fossils and prehistoric creatures through games, stories and crafts.
– Dino Diggers Camp: For ages 6
-8, this camp takes things up a notch as your kiddos get to participate in a real fossil dig!
– Architects in Training Camp: For ages 9-12, this camp lets your child explore the world of architecture and engineering through fun projects and challenges.
– Space Quest Camp: For ages 13-14, this camp lets your budding astronaut explore the solar system and beyond through games, activities, and simulations.
There are many other great camps offered as well, so be sure to ask about them at the Museum or check out their Camps online.
If you love the Perot Museum, we know you’ll love the Heard Museum in McKinney or any of these free museums around Dallas.
If you’re looking for a membership which offers access to even more entertainment venues, we recommend the Pogo Pass!
Save 50% on the Annual Pogo Pass Membership
This is one steal of a deal for families!
Each pass includes free admission to kids’ activities at 22 destinations around Dallas/Fort Worth for only $49.99 per person.
Give the gift of experiences all over DFW!
Use code PLANOMOMS or just use our link below to buy.
If you have Questions, we’ve written a huge guide to the Pogo Pass to help you!