Perot Museum of Nature and Science Guide (2026): What to Expect Before You Visit
- Jessica Winters
- Jun 12
- 5 min read
Planning a visit to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas?
During our visit, we explored all of the museum floors and a wide variety of exhibits ranging from dinosaur fossils and sparkling gemstones to interactive engineering activities and hands-on experiences. Whether you're visiting Dallas or looking for an educational indoor attraction, the Perot Museum is a fun family-friendly destination with something for all ages.
In this guide, we'll share our favorite exhibits, tips for families, and what to expect before you visit.
Watch Our Visit
Want to see what it's like inside the Perot Museum of Nature and Science? Check out our video below, where we explore the exhibits, interactive activities, and family-friendly experiences throughout the museum.
About the Perot Museum
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is located in downtown Dallas and is spread across multiple levels, with exhibits focused on science, nature, engineering, technology, and history.
The museum offers a mix of educational exhibits and interactive experiences, making it a popular destination for families, school groups, and visitors exploring Dallas.
We have driven past the museum many times and always admired the unique building, especially the large dinosaur fossil visible through the window from the freeway. When we finally had the chance to visit, we were excited to explore everything inside.
Beyond the exhibits, the architecture itself is fun to experience. One of our favorite features was the glass elevator, which offers unique views of the museum exhibits as you move between floors.
Our Favorite Exhibits
We found all of the exhibits to be interesting, educational, and worth visiting. Here are a few that stood out as family favorites.
T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall (Dinosaurs)
We always love seeing dinosaur fossils, and that was the main reason we wanted to visit the museum.
One of our favorite parts of this hall was the paleo lab, where visitors can watch paleontologists actively working on fossils. It was fascinating to see some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into preparing specimens for display.
Another fun area for the kids featured a large screen that transformed visitors into dancing dinosaurs. The music and animated dinosaur movements quickly became one of our kids' favorite interactive exhibits.
Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall
The Gems and Minerals Hall features colorful crystals, gemstones, and mineral specimens from around the world.
We always enjoy seeing unique gem collections, and this exhibit did not disappoint. One feature we particularly liked was the interactive screen available for many displays. Visitors can learn additional information about each specimen, including maps showing where the gems and minerals were discovered.
Being Human Hall
There were a lot of interesting exhibits in this section.
One standout was the Strike a Pose exhibit. A large screen displays your figure and challenges you to recreate different poses and balancing positions while scoring how closely you match the prompt.
Another favorite was Voice Harmonies, where visitors speak or sing into a microphone and watch colorful artwork appear on a screen based on the sounds they create.
Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall
This interactive area encourages visitors to experiment, build, and learn through hands-on activities.
Our kids loved driving robots around the exhibit. There was also a fun interactive screen that used facial recognition to place silly animal faces, such as a hippo or eagle, over visitors' faces while tracking their movements in real time.
Moody Family Children's Museum
Families visiting with younger children should definitely plan time for the children's museum. This area offers hands-on play and learning experiences geared toward younger visitors.
Our kids really enjoyed the Imaginarium, an interactive digital space where animated scenes extend across both the floor and wall. The colorful scenes change throughout the experience, giving kids plenty of opportunities to move, play, and interact with the space.
Another favorite was the outdoor play area, which features a slanted rock-climbing wall, a concrete slide, bubbles, a large rainbow climbing structure, and water play features.
Lamar Hunt Family Sports Hall
The Sports Hall offered several fun hands-on exhibits that everyone in our family enjoyed.
The standout for us was the Test Your Speed exhibit. Visitors can race against a variety of opponents, including athletes and even a Tyrannosaurus rex. As you run, you can watch your opponent racing alongside you on a giant screen, making it a fun challenge for both kids and adults.
What We Didn't Expect
One thing that surprised us was just how interactive many of the exhibits were.
We expected to spend much of our visit looking at displays and reading information, but there were opportunities to participate in activities throughout the museum. From dancing as a dinosaur and driving robots to pose challenges and speed races, there was far more hands-on entertainment than we anticipated.
We also found ourselves appreciating the building itself. Between the glass elevator, large windows, and views overlooking exhibit spaces, the museum's architecture added to the overall experience.
Is the Perot Museum Good for Kids?
Yes.
The Perot Museum features interactive exhibits that help keep kids engaged throughout the visit. From fossils and gems to engineering, energy, sports activities, and the Moody Family Children's Museum, we felt there was something for everyone.
How Much Time Do You Need?
We recommend setting aside at least 3–4 hours to explore the museum.
Visitors who enjoy reading exhibit information and participating in interactive experiences may want even longer.
We purchased a museum membership for our visit and spent about four hours exploring all of the museum floors on our first day. We then returned the following day and spent a couple more hours enjoying the lower-level exhibits and revisiting some of our favorites.
Tips Before You Visit
Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Arrive early if visiting during busy weekends or school breaks.
Plan extra time for the Moody Family Children's Museum if visiting with younger children.
The Moody Family Children's Museum includes an indoor climbing area where shoes are not permitted. If you think your little one may want to explore this area, be sure to bring socks.
Bring a camera or phone for photos.
Check the official website for current hours, admission prices, and special exhibits before your visit.
Is the Perot Museum Worth Visiting?
We think so!
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers a mix of educational exhibits, hands-on activities, and interactive experiences that make it one of the most popular attractions in Dallas.
From dinosaur fossils and gemstones to engineering challenges and interactive exhibits, there is plenty to see during a visit. The variety of experiences available makes it a destination that both kids and adults can enjoy.
If you're looking for family-friendly things to do in Dallas, the Perot Museum is well worth adding to your itinerary.
Official Website
For current hours, admission prices, special exhibits, and museum information, visit the official Perot Museum website.
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