The Texas Science and Natural History Museum is a university-owned natural science facility located on the campus of The University of Texas in Austin. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026 and reflects the newly implemented ticketing procedures following the opening of the museum’s Discovery Center and the “Epic Encounters” exhibit.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 to 17:00; Sunday: 13:00 to 17:00; Monday: Closed |
| Ticket prices | Adults: $10; Seniors (65+): $6; Youth (5-17): $6; Under 5s: Free |
| Address | 2400 Trinity Street, Austin, Texas 78712 |
| Nearest public transport | San Jacinto Garage (parking) or Dean Keeton Street CapMetro bus stops |
| Typical time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Texas Science and Natural History Museum opening hours
The Texas Science and Natural History Museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00 from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 13:00 to 17:00 on Sundays. The final entry of the day is permitted at 16:30.
These core opening hours operate year-round with no seasonal variations, but the facility is always closed on Mondays. The museum also shuts for major public holidays and on dates when the University of Texas hosts home football games.
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Texas Science and Natural History Museum ticket prices
General admission ticket prices for the Texas Science and Natural History Museum are $10 for adults, $6 for seniors aged 65 and over, and $6 for youth aged five to 17. Children aged four and under enter for free, while active military personnel and university staff or students receive free entry with a valid identification card.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026.
How to get to the Texas Science and Natural History Museum
The most direct way to reach the Texas Science and Natural History Museum using public transport is via the CapMetro bus network, which services the university campus. Routes 7, 10, and 20 all stop within a brief walk of the entrance on Trinity Street. Ride-share services also operate extensively across the city and drop passengers off directly outside the main entrance.
For visitors travelling from downtown Austin or the Texas State Capitol, the museum is approximately a five-minute drive or a 30-minute walk north into the main university grounds. Cyclists can utilise the designated bike lanes on Dean Keeton Street and secure their bicycles at the public racks located near the museum entrance.
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Parking at the Texas Science and Natural History Museum
The primary parking facility for the Texas Science and Natural History Museum is the San Jacinto Garage, located a short walk from the museum building. This multi-level garage charges an hourly rate, and visitors take a ticket upon entry to pay via automated machines before departing. Metered street parking is also available on adjacent roads, including Dean Keeton Street and Red River Street.
There are six dedicated parking spaces directly outside the main entrance on Trinity Street. Museum members receive up to two hours of validated parking when using the San Jacinto Garage, which can be claimed by presenting a parking ticket at the museum check-in desk.
How long to spend at the Texas Science and Natural History Museum
Most people spend between one and a half to two hours at the Texas Science and Natural History Museum. This duration provides enough time to view the central fossil halls, read the informational plaques, observe the wildlife dioramas, and walk through the outdoor gardens at a steady pace.
Visitors intending to join one of the free 30-minute public gallery tours, which operate on weekends, or those exploring the new interactive digital installations should allow up to two and a half hours for their visit. Families with young children often extend their stay to complete the physical scavenger hunts provided at the entrance.
Accessibility at the Texas Science and Natural History Museum
The Texas Science and Natural History Museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users, featuring a designated accessible entrance on the east side of the building. Elevators inside the main foyer connect to all four levels of the exhibition space, and accessible seating benches are situated throughout the galleries.
Visitors using strollers are also required to use this accessible entrance. For drivers with mobility requirements, marked accessible parking bays are available on Trinity Street directly in front of the building.
Inside / what to see at the Texas Science and Natural History Museum
The permanent exhibits at the Texas Science and Natural History Museum focus on regional palaeontology, geology, and native wildlife. The museum is housed in a 1939 Art Deco building, and the main floor is anchored by the Great Hall, which displays a large Texas Pterosaur skeleton suspended from the ceiling.
On the lower level, the “Epic Encounters” exhibit features original prehistoric fossils sourced entirely from Texas. The most prominent specimens include the 30-foot Onion Creek Mosasaur and the Shoal Creek Plesiosaur, both of which are ancient marine predators discovered in the Austin area.
This fossil hall integrates interactive digital reconstructions, displaying accurate animations of how extinct creatures such as the scimitar-toothed cat moved and behaved in their natural environments.
The third floor contains the Texas Animal Life gallery, a series of traditional dioramas and taxidermy displays representing the varied biological ecosystems of the state.
Additional displays include a large blue cut topaz, which is the official state gem of Texas, alongside a collection of meteorites. Outside the main building, visitors can view the Dinosaur Trackways Building and native pollinator gardens.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Practical tip |
| Timing | Arrive on a weekday morning to view the exhibits with fewer people and to avoid afternoon school groups. |
| Crowds | Avoid visiting on the fourth Sunday of the month if you prefer a quiet environment, as this is a free admission day that attracts large numbers of local residents. |
| Layout | Consult the digital floor plan upon entry, as the exhibits are spread vertically across four separate levels. |
| Entry process | Purchase your general admission tickets at the main reception desk upon arrival, as advance online booking is not required. |
| On-site logistics | Eat before or after your visit, as there is no café on the premises and food is not permitted in the galleries. |
Frequently asked questions about the Texas Science and Natural History Museum
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Texas Science and Natural History Museum suitable for children? | Yes, the museum includes interactive touch screens, visual dinosaur exhibits, and educational scavenger hunts. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Texas Science and Natural History Museum? | No, visitors can purchase tickets on the day directly at the check-in desk. |
| Is the Texas Science and Natural History Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum opens on Sundays from 13:00 to 17:00, with final entry at 16:30. |
| Are bags allowed at the Texas Science and Natural History Museum? | Standard day bags and backpacks are permitted, but oversized luggage should not be brought inside. |
Things to do near the Texas Science and Natural History Museum
- Bullock Texas State History Museum: This comprehensive museum features three floors of artefacts and interactive displays covering the timeline of Texas history, located a 15-minute walk away.
- Blanton Museum of Art: Situated a 10-minute walk away on the university campus, this large art gallery holds a permanent collection ranging from European paintings to modern American works.
- Texas State Capitol: Visitors can take free guided tours of this 1888 granite building, which functions as the active seat of the state government, located a five-minute drive south.
- LBJ Presidential Library: This institutional archive provides a detailed look at the political career and domestic policies of the 36th US President, Lyndon B. Johnson, situated a 15-minute walk east.
- Waterloo Park: A large urban green space featuring walking paths, native gardens, and an outdoor amphitheatre, located a 15-minute walk south of the university.
More Texas travel
Other Texas travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What are the best stops on the Fort Worth to Austin drive or Dallas to Austin drive?
- Outdoor Austin: Guides to visiting Mount Bonnell, swimming at Barton Springs Pool and exploring McKinney Falls State Park.
- The best three stops on the Austin to Galveston drive and the Dallas to Galveston drive.
- Plan a visit to the Bryan Museum, Ocean Star Museum, Galveston Naval Museum and Galveston Railroad Museum in Galveston.
- Tick off the stars of the Dallas Arts District, including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Museum of Asian Art.
