Whether you’re a science buff, a nature lover, or just are awesome any time you step into a really neat muse, you’ll love the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This museum is designed to be cool for both adults and children, so put on your thinking cap and prepared to be wowed.

Special Exhibitions You Should See

Like all museums, the Houston Museum of Natural Science offers special exhibitions throughout the year. Right now, some of the ones that you must absolutely see include the Shark! Exhibition, and Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters. During the latter, you’ll learn all about what causes strange weather patterns, the damage that weather and mother nature can do, and how mother nature and weather impact human lives. During the former, you can learn about sharks in an unclose way– yep, the museum has actually put up a large shark tank where you can even touch the sharks. Not only that, but you’ll be able to learn about what’s happening with sharks in oceans across the world, and can even track the movement of great whites!

What You’ll Find Normally

In addition to the exhibits that are only offered for a limited time, the museum also has an area of consistent exhibits that you can experience throughout the year. Check out the Hall of Ancient Egypt, the Morian Hall of Palentology, the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, the Wiess Energy Hall, the Gem Vault, the Hall of African Wildlife, the Welch Hall of Chemistry, the Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife, the Earth Forum, and more. With science exhibits that range from the technical and precise–such as the chemistry hall–to the historical and cultural–like the vintage Texas wildlife dioramas, there’s something for everyone to explore at this museum.

At Stop at the Planetarium is a Must

While touring the Houston Museum of Natural Science, make sure you and your crew take a stop in the planetarium. Here, you can learn about everything from pharaohs to dinosaurs, black holes to the five forces of weather, or even just listen (and experience) Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon album. For adults, the latter a particularly unique experience, which is perfect for an awesome date night!

Don’t Fly Home Before a View of the Butterflies

Speaking of unique and interesting activities, the butterfly center at the natural science museum will both impress and delight. The rainforest conservancy–which is a three-story glass structure that’s built around a 50-ft. waterfall–is home to some beautiful butterflies and exotic plants. After a walk through the rainforest conservancy, you can then visit the Brown Hall of Entomology where you can learn even more about these unique and fascinating insects.

Plan Your Visit Today

Tickets to the museum are reasonably priced–Adults tickets are $20, children are $15, college age students are also $15, as are seniors. If you really love the museum, you might want to consider becoming a membership, which will get you entrance into the museum free of charge all year! The exhibitions are open Monday through Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM, as is the butterfly center.