Texas Science & Natural History Museum Is Now Open!
We are so excited that this museum (formerly called the Texas Memorial Museum) will be back open on September 23! It recently underwent a major renovation and name change, which reflects the purpose of the museum and what you will discover when you step inside. This museum is perfect for kids, dinosaur lovers, history buffs, and anyone interested in learning more about the great state of Texas! We love the way this museum brings science and natural history to life. Welcome to the Texas Science & Natural History Museum.
![Texas Science & Natural History Museum](https://austinfunforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_7313-1-1024x768.jpeg)
Location/Parking
2400 Trinity St, Austin (park at the San Jacinto parking garage next door)
Hours & Admission
$10 adults, $6 youth/seniors (kids under 5 are free). UT students are free.
Members get free admission, plus 10% off in the gift shop, free validated parking at San Jacinto garage, and invitations to special events.
Open Sept 17 for Austin Museum Day from 1-5 p.m. and on Sept 23 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for their Grand Opening Celebration.
Regular hours will begin September 24, 2023. Tues-Sat 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Closed Mondays.
![Texas Science & Natural History Museum](https://austinfunforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_7388-1-1024x768.jpeg)
Museum Grand Opening September 23
The Grand Opening Celebration will be held on Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is FREE all day long, and all ages are welcome!
Tour the newly renovated building, new exhibits, and find more fun for the whole family, including:
- Hands-on activities led by local nature and wildlife groups
- Live music by local band Tiger Alley
- A performance by the members of Texas Cheer
- Austin Public Library’s Bookmobile
Enjoy light bites and beverages provided by HEB, the official sponsor of the Grand Opening Celebration, and watch an official ribbon cutting at noon.
![Texas Science & Natural History Museum](https://austinfunforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_7318-1-1024x768.jpeg)
Austin Museum Day
The museum will also be open on Austin Museum Day- September 17th from 1-5 p.m. for a sneak peek! Entry is FREE!
Explore the Museum
The museum was originally built in 1936 and it was amazing to see the stunning renovation they’ve been working so hard on. Inspire and engage curious minds at this magical place on UT’s campus.
The Great Hall has two impressive dinosaur fossil replicas- one of a pterosaur hanging from the ceiling called Quetzalcoatlus northropi, and one of a Texas Tyrannosaur. Both were created using fossils found at Big Bend National Park who were expected to have lived together during the same time period in the region of Texas. There are audio displays and interactive game modes at both exhibits/murals.
![Texas Science & Natural History Museum](https://austinfunforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_7293-1-1024x768.jpeg)
Don’t miss the side gallery just off the Great Hall. See the Texas time lapse experience of history that ties into all the fossils you’ll see downstairs!
![Texas Science & Natural History Museum](https://austinfunforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_7271-1-1-1024x768.jpeg)
We love the stunning gift shop on the main floor (second floor) just off the Great Hall that should not be missed!
The Hall of Texas Wildlife is upstairs on the 3rd floor and highlights the regions of Texas through dioramas.
![Texas Science & Natural History Museum](https://austinfunforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_7352-1024x768.jpeg)
The Hall of Geology and Paleontology is down on the first floor and has many fossils on display.
![Texas Science & Natural History Museum](https://austinfunforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_7264-1-1-1024x768.jpeg)