Perot Museum of Nature and Science | Dallas

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas, is a major educational and cultural landmark offering immersive exhibits in science, nature, engineering, and technology. It combines striking architecture with interactive learning across five public floors and 11 permanent exhibit halls, designed to captivate visitors of all ages. The museum opened to the public on December 1, 2012, and is named after Ross Perot Sr., a prominent Dallas businessman and philanthropist.

Location and Building

Address: 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, TX 75201

District: Victory Park, close to downtown Dallas and Klyde Warren Park

Size: 180,000 square feet, including exhibit space, a theater, a children’s museum, classrooms, and a café

Architectural Design:
Designed by Thom Mayne of Morphosis Architects, the museum is a cube-shaped modernist structure that appears to float over a landscaped platform with native Texas plants. The building’s outer concrete façade mimics rock strata, emphasizing the museum’s connection to earth sciences and geology.

Sustainability Features:

LEED Gold-certified

One-acre green roof with drought-resistant plants

Rainwater collection system for irrigation

Energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems

A glass-enclosed escalator (dubbed the "T. Rexcalator") extends 150 feet up the side of the building and offers dramatic views of the Dallas skyline.

Main Exhibit Halls (Permanent)

Each exhibit hall is packed with digital interactives, tactile exhibits, motion capture games, lab stations, and large-scale models or specimens.

1. T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall

Large dinosaur fossils including a Tyrannosaurus rex and Alamosaurus

Fossil dig simulations

A working Paleo Lab where guests can watch fossil preparation live

2. Expanding Universe Hall

Covers astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration

Models of planets, black holes, and nebulae

Exhibits explaining light, time, gravity, and the Big Bang

3. Being Human Hall

Brainwave measurement activities

Virtual anatomy explorations

Human DNA study stations and tissue sample models

Motion-tracking displays showing muscle and limb movement

4. Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall

Hands-on engineering challenges

Robotics and coding interactives

3D printing demonstrations and building tests

5. Discovering Life Hall

Showcases Texas ecosystems: forests, wetlands, and plains

Microscopes, interactive food chain games, and life-size habitat dioramas

Hands-on experiments related to biodiversity and adaptation

6. The Rees-Jones Foundation Dynamic Earth Hall

Earthquake simulator

Weather lab: tornado vortex simulators, lightning tubes

Interactive exhibits on plate tectonics, volcanoes, and natural disasters

7. Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall

Massive crystals, including a 1.5-ton amethyst geode

The Ausrox Gold Nugget, weighing 62 pounds

Fluorescent mineral displays and gemstone cutting demos

8. Tom Hunt Energy Hall

Deep-dive into energy: fossil fuels, renewables, and energy production

Simulations of oil drilling and wind energy

Interactive pipeline control panels and seismic testing games

9. Lamar Hunt Family Sports Hall

Explains the science of human movement and sports performance

Timed reaction challenges, balance testing, and speed tracking

Science of injuries and healing in athletes

10. Rose Hall of Birds

Explores evolution from dinosaurs to modern birds

Virtual bird flight simulator (pilot a red-tailed hawk)

“Build-a-Bird” station for customizing traits based on environmental needs

11. Moody Family Children’s Museum (Currently under renovation)

Dedicated area for children under age 5

Includes a scaled-down Dallas skyline climber, water play area, and market

Some exhibits temporarily relocated to lower levels during remodeling

Other Facilities

The Hoglund Foundation Theater

3D, 4K digital projection theater

Shows science documentaries and nature films year-round

Offers educational screenings for school groups

Learning Labs and Education Programs

Classrooms for K–12 field trips and homeschool programming

Public lectures, camps, and overnight museum experiences

STEAM workshops and seasonal camps for students

Museum Shop

Themed around space, paleontology, earth science, and robotics

Offers books, toys, models, science kits, and branded merchandise

Café

Seasonal and locally sourced menu

Offers sandwiches, salads, kids’ meals, and drinks

Seasonal and Special Exhibits

The museum regularly hosts traveling exhibitions from around the world, often requiring a separate ticket. Past exhibitions have included:

"The Science Behind Pixar"

"Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed"

"Ultimate Dinosaurs"

"Sharks"

Visitor Information

Open:

Monday, Wednesday–Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Closed Tuesdays

Admission (general entry):

Adults: $25

Youth (2–12): $15

Children under 2: Free

Discounts for seniors, students, and members

Special exhibits and 3D theater tickets are extra

Parking:

Garage and surface lot parking available

$10 per vehicle

Accessibility:

Fully wheelchair accessible

Elevators on all floors

Assisted listening devices and sensory resources available upon request

Conclusion

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a world-class science center that blends advanced technology, dramatic architecture, and a hands-on approach to learning. Whether you're exploring ancient fossils, experimenting with energy, or simulating bird flight, the museum offers a deeply interactive experience that appeals to visitors of all ages. It's a vital cultural anchor in Dallas and an educational destination with global recognition.