Houston Museum of Natural Science
Paleontology Hall of Prehistoric Predators, Cockrell Butterfly Center & Gems
Curatorial Scope & Campus Footprint
Located in Houston’s Hermann Park, HMNS is one of the most heavily attended museums in the nation, featuring an enormous paleontology hall where dinosaurs are depicted in active predatory poses.
Free general admission every Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Visitor Sentiment Audit
4.8 ★ (37K)- •Paleontology hall with dynamic action dinosaur skeletons
- •Cockrell Butterfly habitat
- •Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals is world-class
- •Add-on fees for butterfly center and planetarium add up
- •Parking garage fills on weekend afternoons
- •Tuesday free night lines
30-Day Forward Crowd Forecast
Predictive hourly density curves combining search intent, seasonal trends, and local mobility
Recommended Entry Window: Strictly opening door time (9:30 AM–10:30 AM)
Hourly Crowd Density Curve (10 AM – 5 PM)
Total Cost of Visit Calculator
Itemized expense simulation factoring admission tiers, concession markups, parking fees, and pass discounts.
• Take advantage of Free general admission every Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM..
• Public transit or nearby garage apps save up to $10 on parking.
IRS Form 990 & Endowment Transparency
EIN: 74-1249688 • Fiscal Year 2024 Filings
Houston Natural Science’s endowment covers approximately 22 months of operating overhead. Every visitor admission is offset by $14 in contributed donations, grants, and investment yields.
Institutional Elasticity & Gate Revenue Simulator
Empirical demand curve simulation calibrated to elasticity coefficient (-0.46)
Minimal friction on philanthropic conversion pipeline.
Head-to-Head Peer Benchmarking
All institution matchups →Frequently Asked Questions & Visit Logistics
How much does admission cost?
General adult admission is $25, children $16, and seniors $16.
Are there civic free days or discounts?
Free general admission every Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
How long should I plan to visit?
Mobility data indicates visitors spend a median dwell time of 3.2 hours to explore the full permanent collection and grounds.
What are the parking and dining options?
On-site garage/lot parking is approximately $20. Dining is serviced by McDonald’s & Element Grill Hermann Park ($15/meal).
Related Peer Cultural Institutions
View all in natural history →American Museum of Natural History
Titanosaur, Hayden Planetarium, and the Gilder Center for Science
The Field Museum of Natural History
SUE the T. rex, Ancient Egypt, and 40 Million Natural History Specimens