The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is an incredible, hands-on space where kids can learn and explore the marvels of science as it applies to the universe in their open-ended Innovation Studios, take a virtual tour through space in the Noble Planetarium, watch a movie on the huge Imax-domed screen and take a walk through the history of Fort Worth, from dinosaurs to cattle and the lasting impact of all of us.
When To Go:
We have often been waiting at the front door when they open and stayed until they were locking up, so any time is a good time to visit. But if you don’t have all day….
If you’re coming during the week, the best time to visit the Fort Worth Museum is in the afternoon, since it’s an extremely popular destination for field trips both during the school year and in the summer. I suggest arriving at lunch, and spending all afternoon.
If you’re coming on a weekend, come early! It gets more crowded as the day goes on.
Ticket Options
Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person. Tickets purchased in person are less expensive than online.
If you live in Fort Worth or Dallas, purchase the membership. It will pay for itself in just a few visits, and includes admission to special Member Only Events at the Museum, as well as admission to the National Cowgirl Museum and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Some of the membership plans also include Association of Children’s Museum Reciprocal Program, with FREE or discounted admission to over 130 Children’s Museum nationwide, including the incredible, Children’s Museum of Houston! It also includes FREE admission to the Perot Museum in Dallas and the Heard Natural Science Museum in Mckinney, both wonderful facilities to visit.
If you don’t live in DFW, consider joining the museum closest to you that offers ACM or ASTC Reciprocal benefits, or find a museum that offers it for the least amount of money. I was a member of the Sci Port Discovery Center in Shreveport and the Don Harrington Discovery Center in Amarillo for years before we ever visited, just so I could take advantage of their reciprocal program, because their membership was much less than most of the others.
Click HERE to see a list of their other discounts available.
Parking
Paid parking is available in the Museum Lot and is generally less expensive than the Western Heritage Parking Garage. The Museum Lot does fill up quickly during busy times.
Members receive FREE parking in the Museum Lot when parking is available.
Click HERE for more parking options.
There are no FREE shuttles from Fort Worth hotels. The Fort Worth Museum does have a stop on the T Bus Route 2.
Food
Outside food and drinks are allowed, and there is a nice little courtyard where you can dine at the museum.
Stars Cafe by Galligaskins offers sandwiches, chicken tenders, salads, pizza and more at their indoor dining area.
Just for fun, we love grabbing a Picnic Chicken meal from Velvet Taco on nearby West 7th and heading to Trinity Park or the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens for a picnic before the museum.
Dinolabs has great hands-on exhibits on dinosaurs, both those found in Texas and from around the world!
There are fun exhibits for all ages. At DinoStomp, you become the dinosaur!
The museum has incorporated some unique ways to learn about them. Dinolab lets kids unleash their creative side!
The outside Dinodig is a replica from the Jones Ranch dig site in Hood County where the dinosaur, Paluxysaurus Jonesi was discovered! Kids can use the same rudimentary tools are field archeologist to uncover dinosaur bones, just as they did when excavating the Texas State Dinosaur!
While there is some shade, this is an activity best done as early in the day as possible. It’s usually our first stop because my kiddo loves it! Throw some sunscreen in your bag, if it’s not already there.
Innovation Gallery is amazing! There is something here for everyone, and our entire family can spend the day here just exploring the 6,000 square foot space, filled with creative activities!
From huge light brights, Keva Planks (my personal favorite and so much better than Legos) to art activities and exhibits, it’s an incredible open-ended play space!
The Fort Worth’s Children’s Museum is a play space for children 6 years and under, with a great grocery store, a doctor’s area, live animals, a huge train building area and much more! Admission to the museum is included in your General Admission ticket.
The Omni Theater is not included in your general admission, but a great place to watch a movie. In addition to more documentary-style movies, they often show some of the biggest new releases. I’ll never forget watching Night at the Museum on the domed screen late one night, then having to walk out of the museum in the dark!
During the Summer they offer a discounted movie on Wednesday Evenings, Mid-Week Movie Night.
On the second floor, you’ll find the current traveling exhibit space, as well as the Cattle Raisers Museum and Noble Planetarium.
The fountains outside the museum are the perfect way to end a Summer day at the museum. We always pack some towels, and make sure the kids wear something that can get wet!
Things To Do in Fort Worth
Play
The Fort Worth Zoo has so much to do! The new African Savannah exhibit is just amazing, and the Safari Splash is a great way to cool off on a hot day!
The Fort Worth Stockyards has so many fun things to do with kids, including the FREE Cattle Drive twice a day!
On a hot day we enjoy the cool mist of the FREE Fort Worth Water Gardens in Downtown Fort Worth!
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
Having Fun in the TEXAS Sun is on PINTEREST! Use it as a quick resource to find activities in different Texas towns! Click HERE!
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