Texas Science & Natural History Museum

Name: Texas Science & Natural History Museum
Address: 2400 Trinity Street, Austin, TX, 78712, US
Telephone: (512) 471-1604
Price range: $

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Texas Science & Natural History Museum

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Telling the story of Texas’ unique and irreplaceable natural history—from our planet’s formation, through the age of dinosaurs, to today.

Located on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin. Texas Science & Natural History Museum on the campus of UT Austin engages, excites, and connects curious minds of all ages to the unique and irreplaceable natural history of the State of Texas. The museum tells the story of life in the natural world in Texas from the formation of our planet, through the age of the dinosaurs, into our current environment and will showcase advanced research being done at The University that will make a positive impact on life in the future.

10/15/2026

Celebrate Día de los Huesos (Day of the Bones) at Texas Science & Natural History Museum in Austin on Sunday, November 1, 1 to 5 p.m.! This family-friendly event puts a paleontological twist on Día de los Mu***os. 🦴

Explore animal skulls and skeletons, get creative with hands-on educational and art activities—including butterfly origami—and enjoy face painting and a mariachi performance.

While you’re here, discover Texas’ natural history through fascinating museum exhibits. Walk beneath the soaring 33-foot wingspan of a pterosaur, come face to face with a Texas tyrannosaur, explore remarkable fossils and Texas wildlife, and learn how paleontologists study the past in the hands-on Discovery Center.

All event activities are included with museum admission. Join us on the UT Austin campus for an afternoon of discovery, creativity and family fun!🤘

10/14/2026

Happy National Fossil Day™! 🦴 Can you tell an original fossil from a replica?

Over 90% of the fossils on display at Texas Science & Natural History Museum are original. Look closely: exhibit labels, surface textures and the surrounding rock can offer clues. Some specimens combine original fossils with reconstructed pieces, while cast replicas bring rare finds within reach of more researchers and museum visitors.
Watch to learn what to look for, then put your fossil detective skills to work during your next visit!

Learn more at sciencemuseum.utexas.edu

10/13/2026

Limited spots left!🦴

Learn to paint realistic fossil casts with fossil preparator Erika Tandy from Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections Paleontology Collections—tools, techniques, and your painted cast to take home.

📍Sun, Oct. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m.
🎟️ Included with museum admission.
🔗 Registration is required.

Register at sciencemuseum.texas.edu

10/12/2026

Join Texas Science & Natural History Museum on Wed., Oct. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. for a free public program with Dr. David Hillis exploring the extraordinary biodiversity of the Texas Hill Country.

Learn how geography, geology, climate and natural history have shaped one of the world’s most remarkable biodiversity hotspots—and what makes this region such a unique and beautiful part of Texas.

Dr. Hillis is Director of the Texas Biodiversity Center and Alfred W. Roark Centennial Professor in NaturalSciences @ UT at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also the author of “Armadillos to Ziziphus: A Naturalist in the Texas Hill Country”.

The evening includes a Q&A, light reception and book signing. Space is limited, and an RSVP is required. Register at sciencemuseum.utexas.edu

10/10/2026

Happy World Migratory Bird Day! 🐦

Did you know millions of birds are migrating through Texas right now? 🍂 Each fall, our state is part of a remarkable journey as birds head south to their wintering grounds.

One species on the move is the pectoral sandpiper (𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴), pictured here in our Texas Wildlife Gallery. This small shorebird breeds on Arctic tundra and winters in southern South America.

From mid-July through mid-November, pectoral sandpipers pass through much of Texas. Look for them in wet meadows, along grassy lakeshores and in flooded fields, where they feed on small invertebrates to fuel their travels. Their yellowish legs and streaked brown breast—which ends sharply at a white belly—can help you identify them.

Keep an eye out this fall, and visit Texas Science & Natural History Museum to discover more about the birds that make Texas part of their journey!

10/08/2026

Happy ! Come experience the hidden rainbow of light in a short spectroscopy demonstration, 3 to 4 p.m. every Friday this fall. 🔭🌈👀

Included with museum admission (admission is always free for members and anyone with a UT ID!)

10/07/2026

Got a fossil? Let’s find out! 🔎🦴

Celebrate National Fossil Day™ at Texas Science & Natural History Museum on Oct. 14! Bring something you think might be a fossilized plant or animal, and let our paleontologists help identify your find.

Last year’s finds ranged from Cretaceous oysters and ammonites to Pleistocene mammal fossils—including a mastodon molar and bison teeth and foot bones! Other discoveries included crinoid stems, ancient marine shells and fish bones. What might your find reveal?

Don’t have a fossil? Bring your questions and curiosity!

Identification sessions take place between 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m.

*Fossil identifications are for educational purposes only. Texas Science & Natural History Museum staff do not provide authentications (“Certificates of Authenticity”) or appraisals for monetary (market) value or for legal purposes.

10/06/2026

🍂🎥🦖 Beautiful fall weather calls for an outdoor movie night at Texas Science & Natural History Museum this Saturday, Oct. 10! Tickets include after-hours access to the museum plus the Disney-Pixar movie “Hoppers” on the big screen.

Museum doors open at 6 p.m.; the film begins at 7:30 p.m. Picnics and snacks are welcome outside (no glass containers); bring blankets for the lawn or camp chairs for the patio.

🎟️ $10 adults
$6 youth ages 5–17, seniors 65+
$6 UT students and staff with ID
Free for museum members and kids ages 4 and under

Get tickets now and make it your weekend plan! sciencemuseum.utexas.edu

10/03/2026

“Today I explored the Texas Science & Natural History museum for the first time. The exhibits were exciting and informative for all ages! Staff and volunteers were everywhere to offer assistance and share knowledge in a friendly, engaging manner! Such a fun and educational experience! The art deco style of the building is incredible!. Truly a hidden gem in Austin!”

We love hearing feedback from our visitors!

Whether you’ve been coming to the museum for years or planning your first visit, see what’s new at sciencemuseum.utexas.edu

10/01/2026

October is full of fun activities, including yoga with dinosaurs, bat kites, a movie under the stars, fossil identification and more at Texas Science & Natural History Museum! 🍂

🔭 Fridays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 3–4 p.m.: See a live, hands-on spectroscopy demonstration during Astronomy Afternoon.

🧘 Oct. 3, 9–9:45 a.m.: Start your Saturday with Fossil Flow, a free yoga class in the Great Hall with the Fitness Institute of Texas.

🦇 Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Make a bat-inspired kite with and discover the adaptations that help bats fly.

🎬 Oct. 10, 6–9 p.m.: Explore the museum after hours, then settle in for an outdoor screening of Hoppers at Movies Behind the Museum. Tickets: $10 adult, $6 discounted tickets (youth, seniors, UT ID holders). Members get free admission!

🦴 Oct. 14, 10 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m.: Celebrate National Fossil Day by bringing your fossil finds for identification by a paleontologist.

🎨 Oct. 18, 2–4 p.m.: Learn to paint realistic fossil casts with fossil preparator Erika Tandy from Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections. Space is limited; registration required.

🌿 Oct. 21, 6–8 p.m.: Explore the Biodiversity of the Texas Hill Country with Dr. David Hillis at Titan Talks, sponsored by Huntington Bank. Free; registration required.

🔎 Oct. 25, 1–5 p.m.: Enjoy free museum admission during H-E-B Free Fourth Sunday!

Find event details, tickets and registration at sciencemuseum.utexas.edu.

Address

2400 Trinity Street
Austin, TX
78712

Telephone

(512) 471-1604

Website

http://sciencemuseum.utexas.edu/

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