Perot Museum of Nature and Science

"A museum in Dallas offering exhibits related to natural history and science." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"A sleek, futuristic masterpiece next to Klyde Warren Park, the Perot Museum was designed by superstar architect Thom Mayne to resemble a large cube hovering over the landscape. Its immersive, interactive interior is even more impressive, with 180,000 square feet of exhibition space covering everything from dinosaurs to distant galaxies. Kids will love the “Earthquake Shake” in the Dynamic Earth Hall, while dads will equally enjoy the Lamar Hunt Family Sports Hall, where they can “race” legendary NFL running back Jamaal Charles. The superb onsite café, by Wolfgang Puck, makes it easy to spend a whole day here." - Priya Krishna, Jonathan Thompson

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? A newer addition to the Dallas museum scene, the Perot Museum opened in 2012 to fill a much-needed gap: the city's science and children's museum category. (When the museum was incorporated in 2006, it united the city's science, children's, and natural history museums). Today the Perot Museum occupies 180,000 square feet near downtown, hosting 11 different exhibition halls. What will we find in the permanent collection? Given that this is essentially three museums in one, exhibits are wide-ranging: You can experience a simulated earthquake, construct your own bird and then fly it using 3D glasses, or feed terrarium animals. Needless to say, it's got science and natural history covered, with plenty of exhibitions to entertain little ones too. Is it easy to get around? The museum is shiny and new, which makes it bright and easy to navigate. It's also very green—the Green Building Initiative gave the Thom Mayne-designed complex its highest possible rating. What did you make of the crowd? An abundance of large groups can make the big museum surprisingly crowded. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere? The superb onsite café, operated by Wolfgang Puck, makes it easy to spend a whole day here. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? The vast galleries and diversity of exhibits will keep almost anyone entertained." - Laura Ratliff

"The visually stunning building that hosts the Perot Museum of Natural Science was added to the Dallas skyline in 2012. Since then, it has dazzled visitors on their approach and left them awed as they exit. Make sure you set some time aside for your visit because there is plenty to see and do. You can learn about Earth and space, study your DNA, make music, battle robots, and even race a dinosaur. The cost is $13 for general admission or up to $34 if you’d like to see any 3D movies. If this is an adult trip, consider visiting on a Social Science night complete with a DJ, specialty interactive exhibits, and, of course, drinks. Tickets are $29 and tend to sell out fast." - MATADOR_NETWORK

"Named for Dallas-based billionaire entrepreneur (and sometime politician) Ross Perot and his wife, Marjorie, this engaging center is actually split into two campuses: one on the grounds of Fair Park in East Dallas, and the other in Victory Park, near the Dallas Arts District. It’s the latter that garners the most attention—perhaps thanks to the 35-foot Malawisaurus fossil that greets you in the lobby. Earning immediate raves when it opened in 2012, the center woos kids of all ages with its cutting-edge ways of celebrating topics like engineering, conservation, and technology. Past that lobby figure, find five floors of galleries (including 11 permanent exhibit halls) filled with interactive kiosks, games, and lifelike simulations; there’s also an education wing and children's museum. In addition to all the content, the museum has garnered worldwide attention for its ecoconscious design. Under the direction of Pritzker Prize–winning architect Thom Mayne, the 180,000-square-foot building features touches like a 54-foot continuous-flow escalator, solar-powered water heating, LED lighting, and a rainwater collection system."