5 Jaw-Dropping Reasons to Visit Dallas' Perot Museum Right Now (Updated for 2026)

5 Jaw-Dropping Reasons To Visit Dallas' Perot Museum Right Now (Updated For 2026)

5 Jaw-Dropping Reasons to Visit Dallas' Perot Museum Right Now (Updated for 2026)

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas, has firmly established itself as a premier destination for curiosity and discovery, moving far beyond the traditional concept of a natural history institution. As of December 15, 2025, the museum is buzzing with new updates and groundbreaking features that make it a must-visit for both science enthusiasts and families.

From its bold, cube-shaped architecture in Victory Park to its 11 permanent exhibit halls, the Perot Museum offers an immersive, hands-on experience that appeals to all ages. If you're planning a trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, here are the freshest, most compelling reasons to put the Perot Museum at the top of your itinerary.

1. The Latest & Freshest Exhibits: What's New for 2025-2026

The Perot Museum is constantly evolving, ensuring every visit offers something new and exciting. The programming for late 2025 and early 2026 highlights the museum’s commitment to timely, relevant, and engaging science education.

The Anticipated "Soccer: More Than a Game" Debut

In a major coup for the museum, a groundbreaking special exhibition titled "Soccer: More Than a Game" is set to debut in March 2026. This exhibit is perfectly timed to coincide with the global excitement leading up to the FIFA World Cup events in the United States. It will explore the science, physics, history, and culture of the world's most popular sport, offering interactive displays on everything from ball aerodynamics to the physiology of elite athletes.

The Revamped Moody Family Children's Museum

Families with young children will be thrilled with the expanded and completely revamped Moody Family Children's Museum, which reopened in May 2025. This dedicated space for children aged five and under is designed to foster early childhood development through play-based learning. The expansion includes new, immersive sections like the Rollaround area, focusing on gross motor skills and foundational science concepts in a safe, engaging environment.

Current Special Exhibition: "Bug Lab"

Visitors in December 2025 can still catch the highly popular "Bug Lab" exhibit. This special presentation delves into the fascinating world of insects, showcasing their incredible engineering, social structures, and vital role in the ecosystem. It's a perfect example of the museum’s ability to turn a seemingly small topic into a grand, interactive adventure.

2. Architectural Marvel: A Pritzker Prize-Winning Structure

The experience of the Perot Museum begins long before you enter the doors. The building itself is a masterpiece of modern architecture, designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne and his firm, Morphosis Architects.

The Cube and the Escalator

Rejecting the idea of a museum as a neutral backdrop, Mayne designed the structure to be an active teaching tool. The main building is a massive, textured concrete cube sitting on a 4.7-acre site in Victory Park. Its most iconic feature is the 150-foot enclosed glass-and-steel escalator, which dramatically zips visitors up the building's exterior to the top floor, offering panoramic views of the Dallas skyline before they begin their descent through the exhibit halls.

The building’s sustainable design and innovative use of concrete make it one of the boldest and most celebrated pieces of modern architecture in Dallas. Local firm GFF also served a crucial role as the local architect and sustainability consultant.

3. A Deep Dive into 11 Permanent Exhibit Halls

The Perot Museum's core strength lies in its 11 permanent exhibit halls, which cover a vast range of natural history and cutting-edge science. These halls are spread across five floors, each sponsored by a major entity, lending the museum significant topical authority.

Highlights of the Permanent Collection:

  • Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall: This hall is world-renowned for its stunning collection of precious stones and metals. Its centerpiece is the massive Ausrox Gold Nugget, which is the world’s third-largest known gold nugget, weighing an astonishing 23.26 kilograms (over 62 troy pounds).
  • T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall: A paradise for paleontology enthusiasts, this hall features massive dinosaur skeletons, including a towering Alamosaurus and a Malawisaurus, alongside exhibits detailing the evolution of life on Earth.
  • Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall: Focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), this hall allows visitors to engage in complex problem-solving. Interactive stations let guests design structures, test materials, and explore the principles of engineering.
  • Expanding Universe Hall: Take a journey through space and time, exploring the cosmos, the formation of the solar system, and the latest discoveries in astrophysics.
  • Rose Hall of Birds: Dedicated to avian life, this hall offers hands-on experiences and detailed displays about the anatomy, migration, and diversity of birds.
  • Tom Hunt Energy Hall: This exhibit provides an in-depth look at energy sources, including oil, gas, and renewables, with interactive simulations that demonstrate the complex processes of energy extraction and use.

4. The Legacy of the Perot Family and Dallas' History

The museum’s current iteration is a testament to the generosity of the Perot family, in whose honor the institution was named. The late tech magnate and philanthropist Ross Perot and his family were instrumental in providing the lead gift for the new building, cementing their legacy in Dallas's cultural landscape.

However, the museum’s history stretches back decades. Its roots trace back to the Dallas Museum of Natural History, which was founded in 1936. The modern Perot Museum is the culmination of a merger between this institution and several other Dallas-area science and natural history organizations, creating the unified, world-class center of discovery that stands today.

5. Essential Visitor Information for Your 2025-2026 Trip

Planning your visit is straightforward, with flexible options for tickets and hours. The Perot Museum is a central anchor in the revitalized Victory Park area, making it easily accessible from all parts of the city.

Current Hours and Admission (As of December 2025):

  • Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Last exhibit entry is typically one hour before closing.
  • General Admission Price: $25 for adults (ages 13 and older) and $15 for children (ages 2–12). Note that special exhibits like "Bug Lab" may require an additional ticket purchase.
  • Savings Tip: Visitors can purchase a CityPASS ticket, which bundles the Perot Museum admission with three other top Dallas attractions, offering significant savings.
  • Location: 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, TX 75201.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science continues to be a dynamic hub for science, history, and innovation. With major new exhibits like "Soccer: More Than a Game" on the horizon for 2026 and the recently expanded Moody Family Children’s Museum, the institution is constantly providing fresh, educational, and fun experiences that solidify its status as a global science destination.

5 Jaw-Dropping Reasons to Visit Dallas' Perot Museum Right Now (Updated for 2026)
5 Jaw-Dropping Reasons to Visit Dallas' Perot Museum Right Now (Updated for 2026)

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museum of nature and science in dallas
museum of nature and science in dallas

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museum of nature and science in dallas
museum of nature and science in dallas

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