Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This ticket provides entry to the Houston Museum of Natural Science permanent exhibits as well as the Cockrell Butterfly Center exhibit.
Explore one of the most attended museums in the country at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Visit North America's largest dinosaur hall, see the beauty of the Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault and many more. The museum is regularly voted one of the top attractions in Houston and this is your chance to find out why.
The Cockrell Butterfly Center and Brown Hall of Entomology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science provides entertainment and education for the whole family. Walk through a living 3-floor butterfly habitat, marvel at spectacular live and preserved specimens of some of the world’s largest and weirdest arthropods, and enjoy interactive games and quizzes.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Your tickets will be held at the box office in exchange for Viator voucher
Please be aware that this is a live animal exhibit, which can be overwhelming to service animals. If your service animal or the animals inside become agitated through vocalization, urination/excretion, or aggressive behavior, we may ask that your service animal step out of this area of the Museum.
Strollers are not allowed in the Butterfly Center, but there is stroller parking available nearby.
What To Expect
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Once you enter the museum, you'll have the option to visit numerous permanent exhibits including North America's largest dinosaur hall and one of the most extensive gem and geode collections in the United States. The museum is perfect for families, tourists, and locals and offers refreshments and food at the cafe. Your ticket also grants you access to a 3-story glass structure filled with butterflies built around a 50-foot waterfall. This simulated tropical rain forest is filled with exotic plants and thousands of live butterflies. As you walk through at your own pace, feast your eyes on a rainbow of color provided by the thousands of live, fluttering butterflies and exotic flowering plant species. Absorb all the beauty of the living rain forest, and then make your way to the Brown Hall of Entomology and witness astounding living insects, spectacular mounted specimens, larger-than-life models, and interactive games.
Options
Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center
What‘s Included
Houston Museum of Natural Science permanent exhibits admission
Cockrell Butterfly Center admission
Food and drinks
Guide
Meeting points
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston United States
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
110 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Yeah, but...
vivi0265,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00museum very nice but quite small pity no audio guides again... the big negative the temporary exhibitions that costs an "arm" is not normal and even scandalous ....
Science 🧪 and butterflies 🦋
G9462VRvivianac,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved visiting the HMMS and the butterfly exhibit 😌 saved us about 10$ ( after tax) buying the tickets 🎟️ on here vs the website! Also its very helpful for skipping lines. We were there for 3 hours and we definitely needed to go back to see everything! Overall the experience was great with the exception of a few unsupervised children running around.
So much to see! Highly recommend
Vicky M,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00There is so much to see here! We should have gotten there earlier as we spent three hours just in the butterfly conservatory and fossil exhibits. It was easy to get to riding the MetroRail and a scenic walk. Highly recommended
Didn’t have enough time...
Jenna B,Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Didn’t have enough time to get to everything. Mainly, went for the Butterfly sanctuary! Beautiful, peaceful, plants in there are gorgeous! Unique butterflies, birds and a waterfall!
So cool!!
Y7255GQcynthiag,Jun 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00There were so many cool things to see. My boyfriend and I had a fantastic time! The butterfly center was my favorite part!
My Experience
Tony H,May 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00I used Viator to purchase tickets for events at the Muesum of Natural Science in downtown Houston. Viator made it easy and extremely convenient to reserve and pickup tickets. We had a great time and it was hassle free and no waiting in long lines.
Awesome!
Christina S,Mar 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The exhibits here are amazing! Very informational and entertaining for both Adults and Children of all ages. The butterfly exhibit was spectacular!
Have you seen butterflies up close?
perrx,Jun 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are in need of a peaceful setting where you can see numerous beautiful butterflies in the air and landing everywhere (including you if you are lucky) then be sure to come here. It is a separate and extra charge exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science near the zoo area. Look for Mr. Asaud on the middle level to explain what you are seeing.
Hidden find
nieceykee,Jun 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I love the outdoors and butterflies. This was such a nice tranquil place and I wish we could have just sat there all day. The staff and space were so nice and peaceful.
Great museum visit, but butterfly exhibit is closed through March 2024
Laura K,Feb 20, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great day visiting the museum! However the butterfly exhibit is closed through March, so we did not get to use that part of what we purchased. The museum gave us vouchers to do it in the future. I had asked if we could just trade the unused butterfly tickets for something else (like planetarium) but the vouchers for future butterfly entry were what was offered. We had a great time regardless, but we likely won't return any time soon just to visit the butterflies as we live about an hour away.
Related Experiences
Operated by Houston Museum of Natural Science