Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center

Overview

Available languages

English

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.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Houston Museum of Natural Science permanent exhibits admission

Cockrell Butterfly Center admission

Food and drinks

Guide

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.

•Admission Included

Options

Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center

Reviews

4.39

106 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

My Experience
Tony H,
May 17, 2025
- Viator
4.00
I 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
- Viator
5.00
The exhibits here are amazing! Very informational and entertaining for both Adults and Children of all ages. The butterfly exhibit was spectacular!
Great museum visit, but butterfly exhibit is closed through March 2024
Laura K,
Feb 20, 2024
- Viator
5.00
We 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.
Horrible experience
Sandy M,
Aug 11, 2023
- Viator
1.00
I could not get and neither could. Had to buy direct…. Horrible and embarrassing situation!!!!!!!! Will never ever use your services again!!!!!!!!!!
Great Time
Maranda M,
Jul 18, 2023
- Viator
5.00
I’m visiting family in Texas. This was an amazing experience. Daughter had a great time. Had some butterflies land of us.