Photo: Mason Jang
Photo: Muneeb Ahmad
Photo: Brent Campbell
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
★4.4(5,101 reviews)$$Museum
🕑 4-5 hours to explore all exhibits plus a planetarium or OMNIMAX show; 2-3 hours for just the museum galleries👶 Best for ages 3-12. Preschoolers love the Innovation Studios and Children's Museum area with sensory play, while elementary-aged kids gravitate toward the dinosaur exhibits and Cattle Raisers Museum. Teens enjoy the planetarium shows and OMNIMAX films with more complex scientific content.🧡 Saved by 22 families
About
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History delivers an action-packed day of discovery with hands-on exhibits that let kids dig for dinosaur fossils, explore Texas history, and experiment with scientific principles. The onsite planetarium and OMNIMAX theater add immersive experiences that transform learning into entertainment, making this one of the top educational attractions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Highlights
- ✓DinoLabs and DinoDigsite where kids can excavate replica fossils and see real paleontologists at work
- ✓OMNIMAX theater with five-story screen showing nature documentaries and science films
- ✓Noble Planetarium with immersive star shows and space exploration presentations
- ✓Innovation Studios with engineering challenges, building stations, and interactive experiments
- ✓Cattle Raisers Museum showcasing authentic Texas history with kid-friendly cowboy exhibits
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive right at opening (10 AM Tuesday-Saturday) to beat school groups that typically arrive mid-morning on weekdays.
- 2.Purchase combination tickets online in advance for the museum plus planetarium or OMNIMAX shows to save money and time at the box office.
- 3.The Innovation Studios hands-on area can get crowded,visit this section first or save it for the last hour before closing when families start leaving.
- 4.Bring a light jacket as the planetarium and OMNIMAX theater can be chilly, and snacks aren't allowed in these areas.
- 5.Free parking is available in the museum lot, but overflow parking on busy weekends may require a short walk,consider dropping off young kids first.
Best Time to Visit
Sunday afternoons (12-5 PM) or weekday mornings during the school year offer smaller crowds. Summer weekday mornings can be busy with camps, so aim for late afternoons. Saturday mornings fill up quickly with birthday parties and local families.
What to Know
General admission is around $20 for adults and $15 for children (3-12), with additional fees for planetarium and OMNIMAX shows. An onsite café serves kid-friendly meals, and the museum is fully accessible with stroller-friendly elevators throughout.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round with extended summer hours occasionally offered. Special exhibitions rotate throughout the year. Holiday-themed planetarium shows run during December. The museum closes only on Mondays and major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Nearby Eats
The nearby Cultural District has Swiss Pastry Shop (0.3 miles) with sandwiches and treats kids love, or head to Pressed Café (0.5 miles) for healthy bowls and smoothies. For a fun themed experience, try Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant (1.5 miles) with spacious outdoor patio seating.
More Activities Near Fort Worth
Museum
Kimbell Art Museum
★4.8Free❤️147
The Kimbell Art Museum offers families a welcoming introduction to world-class art in stunning, naturally-lit galleries designed by Louis Kahn. With free admission to the permanent collection, dedicated family programs, and art classes specifically for children, it's one of Fort Worth's most accessible cultural experiences where kids can explore masterpieces from Michelangelo to Monet without the overwhelming crowds of larger museums.
Museum
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
★4.7$$❤️218
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth makes contemporary art accessible and exciting for families with its spacious, light-filled galleries and thoughtfully designed programs for young visitors. Kids can explore world-class modern art in a relaxed atmosphere where walking, wondering, and creative expression are encouraged, plus special family days feature hands-on art activities that bring the exhibitions to life.
Entertainment
Mountasia Entertainment Center
$$
Mountasia Entertainment Center is Fort Worth's ultimate family fun destination, packing mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, and an enormous arcade under one roof. With activities spanning toddler-friendly rides to competitive go-kart racing for teens, it's the perfect spot where every family member finds something exciting to do without driving across town.
Park
Forest Park
Free❤️12
Forest Park is a sprawling urban oasis in Fort Worth that offers families endless opportunities for outdoor fun and cultural exploration. With multiple playgrounds catering to different age groups, shaded hiking trails, and open green spaces perfect for picnics and play, it's an ideal spot for a full day of family adventure. The park's location adjacent to the Fort Worth Cultural District means you can easily combine outdoor play with visits to world-class museums.