The Houston Museum of Natural Science has  world class exhibits with exhibitions covering a large variety of subjects. The Hall of Paleontology (commonly called the “Dinosaur Hall”) is on of the largest in the United States and spans from the earliest bacterial life all the way to man.

Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife

Wiess Energy Hall

Faberge: The Art of Presentation

The George W. Strake Hall Of Malacology

The Whiteside Museum of Natural History is the Pride of Baylor County. This museum is one of the most scientifically active in Texas. the museum’s Director Chris Flis and Assistant Director Holly Simon actively dig fossils from local ranches and beyond, then displays them! This is made possible thanks to their amazing (on site) fossil prepatory lab, where you and your family can see the paleontology up close.

Dimertodon skeleton on display

Diadectes skull on display

Tyrannosaurus rex head reconstruction

Dimetrodon bones in Whiteside Collections

The Dinosaur Park is one of my personal favorite places! They have  the most acurate life size dinosaur models in Texas (Jurassic James Approved). Children and adults of all ages will appreciate this wonderful eden. I love to lead field trips here, but strongly encourage you to visit on your own. They are always looking for more models to add to the tour.

Most important to me is they have an amazing gift shop that I surrender a portion of my paycheck to on every visit. It has the widest variey of dinosaur toys and models that I have ever seen, some of which are even hard to find online.

Velociraptor

Spinosaurus

Oviraptor

Ankylosaurus

Dinosaur Valley is a State Park that is known for hiking, camping, and of course Early Cretaceous dinosaur tracks. There are about four exposures that guest can touch if you are willing to go into the river (I suggest wading boots). There is a small giftshop and visitor center, with write ups on the history of the site. It would make a nice day trip.

Dinosaur Tracks in Paluxy River

Paluxy River

Park Discription Label

Another hidden treasure is The Waco Mammoth Site. If you want to know about the prehistroic world after dinosaurs and particularly what it was like in Texas during the last “Ice Age”, this is the stop for you. Did you know Texas once had the largest elephants in Earth’s history-commonly called Columbian Mammoths? This site has a research building built around it and can be toured for only $5.00 per person.

Real Mammoth Fossils

Female Mammoth in Site

Site Description Display

The Perot Museum is located in downtown Dallas, Texas. This museum is is very interactive and covers a wide variety of topics. The hall of Paleontology has a comparison display of modern and fossil predators and prey. An added bonus is the inhouse fossil prepatory labs and staff, which includes famous paleontologist and fossil preparator Myria Perez.

Hall of Paleontology

Hall of Gems and Minerals

Hall of Earth Sciences

Hall of Space and Technology

This museum is located in the University of Texas campus in Austin. The three main areas of focus are paleontology, geology and Texas wildlife. The paleontology hall has an open prep lab, often with volunteers, students and sometimes a paleonologist to answer questions.

Note: Please check the website for status, the museum has changed its hours due to Covid-19.

Quetzalcoatlus

Petrified Wood

Ammonites

The Naranjo Museum of Natural History has the honor of mbeing in my mother’s hometown of Lufkin, Texas. They have a hall of Paleontology, Minerals, Zoology and Air and Space display. My favorite part was the Paleozoic (before dinosaurs) diaramas!

Tyrannosaurus rex

Dunkleosteus skull and model

Dinosaur World’s models are not as accurate as The Dinosaur Park near Bastrop, but it is loctaed next to Dinosaur Valley State Park. They also have a wonderful giftshop with fossils and jewelry.

Note: They also have a mineral dig pit for young children. Contact them to check on status due to Covid-19. 

Saurosuchus

Saltasaurus

Parasaurolophus

Spinosaurus