How to Visit the Texas Memorial Museum Exhibits

The Texas Memorial Museum, located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, is one of the most comprehensive natural history museums in the southwestern United States. Established in 1939, it serves as a vital educational and research institution, showcasing over 2.5 million specimens that span millions of years of Earth’s history. From towering dinosaur skeletons to ancient fossils, interactive geological displays, and live reptile exhibits, the museum offers a rich, immersive experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re a student, a family, a researcher, or simply a curious traveler, knowing how to visit the Texas Memorial Museum exhibits effectively ensures you maximize your time, deepen your understanding, and fully appreciate the scientific significance of each display. This guide provides a complete, step-by-step roadmap to planning, navigating, and enriching your visit—transforming a simple outing into a meaningful exploration of natural history.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Plan Your Visit in Advance

Before setting foot on campus, take time to plan your visit. The Texas Memorial Museum operates on a schedule that may vary by season, academic calendar, and special events. Start by visiting the official website at memorialmuseum.utexas.edu. Here, you’ll find current hours of operation, holiday closures, and any temporary exhibit changes. The museum is typically open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Consider the time of year. Summer months and school breaks bring higher visitor volumes, so if you prefer a quieter experience, plan your visit on a weekday during the academic term. Also, check for special events such as Family Days, Paleontology Workshops, or Night at the Museum programs—these often feature guided tours, hands-on activities, and exclusive access to areas not normally open to the public.

2. Determine Your Transportation and Parking Options

The museum is situated on the University of Texas at Austin campus at 2400 Trinity Street, Austin, TX 78712. Public transportation is a convenient option. CapMetro buses, including routes 1, 12, and 20, stop within walking distance of the museum. Use the CapMetro app to track real-time arrivals and plan your route.

If driving, parking is available on campus. The closest paid parking garage is the Trinity Street Parking Garage, located just across the street from the museum. Daily rates are reasonable, and the garage offers accessible parking spaces. Alternatively, metered street parking is available along 24th Street and Trinity Street, but spaces are limited and time-restricted. For visitors with mobility needs, designated accessible parking is available near the museum’s main entrance. Always verify current parking regulations on the UT Austin Transportation Services website to avoid citations.

3. Purchase or Verify Admission

Admission to the Texas Memorial Museum is free for all visitors. This policy reflects the museum’s commitment to public education and accessibility. However, donations are encouraged and help support ongoing research, conservation, and exhibit development. Look for donation kiosks near the entrance or online via the museum’s website.

While tickets are not required, it is highly recommended to check for any reservation requirements during peak times or special events. Some temporary exhibitions or educational programs may have limited capacity and require advance sign-up. The website’s “Plan Your Visit” page will indicate if reservations are needed.

4. Enter the Museum and Orient Yourself

Upon arrival, enter through the main lobby on the ground floor. The lobby features a large information desk with friendly museum staff who can provide maps, answer questions, and recommend exhibits based on your interests. Pick up a printed floor plan or download the museum’s mobile guide (available via QR code at the entrance).

Take a moment to review the exhibit layout. The museum is organized into thematic wings: Paleontology, Geology, Texas Wildlife, and the Hall of Ancient Life. Each section is clearly labeled with directional signage. Start with the central atrium, where the iconic Alamosaurus skeleton towers above you—a 70-foot sauropod that dominates the space and serves as a natural starting point.

5. Explore the Core Exhibits in Order

To fully appreciate the narrative of Earth’s history, follow a logical progression through the exhibits:

• First: Hall of Ancient Life – This is the museum’s crown jewel. Here, you’ll find over 100 fossil specimens, including the famous Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest flying creatures ever known, and the Texas State Fossil, the Dimetrodon. Interactive touchscreens explain how fossils form and how scientists extract them from rock. Don’t miss the “Dig Site” replica, where children and adults can simulate a paleontological excavation.
• Second: Geology Hall – This section explores the formation of Texas’s diverse landscapes. View mineral specimens from every region of the state, including the rare blue topaz from Mason County and the glittering pyrite from the Hill Country. A large interactive globe demonstrates plate tectonics and how Texas’s geology evolved over hundreds of millions of years.
• Third: Texas Wildlife – Step into recreated habitats of Texas ecosystems: the Piney Woods, the Chihuahuan Desert, the Gulf Coast, and the Edwards Plateau. Realistic dioramas feature live animals such as rattlesnakes, alligators, and tarantulas, alongside taxidermied specimens of white-tailed deer, bobcats, and bighorn sheep. Audio recordings of bird calls and ambient nature sounds enhance immersion.
• Fourth: Earth’s Changing Climate – A newer addition, this exhibit uses data visualizations and time-lapse animations to show how climate shifts have impacted life in Texas over millennia. Compare fossilized pollen samples from 10,000 years ago to modern-day vegetation patterns. Learn how rising temperatures and drought cycles affect native species.

Each exhibit includes QR codes linking to extended digital content, including interviews with researchers, 3D scans of fossils, and behind-the-scenes footage from field expeditions. Use your smartphone to scan these codes for deeper context.

6. Engage with Interactive and Educational Stations

One of the museum’s greatest strengths is its hands-on learning opportunities. In the Discovery Zone (located near the Texas Wildlife exhibit), children and adults can handle real fossils, examine rock samples under microscopes, and test their knowledge with interactive quizzes. There’s also a “Fossil Casting Station” where visitors can make their own plaster casts of prehistoric teeth and shells.

At the “Paleo Lab” viewing window, observe museum scientists at work. They prepare fossils in real time, using precision tools to remove sediment from delicate bones. Staff are often available to answer questions and explain their methods. This transparency fosters a deeper appreciation for the scientific process.

7. Visit the Special Exhibits and Rotating Displays

The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that highlight current research or cultural connections to natural history. Recent examples include “Ancient Texas: Indigenous Knowledge and the Land,” which paired archaeological findings with oral histories from Native American tribes, and “Climate Change Through Time,” a collaboration with UT’s Jackson School of Geosciences.

Always check the “Current Exhibits” section of the website before your visit. These temporary displays often feature rare artifacts not found in permanent collections, such as meteorite fragments, ancient human tools, or newly discovered dinosaur bones. Special exhibits may require timed entry, so plan accordingly.

8. Take Advantage of Guided Tours and Educational Programs

Free guided tours are offered daily at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. These 45-minute walks are led by trained docents who provide in-depth commentary on key specimens, scientific discoveries, and historical context. Tours begin at the information desk—no registration required, but arrive early to secure a spot.

For school groups, homeschoolers, and organized parties, the museum offers pre-booked educational programs. These include curriculum-aligned activities for grades K–12, such as “Dino Detectives,” “Rock Cycle Adventures,” and “Adaptations in the Wild.” Programs can be scheduled up to six weeks in advance via the website’s “Education” tab.

9. Utilize the Museum’s Digital Resources

Even before you arrive, enrich your experience with the museum’s digital offerings. The website hosts a virtual tour of the entire facility, high-resolution images of key specimens, and downloadable educator guides. The “Collections Online” portal allows you to search the museum’s full database of specimens—over 2.5 million items—by species, location, or date of discovery.

Download the museum’s official app (search “Texas Memorial Museum” in your app store) for audio narration of exhibits, self-guided walking tours, and real-time updates on crowd levels. The app also includes a “Find My Favorite Exhibit” feature that uses your interests to recommend personalized routes.

10. Prepare for Your Exit and Post-Visit Engagement

Before leaving, visit the museum store. It features a curated selection of books, fossils, geological specimens, children’s educational toys, and locally made art inspired by natural history. Proceeds support museum operations and research.

Consider signing up for the museum’s email newsletter. You’ll receive updates on new exhibits, volunteer opportunities, citizen science projects (like fossil reporting or wildlife monitoring), and public lectures by leading scientists. Many visitors return not just for the exhibits, but for the ongoing intellectual community the museum fosters.

Best Practices

Arrive Early to Avoid Crowds

While the museum is free, it attracts significant foot traffic, especially on weekends and during school breaks. Arriving within the first hour of opening (9:00 a.m.) ensures you can explore exhibits without congestion. You’ll also have better access to interactive stations and seating areas near popular displays.

Wear Comfortable Shoes and Bring a Light Jacket

The museum spans over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space. You’ll be walking on hard surfaces for 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on your pace. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Indoor temperatures are kept cool for artifact preservation, so a light jacket or sweater is advisable, even in summer.

Bring a Notebook or Use Your Phone for Notes

Many visitors find themselves fascinated by details they later forget. Keep a small notebook or use your phone’s notes app to jot down specimen names, dates, or questions that arise. This enhances retention and provides material for follow-up research.

Respect the Exhibits and Follow Guidelines

While interactive stations are encouraged, always observe posted rules: no touching fossils or minerals unless explicitly permitted, no flash photography near sensitive specimens, and no food or drinks in exhibit halls. These rules preserve irreplaceable materials for future generations.

Engage with Staff and Volunteers

Museum staff and volunteers are passionate educators. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Whether it’s “How do you know this dinosaur was a herbivore?” or “Where was this fossil found?”, staff are trained to explain complex science in accessible terms. Their insights often turn a passive visit into an active learning experience.

Limit Screen Time for Children

While digital tools enhance learning, the museum’s physical exhibits are designed to stimulate curiosity through direct observation. Encourage children to look closely at textures, shapes, and scales rather than relying solely on tablets or apps. Balance digital engagement with tactile exploration.

Plan for Accessibility

The museum is fully ADA-compliant. Wheelchair-accessible entrances, elevators, and restrooms are available throughout. Audio guides and large-print exhibit labels are provided upon request. Service animals are welcome. If you or someone in your group has sensory sensitivities, ask about quiet hours or sensory-friendly visit options, which are offered monthly.

Combine Your Visit with Other Campus Attractions

Since the museum is on the UT Austin campus, consider pairing your visit with other nearby sites. The Blanton Museum of Art is a 10-minute walk away. The LBJ Presidential Library is 15 minutes by foot. The UT Botanical Garden offers a serene outdoor complement to the indoor exhibits. Plan a half-day or full-day campus tour to maximize your experience.

Tools and Resources

Official Website: memorialmuseum.utexas.edu

This is your primary resource for hours, maps, exhibit descriptions, event calendars, and educational materials. The site is updated regularly and includes downloadable PDFs of exhibit guides, activity sheets for children, and research publications.

Mobile App: Texas Memorial Museum (iOS and Android)

The official app offers GPS-enabled indoor navigation, audio tours in English and Spanish, augmented reality features that animate fossils, and real-time wait times for popular exhibits. It also allows you to create a custom itinerary based on your interests and time available.

Collection Database: collections.memorialmuseum.utexas.edu

Search over 2.5 million cataloged items. Filter by taxon, location, or collector. Each entry includes high-resolution images, excavation details, and scientific classification. Ideal for students, researchers, or anyone interested in specific species or geological periods.

YouTube Channel: Texas Memorial Museum

Subscribe for short documentaries on fossil discoveries, behind-the-scenes lab work, and interviews with paleontologists. Recent videos include “How We Found the First Texas T. rex” and “The Secret Life of Texas Caves.”

UT Jackson School of Geosciences Publications

Many museum exhibits are developed in collaboration with the Jackson School. Their open-access research papers and field reports are available at jsg.utexas.edu. These provide deeper scientific context for exhibits on plate tectonics, paleoclimatology, and evolutionary biology.

Local Libraries and Academic Institutions

The UT Libraries system, including the Perry-Castañeda Library, holds extensive collections on Texas natural history. Many titles are available for public checkout. Request interlibrary loans for specialized books on Texas fossils or Cretaceous ecosystems.

Community Science Platforms

Join iNaturalist or the Paleobiology Database to contribute your own observations. The museum frequently partners with citizen scientists to identify new fossil sites or track species distribution. Your photos and notes may aid real research.

Books and Media Recommendations

• “Texas Dinosaurs: A Guide to the Fossils of the Lone Star State” by Dr. Louis Jacobs
• “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs” by Steve Brusatte
• “Geology of Texas: From the Gulf to the Panhandle” by James W. Hargrave
• Documentary: “Dinosaurs of Texas” (PBS, 2021)

Real Examples

Example 1: A Family’s Weekend Visit

The Garcia family from San Antonio visited the museum with their two children, ages 7 and 10. They arrived at 9:15 a.m. on a Saturday, avoiding the midday rush. After picking up a family activity packet, they started in the Hall of Ancient Life. The children were captivated by the Alamosaurus and spent 20 minutes at the Dig Site replica. They then moved to the Geology Hall, where they identified minerals they’d seen on a family trip to Big Bend. At the Texas Wildlife exhibit, they watched a live garter snake shed its skin—a moment they later described as “the coolest thing ever.” The family joined the 2:00 p.m. guided tour, where they learned how fossils are dated using radiometric methods. They ended their visit with a fossil cast they made together and a book on Texas reptiles. The children later created a school project using photos and notes from their visit, earning top marks in their class.

Example 2: A College Student’s Research Trip

Maria, a geology major at Texas A&M, visited the museum during spring break to study Permian-era fossils for her thesis. She used the online collection database to identify specimens of Dimetrodon and Edaphosaurus from the Clear Fork Formation. At the museum, she requested access to the research archives, where she examined original field notes from 1950s expeditions. She photographed bone structures for comparative analysis and spoke with a curator who shared unpublished data on limb morphology. Her research contributed to a poster presentation at the Geological Society of America conference, where she credited the Texas Memorial Museum as a key resource.

Example 3: A Teacher’s Field Trip

Ms. Rodriguez, a 5th-grade science teacher from Austin, brought her class on a field trip aligned with the state curriculum on Earth systems. She pre-booked a 90-minute educational program titled “Fossils and Time.” Students participated in a fossil sorting activity, created their own “rock layers” with clay, and wrote journal entries imagining life as a prehistoric creature. After the visit, Ms. Rodriguez used museum-provided lesson plans to extend the unit into math (measuring fossil lengths) and art (drawing prehistoric scenes). The school later received a grant to purchase museum-branded educational kits based on the success of the trip.

Example 4: An International Visitor’s Experience

Julien, a geology student from France, visited the museum during a semester abroad in Austin. He had studied European dinosaurs but was unfamiliar with North American fauna. The Hall of Ancient Life surprised him with the scale of Texas fossils. He scanned QR codes to compare Texas sauropods with those from Argentina and Morocco. He later wrote a blog post titled “Why Texas Has the Best Dinosaurs,” which went viral among European student travel groups. He returned the next year to volunteer in the fossil prep lab.

FAQs

Is the Texas Memorial Museum free to enter?

Yes. Admission to all permanent exhibits is free for all visitors. Donations are welcomed but not required.

Do I need to reserve tickets in advance?

Reservations are not required for general admission. However, some special exhibitions, guided group tours, or educational programs may require advance registration. Check the website before your visit.

Can I bring food into the museum?

Food and drinks are not permitted in exhibit halls. There are picnic areas outside the museum and nearby campus cafeterias where you may eat before or after your visit.

Are there facilities for infants and toddlers?

Yes. The museum has family restrooms with changing tables, stroller parking, and a quiet room for nursing or calming down. High chairs are available in the café area adjacent to the museum.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All floors are accessible via elevators. Wheelchairs are available for loan at the information desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Service animals are welcome.

How long should I plan to spend at the museum?

Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 3 hours. If you plan to explore every exhibit, participate in interactive stations, and attend a guided tour, allocate at least 2.5 hours.

Can I take photographs?

Photography is allowed for personal, non-commercial use. Flash and tripods are prohibited near sensitive specimens. Some special exhibits may have additional restrictions—signage will indicate this.

Are there any age restrictions for visiting?

No. The museum welcomes visitors of all ages. Exhibits are designed to be engaging for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Educational programs are tailored for different grade levels.

Can I bring my pet?

Only service animals are permitted inside the museum. Pets must remain outside.

How do I get involved as a volunteer or intern?

Volunteer and internship opportunities are posted on the museum’s website under “Get Involved.” Applications are accepted year-round for roles in education, collections, and visitor services.

Does the museum offer virtual visits?

Yes. The website features a full 360-degree virtual tour, video lectures, and downloadable activity packets for remote learners. These are ideal for classrooms and homeschooling families.

Conclusion

Visiting the Texas Memorial Museum is more than a trip—it’s an invitation to journey through deep time, to witness the slow, powerful forces that shaped life on Earth, and to connect with the scientific curiosity that drives human understanding. From the towering bones of ancient reptiles to the quiet beauty of a mineral crystal, every exhibit tells a story of resilience, adaptation, and change. By following this guide, you transform a casual outing into a purposeful exploration. Plan ahead, engage with the resources, ask questions, and let the exhibits inspire wonder. Whether you’re holding a fossil in your hands, watching a scientist prepare a 200-million-year-old bone, or learning how Texas’s deserts once lay beneath an ancient sea, you become part of a legacy of discovery. The Texas Memorial Museum doesn’t just preserve the past—it invites you to understand it, question it, and carry its lessons forward. Make your visit count. Explore with intention. Leave with curiosity renewed.