Explore the massive dinosaur exhibit in Houston, Texas. Discovery guide Alexander Ruff takes us on a dinosaur discovery tour of the Morian Hall of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Science.
The huge exhibition hall is full of ancient life and is almost 30,000 square feet, or about as large as an American football field.
COVID-19 Health and Safety at the Museum of Natural Science in Houston
The good news is that the Museum of Natural Science in Houston re-opened on May 15, after it had closed on March 17th. High-touch exhibits remain closed.
All staff and visitors age 10 and over are required to wear face masks. Crowd limitations, social distancing and traffic flow measures are in place. Sanitization and environmental cleaning practices are in place for your health and safety.
Check the HMNS website for the latest safety measures.
Video tour of the massive dinosaur exhibit in Houston
Dinosaur discovery tour in the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Dipsy the Diplodocus
Here you can find some of the most interesting and largest dinosaurs in Texas, including flying reptiles.
The dinosaur exhibit in Houston features three Tyrannosaurus rex (commonly referred to as T. rex), mammoths, mammuthus and the gigantic skeleton of Dipsy the Diplodocus. Dipsy was the first dinosaur to arrive at the Museum of Natural Science in 1975.
Dipsy was the first dinosaur to arrive at the Museum of Natural Science in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
A trilobite, one of the oldest life forms on earth
The massive dinosaur exhibit opens with one of the oldest life forms on earth, a trilobite, dating from about 540 million years ago.
Houston Museum of Natural Science’s trilobite dating from about 540 million years ago. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Prehistoric Dimetrodon
The prehistoric Dimetrodon is often mistaken for a dinosaur but is actually a sail-backed lizard. It is a Permian Fossil and was found in the Permian basin of west Texas, where it roamed the earth about 250 million years ago.
The prehistoric Dimetrodon is often mistaken for a dinosaur. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
The most famous Triceratops in the world
The museum features one of the most famous and most complete Triceratops in the world, called Lane. It was named after the grandson of the woman who found it on her family ranch in Wyoming. The Triceratops is 80 per cent complete and there are even skin impressions on the wall behind the exhibit.
The most complete Triceratops in the world, called Lane is at the Museum of Natural Science in Houston. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Quetzalcoatlus, the largest flying reptile
The Quetzalcoatlus is one of the largest flying creatures ever discovered. It dates from the North American Late Cretaceous period around 66 million years ago.
Dinosaur discovery tour at the Museum of Natural Science in Houston. Learn about Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest flying creatures ever discovered. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Deinonychus, made famous by the Jurassic Park movie
Most people will recognize Deinonychus as the Velociraptor as seen in the movie Jurassic Park. The Deinonychus usually hunted in packs of about 30. The have very powerful claws on the feet that would grab on to prey they hunted.
Deinonychus of Jurassic Park fame is on display at the massive dinosaur exhibit in Houston, Texas at the Museum of Natural Science. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Vicious Didelphodon
The Houston Museum of Natural Science has the world’s only skeleton of the Didelphodon. For more than 100 years paleontologists thought this creature was like a big opossum but new evidence shown by this skeleton reveals it has the face of Tasmanian devil and the body is more like a river otter.
Dinosaur discovery tour at the Museum of Natural Science in Houston. See the worlds only skeleton of Didelphodon has face of Tasmanian devil. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Museum of Natural Science in Houston
The Museum of Natural Science in Houston is one of the most visited museums in North America.
It has 17 permanent exhibits and numerous visiting exhibitions, a planetarium, a giant screen theater, the Cockrell Butterfly Center and more.
Book a discovery tour with one of the museum’s experts when you visit the museum. Avoid lineups by purchasing tickets in advance here. Download a map of the museum.
Plan your visit. The museum can be very busy weekday mornings and on weekends. You can call HMNS to ask about anticipated crowds 713-639-4629.
The museum is located at 5555 Hermann Park Dr. in Houston, Texas.
Find out more about the massive dinosaur exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science website.
Spend less and experience more. Houston CityPASS saves 47% on Houston’s top 5 attractions packaged together at significant savings. The general admission to the Houston Museum of Natural Science is included with the purchase of a CityPASS
Wendy Nordvik-Carr was a guest of Visit Houston, which did not review or approve this story.
This post may contain compensated links. Any purchases made may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information please read our disclaimer.
Wendy Nordvik-Carr is a highly regarded travel writer who produces quality, well-researched articles with stunning photography and video.
She seeks out authentic experiences showcasing the people, culture and history that make each destination unique. Her focus is on solo, couple and multigenerational travel through cruising, air and road trip adventures.
Wendy is the editor & writer for LifesIncredibleJourney.com, a travel site that encourages exploration of destinations near & far.
She is a TMAC Director, Chair, National Governance Committee and Chair of TMAC's BC & Yukon Chapter, as well as a member of SATW and NATJA.
Have you been here? Want to go or have other tips or comments. We'd love to hear from you.