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Location: Central, In/Outdoor: Indoor Activity level: Low Features: The Texas Memorial Museum is a four-story museum on the University of Texas campus. It features displays of dinosaur bones and other prehistoric animal bones, fossils, gems, bird and wildlife dioramas, terraniums and aquariums, and a nice gift shop. Cost for a family of four: free; donations are accepted Best for ages: 3-10 | ![]() |
The Experience: For an old-fashioned, traditional museum experience, visit the Texas Memorial Museum. Before you go into the museum, don't miss the Glen Rose dinosaur tracks, located in a small building just north of the entrance. These are some of the best examples of dinosaur prints ever discovered, found in a creekbed near Glen Rose, Texas. There are two clear and distinct sets of footprints, which are explained as that of a sauropod and a theropod. Some scientists think the footprints represent a battle scene between the two animals. The dinosaur bones inside the museum are awesome, including an amazing Texas Pterosaur, the largest flying creature ever discovered, hovering overhead in the Great Hall where guests enter. The first floor is our favorite, where you can take a geologic walk through time and see animals that you may have never known existed. Children will be fascinated by the dinosaur bones and animals they recognize from the movie Ice Age. Many of the fossils and bones were found in Texas, so you can imagine them walking around right where you stand. There is often a paleontologist working in the basement that visitors can ask questions of or watch her work. The old building is beautiful. Free, educational, and entertaining, what could be better?
Before you go: Bring a camera. If you have a stroller, you will need to find the handicapped entrance to the left of the main entrance, as the main entrance has a large set of stairs. We have not tried going there on a weekday when school was in session, but it may be very difficult to park. We have not had a problem parking in the parking garage next door on Saturdays and Sundays.
How to go cheaper: Not possible.
Birthday Parties: Do it yourself.
Accessibility: Entrance on side door with automatic door opener, elevators to get between floors, chair lifts to get up and down two sets of short stairs.Fun Factor: 8/10
Yum Factor: N/A
Value Factor: N/A
The Lowdown: A very educational way to entertain dinosaur-obsessed kids for free, plus a dose of traditional museum nostalgia.
Hours: M-F 9-5; Sat 10-5; Sunday 1-5
Website: http://www.utexas.edu/tmm
Address: 2400 Trinity St., Austin Map: Google Map Phone: (512) 471-1604
