From flickering fireflies and glittering jellyfish to quirky and priceless collectibles, fantastic 3D films and more, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science boasts a bright and bountiful line-up for the 2015-2016 season.
Two not-to-be-missed traveling exhibitions will top the offerings – Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence (Oct. 31, 2015 – Feb. 21, 2016) and Eye of the Collector (April 15 – Sept. 5, 2016). Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence illuminates the mesmerizing world of plants and animals that glow, from the deepest parts of the ocean and beyond.
Eye of the Collector will showcase the prized possessions of nine individuals that lend insight into prehistoric life, ancient civilizations, fascinating cultures and more. Plus “doze with the dinos” sleepovers, adults-only Social Science evenings, First Thursday Late Nights, second Saturday Discovery Days and other crowd favorites return, providing fresh opportunities for discovery for everyone from wee ones to grown-ups.
CREATURES OF LIGHT: NATURE’S BIOLUMINESCENCE
(Oct. 31, 2015 – Feb. 21, 2016)
This exhibit explores Earth’s extraordinary organisms that produce light, from the flickering fireflies found in backyards around the world to the glowing deep-sea fish and other fantastic creatures that illuminate the perpetually dark depths of the oceans. Guests will move through a series of re-created environments to explore bioluminescence – extraordinary organisms that generate light through a chemical reaction.
Rare among organisms that live on land, the ability to glow is much more common in the ocean, where up to 90 percent of animals at depths below 2,000 feet are bioluminescent and where scientists continue to discover bizarre new light-emitting species. Like the crystal jelly, whose glow led to a revolution in cell biology, these deep-ocean animals may hold important clues to essential questions.
Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, and The Field Museum, Chicago. Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence requires a surcharge for members and non-members. Ticket prices below.
EYE OF THE COLLECTOR
(April 16 – Sept. 5, 2016).
At the Perot Museum, every object and specimen within its collection tells a unique story. In its first full-scale self-curated exhibition, the Perot Museum presents Eye of the Collector, bringing together amazing personal collections of nine very different people – from the exquisite to the quirky, from historical artifacts to pop culture.
Not only will visitors marvel at the items themselves, they’ll also get a glimpse into the minds of the collectors and find out what inspired them to see the magic in items ranging from everyday utensils to rare treasures. At the heart of this exclusive exhibition are signature pieces from Nancy and Randy Best, whose extensive collections take visitors on journeys through time and expand our knowledge – from early hominids to breathtaking minerals extracted from the earth. Every object becomes a wormhole that transports one to a time in history. Admission prices to be announced at a later date.
HOURS: From Labor Day through Memorial Day, the general hours of operation for the Perot Museum are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. On Labor Day weekend, the Museum will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5; and noon-7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6. On the first Thursday of each month, the Museum will remain open until 9 p.m. for its First Thursday Late Night public events.
IMPORTANT: The Museum will be closed Sept. 8-10 for annual routine maintenance and will be closed from 1 p.m. on Nov. 13 through Nov. 14 for the Night at the Museum fundraising event. The Perot Museum also will be closed Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) and Dec. 25 (Christmas).
Members-only extended hours! From 8:30-10 a.m. every Saturday and 10 a.m.-noon every Sunday, members can enjoy exclusive access to the Perot Museum, plus members-only access to the Moody Family Children’s Museum from 10 a.m. – noon every Monday. Extended hours are offered during some holiday weekends and during winter break. Please check perotmuseum.org for other special member-only hours, holiday hours, extended hours and unexpected closings.
TICKETS AND GENERAL INFORMATION. Museum general admission ticket prices are $17 for adults (18-64), $11 for youth (2-17), $12 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Museum general admission is always free for members. Admission to the theater is $6 for a short film (20 minutes) and $8 for a long film (40 minutes) for adults, seniors and youth. For members, admission to the theater is $5 (short film) and $6 (long film). All children under 2 are free. General admission prices subject to change.
*Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence requires a surcharge along with purchase of Museum general admission for non-members for a total admission cost of $26 for adults (18-64), $18 for youth (2-17), $19 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Member tickets are $5 for adults (18-64) and $4 for youth (2-17) and seniors (65+).
Skip the lines! Visitors, including members, are strongly encouraged to purchase/reserve tickets in advance directly from your smart phones or computers.
PAID PARKING: General parking and handicap parking is available in the main Museum parking lot, a pay-to-exit lot located under Woodall Rodgers Freeway across from the Museum. Limited additional handicap and Hybrid/electric vehicle parking is available in the Special Permit lot, located directly west of the Museum. Pricing is $8 per car when paid on-site and $3 for Museum members.
