When to Visit
Visit HMNS at Sugar Land at low volume times. Our museum halls can get crowded on the weekends, during holidays (especially Spring Break), and during the summer. During weekdays in the spring, the halls may be crowded with school groups visiting on field trips. The best times to visit are right when the museum opens (10:00 a.m.) during the week, on Thursdays and Fridays. If you have any questions about how busy the museum is, you can call 281-313-2277 to speak with a representative from our Visitor Services Department.
Please note that events and facility rentals are a frequent occurrence at HMNS at Sugar Land, especially around the holidays. If you are visiting towards the end of the day, catering may be setting up in certain areas in the museum.
Planning your Visit
Review our Exploration Planner (link to attachment) in advance! A good way to prepare you and your family for a visit to HMNS at Sugar Land is to look over our Exploration Planner and decide which exhibits you’d like to see and in what order you’d like to visit them. It might also be helpful to bring a printed copy of the Exploration Planner, along with our Visual Vocabulary Cards (link to attachment), with you for your visit!
These resources are also useful for families with young children, elderly patrons or anyone visiting the museum!
Parking
There are accessible parking spaces at the front of the Museum, just outside the main entrance.
Restrooms
HMNS has restrooms with changing tables on the first and second levels. Restrooms are located behind the Gift Shop, near the Snack Bar, and also in the back area of the Paleontology Hall. Mothers may nurse anywhere within HMNS—there is no designated area.
Service Animals
Certified Service Animals are always welcome at HMNS!
Lunch
Be sure to plan ahead for lunch – we do not allow food or drink in our exhibit halls! You may either pack a lunch and keep it stored in a bag that you carry with you until lunchtime or keep a lunch stored in your car until lunchtime. Lunch and snacks may be eaten in the Snack Bar area or outside in the Outdoor Learning Center or Butterfly Garden. Your Permanent Exhibit Hall ticket gives you access to exit and re-enter the Permanent Exhibits throughout the day, so feel free to eat lunch and return to the museum!
Reporting a Lost Child
If you and your child get separated, please report to Box Office, located just inside the main museum entrance and report that you and your child were separated. Museum staff are trained to help find your child in this situation.
Strollers
Strollers are allowed in all areas of the Museum.
Special Exhibits
Please note that most Special Exhibits are one-time entry only, so make sure to plan enough time to see the whole exhibit!
Membership
Become a member in order to utilize these resources and visit HMNS at Sugar Land whenever you’d like for a full year!
What if I have a need that isn’t met by current programming and resources?
If you have a disability that is not accommodated by our current programming and resources, please contact us! We are always looking for ways to expand our offerings and be as inclusive as possible. Email SLaccessprogramming@hmns.org and let us know what we can do to make HMNS at Sugar Land more inclusive!
I have a group that would like to take a tour, but I don’t see a tour option that fills our specific need.
Call Advanced Sales at 713-639-4629 to book a private tour for your group. When you call, please let us know how many people are in your group, ages of participants, and how we can best accommodate your needs.