Member Appreciation Month

All September long, save 20% OFF at the Museum Store, including the Plant Stall, which features plants grown in the HMNS Greenhouses. 

*Discount will be automatically applied when you log in to your HMNS Museum Store account 
*Excludes all sale items

Treat yourself to a free small cup of hot or iced coffee at the Periodic Table Grab and Go Café and Elements Grill when you provide proof of membership.

Observe the far reaches of space at the George Observatory by reserving your ticket for Saturday Stargazing. During Member Appreciation Month, save $3 off your purchase by using discount code GeorgeMembers at check out. (Tickets must be reserved before the day of the event).

Separate ticket for Brazos Bend State Park is required, purchase here.

We don’t only have classes for children; adults can join the fun too! We’re offering exclusive discounts in September as part of our Member Appreciation Month. Get $5 off any class, lecture, behind-the-scenes tour or excursion when you purchase tickets in September. This discount applies to any class from now until the end of the year! Just enter promo code AEDDisc at checkout to receive your discount!

To receive your discount, you must make your ticket purchase during September.

$5 discount applies to classes, lectures, behind-the-scenes tours or excursions taking place from September 1–December 31.

Check out all of our classes and lectures here.

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5-6
Members Receive 50% off member price tickets to the Burke Baker Planetarium @ HMNS Hermann Park

Members Receive 50% off member price tickets to the Dig Pit @ HMNS Sugar Land
Dig Pit tickets can only be purchased in person

Use code MEMAPP at check out!  

Saturday, September 5 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm 

Member Early Access: Permanent Exhibits will open exclusively for members at 8:00 am 

Did you know HMNS is home to a collection of stunning Fabergé creations, including Fabergé eggs?  

Come discover some of the opulent masterpieces crafted by the House of Fabergé and learn the fascinating history behind them. Our knowledgeable docents will be in the exhibition during this time to answer your questions, share incredible stories, and help make your visit even more memorable. 

But that’s not all; we’re celebrating our members with even more fun! 

Stop by our craft station in Glassell Hall and let your creativity shine by decorating your very own Fabergé-inspired egg. Then, visit our gem artist from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm for a little extra flair. Plus, the first 100 members to arrive will receive a free shark necklace.  

Please note: Due to time constraints and high demand, face gems are not guaranteed. Face painting will end promptly at 1:00 pm, and the line will close at 12:45 pm. 

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12-13 
Members Receive 50% off member price tickets to the Cockrell Butterfly Center.  

Use code MEMAPP at check out! 

Saturday, September 12 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Join us in the Grand Hall and Glassell Hall as we celebrate the John P. McGovern Hall of the Americas exhibit with a special day of culture, creativity, and community! 

Get creative by making your own bracelet, then enjoy a day filled with exciting experiences, including timed exhibit tours, vibrant dance performances, and fascinating artisan demonstrations presented by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and other cultural groups. 

As a special thank-you, the first 100 members to stop by the Membership table will receive a complimentary cup to take home as a reminder of your day at HMNS. 

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20 
Members receive 50% off member price tickets to the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre. 

Use code MEMAPP at check out!

Saturday, September 19 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm   

Member Early Access: Permanent Exhibits will open exclusively for members at 8:00 am 

What better way to start your day than by exploring our Matter & Motion exhibit? Step into the fascinating world of early chemistry and discover how the ancient practice of alchemy helped pave the way for modern science. 

Then, make your way to our craft station in Glassell Hall, where you can create your own dream potion to take home as a magical keepsake and have an artist make a work of art on your cheek! 

Please note: Due to time constraints and high demand, face painting is not guaranteed. Face painting will end promptly at 1:00 pm, and the line will close at 12:45 pm. 

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27 
Members receive 50% off member price tickets to the special exhibit Clickbait: an app you can walk thru. 

Use code MEMAPP at check out! 

Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Member Early Access: Permanent Exhibits will open exclusively for members at 8:00 am

Did you know mammoths, giant bison, saber-cat, and other incredible Ice Age animals once roamed right here in the Houston area? Join Colin from the HMNS Paleontology Lab for a fun, hands-on adventure as young explorers discover what Houston looked like thousands of years ago.

Kids will receive a Houston Ice Age Explorer Map and travel through activity stations to uncover where Ice Age fossils have been found across our city. Along the way, they’ll examine animal footprints, match tracks to their prehistoric creators, learn about the amazing animals that once called Houston home, and hear fascinating stories from a real paleontologist.

After exploring the Ice Age, families can stop by the craft table to create their own dinosaur feet and stomp their way throughout the museum! The first 100 members will receive a special dinosaur keychain to take home.

Share the magic of membership with someone special! Invite a friend to experience HMNS member-style and show them all the benefits that come with being part of our museum family.

On Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, bring a friend along and let them explore our permanent exhibits for free while they discover what it’s like to be an HMNS member.

Your guest must check in at the Box Office and provide their full name and email address upon arrival.

You can add an additional ticket to an online order and redeem the voucher or redeem the voucher at the Box Office.

Skip the wait for next year’s rodeo and saddle up for an unforgettable evening in the Morian Hall of Paleontology, where the cowboy spirit collides with prehistoric giants.

As the song says, sip on a glass of Tennessee whiskey or enjoy your favorite cocktail from our cash bars while indulging in a curated selection of passed hors d’oeuvres. Then hit the dance floor as the Royal Dukes Band keeps the party going with crowd-favorite country hits.

Capture the moment with immersive Western-themed photo opportunities, explore the museum after hours beneath towering fossils, and experience a one-of-a-kind night where the spirit of the Wild West meets the awe of prehistoric titans. It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss!

This event is to celebrate the continuous support of our Supporting Level Members.

Supporting Members (Discoverer level and above) receive two free tickets to this event. Any additional tickets are $100 per person.

Enjoy complimentary parking for this event
This event is 21+

Our knowledgeable volunteer docents are passionate about sharing the stories behind our exhibits. As you explore the museum, keep an eye out for docents stationed throughout the permanent exhibits and take the opportunity to ask the questions you’ve always wanted answered. Whether you’re curious about a fascinating artifact, a dinosaur discovery, or the science behind an exhibit, our docents are ready to share their expertise with you!  

Our volunteer docents participate as their schedules allow, so availability may vary from day to day.

As a valued member, join us for a special after-hours screening featuring classic planetarium shows and films pulled straight from our archives. Many of these favorites haven’t been shown since the early 2000s, making this a rare opportunity to experience them once again, including Are We Really Alone?, a fascinating exploration of UFOs, what they might be, and our place in the Universe.

Take a trip back in time and relive these nostalgic productions alongside fellow members. Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or discovering these retro experiences for the first time, it’s an evening of memories, discovery, and museum history you won’t want to miss.

Please note: No other museum exhibits will be open during the evening.

Ever wondered how museum exhibits come together? Join us for a special Coffee with Curators in the Paleontology Overlook and get an inside look at the stories, research, and creativity behind HMNS exhibits.

Enjoy coffee and donuts while chatting with Dr. Dirk Van Tuerenhout, Curator of Anthropology as he shares insights into the exhibits he has helped develop, shape, and, of course, curate!

This is a unique opportunity to connect with the experts behind the experiences you love at HMNS.

Step behind the scenes and watch as history is revealed right before your eyes! Join our HMNS fossil preparators as they carefully uncover and expose the secrets hidden within ancient rock.

Curious about prehistoric life? Our knowledgeable experts will be on hand from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm to answer your questions, share fascinating stories about fossil discoveries, and give you a closer look at the science behind preparing fossils.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to see the Paleo Lab come to life and experience real science in action!

Take a trip back in time with us for a special one-day-only screening from the HMNS film archives!

We’ve dusted off the reels and cleared away the cobwebs to bring back Rivers of Life: The Great Migration, returning to the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre for the first time in over 20 years.

What better way to celebrate Member Appreciation Month than with an unforgettable movie experience on the giant screen? Bring your favorite movie snacks, settle into your seat, and enjoy this rare opportunity to relive a classic the way it was meant to be seen.

Don’t miss this exclusive trip down memory lane!

Please note:
No other museum exhibits will be open during the evening
Late entry will not be permitted
Enjoy complimentary parking for the evening

The adventure begins in the Hall of Ancient Egypt, where a chilling mystery unfolds. An archaeologist has vanished, leaving behind cryptic notes and a growing fear that the legendary curse of the mummy is real. Since the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922, tales of ancient curses have captivated the world, but this time, the danger feels close. 

As you investigate, you’ll uncover hidden clues, puzzling artifacts, and fragments of a story left unfinished. What did the archaeologist find, and what may still be lurking in the shadows? 

This interactive evening of exploration, discovery and secrets is limited to 14 people. 

Ages 15+ NO EXCEPTIONS. All minors must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. No refunds.