Tyrannosaurus Rex at Dinosaurs Live at Heard Museum in McKinney Texas

Jurassic Night Out – September 7

Step back in time and experience a night of prehistoric proportions at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary!

 

Join us for an epic adults-only evening under the stars featuring the original 90s blockbuster Jurassic Park. But hold onto your fossils because this isn’t just any movie night. Imagine watching those iconic dinosaurs on the big screen in our outdoor amphitheater while being surrounded by life-size animatronic dinosaurs along our nature trail. Feast like a T-Rex on food from our delicious vendors and enjoy a selection of beverages.

 

Whether you’re a dinosaur fanatic, a lover of the great outdoors, or just in it for food and drinks, this dino-mite night is guaranteed to be a roaring good time.

 

The event is for guests ages 21+. Get tickets now for a unique blend of cinema, science, and nature. More information coming soon.

Magical Moth Night

Magical Moth Night – July 27

Join us on July 27 as we celebrate National Moth Week at Magical Moth Night! Equipped with gentle light features to attract them, we’ll explore the hidden beauty of moths and other nocturnal creatures. This unique event offers an unforgettable look at nature’s most captivating night-time creatures. See the night as you’ve never seen it before!

A beautiful Green Heron at Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary

Homeschool Day

Homeschoolers and their families are invited to join us for a day of fun and learning at the Heard. Families will enjoy a discount on event tickets: buy one, get one of equal of lesser value free. Be sure to use promo code HSDAY2024 when you purchase your tickets. Join us for special activities and visit with representatives from local organizations!

Reservations are required for the special event. Reservations will close at 5 p.m. Be sure to save your spot today.

Schedule

  • 3rd Thursday Bird Walk – 8 a.m.
  • Educational & Enriching Booths & Activities – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
    • Monarch Watch
    • Native Plant Society of Texas, Collin County Chapter
    • Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists
    • Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
    • McKinney Public Library System
    • Anthem Music
    • And More
  • Story Time – 10 a.m.
  • Animal Talks – 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.

Additional Activities

More information will be available soon. To receive updates, please click here.

a heard employee showing a tortoise to some children

Teacher Appreciation Day 2024

Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary! Join us for a day of complimentary admission and more as we honor and thank educators. Explore the beauty of nature and the wonders of wildlife as we show our gratitude for the hard work and dedication of teachers.

 

Get your tickets now and save the date. Make it a day to remember at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary!

 

Schedule:

  • General Admission: 9 a.m.-5p.m. (guests not granted entry after 4 p.m.)
  • Animal Talks at 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Family Campout – November 9

The Family Campout will offer groups an evening of fantastic discovery after hours! Our programs include team-building activities, the opportunity to experience Texas wildlife, s’mores, and more. Experience what it’s like to be a member of the Heard’s nightlife. And, enjoy a night that your group will never forget!  Spots are limited, so be sure to get your ticket now.

This program is available to families with kids ages 5 through 12. Each attending group must have at least 1 adult per 4 children to provide supervision.

Learn More

Family Campout – October 19

The Family Campout will offer groups an evening of fantastic discovery after hours! Our programs include team-building activities, the opportunity to experience Texas wildlife, s’mores, and more. Experience what it’s like to be a member of the Heard’s nightlife. And, enjoy a night that your group will never forget!  Spots are limited, so be sure to get your ticket now.

This program is available to families with kids ages 5 through 12. Each attending group must have at least 1 adult per 4 children to provide supervision.

Learn More

Family Campout – September 27

The Family Campout will offer groups an evening of fantastic discovery after hours! Our programs include team-building activities, the opportunity to experience Texas wildlife, s’mores, and more. Experience what it’s like to be a member of the Heard’s nightlife. And, enjoy a night that your group will never forget!  Spots are limited, so be sure to get your ticket now.

This program is available to families with kids ages 5 through 12. Each attending group must have at least 1 adult per 4 children to provide supervision.

Learn More

Family Campout – June 14

The Family Campout will offer groups an evening of fantastic discovery after hours! Our programs include team-building activities, the opportunity to experience Texas wildlife, s’mores, and more. Experience what it’s like to be a member of the Heard’s nightlife. And, enjoy a night that your group will never forget!  Spots are limited, so be sure to get your ticket now.

This program is available to families with kids ages 5 through 12. Each attending group must have at least 1 adult per 4 children to provide supervision.

Learn More

Open Monday – 2/19/24

While the Heard is usually closed on Mondays, on February 19, the Heard will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that guests may not be granted entry after 4 p.m. on these dates.

A trail leading into a wooded area

North Texas Giving Day 2024

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing nature and people together to discover, enjoy, experience, restore and preserve our priceless environment. Your support through financial contributions will help ensure that the Heard, including a 289-acre nature preserve, will be sustained.

 

Thank you for your consideration and support!

Donations can be made through www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/heardmuseum or at our website. Please consider helping if you can. If you’re not able to help financially, please consider sharing! That is also very helpful.

 

More About Us

 

Founded in 1967, the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney Texas consists of a natural science museum, indoor and outdoor exhibits, over six miles of nature trails, an outdoor amphitheater and a 289 acre wildlife sanctuary. The Heard hosts more than 100,000 visitors each year, drawing families, educators, researchers, environmentalists, and more. Visitors hike the trails year round (self-guided or interpreted by Heard volunteers and staff, by reservation) and have the opportunity encounter many species of flora and fauna. Programs offered by the Heard include exhibits, school field trips, outreach programs, homeschool natural science programs, preschool natural science programs, summer nature camps, birthday parties, scouting initiatives, environmental research programs, team-building initiatives, night hikes and community events.

 

Protected for its biological importance and for scientific and educational use, this nature preserve is part of the less than 1% of the Blackland Prairie (the most endangered ecosystem in North America) that remains. The Heard Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature preserve rather than a park because of the special character of this area and the rarity of some of its plants and animals. Preserving these natural resources depends on our collective stewardship. Because the Heard does not receive regular tax funding, improvements to our facility and conservation of these resources are made possible with the support of individuals like you through donations, admissions and volunteering.

 

The Heard was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard at the age of 80. In a time when the rate of expansion of the Metroplex was slower than today, she foresaw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. The Heard’s mission of bringing nature and people together is largely fulfilled through onsite educational programs, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation and utilizes the natural resources available within our 289-acre nature preserve.

 

The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary located in McKinney, TX also manages roughly 60 combined acres of Blackland Prairie restoration sites. The Blackland Prairie ecoregion once covered over 19,000 square miles in Texas, which began at the Red River, north of Dallas, and extended south to present-day San Antonio. Now, less than 1% of this ecologically critical ecosystem remains.

 

Please note: the button labeled “register” below will take you to our North Texas Giving Day donation page.