With over 200 museums in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, visitors and even native Dallas residents can feel overwhelmed. Here is a list of some of the museums in DFW that are a must-see, according to Thrillist.
The Dallas Museum of Art, located in the Arts District, is the biggest museum in Dallas. On top of its size, the permanent collection of art is always free entry, while if you are looking to see the limited edition exhibits, you will have to pay a fee for entrance. If you cannot make it during the day, stop by for their themed “Late Nights,” when the museum stays open until 11 pm, often featuring performances and indoor or outdoor activities.
The African American Museum of Dallas, located at Fair Park, is dedicated to preserving African American art, culture, and history and putting it on display. You can access the exhibits for free all year round, except during the State Fair of Texas, when you must purchase a fair ticket for admittance.
The Modern, a Fort Worth-located museum, specializes in displaying art from 1940 onward. Some highlights include the works of Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock. The current exhibit running until the end of April is called “I’ll Be Your Mirror: Art and the Digital Screen.” Their website states that the exhibit examines “the screen’s vast impact on art from 1969 to present.” Adult tickets cost $16 per person, but on Sundays, tickets are half-price, and on Fridays, entry is free.
The Sixth Floor Museum takes visitors through the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Tickets are $18 each for adults.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science attracts both children and adults. While children and adults alike can marvel over the dinosaur exhibits, adults can enjoy the museum’s weekly Thursdays on Tap event. This event is only for those ages 21 and older and features food trucks, multiple bars, full museum access, and live music. The event returns this April. Non-member general admission costs $25 per ticket.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center is located on the Southern Methodist University campus. The museum takes visitors through a recreated Oval Office, as well as the days surrounding 9/11. The museum states that it is nonpartisan, and its mission is “advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion.” Tickets cost $26 for adults.
The National Video Game Museum is an especially unique one. It takes the viewer through the video game ages with its exhibits of the earliest and latest gaming technology. They additionally have exhibits dedicated to iconic video game characters. It also allows visitors to not only see the games but to play them. Tickets are $12 for adults.
The Heard Natural Science Museum teaches visitors about nature while also letting them be in nature. Alongside their indoor exhibits, visitors can go on a hike, biplane, and canoe or kayak. Tickets are $12 for adults.
The Frontiers of Flight Museum exhibits the history of aviation. It takes the visitor through the eras from its dawn to space travel. The museum displays over 40 air and space vehicles, 20 galleries and displays, and over 35,000 historical artifacts. Tickets are $12 per adult.
The Latino Cultural Center has permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as live music, theatrical performances, and educational workshops, all centered around Latino art and culture. General admission is free; the special events may require paying a fee.
The Kimbell Art Museum has some very famous artists in its permanent collection to boast of, such as Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet. Admission is free to view the permanent collections, but special exhibits are $18 for adults.
The Crow Museum of Asian Art, operated by the University of Texas at Dallas, features Asian art from Japan, China, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia. Their sculpture garden is especially of note, as its greenery contrasts beautifully with the busy city background. One of its newest exhibits is called “Phoenix Rising: Xu Bing and the Art of Resilience.” The exhibit features a bronze phoenix made by a modern Chinese artist as a representative of a character in ancient Chinese folklore. Admission is free to the museum.
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art has a large range in its collections. Some pieces are dedicated to the Romantic nature aesthetic, while others to modern abstraction. Like the DMA, the Carter Museum has Second Thursdays events wherein adults of age can explore the museum with a drink in hand. Admission is free.
The Nasher Sculpture Center is run by the same family that founded the NorthPark shopping center. The museum features the family’s own collection of fine art. They also have a late-night event for adults at ‘til Midnight at the Nasher. Every third Friday, visitors can gain free admission to view the art while listening to outdoor concerts, watching films, eating food, or having a drink. Admission is $10 for adults.
