Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

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Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

Photo: Sanctuary.p · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

🦒 Zoo · McKinney

3 hours · $ · No reservation needed

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 2.0
1–3 yrs
★ 4.0
3–5 yrs
★ 4.0
5–10 yrs
★ 5.0
  • 🚗
    About 25 min drive
    From Plano · Parking: Free sanctuary lot
  • 🎒
    Carrier recommended
    Terrain isn't stroller-friendly; a carrier is easier
  • 🌳
    Lots of shade
    Great on sunny days · Good on cool days · Fine on cold days
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 3 hours
    Best seasons: Fall · Winter · Spring

A 289-acre nature sanctuary east of McKinney: the indoor museum has live snakes, turtles, and raptors, and from September to February Dinosaurs Live sets a dozen-plus life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar along the woodland trails — the favorite day out for older kids in the northern suburbs.

💡 Tips
Admission is about $12–15 for adults and $9–11 for kids, check the website; Sundays open in the afternoon only. The dirt trails are rough for strollers, so use a carrier; the dinosaur trail is about 1 mile, and kids 3 and up can finish it. The butterfly garden is open in spring and fall.

What this place offers

✓dinosaur models
✓woodland trails
✓live animals
✓nature museum
✓butterfly garden
✓restrooms
✓picnic

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in McKinney

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

☁️
Sat 10/17
Overcast · 45–66°F · 0% rain
☁️
Sun 10/18
Overcast · 48–72°F · 1% rain

Location

McKinney, Texas

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