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Now through June 29th the Heard Museum in McKinney, Texas is featuring giant bugs along their outdoor walking trail loop. Many of the bugs are animatronic and move. None are particularly scary. Unlike Dinosaurs Live, none of them squirt water. The trail is included in the price of museum admission. And the Butterfly Garden is also open during this event and is included in admission (along with a few native animals).
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The gravel-covered walking trail was a bit slippery due to the leaves from the trees so if anyone in your party has mobility issues, be cautious. Wheelchairs and scooters might be able to get around as they do have ramps available. Restrooms outside were closed at the time of our visit but they have restrooms inside the museum on both first and second floors. The museum does have working elevators.
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There are also a few photo-ops such as this giant caterpillar. Just past the bug trail is a nice western-style village of playhouses for young children to release some energy.
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The Butterfly Garden is set aways back from the museum past the Texas Animals exhibits in a large greenhouse-type building with special doors. Due to the nature of the doors opening and closing manually, not sure if scooters or wheelchairs can maneuver inside the butterfly house easily (call to confirm). Young children need to be reminded not to keep the doors open (and let the butterflies out). There is a box full of cocoons from which butterflies emerge. Signs explain which types of butterflies are flying around and what type of flowers attract them.
Overall, young children will enjoy the bug animatronics and the Butterfly Garden.
Where: Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: 1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069
Hours: Summer Hours (Now through August 2): Monday – Friday: 7:30AM – 3:30PM, Saturday: 7:30AM – 9:00PM, Sunday: 1:00PM – 5:00PM
Fees: Adult $15.00, Child (3-12) and Seniors $11.00, Children under 3 are free
For more information, https://www.heardmuseum.org/
