Largest traveling exhibition about the Maya opens at the Perot Museum Feb. 11, plus final days for Giant Gems of the Smithsonian, a creative-themed Social Science, MLK and Presidents’ Day weekend activities, 3D films, Late Nights and Discovery Days give Museum goers plenty to kick off the new year
The holiday season has come and gone, but a new year of enlightenment, fun, culture and amazing adventures is ahead as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science rings in 2017. Making its much-anticipated debut Feb. 11, the 10,000-square-foot Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed traveling exhibition will pay homage to one of the great civilizations of the ancient world with towering temples, underworld caves, more than 200 authentic artifacts and immersive experiences to delight all ages.
Other happenings of note include the electrically enthralling Electropolis 3D film (opening Jan. 9), First Thursday Late Nights, second Saturday Discovery Days, a creative- and fashion-themed adults-only Social Science, a kids sleepover, Engineers Week, plus special activities and extended hours during Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend and Presidents’ Day weekend.
And just a few days remain until the Jan. 17 closing of Giant Gems of the Smithsonian, where nearly 30 never-before-seen-together magnificent gems from the Smithsonian’s world-renowned National Gem Collection deliver some serious sparkle.
“It’s a great time to visit the Perot Museum as the holiday frenzy is behind us, and people are looking for fun things to do indoors until winter winds down,” said Dan Kohl, Perot Museum’s interim chief executive officer. “We’re especially excited to bring Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed to North Texas. This fascinating, illuminating exhibition gives guests a chance to walk in an archaeologist’s boots and rediscover one of history’s most influential, yet mysterious civilizations.”
For more details on the winter line-up, see below.
MAYA: HIDDEN WORLDS REVEALED (Feb. 11-Sept. 4, 2017)is the largest traveling exhibition about the Maya ever to tour the U.S. Presented by Highland Capital Management, the exhibitionbrings together more than 200 authentic artifacts and immersive environments to explore the astonishing accomplishments of one of the most powerful indigenous Mesoamerican civilizations, that still has millions of living descendants today. Visitors will learn how the Maya built towering temples and created an intricate calendar system while discovering what archaeologists have uncovered about the once-hidden ancient Maya, and the unresolved questions about why these ancient cities were abandoned. Through hands-on activity stations, guests of all ages can decipher hieroglyphs, learn cultural and architectural techniques, and explore an underworld cave, ancient burial site, mural room and more. The bilingual exhibition, presented in English and Spanish, requires a surcharge for members and non-members. LAST CHANCE! GIANT GEMS OF THE SMITHSONIAN (closes Jan. 17, 2017). Never before seen together, nearly 30 magnificent, Texas-sized gems from the Smithsonian’s world-renowned National Gem Collection are on display in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall on Level 3. The mineral masterpieces, many weighing 1,000-plus carats, include an “American Golden” topaz that tips the scales at almost 23,000 carats (more than 10 pounds), a blue topaz “football” of nearly 7,000 carats, a kunzite Tiffany necklace, a Mogul emerald diamond necklace and more. Giant Gems of the Smithsonian is free with Museum general admission. Plus from Jan. 7-17, see the public debut of the Perot Museum’s newest gem acquisition, a nearly 600 pound heart-shaped amethyst from Brazil, on display at select times.
3D FILMS IN THE HOGLUND FOUNDATION THEATER, A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE.Grab some 3D glasses, sit back and experience electrically wild science, aerial views of earth and wild weather! To view trailers and film schedule, go to perotmuseum.org. Films are presented locally by Primrose Schools. Ticket prices below.
NEW! ELECTROPOLIS 3D (Jan. 9-May 25, 2017). Take a fascinating look at the all-important electrical grid and explore how companies are working to ensure that blackouts do not disrupt everyday life. Presented by National Geographic, Electropolis 3D runs approximately 20 minutes.
EARTHFLIGHT 3D (through March 10, 2017). Take an incredible flight across the world on the wings of some of the world’s most charismatic birds. Narrated by Cate Blanchett and presented by BBC Earth, Earthflight 3D runs approximately 20 minutes.
EXTREME WEATHER 3D (through May 25, 2017). From famed storm chaser and award-winning filmmaker Sean Casey, go to the edge of 300-foot-tall glaciers, the front lines of massive wildfires and directly in the paths of deadly yet mesmerizing tornadoes. Presented by National Geographic, Extreme Weather 3D runs approximately 40 minutes.
PROGRAMS.Discovery Days, Late Nights, an adults-only Social Science, a kids sleepover, Engineers Week and special holiday weekend activities make the Perot Museum a hot spot during the chilly winter days.
DISCOVERY DAYS. On the second Saturday of the month, the family-fun Discovery Days will feature exciting experiments, activities and performances with scientists, educators and artists throughout the Museum. Visitors can tap into their inner sleuths at Discovery Days: Forensics (Jan. 14) as they gather evidence, use deductive reasoning, practice problem solving skills and learn about forensic science while examining spy technology and chromatography. Then on Feb. 11, guests can delve into the worlds of engineering, making and inventing while creating circuits, programming robots and seeing how a 3D printer works at Discovery Days: Gadgets and Gizmos. Free to members and included with general admission for non-members, Discovery Days take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (with exclusive activities during member-only hours). FIRST THURSDAY LATE NIGHT. On the first Thursday of the month, the Perot Museum stays open late with until 9 p.m.! On Feb. 2 from 7-9 p.m., learn all about recycling (and surprising recyclable materials) at the Earth-friendly First Thursday Late Night: Recycle. A great opportunity for those who want to visit after hours, First Thursday Late Night is free to members and included with general admission for non-members.ENGINEERS WEEK. Build, break, create!Students, educators and families alike are invited to explore the field of engineering firsthand through interactive demonstrations, experiments and gallery experiences with professional engineers and educators at Engineers Week Feb. 20-25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Presented by Texas Instruments and supported by IBM, Engineers Week is free to members and included with general admission for non-members. SOCIAL SCIENCE: CREATIVITY. Adults can get their creative juices flowing, while enjoying trendy cocktails and eclectic food by Wolfgang Puck, at Social Science: Creativity on Jan. 27from 7-11 p.m. Open only to adults ages 21 and up, Social Science offers dozens of interactive activities, discussions, performances, music and more in a fun Friday night party setting. At Social Science: Creativity, party goers can check out fashion, art and the maker movement, while showing off their own innovative designs and ideas. Local artists, savvy scientists and fashion designers will present a voguish variety of materials, textures, colors and much more. Tickets, which sell out fast, are $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Social Science is presented by Riveron Consulting and supported by Brown-Forman Corporation. Please drink responsibly.SLEEPOVER. Snuggle up with science! On Feb. 18, grab a sleeping bag and head to the Perot Museum for an overnight adventure unlike anything else. Children ages 6-12 can get behind-the-scenes access to the Museum’s 11 exhibit halls, exclusive demonstrations, hands-on discovery plus a late-night snack, 3D film and light breakfast to round out the experience. Sleepovers are open to groups of all sizes – from a parent and child to entire organizations. Cost is $45 per child and $30 per adult chaperone.
HOLIDAY WEEKEND SPECIAL PROGRAMMING.During MLK weekend and Presidents’ weekend, the Museum will be chock-full of fun activities and learning experiences for all ages.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WEEKEND AND PRESIDENTS’ WEEKEND. At select times during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend Jan. 14-16 and Presidents’ weekend Feb. 18-20, visitors can enjoy daily live “science on the spot” demos, bookworm readings, science trivia and other drop-in activities (such as boo bubbles, robotics – and during Presidents’ weekend – engineering-themed projects for the start of Engineers Week). Plus, little ones ages 5 and under can enjoy “science through a magnifying glass” crafts in the Moody Family Children’s Museum daily until 3 p.m. Check the website for detailed schedules. Activities are free to members and included with general admission for non-members. Note: See holiday hours below.
HOURS. General hours of operation for the Perot Museum are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturdayand noon-5 p.m. Sunday. On the first Thursday of the month, the Museum will stay open until 9 p.m. for its First Thursday Late Night public events.
Holiday and other special hours.During Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, the Museum will stay open until 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 and Sunday, Jan. 15. During Presidents’ weekend, the Museum will stay open until 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 and Sunday, Feb. 19. The Museum will be open with regular hours on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Jan. 16) and Presidents’ Day (Feb. 20) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Member mornings. From 9-10 a.m. every Saturday and 11 a.m.-noon every Sunday, members can enjoy exclusive access to the Perot Museum. OnMartin Luther King, Jr. Day (Jan. 18) and Presidents’ Day (Feb. 15), the Museum is open from 9-10 a.m. for members only.
TICKETS. Museum general admission is $19 for adults (18-64), $12 for youth (2-17), $13 for seniors (65+) and free for children under 2. Museum general admission is free for members. Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed requires asurcharge for a total admission cost of $29 for adults (18-64), $20 for youth (2-17), $21 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Member tickets are $5 for all age levels.
Highland Capital Management is the 2017-2018 Premier Partner of the Perot Museum.
The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas, Texas. For parking information and other details, visit perotmuseum.org or call 214-428-5555.
