As summer inches closer, the Perot Museum will brim with discovery, delights and discounts! Highlights include Eye of the Collector, the Museum’s first fully self-curated exhibition; new 3D films including the Robert Redford-narrated National Parks Adventure 3D and Flying Monsters; First Thursday Late Nights; second-Saturday Discovery Days; the adults-only Social Science; extended hours; holiday weekend activities; and more.

During Memorial Day weekend (May 27-30), special holiday weekend activities will include “science on the spot” demos; bookworm readings; science trivia; art activities in the Moody Family Children’s Museum; and other free-with-admission fun at discovery stations throughout the Museum. Details at perotmuseum.org/summer.

“Between our 11 permanent exhibit halls boasting everything from dinosaurs and DNA to robots, sports and space and our dazzling Eye of the Collector exhibition, there’s enough ‘wow’ to fill a day or several at the Perot Museum,” said Jamie Creola, vice president of learning and engagement of the Perot Museum. “And don’t miss the National Parks Adventure 3D film, which celebrates the centennial of the National Park Service and offers a breathtaking look at our country’s untouched wilderness.”

This summer, the Museum will offer extended hours daily May 27-Sept. 5. (See details at end of release.) Beginning Memorial Day (May 30), military and first responders can enjoy free general admission plus discounted admission for family members through Labor Day (Sept. 5). The Community Partners Ticket Program returns offering $1 admission for qualified guests (details below). Also, a $10 late-afternoon special will be offered from 4-6 p.m. weekdays (May 30-Sept. 5).

For details on all the summer happenings, see below: 

EYE OF THE COLLECTOR. (through Sept. 5, 2016). At the Perot Museum, every object and specimen within its numerous permanent collections tells a unique story. Eye of the Collector brings together the amazing personal collections of very different people including signature pieces from Nancy and Randy Best, whose extensive collections take visitors on journeys through time – from paleontological specimens, early hominids, and pre-Columbian artifacts and weapons, to exotic Sumerian tablets and spectacular minerals extracted from the earth. Other items on view belong to Steve Sansweet, whose collection of Star Wars mementos is so vast that it’s recorded as a Guinness World Record; Bob Bragalone, an avid Dallas Cowboys fan with one of the largest-ever assortments of team memorabilia dating back to the days of coach Tom Landry; Anita Martinez, a beloved Dallas civic leader and dance company founder with a love for the lushly colored Ballet Folklórico costumes; Debbie Garrett, an author/historian with an affinity for African-American and black dolls; Carla Eames Hartman, a passionate gatherer of the charming PEZ candy dispensers; Deedie Rose, a Dallas arts patron and philanthropist who has amassed an array of unique jewelry comprised of surprising materials – such as shopping bags, coffee creamer lids, egg cartons and turkey wishbones; Ron Gard, an aficionado of antique duck decoys; Scott McCaskey, a collector of hundreds of unique, vintage bicycles from the 1800s to the 1960s; and a mastodon jaw and teeth that once belonged to founding father Thomas Jefferson. Joining the exhibition are the collections of four North Texans whose items were voted as “most visually stunning” (exquisite guitars), “best youth” (vintage Dr Pepper memorabilia), “most unique” (toy tops) and the overall “people’s choice” (Beatles-inspired piano) through a public contest. Presented by Highland Capital Management, Eye of the Collector is free for members and requires a surcharge for non-members. Ticket prices below.

3D FILMS IN THE HOGLUND FOUNDATION THEATER, A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE. Sit back and escape into stories of nature and science in incredible 3D! To view trailers and film schedules, go to perotmuseum.org. Films are presented locally by Primrose Schools. Ticket prices below.

NEW! National Parks Adventure 3D (opens May 27, 2016). Narrated by Academy Award® winner Robert Redford, National Parks Adventure 3D takes audiences on the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation’s untamed wilderness and legendary outdoor playgrounds, including Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Yosemite, the Everglades and Arches. Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the national parks in an action-packed expedition that will inspire the adventurer in us all. A MacGillivray Freeman film in association with Brand USA, National Parks Adventure 3D runs approximately 40 minutes.

NEW! Flying Monsters 3D (opens May 27, 2016). In the time when dinosaurs dominated prehistoric Earth, pterosaurs were the rulers of the skies. Join world-renowned naturalist and documentary filmmaker David Attenborough as he recounts the fascinating story of how humans discovered these creatures and how they were able to get off the ground (some with wingspans as long as modern jets) and soar ... until their sudden disappearance from Earth. Presented by National Geographic, this film runs approximately 20 minutes.

Tiny Giants 3D (through Sept. 5, 2016). In an adventure of giant proportions, Tiny Giants 3D reveals the astonishing lives of the smallest animals. Using the incredibly immersive power of special 3D cameras, audiences are transported in a very intimate way into the wild world of a chipmunk forced to grow up fast when he is on his own for the first time. Presented by Giant Screen Films, this film runs approximately 20 minutes.

LAST CHANCE! Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure 3D (closes May 26, 2016). Through 3D computer animation, travel back to the Late Cretaceous, when the sea was dominated by giant marine reptiles, some as large as present-day whales. Presented by National Geographic with music composition by Peter Gabriel, this film runs approximately 20 minutes.

LAST CHANCE! Journey to Space 3D (closes May 26, 2016).In the past half-century, humans have punched through the stratosphere, walked on the moon and lived continuously in orbit. In the coming decades, unquenchable curiosity will take our species beyond the cradle of Earth to touch the face of another world. Presented in stunning 3D by Giant Screen Films with brilliant narration by actor Patrick Stewart, this film runs approximately 40 minutes.

First Thursday Late Night (open until 9 p.m. June 2, July 7, Aug. 4 and Sept. 1). A cool opportunity on a hot summer night, the Perot Museum stays open until 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. Summer dates and themes are June 2 (Summer of Science: Physics), July 7 (Summer of Science: Chemistry), Aug. 4 (Summer of Science: Biology) and Sept. 1 (Maker). First Thursday Late Nights are free to members and included with general admission for non-members.

Discovery Days(10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 11, July 9 and Aug. 13).The interactively awesome Discovery Days offers family-fun themed activities, experiments, performances and more the second Saturday of the month. Dates and themes include June 11 (Inventions), July 9 (Creatures & Critters) and Aug. 13 (Super Scientists). Presented by Time Warner Cable’s Connect a Million Minds, Discovery Days are free to members and included with general admission for non-members.

Social Science(7-11 p.m. June 24 and Aug. 5). Celebrating the quirky cool Eye of the Collector exhibition, the Perot Museum will offer two opportunities for adults 21 and up to explore at the after-hours Social Science on June 24 (Curiosities) and Aug. 5 (Material). The quick-to-sell-out nighttime affair features adults-only fun complete with cocktails, performances, music, experiments and more. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Admission to the Eye of The Collector exhibition is optional. Social Science is presented by Riveron Consulting and supported by El Jimador and Woodford Reserve. Please drink responsibly.

Discovery Camp and Discovery Camp, Jr (June 13-Aug. 19). From preschoolers to kids in grades K-6, the Perot Museum has dozens of week-long summer camp sessions to satisfy stir-crazy kids and keep minds churning with hands-on experiments, 3D films and interactive STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. Exciting Discovery Camp themes for grades K-6 include paleontology, geology, life sciences, astronomy, chemistry and ocean exploration. (Additional Discovery Camps for kids in grades K-4 will once again be held at The Hockaday School.) At Discovery Camp, Jr., little ones ages 3-4 can explore the sea, space, nature, inventing and prehistoric mysteries. New this year! The popular Maker Mania and Destination Innovation camps will be held in the Museum auditorium for grades K-6. Presented by Texas Instruments, Inc., Discovery Camps will take place June 13-Aug. 19.

Sleepovers (May 27, June 17, July 15 and Aug. 12). Summer nights just got super-chill with Perot Museum sleepovers where kids can enjoy after-hours access to the Museum with exclusive demonstrations, a late-night snack, 3D film and light breakfast to round out the experience. Designed especially for children ages 6-12, sleepovers are open to groups of all sizes – from a parent and child to entire organizations. Sleepover dates are May 27, June 17 (Superhero Sleepover), July 15 and Aug. 12. Cost is $45 per child and $30 per adult chaperone for members and $50 per child and $40 per adult chaperone for non-members.

SUMMER DISCOUNTS. The Perot Museum is pleased to offer complimentary general admission for veterans, active and retired U.S. military personnel and First Responders and $3 off general admission for members of their immediate families (up to six family members) Memorial Day through Labor Day (May 30-Sept. 5, 2016).

In addition, everyone can take advantage of $10 Museum general admission from 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday (from May 30-Sept. 2), including First Thursday Late Nights.

To expand accessibility for families this summer, the Perot Museum’s Community Partners Ticket Offer provides $1 general admission for individuals and families enrolled in qualified state and federally supported assistance programs. The offer is valid for up to seven immediate family members Memorial Day through Labor Day (May 30-Sept. 5, 2016). Find details at perotmuseum.org/summer.

Snag a CityPASS! Big savings can be had with the Dallas CityPASS! A Dallas CityPASS provides Perot Museum general admission along with a 3D film plus admission to three other popular attractions. A CityPASS adult ticket is $46 (a $76.30 value) and a CityPASS child ticket is $31 (a $51.70 value) – a 40% savings! Find the link to purchase online at perotmuseum.org or go to the Museum Box Office.

EXTENDED HOURS. From May 27-Sept. 5, the Perot Museum will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from noon-6 p.m. Sunday. On the first Thursday of the month, the Museum will remain open until 9 p.m. for its public First Thursday Late Night events. (Note: The Museum will be closed Sept. 6-8 for annual maintenance.) Regular hours from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. will resume Friday, Sept. 9.

Member-only extended hours! From 8:30-10 a.m. every Saturday and 10 a.m.-noon every Sunday, members can enjoy exclusive access to the Perot Museum, plus member-only access to the Moody Family Children’s Museum on Mondays 10 a.m.-noon. Additionally on Memorial Day (May 30) and Labor Day (Sept. 5), there will be member-only access from 8:30-10 a.m.

TICKETS. Museum general admission is $19 for adults (18-64), $12 for youth (2-17) and $13 for seniors (65+). Museum general admission is free for members. Admission to the theater is $6 for a short film (20 minutes) and $8 for a long film (40 minutes). For members, admission to the theater is $5 (short film) and $6 (long film). Films and general admission for children under 2 are free. For groups of 10 or more, call for special rates at 214-428-5555 ext. 8.

Eye of the Collector is free for members. Non-members pay asurcharge for a total admission cost of $24 for adults (18-64), $15 for youth (2-17), $18 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is in no way affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd., Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Ltd, or PEZ Candy Inc. The trademarks displayed herein are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Skip the ticket sales line! Visitors, including members, are strongly encouraged to purchase/reserve tickets from their smart phones or computers in advance.

The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas, Texas. For parking information and other details, visit perotmuseum.org/summer or call 214-428-5555.