The most family-friendly destination in the Cultural District is the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (1600 Gendy St., 817/255 9300, www.fwmuseum.org, daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m., admission includes access to the adjacent National Cowgirl Museum: $14 adults, $10 children 2–12 and seniors). The museum received a dramatic face-lift in 2009, with a bold, blocky, colorful design. The new Fort Worth Museum of Science and History building is an innovative work of architecture designed by the highly acclaimed architectural firm Legorreta + Legorreta of Mexico City. The architect describes the 166,000-square-foot facility as “a very happy environment—a building for kids, young people and adults” with Latin American–based design elements such as bright colors (deep red, yellow, bright pink), courtyards, and extensive use of glass.

The museum’s collections and exhibits are equally compelling. Home to more than 175,000 historical and scientific objects with an emphasis on Texas and the Southwest, the museum showcases cultural heritage, botany, entomology, zoology, and paleontology. Popular attractions include the fascinating Cattle Raisers Museum, dinosaur dig/laboratory, the Children’s Museum, and IMAX movies.