Nasher Sculpture Center

Tucked into the heart of the Dallas Arts District, the Nasher Sculpture Center is one of the most forgiving museums to visit with kids, because half of it is outdoors. A light-filled indoor gallery opens onto a tranquil sculpture garden, and the whole experience feels more like a relaxed stroll than a hushed, don’t-touch gallery tour. For families who worry their kids can’t “do” a museum, this is the gentlest possible place to try.

The Garden Is the Star

The Nasher holds one of the world’s finest collections of modern and contemporary sculpture, and for families the outdoor garden is where it clicks. Kids can wander the paths, circle three-dimensional works, and view each piece from every angle, which is exactly the kind of movement a restless five-year-old needs. Sculpture is visual and physical in a way paintings are not, so it tends to spark questions and imagination without any prompting. Loop the garden first, then dip into the indoor galleries for a shorter, focused visit.

What to Look For

The Nasher grew from the Raymond and Patsy Nasher Collection, more than 300 modern and contemporary masterpieces by names kids may not know yet but will recognize the style of: Calder, Rodin, Giacometti, Matisse, Picasso, Miró, Henry Moore, and Richard Serra, among others. Roughly 25 large works are spread across the 1.4-acre garden of trees, fountains, and manicured lawn. The building itself is worth noticing too, designed by architect Renzo Piano with landscape architect Peter Walker so that the roofless galleries flow directly into the garden, blurring the line between inside and out. It has been open since 2003 and is regularly ranked among the great sculpture gardens anywhere.

Admission and Free First Saturdays

• Adults: $10
• DART riders: $8 (show your transit pass)
• Seniors 65+: $7
• Students with ID: $5
• Children under 12: free
• Military, first responders, and members: free

The best-value visit is Target First Saturdays: on the first Saturday of each month, admission is free all day, with hands-on family activities and short family tours running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Nasher also offers Sensory-Friendly Family Fun programming for families who benefit from a calmer, adapted environment.

Hours

Open Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Closed Monday.

Visiting with Kids

Morning and late afternoon are the coolest, calmest times to be in the garden. Let kids lead the way through it, since sculpture rewards exploration, and pair the garden time with a quick loop of the indoor galleries to keep the visit short and successful. Bring water and hats in summer, and check the calendar for family days before you go. An hour in the garden plus a gallery loop is plenty for most kids, which makes the Nasher an easy add-on rather than a whole-day commitment.

An Arts District Day

The Nasher sits in the walkable Dallas Arts District, so it combines naturally with nearby stops. The Dallas Museum of Art is steps away with free general admission, Klyde Warren Park offers a children’s park and food trucks for a picnic break, and science-minded families can add the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

Planning a Dallas Arts District outing? Browse our full directory of family-friendly attractions across DFW to map out a culture-filled day with your kids.