Perot Museum plans 4-acre outdoor science expansion with geysers and a fire tornado

Families who already love the Perot Museum of Nature and Science will soon have a lot more to explore. The Dallas museum has announced plans to expand its Victory Park campus by at least four acres, which will nearly double the campus and double its exhibit space, CBS News Texas reported.

The centerpiece is 60,000 square feet of outdoor science experiences. Museum officials said the new area will include hands-on attractions such as a mist maze, geysers, a lightning and thunder pavilion, a giant water vortex and a fire tornado. Reporting syndicated on Yahoo News, which cited museum leaders' comments to The Dallas Morning News, said the outdoor zones will have about 25 large-scale exhibits and 40 "learning touchpoints" with live science demonstrations. Visitors will be able to examine fossils, feel strong gusts of wind and build up water pressure to launch a geyser. The new green space will replace a surface parking lot and will include shade trees, native plants, a pollinator habitat and water features.

The plans also include upgraded amenities and better access for school groups. Other planned improvements include an updated entrance and lobby, better educational, dining and event spaces, and an on-site parking garage.

The project is being paid for through the museum's $185 million Curiosity Unbound capital campaign. Officials said the campaign has raised $135 million so far. They expect the expansion to bring in about 400,000 more visitors each year. Groundbreaking is expected in early 2027, with completion in late 2028.

The expansion follows another recent upgrade. The museum's Moody Family Children's Museum reopened in 2025 at nearly double its former size, with new indoor and outdoor play spaces.

This story is based on original reporting by CBS News Texas, with additional details from The Dallas Morning News via Yahoo News and from FOX 4.