Plan Your Visit

We're excited to welcome you to the Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor University! Whether you're exploring our exhibits, discovering the Historic Village, or spending the day with family, here's everything you need to plan your visit.

Hours & Admission

Museum Hours

The Historic Village closes daily at 5 PM.

Weather Advisory: The Historic Village may close during inclement weather. Please call (254) 710-1110 to confirm availability before your visit.

Holiday & Special Closures

The Mayborn Museum is open year-round, with the following exceptions:

• New Year's Day
• Good Friday through Easter Sunday
• Thanksgiving Day
• November 21 – Baylor Home football Game
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

The museum may also close for special university events and staff activities. Please check this page for updates before planning your visit.

Admission

Military and group discounts are available. See our Ticketing Policy for additional information about eligibility and purchasing tickets.

Before Your Visit

Tickets & Reservations

Tickets and reservations can be purchased online through our homepage. Online ticketing is currently available for select special exhibitions and memberships. Not all exhibitions, programs, and events offer online reservations.

Tickets may also be purchased at either of the Ticketing Desks in the museum's main lobby during regular operating hours.

Membership Reciprocity

The Mayborn Museum participates in the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Travel Passport Program. Members may receive reciprocal admission benefits at participating institutions.

Visit the ASTC Travel Passport Program website for eligibility requirements and participating locations.

Please note that the Mayborn Museum does not participate in the Association of Children's Museums reciprocal membership network.

Snacks & Amenities

Need a snack during your visit? Stop by the Museum Store for Bear Bites On The Go, featuring a selection of snacks and beverages, including chips, cookies, muffins, applesauce, yogurt, candy, Lunchables®, Uncrustables®, and more.

Menu selections may vary seasonally.

Additional amenities include:

• Bike racks near the museum's front entrance
• Additional bike racks along the side of the building near the Grant Teaff statue

Museum Map

Explore the museum before you arrive or use the map to navigate during your visit.

Download the Mayborn Museum Map (PDF)

Visitor Conduct

We are committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for all visitors, staff, and museum collections.

Please review our Visitor Conduct Guide (PDF) before your visit.

Directions & Parking

The Mayborn Museum Complex is located on the Baylor University campus at:

1300 S. University Parks Drive
Waco, TX 76706

Parking

Free parking is available directly in front of the museum. The Mayborn parking lot is reserved exclusively for museum visitors.

If the museum parking lot is full, additional parking is available at the Ferrell Center or McLane Stadium Lot 2.

To avoid parking citations, visitors may need to register their vehicle for a Baylor visitor parking permit. Visit Baylor Parking & Transportation for permit information and registration instructions.

View the Museum Parking Map

Public Transportation

The Mayborn Museum is accessible via Waco Transit's La Salle-Circle Shuttle.

Fares are $1.50 for a one-way trip or $3 for a day pass.

Accessibility & Visitor Accommodations

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for every visitor. The Mayborn offers a variety of accommodations to help make your visit comfortable and enjoyable.

Mobility & Wheelchair Accessibility

• Accessible parking is available near the museum entrance.
• Ramps are available at the front and rear entrances.
• Elevators provide access to second-floor exhibits.
• Automatic doors provide convenient entry.
• All buildings in the Historic Village feature accessible ramps.
• Exhibits are designed to accommodate wheelchair users.
• A limited number of wheelchairs are available at the front desk for visitor use.
• Benches and seating are available throughout the museum for rest breaks.
• Handrails are installed in all restrooms.
• Adaptive tools are available in the Design Den.

Sensory Accommodations

Complimentary sensory backpacks are available for checkout at the front desk.

Each backpack includes:

• Noise-reduction headphones
• Fidget and relaxation tools
• A modified museum map identifying quieter and louder areas
• A visual schedule featuring symbols and pictures

Social Story

Preparing for a museum visit can make the experience more comfortable and predictable. Our Mayborn Museum Social Story (PDF) uses pictures and simple descriptions to help visitors understand what to expect during their visit.

Family Accommodations

• Family restrooms are available.
• A dedicated nursing room is available.
• An adult changing table is provided.
• Strollers are available for visitor use.

Visitors Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

• Audio tours are available in select areas, including the Natural History exhibits and Historic Village.
• Braille text is available in select exhibits.

Visitors Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Informational plaques accompany exhibits throughout the museum, providing written details about their history and significance.

Language Accessibility

New exhibits feature bilingual text, and we are continually updating existing exhibits and visitor information to improve language accessibility.

Service Animals

In accordance with Baylor University policy, service animals are welcome in public areas of the museum.

Learn more about Baylor University's Pets on Campus Policy.

Ticketing & Refund Policy

Ticket Purchases

All Mayborn Museum Complex ticket sales and reservations are final. Tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable.

In the event of a museum closure or program cancellation, ticket orders will be rebooked or refunded.

Please note that all transactions will appear on your statement as Baylor University.

Discounts & Free Admission

The Mayborn Museum offers free admission to:

• Active Baylor University students
• Active Texas State Technical College (TSTC) students
• Active McLennan Community College (MCC) students
• Active-duty military personnel

These discounts are not available through online ticketing. Eligible visitors must purchase tickets at a Ticketing Desk in the museum's main lobby.

Some special exhibitions may require a reduced admission fee for visitors who otherwise qualify for free admission.

All other discounts and coupons must also be redeemed in person at the museum. They cannot be applied to online purchases.

Customer Confidentiality

Customer information collected during ticket sales is securely stored for transaction processing and reporting. Customer mailing addresses may be used for future museum communications unless otherwise requested.

Questions About Tickets or Reservations?

Contact the Mayborn Museum Visitor Services Team at MaybornCS@baylor.edu.

If your question concerns an existing order, please include your order number.

Privacy Policy

The Mayborn Museum Complex follows Baylor University's Privacy Policy, which outlines how personal information collected through the university's websites is handled.