Visiting Us

Visit Shriners Children's Texas

When visitors arrive, we're as happy to see them as the children are. Visitors can bring a smile to a patient's face and help them pass the time. But they can do more than that. Feeling supported by family and friends can also help enhance the healing process.

Parents and guardians can stay with their children 24 hours a day. General visitors hours are encouraged between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. We ask that all guests, hospital visitors and family members join us in creating a positive environment where hope and healing meet. 

Visiting Guidelines

To maintain a family-friendly, healing environment, we ask that all visitors respect the following guidelines:

• All visitors must check in at the security desk in the hospital lobby where they will be given a visitor’s badge. Suggested visiting hours are 6 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Parents/guardians or their representatives (if the parent/guardian is absent) may visit 24 hours a day. We encourage one parent/guardian to stay at the bedside and we provide a single cot, bed linens and shower facilities in the patient’s room.
• Visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult when visiting.
• Visitors known to be ill or who have been exposed to communicable diseases are not allowed to visit.
• Any restrictions on visiting hours will be fully explained to the patient and family and are determined with their participation.
• Visitors must leave the unit if requested by nursing personnel.
• Visitors are asked to respect patient confidentiality.
• All visitors must wash their hands when they enter the patient’s room and prior to leaving; nursing staff will share any additional infection control measures that may be necessary.
• Latex (rubber) balloons and/or fresh-cut flowers are not allowed in the building. Patients may receive Mylar balloons.
• Vending machines are available on the second floor and the cafeteria at your own expense for snacks and beverages.
• Shriners Children’s Texas is a tobacco-free facility. If you smoke or use other tobacco or smoking-related products, such as vapor or e-cigarettes, you must leave the grounds to do so.
• The use of alcohol is not allowed on our grounds.

Visiting During Influenza Season

Each year from October 1 through March 31, certain restrictions are in place at Shriners Children’s Texas to help keep pediatric patients safe and prevent the spread of influenza. Please review the following information when visiting during this timeframe:

• All visitors should be symptom-free when arriving at Shriners Children’s Texas. Please do not visit if you have fever, cough, cold or stomach virus symptoms.
• Upon arrival, our security team will screen visitors for flu symptoms.
• Siblings may join parents/guardians on visits to the inpatient unit only if they are asymptomatic and 18 or older.
• Clinic patients and families are allowed in the lobby, clinic waiting area and cafeteria.
• This is a friendly reminder to always cover your cough and sneeze! For your convenience, there are hand sanitizer stations throughout the building for hand cleaning.

Food Services

Our café on the seventh floor serves breakfast and lunch every day and is open to our patients and families. Please make us aware of any food allergies or sensitivities that you, a family member or guest have so we can safely serve you. In addition, vending machines are available next to the café and on the second floor near the waiting room area, with a variety of options.

Café Hours

Monday–Friday

Breakfast
7:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. (10 a.m. on Thursdays)

Lunch
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Dinner
4 p.m.–6 p.m.

Weekends & Holidays

Breakfast
8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Lunch
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Dinner
4 p.m.–6 p.m.

Vending machines are located in the second floor waiting room area floor and next to the café on the seventh floor. They are available 24 hours a day.