With a collection of museums from art to Texas history to the military, visitors can spend a day in an Austin museum. For those who want to spend time outdoors as well, there are museums with outdoor sculpture, wildflowers and more. Here are the Top Museums in Austin and the best Austin museums for families.
Best Austin Texas Museums for Families
The Thinkery
The hands-on children’s museum offers 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space for kids of all ages. Move through the facility that’s divided into zones. For smaller kids, the Thinkery is the best Austin Texas museums for families.
Located 1830 Simond Ave. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission (2+) is $18 and babies are free.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
With its larger-than-life star out front, this is museum dedicated to Texas and its history. Visitors will learn about the people, places and events that define Texas history. Visitors will also find an IMAX theater and restaurant on site.
Located at 1800 Congress Ave. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission (18+) is $13 and youth (4 to 17) are $9.
Texas Military Forces Museum
Visitors will learn how Texans contributed to the military from 1823 until present. There is lots of aircraft and even tanks along with uniforms and weapons through the ages in this facilty that is on the Camp Mabry campus, a military installation.
Located at 3038 W 35th St. and located on Camp Mabry. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to enter.
Read More
National Parks Across Texas
The Top 30 Dallas Museums and Attractions
Guide to Fall Color in Texas
Top Zoos and Wildlife Safaris around Austin
Art Museums in Austin
Blanton Museum of Art
Located across from the University of Texas campus, the Blanton Museum of Art is the largest art museum in Austin. It features 21,000 works of art from modern and contemporary American and Latin American artists, Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings and prints and drawings from medieval to contemporary in its collection. Outside, visitors can experince the Ellsworth Kelly installation, Austin, a freestanding building.
Located at 200 MLK Blvd. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Monday and Tuesday). Adult admission is $12, youth from 13 to 21 are $5 and kids 12 and under are free.
Note: The Blanton is open though an outdoor construction project is ongoing.
The Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria
Along the shores of Lake Austin, The Contemporary Austin at Laguan Gloria features many of its contemporary sculpture in its woodland garden. The facility also includes the Driscoll Villa, a 1916 Italianate home.
Located at 3809 W. 35th St. Open Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adult admission (18+) is $10 and kids 18 and younger and seniors are free.
The Contemporary Austin Jones Center
Its downtown location makes this an easy museum to visit when in town. Its 8,000-square-foot space covers two floors and offers a roof deck and home to contemporary art and exhibitions.
Located at 700 Congress Ave. Open Wednesday from noon to 9 p.m., Thursday to Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and kids (18 and younger) are free. Free admission on Thursdays.
Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
Walk through a landscaped garden with the sculptures of Charles Umlauf, a former University of Texas professor. It’s one of the best Austin Texas museums for families since it’s outdoors.
Located at 605 Azie Morton Rd. Open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $7 and students (13 to 17) are $1.
Elizabeth Ney Museum
In the former Ney studio where Elizabeth Nee lived and worked, visitors see lots of examples of her sculpture. Born and educated in Germany she immigrated to Texas in 1882 and sculpted Texas legends like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston. The the gardens around the home are lovely too.
Located at 304 E. 44th St. in the Hyde Park, the historic neighborhood, north of the University of Texas. Open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday
Mexic-Arte Museum
A downtown museum dedicated to Mexican and Latinx art and artists with special events, including an extended Dia de los Muertos.
Located at 419 Congress Ave. Open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $7 and kids (12 and under) are $4.
Read More
Austin 4 Itinerary
Best Date Night Restaurants in Austin
Austin Restaurant Guide
Outdoor Musuems in Austin
Austin Nature Center
Visitors will learn about environmental science in an indoor/outdoor space. A favorite with kids is the native animals in rehabilitative care. Guests can also take the Forest Trail to see native trees then head to the overlook to see the Austin skyline.
Located at 2389 Strafford Dr. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Free to enter.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Visitors will learn about the native plants of Texas in this 284-acre facility. It features 900 different varieties including trees and cultivated gardens along with wildflowers. Another good option for kids, this is one of best Austin Texas museums for families.
Located at 4801 La Crosse Ave. Open daily at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $15 and youth 5 to 17 are $8.
The Pioneer Farm
With an 90-acre facility, visitors experience life in the 1880s Texas. Historical interpreters demonstrate skills of the time period and it offers workshops staffed with artisans. With its animals, The Pioneer Farm is the best Austin Texas museums for families.
Located at 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr. Open from Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $8 and kids 3 to 17 are $6.
Read More
Austin Fun Guide
Guide to Texas Swimming Holes
Best Places for Texas Wildflowers
Hiking in East Texas
More Austin Museums
LBJ Presidential Library
Located on the University of Texas, the LBJ Presidential Library houses the archives of the 36th President of the U.S. and native of the Texas Hill Country. As the president during a pivotal period of U.S. history, the library offers exhibits on both LBJ and his wife Lady Bird.
The LBJ Presidential Library hosts a range of speakers during the year as well as traveling exhibitions.
Located at 2313 Red River St. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets prices vary.
Harry Ranson Center
As the archives of the University of Texas, the collections are changed out though include a complete Guttenburg Bible. Its collection features manuscripts, early books, photographs and artwork.
Located at the 300 W. 21st St. on the University of Texas Campus. Open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Museum of the Weird
Along the infamous Sixth Street and in the middle of the entertainment district, visitors get a dose of the weirdness of Austin. It offers a collection of oddiites and best for teens.
Located at 412 E. Sixth St. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adult admission is $12.99 and kids (8 and younger) are $8.99
Neill-Cochran House and Museum
Built 1855 though the original owners never moved into the Greek Revival rock house. It served as a school for the blind and a federal war hospital instead. In 1875, the Neill family moved in, followed by the Cochran Family. The historic house full of antique furnishings.
Located at 2310 San Gabriel St. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $8, students are $6 and kids under 12 are free.
George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
This museum offers exhibits and collections of African American culture and not dedicated to George Washington Carver, the inventor. One of the core exhibits dipicts the life for African Americans in 19th century Texas.
Located at 1165 Angelina St. Open Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sunday). Free to enter.
Read More
Top Things to do for a Bastrop Getaway
Best Things to do Galveston
The Best of Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country
Best of Fort Davis in West Texas
Comments are closed.