Arts & Culture
Museums
Arthouse at the Jones Center
Arthouse (formerly the Texas Fine Arts Association) was founded in 1911, and for more than ninety years it has advocated for the support of contemporary art in Texas, organizing exhibitions and presenting them in Austin and statewide. From its home, the Jones Center in downtown Austin, Arthouse pursues its mission: to promote the growth and appreciation of contemporary art and artists in Texas. Through its exhibitions and programs in Austin and statewide, Arthouse helps nurture artists careers and deepen public understanding of contemporary art.
700 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 453-5312
Hours:
Tue, Wed Fri: 11 a.m - 7 p.m.
Thu: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Austin Children's Museum
Create. Discover. Explore. Invent. Learn. Play! The mission of the Austin Children's Museum is to inspire young children and the adults in their lives to experience the joy of constructive play. The Museum targets children 0-9 years of age. The Museum is filled with opportunities for informal learning and just plain fun, and it is Austin's only museum just for the younger set. Come and play in the Rising Star Ranch toddler spot, and the feature exhibit gallery. The Museum also features early childhood programs, cultural events and workshops, camps, educational resources, birthday parties group tour rates, volunteer opportunities, and much more!
201 Colorado Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-2499
Hours:
Mon: Noon - 5 p.m., Tue - Sat: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wed. Nights "Community Nights", 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. (admission is a suggested donation of $1)
Sun: Noon - 5 p.m. (4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Free Admission)
Admission: $5.50 - $3.50 General Admission, Free for Museum Members
Mission is to inspire young children and the adults in their lives to experience the joy of constructive play.
Austin Museum of Art
The Austin Museum of Art (AMOA) - Downtown presents continually changing exhibitions and programs that showcase an array of twentieth-century and contemporary art, including painting, sculpture, photography, prints, and video. To complement the exhibitions, the Museum also presents a broad range of accessible, interdisciplinary, and hands-on public education programs for schoolchildren, families and adults, including gallery tours, performances, and lectures. In addition, the AMOA Museum Store offers a wide range of art-inspired gifts.
823 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 495-9224
Hours:
Tue - Sat: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thu: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sun: Noon - 5 p.m.
Closed Holidays
Admission: $5 Adults, $4 Students and seniors, Children under 12 free. Tuesdays $1. First Saturday, pay what you wish.
Austin Nature & Science Center
Hike up a tree-lined path to this "living nature museum." Located in Zilker Park, visitors are invited to discover Austin's natural world through scientific exploration. Journey down the Eco-Detective Trail (with the help of our Eco-Detective Kit). Adventure into Small Wildlife Exhibits. The Center also features the Dino Pit exhibit, an outdoor, hands-on exhibit utilizing six different areas for discovery and exploration. The Austin Science and Nature Center is a world of discovery for explorers of all ages.
301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 327-8180
Hours:
Mon - Sat: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun: Noon - 5 p.m.
Admission: $2 suggested donation, free Eco-Detective kit rental with $1 donation.
Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art
Guido Reni, The Christ Child Playing with a Finch, 17th century
Image © Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin
The largest university art museum in the country and the leading art museum serving the city of Austin and central Texas. The Blanton's permanent collection is composed of more than 17,000 works of art from Europe, the United States, and Latin America. From Old Master paintings, drawings, and prints to cutting-edge sculptures and multi-media installations, the Blanton's collection serves as the foundation for the wide range of special exhibitions and educational programs the museum presents for the university and Austin communities.
MLK at Congress
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 471-7324
Hours:
Tue, Wed, Fri, & Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thu: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Free admission all day)
Sun: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Admission: General admission plus Uncommon Commentary Accoustiguide Tour - UT ID Holder & Museum Members - Free, Adults - $5, Seniors (65+) - $4, Youth (13-25) - $3, Children (12 & under) - Free.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin tells the Story of Texas through three floors of interactive exhibits, the special effects of the Texas Spirit Theater and Austin's only IMAX Theatre. With an indoor/outdoor café, a gift shop and special programs throughout the year, the Museum offers something for everyone in Texas, and the Texan in everyone.
1800 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 936-8746
(866) 369-7108 (Toll Free)
Hours:
Mon - Sat: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun: Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Admission:
Exhibits: free to ages 18 and under; $5.50 for adults
Multimedia Theater: $3.50 for youth; $5.0 for adults
IMAX Theatre: $5.00 for youth; $7.00 for adults
Senior discounts and money-saving combination tickets available
Capitol Visitors Center
The Capitol Visitors Center is located on the southeast corner of the grounds of the Texas Capitol. It is housed in the restored 1856-57 General Land Office building. The three-story castle-like structure reflects the mid-19th century mock-medieval revival architectural style and is the oldest state office building in Texas. The Visitors Center features exhibits and videos on the Capitol and Texas history as well as travel information and a gift shop.
112 East 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 305-8400
Hours:
Mon-Sat: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Center for American History
The Center for American History is a special collections library, archive, and museum that facilitates research and sponsors programs on the historical development of the United States. Exhibits are on view at the Collections and Research division in Sid Richardson Hall on UT campus as well as at Winedale, near Round Top, at the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum in Bonham. and the John Nance Garner Museum in Uvalde, Texas.
Sid Richardson Hall, Unit 2
The University of Texas
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 495-4515
Hours:
Mon-Sat: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun: Closed
Admission: Free
French Legation
The French Legation Museum is a historic house providing an intimate glance into the Republic of Texas and Victorian era. The museum offers the community a unique way to experience and learn about history through guided tours of the historic home and restored kitchen. The annual events held at the museum include Bastille Day, Easter Fete, Austin Museum Day, Archeology Awareness Day and Christmas at the French Legation. The museum also offers a variety of school programs that provide interactive learning experience. Hands-on programs include the history of folk-toys, archeology, the early classroom and archival research. The tranquil grounds of the French Legation comprise 2.5 acres of beautifully landscaped space providing a perfect backdrop for special events.
802 San Marcos Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 472-8180
Hours:
Tues - Sun: 1:00 -5:00 p.m.
Admission:
$4 Adults, $3 Seniors, AAA Members and groups with advance booking, $2 teachers and students with ID. Free for ages 5 and under.
George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center
The George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center has the distinction of being the first African American neighborhood museum in the state of Texas. Located in Kealing Park, the museum serves the needs of citizens of Austin through the collection and preservation of artifacts, which document the history of African Americans on city, county, state and national levels and to promote a climate in which African American artists can be recognized and appreciated for their culturally diverse heritage.
1165 Angelina Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 974-4926
Hours:
Mon, Wed & Fri: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tue & Thu: 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed Sunday
Admission: Free
Governor's Mansion
The Texas Governor's Mansion has been the home of every Texas Governor since 1856. It is the fourth oldest, continuously occupied governor's residence in the United States. The building is an important example of Greek Revival architecture and contains one of the nation's finest collections of early 19th century furniture.
1010 Colorado Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-5516 (tour information 24 hours)
Hours:
Public tours
Mon - Thu: 10:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.
Due to security, tours must be booked one business day in advance by calling (512) 463-5518 - No personal belongings allowed.
Call ahead for private tours
Admission: Free
Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
The Harry Ransom Center houses one of the world's finest cultural archives with over 45 million items, including extensive collections of rare books, manuscripts, photography, film, art and the performing arts. The Ransom Center Galleries offer diverse exhibitions from the Center's holdings as well as a permanent display in its lobby of the Gutenberg Bible and the First Photograph.
21st & Guadalupe Street
The University of Texas
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 471-8944
Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tue, Wed, Fri: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Thu: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat - Sun: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Lyndon Baines Johnson Library & Museum
"It's all here: the story of our time with the bark off. This Library will show the facts, not just the joy and triumphs, but the sorrow and failures, too." This is how Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the United States, wanted the records of his life and his presidency to be viewed by the public. The LBJ Library and Museum takes visitors back in time through six decades of American history with emphasis on the turbulent 1960s. Visitors can see LBJ's 1968 Lincoln limousine, walk into a replica of the Oval Office and marvel at the life and accomplishments of Lady Bird Johnson in the First Lady's Gallery.
2313 Red River Street
The University of Texas
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 721-0200
Hours:
Mon - Sun: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed December 25th
Admission: Free
Mexic-Arte Museum
Mexic-Arte Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to cultural enrichment and education through the presentation and promotion of traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. Founded in 1984, Mexic-Arte Museum has emerged as the Official Mexican and Mexican-American Fine Art Museum of Texas. Mexic-Arte Museum is located on the corner of 5th Street and Congress Avenue.
419 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 480-9373
Hours:
Mon - Thu: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 10:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Sun: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Admission:
$5 adults, $3 Senior Citizens/Students, free for children under 12 (except school groups).
O. Henry House Museum
Famous for the short story, "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) lived in this 1981 Victorian cottage. His experiences as journalist, draftsman,, bank teller, and with the Texas Rangers are reflected in his short stories. Memorabilia from the author's life in Austin furnish this National Literary Landmark.
409 E. 5th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-1903
Hours:
Wed - Sun: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Texas Capitol
The 1888 Capitol is the working seat of Texas government. Including its new underground Extension, it is the largest statehouse in the nation. The building houses an impressive collection of historical Texas artwork and antique furnishings. Ten spaces have been returned to their turn-of-the-century appearance.
Congress Avenue at 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0063
Hours:
Mon - Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat - Sun: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Texas Memorial Museum of Science & History
This starfish fossil is a well-preserved example from the Cretaceous Period (144-65 million years ago)
The Texas Memorial Museum is a natural science museum with exhibits and programs based on its renowned research collection of more than 5.7 million specimens. Museum exhibits focus on three areas: gems and minerals, Texas wildlife, and fossils and dinosaurs. A number of unique features include an on-site working paleontologist preparing fossil specimens and answering questions from visitors, live-animal exhibits, and the country's first museum exhibit of immersive 3-D images of fossils.
2400 Trinity
The University of Texas
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 471-4794
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free (Note: the museum will be closed from July 25 through Sept. 16 for fire and safety renovations. This will not affect summer camp programs.)
Texas Music Museum
In a state rich with musical history, in a town where "Live Music Capital of the World" is no mere boast, the Texas Music Museum strives to insure our musical future by preserving and honoring our past. Currently, the Museum is "without walls" - that is, there is not yet a permanent home for our large and growing collection of recordings, photographs, and memorabilia. Already, though, many exhibits and special events have been mounted, and progress is being made towards a solid location. Visit website to mark the progress and see where and what we will exhibit next.
1009 E. 11th Street
First Floor
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-8991
Hours:
Not yet open to the public; check web site for special events and traveling exhibitions.
Texas State Cemetery
Walking through the Texas State Cemetery is like reading a history of Texas. Almost every aspect of Texas' past is represented on the picturesque 18 acres in East Austin. Notables such as Stephen F. Austin, "Bigfoot" Wallace, John Connally, Barbara Jordan, and Bob Bullock, along with hundreds of Confederate veterans, lend their personal stories that together make up Texas' history.
909 Navasosta
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 463-0605
Hours:
Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 8:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
Over 130 sculptures by Charles Umlauf, a prolific and internationally known sculptor, are shown in the museum and outside in a xeriscape garden. His sculptures range from detailed realism to lyrical abstractions. Using a wide variety of materials with equal ease, Umlauf sculpted family groups, animals, mythological, and religious figures.
605 Robert E. Lee Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-5582
Hours:
Wed - Fri: 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sat - Sun: 1:00 -4:30 p.m.
Admission: $3.50 adults, $2.50 seniors, $1 students and under 6 free.