The arts scene in Austin is amazing and thriving with creativity. Mainly, museums in Austin provide activities for a range of interests and people of all ages. We’re sure you’ll discover a museum that everyone in the group will remember, whether you’re trying to please the youngsters, the family history buff, or the art aficionado. Here’s a list of cool museums in Austin you should visit. Keep on reading!
Go Back in Time at the Bullock State History Museum of Texas
Although Austin is today a technologically advanced metropolis, things here used to be extremely different. Visit the Bullock Texas State History Museum if you want to learn more about the area’s past. Many exhibits at The Bullock include live action and narrative, in addition to the IMAX cinema, making it a terrific destination to take kids to.
The Bullock Museum, which bears Bob Bullock’s name and is dedicated to him as the state’s 38th lieutenant governor, continues his passion for and dedication to the preservation of Texas history. They provide exhibitions, activities, and events for people of all ages that are stimulating and culturally enlightening. Visit the museum’s website to learn more about the current exhibitions, entrance costs, and operating times.
The Blanton Museum of Art is One of the Cool Museums in Austin You Should Visit
One of the most well-known university art museums in the US is located on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The greatest and most complete collection of art in Central Texas is housed in Austin’s Blanton Museum, a perfect blend of art and architecture.
The Blanton regularly hosts five or six special exhibitions, with themes ranging from American Gothic to Western landscapes. On the first level, Teresita Fernández’s permanent wall work, Stacked Waters, is a popular attraction. Tours of the exhibits are offered (check the website for specific times).
Don’t Skip George Washington Carver Museum and Genealogy Center
East Austin, one of Austin’s historically Black neighborhoods, is where the Carver Museum is situated. The museum’s goal is to provide a setting that recognizes and appreciates the achievements made by Black people in Texas and the world. Their objective is to act as a bridge across communities and provide a more comprehensive understanding of African Americans. Visit to examine the exhibition created using the material culture, history, and artistic expression of African Americans. The entrance is always free. For the most recent hours, see their website.
Jessamyn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Explore the Literary Riches of the Harry Ransom Center
The Harry Ransom Center is for Austin’s book lovers. In the museum’s upper reading room, one may examine one of the most extensive collections of authentic manuscripts and other historical documents. Don’t miss this campus museum, though, if all you want is a fun distraction and a little air conditioning. You can only imagine what more treasures are held in this mid-century building with exhibitions like The Early Snapshot, the earliest surviving photograph taken in France in 1826, and the first copy of the Gutenberg King James Bible.
For those of you who just moved to Austin, make sure you keep yourself updated on the revolving exhibitions throughout the year. Relocation is never easy, but once you’re settled in and ready to start a new life in Austin and explore, the best way to start over in the city and feel its beat is to immerse yourself in its culture and art scene and see what it has to offer.
Visit a Fascinating Display at the Mexic-Arte Museum
Experience a singular cultural learning opportunity as you stroll through the Mexic-Arte Museum in Downtown Austin’s thriving Warehouse District. This museum is devoted to Latin American and Mexican art, as its name implies, as well as the expanding Mexican-American art movement. Mexic-Arte mainly presents traveling exhibitions. Hence the actual venue only houses a small number of permanent collections. The exhibitions in the Mexic-Arte Museum are imaginative and well-designed, ranging from life-size Day of the Dead sculptures to interactive art. Don’t forget to look at the museum’s actual walls as well. Local painters like El Federico create murals on the walls for free public enjoyment to keep things interesting. Regular exhibitions and activities, as well as seasonal ones, draw audiences. Check the museum’s admission and operating hours on their website to get more information.
The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum is Worth Exploring
If you want to take a break from visiting all those top-notch museums, make sure you visit the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden. This suburban treasure, formerly Charles Umlauf’s house, was presented to the City of Austin with 168 of his original sculptures to promote art appreciation and art education.
Umlauf’s sculptures are currently complemented by pieces by other contemporary artists, resulting in a beautiful outdoor setting that transports you into the realm of contemporary three-dimensional art. Rotating shows by Umlauf and other modern artists offer a learning opportunity that fosters a love and knowledge of sculpture and the environment. Numerous weekend-only special events are held at UMLAUF, such as CRAFT, a program that blends local art with craft beverages.
A Cool Museum in Austin Your Kids Will Simply Adore: Thinkery
At Thinkery, let your kids express their creativity, inventiveness, and love of learning. The Thinkery, which has 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, is a hands-on, inquiry-rich learning environment located in the Mueller area. Although they provide STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities for all ages, their programs focus on infants to eleven-year-olds. Since the number of walk-ins is restricted, Heavenly Moving and Storage strongly advise ticket reservations if you don’t want to miss a particular program or a day at this museum.
Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Another Cool Museum in Austin You Should Visit is the Museum of the Weird
Austin’s well-known catchphrase Keep Austin Weird was adopted by the Austin Independent Business Alliance to support local small businesses. Austin’s reputation for being odd, which distinguishes it from other Texas cities, is best shown by the Museum of the Weird, which is situated on the historic Sixth Street. Unusual attractions like freaks of nature, Fiji mermaids, shrunken skulls, etc., abound within and are sure to pique anyone’s interest and imagination. Visit their website to get a complete list of operating hours and entrance costs.
Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cool Museums in Austin You Should Visit: Final Thoughts
There you have it: a list of cool museums in Austin you should visit. Of course, this city is so vast and full of surprises, and you’ll definitely bump into even more amazing places to experience in the city. Choosing museums in Austin is a good starting point to get acquainted with this great city, whether you’re just visiting or have just moved here. Have fun either way!