Museums in Austin TX

A Guide to 40+ Austin Museums

There is no shortage of museums in Austin, Texas. The city is home to the Blanton Museum of Art, the LBJ Presidential Library, the Thinkery, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum, among others. Whether you’re interested in art, history, or science, there’s a museum in Austin that will fit your interests.

Whether you’re a native Texan or a visitor to the Lone Star State, check out some of Austin’s fantastic museums. And, we’re here to make it super easy for you to do just that, as we have a list of more than 40, and an in-depth look at three of the best.

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The Thinkery, Thinkery Austin, Austin Children's Museum, Thinkery Museum in Austin TX

The Thinkery – Children’s Museum in Austin

It’s known as ‘the premier children’s museum in Austin.’ The Thinkery is a science museum made for fun and educational family days out. With permanent exhibits covering everything from currents, and light, to transport and nutrition, it’s easy to spend a whole day wandering and wondering in this Austin museum.

For little ones, there are many exhibits specially designed for toddlers and under 6s. But older kids will also feel right at home in the innovators’ workshop and sprawling backyard playground.

Hours and Admission

The museum is closed on Mondays, but general admission runs from Tuesday – Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm, 9 am-5 pm on Fridays, and 10 am – 5 pm on weekends. Saturdays offer special admission for ages 0-36 in a designated time slot between 8 am – 10.30 am. There’s even a free community night on Sundays between 3 pm – 5 pm.

Admission is free for children 23 months and under, and for everyone else, tickets are $14 each. Book your tickets in advance online to avoid disappointment, as walk-in opportunities are limited.

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Blanton Museum, Blanton Museum in Austin, Austin art museums

The Blanton Museum of Art

The Blanton Museum of Art is a museum in Austin that boasts a permanent collection of more than 21,000 pieces in various art styles. Perhaps you’re a fan of European renaissance and baroque paintings, mind-bending modern art, or works by Latin artists. Or, maybe you simply want to stroll around a gorgeous and diverse collection of pieces, The Blanton Museum in Austin has something for everyone.

One of the crown jewels in the group is by far the highly ‘instagrammable’ Ellsworth Kelly ‘Austin’ building that uses colorful stained glass to create an incredible atmosphere. The Blanton Museum Austin regularly hosts traveling exhibitions. And, as of March 2022, these include ‘New Acquisitions from Contemporary Black Artists’ and Terry Allen’s ‘MemWars,’ amongst many others.

Tickets and Schedule

The Blanton is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. But Wednesday through Saturday, this museum in Austin is open 10 am – 5 pm. On Sundays, opening hours are slightly limited, with the museum open from 1 pm – 5 pm.

Admission is free for children under 12, museum members, and those who hold a Teachers’ or Veterans’ ID. Tickets cost $12 for general admission, $10 for those 65+, and $5 for student admission.

Don’t forget – access to this Austin museum is free for everyone on Thursdays!

Jordan Bachman Pioneer Farms Austin, Austin living museums, Pioneer Farms Austin TX

Jordan Bachman Pioneer Farms

Austin’s Jordan Bachman Pioneer Farms is a living history museum. It documents the history of Texas as a whole and has activities to satisfy even the most discerning of tastes. With six historic themed areas ranging from an 1841 Tonkawa Encampment to a rural village from 1899, it’s never been easier to take a walk through time.

Nature lovers will feel energized in the 90-acre wooded Austin museum site, while history buffs will love the chance to live like a Texan pioneer. And, children won’t want to leave the Scarborough Barn where you can make friends with all the farm animals. The Pioneer Farm also offers some great classes, including banjo lessons and a chance to test your aim on the archery range.

Groups and Individual Admission

The Pioneer Farm museum in Austin is open 10 am – 5 pm Tuesdays through Sundays for school tours and Thursday through Sunday for general admission.

Tickets are available on-site, and children ages two and under are free. Tickets for adults cost $8, $6 for children ages 3-17 and seniors ages 65+. However, if you’re bringing a group of family and friends, admission for groups of 20 or more is $5 each.

Museums in Austin Texas

Austin MuseumsAddressWebsite
African American Cultural & Heritage Facility912 E 11th Sthttps://www.austintexas.gov/aachf
AMoA - Amarillo Museum of Art700 Congress Avehttp://www.amoa-arthouse.org
Art Science Gallery916 Springdale Rd.,Building 2 Ste 102http://www.artsciencegallery.com
Austin Art Space Gallery7739 Northcross Drhttps://austinartspace.com
Austin Nature & Science Center2389 Stratford Drhttps://www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-science-center
Barton Springs Splash! Exhibit2201 Barton Springs Rdhttps://www.austintexas.gov/department/beverly-s-sheffield-education-center
Blanton Museum Of Art200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvdhttps://blantonmuseum.org
Brush Square Museums Foundation409 E 5th Sthttp://www.brushsquaremuseums.org
Bullock Texas State History Museum1800 Congress Avehttps://www.thestoryoftexas.com
Center For American History1 University Sta Ste D1100http://www.cah.utexas.edu
Center For Mexican American Cultural ArtsPO Box 141725http://www.austinmacc.com/eng
Dimension Gallery979 Springdale Rd Ste. 99http://dimensiongallery.org
Dps Historical Museum And Research Center5805 N Lamar Blvdhttp://www.txdpsmuseum.com/new-page-1
Elisabet Ney Museum304 E 44th Sthttp://www.austintexas.gov/elisabetney
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center600 River Sthttps://www.austintexas.gov/department/emma-s-barrientos-mexican-american-cultural-center
Folk Art Museum Of Central Texas700 Lavaca Sthttps://www.folkartmuseumcentraltx.org/index.php
French Legation Museum802 San Marcos Sthttp://www.frenchlegationmuseum.org
Gallery Of The Republic98 San Jacinto Blvdhttps://galleryoftherepublic.com
George Washington Carver Museum And Cultural Center1165 Angelina Sthttps://www.austintexas.gov/department/george-washington-carver-museum-cultural-and-genealogy-center
Los Milagros De Cristo2608 E 4th Sthttp://www.losmilagrosdecristo.com/whole.htm
Lyndon Baines Johnson Library And Museum2313 Red River Sthttp://www.lbjlibrary.org
Mexic-Arte Museum419 Congress Avehttps://mexic-artemuseum.org
Mexican American Cultural Center600 River Sthttps://austintexas.gov/page/macc-get-involved
Museum Of Natural & Artificial Ephemerata1808 Singleton Avehttps://mnaeorg.wordpress.com
Neill-Cochran House2310 San Gabriel Sthttps://www.nchmuseum.org
O Henry Museum409 E 5th Sthttp://www.austintexas.gov/department/o-henry-museum
Pioneer Farms10621 Pioneer Farms Drhttps://www.pioneerfarms.org
Republic Of Texas Museum510 E Anderson Lnhttp://www.drtinfo.org
South Austin Museum Of Popular Culture1516 S Lamar Blvdhttp://southpop.org
Susanna Dickinson Museum411 E 5th Sthttp://www.austintexas.gov
Texas Archive-The Moving Image3908 Avenue Bhttps://texasarchive.org
Texas DPS Museum5805 N Lamar Blvdhttps://www.txdpscu.org
Texas Memorial Museum2400 Trinity Sthttps://tmm.utexas.edu
Texas Military Forces Museum2200 W 35th Sthttps://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org
Texas Music Museum1009 E 11th Sthttp://www.texasmusicmuseum.org
The Art Of Ice Cream Experience3208 S Congress Avehttp://the-experience.edan.io
The Contemporary Austin823 Congress Avehttps://thecontemporaryaustin.org
The People's Gallery301 W 2nd Sthttps://www.austintexas.gov/department/peoples-gallery
The Stark Center For Physical Culture And Sports403 Deloss Dodds Wayhttps://starkcenter.org
The Texas Spirit Theater At The Bullock Texas State History Museum1800 Congress Avehttp://thestoryoftexas.com
Thinkery - Children's Museum1830 Simond Avehttps://thinkeryaustin.org
Warren Wildlife Gallery1401 Bouldin Avehttps://warrenwildlifegallery.org/contact

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Blanton Museum?

The Blanton is an art museum in Austin, Texas housing more than 21,000 pieces. Visitors will find permanent collections and traveling exhibitions, and the museum is free for everyone on Thursdays.

Is there a children’s museum in Austin, Texas?

Yes. The Thinkery is Austin’s premier children’s museum. It’s a science museum with interactive displays for visitors from toddlers to teens. There’s also Pioneer Farms, a living history museum that’s a favorite of school groups.

What are some of the more unique museums in the Austin area?

Many people are familiar with prominent museums, like the Blanton and Bullock Texas State History Museum. However, Austin is also home to dozens of other museums. You’ll find the Austin Nature and Science Center, Texas DPS Museum, AMoA, and the Center for Mexican American Cultural Arts, to name a few. We have a full list on OTL City Guides.