Austin’s little treasure trove of museums does such a great job for the community.  Did you know many of them offer free admission on certain days?  Here’s your round-up of where and when to visit for free.

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The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria
If you’re looking for some zen in a busy week, consider a visit to Laguna Gloria. One of Austin’s most unique and romantic museums, Laguna Gloria is waterfront on Lake Austin. Bring a picnic and check out the peacocks next door at Mayfield Park after you’ve walked around the museum grounds. Admission is free for visitors all day on Thursdays and you can make your reservations here. Laguna Gloria’s on-site cafe, Spread & Co., serves up wine, beer, and charcuterie boards for happy hour starting at 6 pm on Thursdays, making this a great option for a date night!

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The Contemporary Austin – The Jones Center
The Jones Center on Congress Avenue is the museum’s gallery space in downtown Austin with exhibitions by acclaimed contemporary artists and a full calendar of cultural opportunities in an architecturally significant building.  Admission is free for all visitors all day on Thursdays.  Make your ticket reservations here.

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Blanton Museum of Art
The Blanton is home to more than 18,000 pieces of art ranging from ancient Greek pieces to contemporary American and Latin American art.  The Blanton Museum offers FREE Days on Tuesdays. You can check here for more info and events.

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Bullock Museum
With more than 9 million visitors from across the world, the Bullock Museum is dedicated to unfolding the Story of Texas through meaningful educational experiences. The museum offers signature experiences like community events, Texas-focused films, exhibitions, and more for all ages. The Bullock offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month from 10 am – 5 pm, presented by HEB.

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Thinkery
Austin’s children’s museum in the Mueller neighborhood has TONS of hands-on fun with art and STEAM activities.  Every Tuesday from 3 pm – 7 pm Thinkery hosts Community Hours to provide free admission for children and families.   This is part of their Open Door Initiative, which was created to give every child a chance to develop a lifelong love of learning.

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UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum
This museum and outdoor sculpture garden focus on the artistic works of American sculptor Charles Umlauf who lived and worked in Austin for 40 years.  Children 12 and under are always free, as well as veterans, active military, and their families.  They’re open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 am – 4 pm, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am – 4 pm.

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Texas Military Forces Museum
This 45,000-square-foot historical museum showcases uniforms, weapons, tanks, artillery, aircraft, helicopters, and more.  Admission is always free.  They’re open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm. (Please note: you will need a photo ID to get on the base at Camp Mabry).

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Mexic-Arte Museum
The Mexic-Arte Museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating both traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino, and Latin American art and culture. From exhibitions about Nacimientos, the traditional Mexican nativity scenes, to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the Mexic-Arte Museum is worth a visit. The Mexic-Arte Museum has free admission every Sunday.

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Bee Cave Sculpture Park
Tucked into a quaint little shady area off Highway 71 near the Hill Country Galleria, this 7-acre park features a collection of permanent and rotating sculptures in a peaceful natural setting with free daily admission. Click here for more info.

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Old Bakery & Emporium
Located in the heart of Austin by the Capital building, the Old Bakery & Emporium was built by Swedish immigrants in 1876 and operated as a bakery. Today, this historic building serves as a history museum, artisan emporium, and art gallery that exclusively features the work of local artists over the age of 50.  Entrance to this museum is always free and you can check their hours and get more info here.

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O. Henry Museum
The O. Henry Museum is the former residence of William Sydney Porter, otherwise known as O. Henry, the short story writer who authored such classics as “The Gift of the Magi,” “The Ransom of Red Chief,” and “The Last Leaf.” The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts and archival materials relative to Porter for literary, educational, and historical purposes. Through exhibits, programs, and tours, the museum focuses on Porter’s Austin years, during which he wrote his earliest stories. The museum is included in the National Register of Historic Places and is always free of charge.

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George Washington Carver Museum
 Through the preservation and exhibition of African American material culture, history, and aesthetic expression, the Carver Museum works to create a space where the global contributions of all Black people are celebrated.  They accomplish this by telling stories about the local community and connecting those histories to larger narratives about Blackness.  The Carver Museum is housed in a 36,000-square-foot facility that includes four galleries, a conference room, a classroom, a darkroom, a dance studio, a 134-seat theatre, and archival space. The galleries feature a core exhibit, The African American Presence in 19th Century Texas, a permanent exhibit on Austin African-American families, an Artists’ Gallery, and a children’s exhibit on African-American scientists and inventors. Admission to the Carver Museum is free of charge.

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More to Explore:

• Favorite Austin Street Art
• Experience Austin’s Outdoor Art