Get out and explore the great museums nearby! There are plenty of Austin museums that are fun and educational for the whole family. With our friends at Yelp, we recently asked for your feedback on Austin’s best museums for families. Read on to see which is the local favorite, and learn more about some of our favorites for taking the kids.
#1 Reader’s Pick: Bullock Museum
Learn all about Texas history through artifacts, exhibits, IMAX films and more. Take note that there are free family programs on the first Sunday of every month with free admission, too.
“Fantastic! I went here specifically to look at the recovered LaSalle ship from the Texas coast. It did not disappoint! The additional Texas history was icing on the cake.” – Elite Yelper Guy H
Thinkery
The name says it all. The whole family is guaranteed to have a blast at this Mueller Austin children’s museum, featuring cool events and hands-on exhibits year round that inspire the imagination of your little thinkers.
“Tons of hands-on fun for kids in every corner or every floor. Even outside is great fun, good learning and active play for all kids.” – Elite Yelper Amanda P
Thinkery, photo by Heidi Okla
Austin Nature and Science Center
A great place to take your kid to see live animals, go on a nature trail and investigate science topics. Way better than a textbook. Make sure they check out the Dino Pit, and they’ll likely agree. Bonus: admission is always free!
“Whoever said great things are never free, has never been to Austin Nature and Science Center. Nestled near Zilker Park this free admission play and learning area is an amazing place for kids young and old. With butterflies and grasshoppers greeting you on the stroll in, a quick overlook to the left reveals a dino dig sand pit with shading and a pond full of discovery. “ – Yelper Mele F
Austin Nature & Science Center, photo by Heidi Okla
Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms
This historic “living history” museum has all kinds of nature workshops, workshops, and special events. Your kids will have a blast in the great outdoors on this farm setting.
“I believe that looking at the past allows us to appreciate what we have now. This location is what you make of it. Depending upon the time of the year you visit, there are various classes and interactive holiday festivals.” – Elite Yelper Courtney B
Pioneer Farms; photo by Heidi Okla
Texas Memorial Museum
Perfect for your little dino-lover, this museum on the UT campus features over 500 dinosaur and fossil specimens including the Onion Creek Mosasaur, a 30 foot aquatic reptile that swam in the shallow seas of Texas during the Cretaceous Period.
“They have several floors of displays of prehistoric animals that the kids, as well as the adults, just thoroughly enjoyed.” – Elite Yelper Kirk T
Photo from the Texas Memorial Museum Facebook page
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Kids of all ages have had a blast exploring and playing in the Luci and Ian Family Garden. Go for nature walks, swing in giant swings, look for butterflies and all sorts of native plants.
“What a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours looking at the beautiful plants from Texas. We enjoyed learning a little bit of the history of the area and the plants, and the Lady Bird Johnson significance to the area.” Yelper Kevin A
Wildflower Center; photo by Tiffany Chung
UMLAUF Museum & Sculpture Garden
Located next to Zilker Park, this is a fun outdoor setting to tour with the kids. Ask for a scavenger hunt when you arrive to give the kiddos something extra fun to do on the visit. Note that they also host free monthly Family Days with yoga, story time, art and music in the beautiful gardens.
“It’s so unique to have these hidden gems in the heart of the city – to escape for some inspiration and creativity.” – Elite Yelper Shradha A
photo from the UMLAUF Facebook page
Blanton Museum of Art
What kid doesn’t love touching all the pennies in the Cildo Meireles’s Missão/Missões installation or seeing the rainbow colored glass in Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin? The Blanton Museum of Art not only offers impressive art collections, but they also offer families the chance to get hands-on with lots of art activities during the summer months.
“Free Thursdays! I really enjoyed my time here. There’s something for everyone, from traditional to contemporary.” – Elite Yelper Diana V
Blanton Museum, photo by Roger Ho
The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria
With beautiful grounds to explore and lots of giant sculptures to admire, this museum is a fun place to tour with kids of all ages. In addition to the art displays and exhibitions, the Contemporary Austin Laguna Gloria also hosts a family-friendly art-making workshop every second Saturday of the month.
“Free entry for kids. Free entry for military. We enjoyed our hour here exploring the property. Kids marked off the statues as they found them on the map.” – Yelper Amanda M
Photo courtesy of. The Contepmorary Austin, Laguna Gloria
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