The Best Museums In Austin For Every Interest And Age Group

Mar 30, 2024

Last Updated on: Nov 10, 2025

Travel Blog

What is an art museum? Have you ever visited an art museum? Have you been planning to visit museums in Austin recently? Here, I am making a list of museums in Austin, Texas, so that you can plan your itinerary according to your preferences. 

Museums are a treasure of history, so when you walk into museums, you will feel as if you are walking back into history. The pace inside the museums feels like it has slowed down as you get to learn so much about the exhibits. 

Informative and interesting museum exhibits ensure that all the artifacts are preserved. You can find literary manuscripts, objects, photographs, and rare books in these museums, which are several years old. This is why it is important to visit museums to learn about history and acquire inspiration from it! 

The Best Museums in Austin for Every Interest and Age Group! 

What museums are open in Austin? So, what’s the largest museum in Austin? It is, of course, the Blanton Museum, and I will be sharing with you the little details related to it.  There are other museums of course which you should be visiting when in Austin. 

Blanton Museum Of Art 

This museum is one of the largest and most significantly comprehensive art collections in Central Texas, Austin! There are more than 21,000 pieces in permanent collections in the museum. The museum authorities organize special events regularly and regulate exhibits. 

If you are planning to go, why don’t you try to visit on Tuesdays? This museum offers free admission on Tuesdays. 

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum 

The museum has been named after the 38th lieutenant governor of the state! When you visit this museum, you will learn a lot of information. Therefore, it offers educational and meaningful experiences on the history of Texas. 

They organize culturally enriching exhibits and provoke your thoughts regarding historical events. You can visit the museum from Monday to Sunday between 10 am to 5 pm, while the admission prices range from $9 to $13. 

The Contemporary Austin 

To check out contemporary and modern art, you must visit The Contemporary Austin. This museum has two locations: Jones Center in Downtown Austin and Laguna Gloria in Lake Austin. 

If you want to visit this museum with your family, this is the perfect place because they organize seasonal exhibits and educational events. You must see it from Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm.  

On Thursday evenings, you can visit from 6 pm to 9 pm! You must pay $10 for adults, while for senior citizens and students, you must pay $5; for the military, it is free. 

George Washington Carver Museum & Genealogy Center 

The museum is in East Austin, and it celebrates the global contributions of black people. When you visit the museum, you will be bound to feel emotional because it preserves the history and culture of African American culture. The museum reflects a beautiful aesthetic expression! 

In this museum, admission is completely free. So how do you know when to visit? You must visit the website to learn about the current times you can see the museum. So, you must visit Monday to Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm. 

You can visit the museum on Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm; on Friday, you must see it from 10 am to 6 pm. 

Elisabet Ney Museum 

When you visit this museum, you will have a fun and unique experience with the photo ops. I recommend you visit this museum because it is highly recommendable and offers you a diverse view of art and exhibits. 

The museum is historic because it is the home and studio of Elisabet Ney! She is known as a wildly iconoclastic German sculptor who moved to Austin in 1882. 

There are self-guided tours that you can take when you visit this museum. You can visit the museum from Wednesday to Sunday as the duration is from 12 pm to 5 pm. For further information, you can visit their website. 

Neill-Cochran House Museum 

The museum is quite magnetic as it is inside a huge, beautiful mansion with an interesting history. A self-guided tour is available, and friendly staff will help you check out different aspects of this museum. 

The museum authorities organize educational exhibits. When attending, you will feel like you have stepped back in time. Why don’t you check the website for more details to see if it is included in your itinerary? 

The museum is open from 11 am to 4 pm, Wednesday to Sunday. On Thursday and Friday, visits are from 11 am to 4 pm. 

The Contemporary Austin  – Laguna Gloria

It was an estate that has now been turned into a museum venue and an outdoor garden. You will be tremendously happy and attracted once you visit this museum, as the beautiful sculptures are in the park. 

These outdoor sculptures are perfect for exploring and enjoying the Colorado River’s view. The museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday and open from Wednesday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. 

Texas Memorial Museum 

In Austin, if you want to visit a museum that will excite your children, you must visit the Texas Memorial Museum. This museum’s dinosaur fossils and other exhibits are impressive, so what are you waiting for? 

Take your kids or your partner, friends, or family who are dino lovers. The exhibit features a t-rex skull, flying pterosaur, and complete mosasaur. Why don’t you check out their website to learn about the exhibits and the time of visit? 

From Tuesdays to Saturdays, the museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm; on Sundays, it is open from 1 pm to 5 pm. It is mostly closed on all major holidays and Mondays! 

Old Bakery & Emporium

This museum is one place where you can buy art and crafts as they offer beautiful crafts and handmade items. Some friendly volunteers will help you understand the beauty of the exhibits. 

If you want to buy unique gifts, this is the perfect place to shop. This museum is near the capital and is easily accessible. It is through a website where you can check out many details.  

The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Wednesday to Friday, but on Saturdays, you can visit the museum between 12 pm and 5 pm. 

Mexic-Arte Museum 

The museum is a collection of contemporary Mexican art that mainly focuses on the works of artists who work with contemporary Mexican art. There are texts available to understand the art in bilingual texts, such as Spanish and English. 

You can visit the museum if you want to buy something to give someone because there is a gift shop attached there. This museum is open from Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm, while on Fridays and Saturdays, it is open from 10 am to 5 pm. 

On Sundays, the museum is open from Noon to 5 pm. So why don’t you visit this place? 

Finishing Off… 

To sum it up, all these museums offer diverse art, their representation, and artists interpret beauty. I am sure you will love all the museums’ exhibits and art that talks so much about the history of the places and the people. 

If you can relate to the culture and want to know more about ancestors of old times, go ahead and check out one of these museums. It will be a perfect activity to entertain you and your kids for a long time. 

Comment on which museum you plan to visit in Austin and tell us why! 

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Sagnika Sinha is a content writer who is passionate about writing travel vlogs, entertainment and celebrity articles and literature-based pieces. With a 4 years experience in teaching, she loves reading books. A procrastinator by nature, she loves travelling, listening to music, planting and gardening.

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Free And Fun Activities In Denver For Adults: Mark The Dates For Upcoming Events

BY  Sibashree Dec 11, 2024

The art and cultural landscape of Denver is thriving. Also, there are many free and fun activities in Denver for adults willing to know about the culture of this Colorado City.  Further, if you are in Denver in winter, exploring the wildlife will be the best for traveling on a shoestring. Especially during the winter months (November to April) you will get to see many birds. Hundreds of migratory birds visit this part of the world in this season. The most popular species among them are finches, woodpeckers, siskins, and jays.  However, you can begin the cultural activities in Denver for adults with a free walk and gazing at the festive winter lights. Also, in winter, there are some seasonal events that you can attend for free.  So, at Tour and Travel, we have curated some free and fun activities in Denver for adults this winter. Let’s have a look. 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READ MORE Airport Hacks

15 Airport Hacks Every Traveller Should Know Before Their Next Flight

BY  Sibashree Oct 15, 2025

People always feel excited when they are at the airport. Moreover, an Airport is always the starting point for a new adventure.  However, people find it difficult to manage things at an airport. Moreover, having multiple things all at once can be overwhelming for people in general.  Long queues, baggage restrictions, and last-minute changes can create additional problems for a traveller. Whether you’re flying domestically or heading overseas, these clever airport hacks will save you time, money, and energy. And if you’re departing from Melbourne, staying close to the terminal at Novotel Melbourne Airport can add an extra layer of convenience to your trip. What Are The Airport Hacks That Travellers Should Keep In Mind? The travellers should always avoid the last-minute trouble. However, here are some life-changing airport hacks that will make travel easier. 1. Check In Online Most airlines open online check-in 24 to 48 hours before departure. 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READ MORE things to see on Phuket Island

Three Of The Best Must-See Attractions During Your Time On The Thai Island Of Phuket

BY  Sibashree Jul 17, 2025

Alright, so—Phuket, the Thai Island. Man, where do I even start? I went in with zero expectations. Like, I thought it’d just be a beach-and-smoothie kind of trip.  You know, chill, maybe burn a little under the sun, hit up a night market or two, then call it a win. But wow, did this place surprise me! Seriously, you could spend a whole week there and still feel like you missed stuff. And I don’t mean just tourist traps—I mean real gems, the kind of places that make you stop and go, “Wait... how is this even real?”  But if I had to pick just three, the ones that still pop into my head while I’m spacing out on the subway or standing in line somewhere? It’s these. Trust me, you don’t wanna skip ‘em. Here’s the shortlist of the best things to see on Phuket Island, broken down with the same chaotic energy I had while stumbling across them. 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That emerald-green water? Totally real. And almost too perfect. Ended up in a kayak somehow. Not sure how that happened—someone handed me a paddle and I just went with it. And let me tell you, drifting through caves and into these hidden lagoons where it suddenly goes dead silent?  Genuinely eerie. In the best way. It was just me, water, and birds doing their thing. No Wi-Fi, no distractions. I didn’t even take a photo in that moment, which says a lot ‘cause I take photos of everything. I just kind of sat there, floating, trying to process how this was real life. Also, I overheard someone mention that those rock formations are millions of years old. Which, I guess, makes sense... but also doesn’t, because that kind of time is hard to wrap your brain around when you’re wearing flip-flops and sunscreen that’s already stopped working. Moral of the story: if someone mentions Phang Nga Bay, just go. Don’t overthink it. 2. Big Buddha Statue: One Of The Iconic Things To See On Phuket Island Alright, so this one is on every “Top 10 Phuket” list, and at first I kinda rolled my eyes like, “Okay yeah, giant Buddha, got it.”  But listen—it’s worth it. Especially if you like places that mess with your sense of scale and give you a weird kind of peace you weren’t expecting. You can spot the statue from, like, miles away. It’s perched way up on this hill and looks kinda unreal when the sun hits it just right.  Getting there involves a bit of a drive (note to self: don’t trust Google Maps when it says 15 minutes), and the road?  Twisty and wild. At one point, I had to dodge a monkey that was just hanging out in the middle of the road like it paid rent there. Once you're at the top though—wow. The breeze, the views, the statue itself... it all just sort of hits you at once.  There were people praying, people meditating, some guy just playing with his shoelaces like he was in his own little world.  I ended up sitting on this shaded bench, not really thinking, just existing. It’s hard to explain, but everything felt... still like time slowed down a little. Even if you’re not spiritual or religious or whatever, there’s something about that spot that feels special. It’s quiet, but not in a lonely way. Just peaceful. Solid recommendation. 3. Phuket Town So, confession time: I almost skipped this entirely. “The Old Town of Phuket”? Sounded kinda boring, honestly. But someone at dinner said the food there was fire, and I was like, “Alright, I’ll go for the noodles.” Ended up staying all day. This part of the island has its own vibe. Totally different from the beachy postcard stuff. It’s loud, colorful, and full of character.  Buildings in faded yellows, pinks, blues—all with peeling paint and crooked shutters that somehow make it even better. It’s got this lived-in charm. Like nothing’s trying too hard, and that makes it cool. I wandered aimlessly for hours. Got lost, found a little bookstore with more cats than books, and accidentally bought a t-shirt I’ll probably never wear.  I ate noodles that made me do the involuntary “eyes wide, nod slowly” thing because they were just that good. Oh—and there was this old guy selling postcards with weird hand-drawn cartoons. I bought five. It’s not glamorous. It’s not curated. But it’s real. And for me, that’s what made it so good. Things To See In Phuket Island: Where Nature And Grandeur Meet So yeah, those three places? Absolute standouts. Not secret spots by any means—plenty of people go. But they’re memorable in that “I can’t believe this is real” kind of way. Nature that humbles you. A statue that quiets your brain. A town that feels like someone’s messy scrapbook of life. And hey, pack light but bring snacks. I got way too hungry way too fast and regretted not having anything on hand but gum. Anyway, that’s it. If you end up in Phuket, don’t miss these. Or do. But you’d be missing out.