Enjoy Free Admission and Activities at More Than 35 Cultural Institutions on Austin Museum Day
Before you join this city-wide celebration of culture this Sunday, take a look at our picks for lesser-known spots to explore
One of our favorite occasions is back on Sunday, September 20 where you can explore a wide array of exhibits, artifacts, displays, artists talks, performances and more! Austin Museum Day invites everyone to celebrate art, history, music, nature and science when over 30 museums in the greater Austin region open their doors with free admission and an abundant agenda of activities.
Organized by the Austin Museum Partnership, this special city-wide celebration of culture offers a vast selection of experiences that can be enjoyed by individuals of all generations.
On Austin Museum Day, you can brush up on Texas history at the Bullock Museum, enjoy a walk through the neighboring Blanton Museum of Art, or stop by the Texas Science and History Museum and explore Landmarks on the UT Austin campus. For some fresh air and sunshine, you can stroll through the gorgeous gardens at Laguna Gloria on the shores of Lake Austin. And there’s so much more!
Best Bets for New-to-You Museum Experiences
While you can certainly enjoy Austin’s most popular museums on Austin Museum Day, we also think of this as a perfect time to go explore some of the lesser-known local cultural institutions in the area. Most of the museums will have special programming and guided tours of their exhibits. Check out a full list of participating museums on the Austin Museum Partnership website. Below, we’re sharing notable new-to-you museums to keep in mind as you plan your day.
Pioneer Farms
Step back into the 1800s at Pioneer Farms, open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.. Explore this 90-acre living history museum where you can step into historic buildings, meet animals and experience Central Texas history brought to life through hands-on demonstrations.
Historic Chateau Bellevue
Step inside Austin’s very own castle and explore the historic 1874 Chateau Bellevue from 12 – 4 p.m. Enjoy guided tours featuring the fascinating stories of the North and Evans families, architectural highlights, and the Austin Woman’s Club’s role in preserving this beautiful mansion.
The Austin Club / Historic Millett’s Opera House
Tour three floors of Historic Millett’s Opera House from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This is one of the most historic buildings still in use in Downtown Austin which served as as Austin’s first true opera house, hosted a session of Texas legislature and the first graduation ceremonies of University of Texas. Today it is host to the beautiful and equally historic Austin Club.
LBJ Presidential Library
LBJ Presidential Library will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. with arts and crafts for all ages, games, refreshments, and performances throughout the day that celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hezikiah Haskell House
The historic Hezikiah Haskell House will be open from 1-4 p.m. Built by Charles Clark, the formerly enslaved man who established the early Texas Freedom Colony of Clarksville, a tour of the House will provide history about life in early Clarksville. You can also enjoy music from Soul Man Sam and his band at 2 p.m., enjoy light refreshments and play yard games.
Women & Their Work
Women & Their Work art gallery invites you to go on a Red Dot scavenger hunt as you explore the artwork of over 125 contemporary artists
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum
Austin Museum Day at the UMLAUF features both an indoor exhibition and the permanent outdoor collection. Open from 11 a.mm. – 4 p.m., they will host dozens of the Texas Society of Sculptors’ practicing artists who will offer live demonstrations and discussions of their work. Museo Benini will also be doing an interactive activity, and Matchara will be serving beverages on site.
More Museum Experiences Just Outside of Austin
Museo Benini
Located in just outside of Marble Falls, Museo Benini, one of 300 single artist museums in the world, will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. with paintings and sculptures by Italian artist Benini on display. Explore Museo Benini’s Sculpture Trail and Gardens, featuring more than 50 sculptures and also tour the museum, enjoy complimentary espresso, and meet sculptors.
Science Mill
Located in Johnson City, the Science Mill offers engaging hands-on STEM exhibits for all ages with installations that blend art, kinetic technology, augmented reality, and computer gaming. The museum will be open from 12 – 4 p.m. on Austin Museum Day.
No matter what museums you choose to visit on Austin Museum Day, we hope you have a wonderful time exploring!
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