Visit Austin Museums for Free

Do you want to explore local museums but don't want to spend money? Austin offers many free museums that will entertain and educate you at no cost. There are several other museums in town that are not free all the time, but offer free days once a week, free passes to certain age groups, or entry by donation. Read on to learn about the Austin museums you can enjoy for free.

Museums that are always free for everyone:

Texas Memorial Museum
Harry Ransom Center
Elisabet Ney Museum
O. Henry Museum
Lyndon Baines Johnson Library & Museum
Capitol Visitors Center
Mexican American Culture Center
George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
Austin History Center
Austin History Center

Museums that have some free admission:

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Admission to the exhibit areas are free to children aged 3-4

Austin Museum of Art – Downtown
Kids 12 and under get in free

Austin Museum of Art – Laguna Gloria
$3 suggested donation, but no required admission fee

Blanton Museum of Art
Admission is FREE every Thursday (on the third Thursday of each month, the museum is open until 9 p.m.).

Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
Free to children under 6 years

Austin Children’s Museum
Community Night is on Wednesdays from 5-8 pm; admission is by donation (suggested $1). The Museum is FREE to the public every Sunday 4-5pm and any time upon request through our Open Door Policy. Children 12 months and under are always admitted for free.

Museum of the Weird
No admission is free, but it is free to enter the gift shop

Museum of Natural & Artificial Ephemerata
Suggested donation of anything from a dime to $4, though not required